City of Bath 1 World Heritage Site Setting Supplementary Planning Document

August 2013 Foreword

A Supplementary Planning The surroundings of Bath are The reality of being a vibrant Document to aid effective integral to the city, giving working city is often held in protection and management opportunities for beautiful tension with its history and of Bath’s setting views, for wonderful walks and beauty. This Supplementary As cabinet member for homes cycle rides and for exploring the Planning Document forms an and planning and a long landscape, history and nature. important part of the standing resident of the city, These opportunities need to be management framework for I am pleased to commend this celebrated and the landscape Bath and North East Somerset document which is already to be cared for so that under which the needs of our proving invaluable in informing maximum benefit can be vibrant modern communities decisions affecting Bath and its obtained for the community, can be balanced with the surroundings. residents and visitors. This protection of an internationally document shows the critical renowned heritage destination. Bath is valued because of its relationship of the city to its This will help to ensure that beauty and rich history which surroundings and the Bath remains a hugely valued is recognised by its inscription importance of the setting to the place to live, work and visit. as a World Heritage Site. The World Heritage Site so that it Lastly I thank all of you who designation is an honour for can be effectively managed for have contributed to the the city. As a complete city the benefit of present and development of this document, with such a harmonious future generations. relationship of buildings and and I believe this document open landscape this status is stands us in great stead to justly merited. continue to provide effective stewardship of this famous city for many years to come.

Councillor Tim Ball This Supplementary Planning Document has been developed in partnership with: Contents

1 Introduction 5 9 Historical Views and Places of Interest 140 in the Georgian Period (Appendix 4) 2 Definitions, Policy and Guidance on Setting 13 10 Roman Historical Sites and Features (Appendix 5) 143 3 Importance of Setting to Bath and the Surrounding Communities 19 11 Georgian Historical Sites and Features (Appendix 5) 150 4 The Extent of the City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting 23 12 Georgian Bath in 1852 (Appendix 5) 151 5 Characteristics of the City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting 27 13 Principal Historic Roads Into and Out of Bath (Appendix 6) 162 6 Management of the Setting 61 14 Location of Road Viewpoints (Appendix 7) 180 7 Assessing Impacts Affecting the World Heritage Site Setting 63 15 Location of River Viewpoints (Appendix 8) 185 Map 1a Planning Designations: Cotswolds 9 Appendices Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 1 Statement of Outstanding Universal Value 72 1b Planning Designations: Green Belt 10 2 Extract from Cherishing Outdoor Places 75 1c Planning Designations: Conservation Areas 11 3 Information Sheets and Computer Generated View-shed Maps 77 1d Planning Designations: Scheduled Ancient Monuments 12 for a Selection of Views and Historic Parks and Gardens (Maps 1a to 1d in Chapter 1) 4 Historical Views and Places of Interest in the Georgian Period 124 2 Indicative City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting (Chapter 4) 26 5 Significant Heritage Assets 141 3 Landform Features Associated with the 34 6 Principal Historic Roads into and out of Bath 152 Character of the World Heritage Site (Chapter 5) 7 Road View Descriptions 164 4 Contour Map (Chapter 5) 35 8 River Corridor View Descriptions 181 5 Green Hillsides Forming Prominent 36 Features of the Landscape Setting (Chapter 5) 9 Grading Categories for Assessing Impacts on the World Heritage Site 186 6 Character Areas (Chapter 5) 38 10 Definitions 192 7 View Locations (Appendix 3) 76 11 Historical Illustration References 193 8(a–z) Computer Generated View-shed Maps from 78 (onwards) Key Viewpoints and to Key Landmarks (Appendix 3) 12 References 195 Chapter 1 55 Introduction The key purpose of This document: • Describes and shows this document is to where the setting is • Defines what is important about the setting and provide information • Outlines the process for assessing impacts affecting the setting and tools needed for It also provides an overview of the international and national context for the management and protection the effective protection of the setting of heritage assets The document was adopted as a and appropriate Supplementary Planning Document in August 2013 in support of policies for the protection of the World Heritage Site and management of its setting in the Local Plan and Core Strategy once it is adopted the setting. It is intended for the use of developers and agents, development management planners, landowners and managers of land, and residents and visitors. Chapter 1 6 Introduction

Bathwick and hills beyond showing the city in its landscape setting 1.01 The protection of the setting of any World Heritage Site (WHS) This is fully linked to the protection of the document: Site itself. This is particularly true in the case of Bath where the landscape • Describes and shows of the city and its surroundings has where the setting is been instrumental in the location, • Describes what is important form and special character of the WHS. The setting is protected through about the setting planning policy but there is limited • Outlines the process literature on what is important relating for assessing impacts to the setting, how far it extends or on the setting how impacts should be assessed. This document seeks to provide this information and the tools needed for the protection and management of the setting including both the developed and undeveloped landscape. To facilitate this the document: The distinct landscape around Weston • Describes and shows where the setting is • Describes what is important about the setting • Outlines the process for assessing impacts on the setting 7

