Visitors at one of Wiltshire’s historic Georgian town houses were able to turn the clock back to the Regency period for a themed cream tea and entertainment.

Guests at Parade House were invited to dress in period attire as they arrived for the special function at the Grade 1 listed Parade House.

Parade House, built in 1730, is one of the town's finest and most elegant landmarks, the centrepiece of what Pevsner’s Buildings of Wiltshire describes as ‘ a stretch of Palaces’ along Fore Street.

It was formerly the headquarters of the Trowbridge-based Ushers Brewery  before the company closed in 2000. Since then the house has been more or less unoccupied for more than 20 years. 

Planning permission was granted to turn Parade House into a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) and sell it on the open market.

But the present owners, Simon and Carey Tesler, bought it to save it from being redeveloped into bedsits and started to restore the beautiful building to its former glory.

They have spent the past few months redecorating, restoring and furnishing the rooms to launch the house as a prestigious wedding and events location.

On Saturday they staged their Regency event Ladies (& Gentlemen) on Parade, with guests dressing in period attire provided by Bath Theatrical Costume Hire.

After the tea, entertainment was provided by the Jane Austen Dancers of Bath, followed by a Regency Play, Parlour Games and Opera hosted by actress and comedian Rose Wadham. 

Carey Tesler, the events manager said: ”This Regency themed afternoon has been a tremendous success.

"Our guests loved dressing in costume of the period and thoroughly enjoyed the champagne cream tea and the Regency entertainment.

"We are privileged to have been able to save this historic building and to preserve it as a fine Georgian house for Trowbridge.

"Our plans now are to use the house as a location for weddings, exhibitions, events, meetings, private dinners and similar functions.

"Our guests on Saturday loved being transported in time with one guest recalling her role as a secretary in Ushers more than 20 years ago.”

The attraction brought a crowd of onlookers to Wicker Hill in Fore Street to complete the going back in time. 

Adam and John Marshall, from Bramble Farm Carriages, brought a vintage style carriage with horses Troy and Triton to set the historic scene in front of Parade House.