1.02 By understanding the 1.04 The project to prepare this 1.05 This SPD will give greater clarity 1.07 It will also be used by policy implications of any proposed document has been managed by and certainty in decision making and development management changes it will help inform decisions the Council’s Landscape Architect affecting the WHS setting and is a key planners when considering or to ensure that the characteristics that with support and input from English document to guide the management assessing development proposals. are significant to the setting are Heritage, The Bath Preservation Trust, and enhancement of the WHS and its It provides background information maintained and where appropriate the Council’s World Heritage Manager, setting. It recognises that there will be for Local Authorities who are required enhanced through managing the WHS Steering Group and the proposals for development coming to ‘identify and assess the particular appropriate development and through Councils’ Archaeologist. A study forward in areas close to the city. It is significance of any heritage asset encouragement of enhancement was produced in 2009 initially to not intended to prevent appropriate that may be affected by a proposal projects. It also has wider application inform the Core Strategy process. development within the setting but (including by development affecting to inform management decisions This study has formed the basis through outlining the significance of the setting of a heritage asset)’ as in support of the City of Bath WHS for this Supplementary Planning the setting aims to inform decisions. required by paragraph 129 of the Management Plan, in particular Document including identifying National Planning Policy Framework. 1.06 It is designed to be used by Issue 26 which states: ‘There aspects of significance as defined developers, statutory undertakers and 1.08 It is also intended to be useful is a need to ensure that the Site’s in the Statement of Outstanding their advisers in giving understanding for landowners and managers of land extensive and vulnerable landscape Universal Value and providing a of the setting and its significance so to influence decisions on the use and setting is recognised, interpreted, framework for assessing impacts that the issues can be fully taken into management of land particularly when protected and managed to prevent on the WHS. It has been prepared account when considering the siting considering proposals for change incremental damage’ and Action in line with international and national and design of new development. within the setting. It is hoped that 12a to adopt a WHS setting policy and guidance including the It provides background information it will also be of interest to residents, Supplementary Planning Document. National Planning Policy Framework, in support of the requirement in visitors and others with an interest Circular 07/2009 on the Protection of 1.03 It has been consulted on and paragraph 128 of the National Planning in the city and its surroundings. World Heritage Sites, The Operational adopted as a Supplementary Planning Policy Framework to ‘describe the Guidelines for the Implementation of Document in support of policies BH.1 significance of any heritage assets the World Heritage Convention and in the Bath and North East Somerset affected, including any contribution English Heritage guidance ‘The Setting Council Local Plan and B4 in the Core made by their setting’. Reference to of Heritage Assets’ and ‘Seeing the Strategy once it is adopted. heritage assets in this SPD include History in the View’ and with the both designated and non-designated benefit of good practice from heritage assets. other World Heritage Sites. Chapter 1 8 Introduction

Sion Hill to Beckford's Tower in the landscape context including the area of the former pleasure garden and ride 1.09 Chapter 2 provides an overview of 1.10 The City of Bath as a WHS is the international and national context unusual both in its size, encompassing to protecting setting and the definition the whole cityand its complexity with a and practice with particular reference very large number of planning to key policy and guidance relating to designations, landscape and heritage World Heritage Sites. An overview of assets, a complex mix of attributes the importance of the setting to the (definition given in Appendix 10). Maps City of Bath is given in chapter 3 with of the key planning designations are a comprehensive analysis of the included at the end of this chapter. significant aspects of the City of Each chapter is self-contained which Bath WHS setting and why the has required some repetition and each setting is important in chapter 5. The should be read in the context of the issues of defining the extent of setting whole document. There is also a are covered in chapter 4. The outside resource of background information boundary of the setting should not be including photos, historic views and seen as fixed and therefore it is an analyses in the appendices which indicative boundary showing the zone provide a fuller understanding of the which is likely to be sensitive to change WHS and its setting. and where impacts affecting setting should be assessed as part of the development management process. Chapter 6 outlines land management considerations within the WHS and its setting, in order to protect and show the significance of the Site to advantage. Chapter 7 includes guidance and a structure for assessing impacts on the WHS and its setting using recognised assessment methodologies. 9

Map 1a Planning Designations: Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 10

Map 1b Planning Designations: Green Belt Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 11

Map 1c Planning Designations: Conservation Areas Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 Chapter 1 12 Introduction

Map 1d Planning Designations: Scheduled Ancient Monuments and Historic Parks and Gardens Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 Chapter 2 1313 Definitions, Policy and Guidance on Setting

The key purpose This is through: • Examining the definition and characteristics of setting and of this chapter is to how setting contributes to the protection, understanding and demonstrate the appreciation of the heritage asset • Examining relevant guidance and policy and the key provisions and importance of setting intentions of each. It sets the scene for understanding the to heritage assets and significance of the setting of the City of Bath World Heritage Site which is particularly to World outlined in later chapters. Heritage Sites. Chapter 2 14 Definitions, Policy and Guidance on Setting

Definition and 2.04 This definition includes the 2.06 The ‘Circular on the Protection • Setting often refers to following relevant aspects: of World Heritage Sites' 4 is the key Characteristics of Setting • visual considerations 2. Views document in the UK providing 2.01 The New Shorter Oxford English • Setting is the surroundings in of and from a heritage asset but is guidance on WHSs. This includes Dictionary 1 provides a useful definition which a heritage asset is experienced also the following aspects of setting. of setting describing it as: ‘The manner • The extent of setting is not fixed • influenced by other environmental • Setting is the area around a WHS or position in which something is set, and can change as the heritage asset factors such as noise, dust and fixed or placed; a person or thing’s and its surroundings evolve • Setting incorporates the area vibration 2 and immediate environment or where change or development • Elements of a setting can make • influenced by spatial associations surroundings; a place or time in, is capable of having an adverse a positive, neutral or negative and by understanding of the or at which, a story, play, scene etc impact on the WHS including contribution historic relationship between is represented as happening.’ views to or from the site places 2 2.02 This definition reveals the rich • Setting influences the significance of • Setting includes areas where diversity of setting encompassing a heritage asset and the ability to • setting can enhance the significance inappropriate change or the physical relationship of the subject appreciate that significance. of a heritage asset whether or not it development is capable of adversely with the surroundings as well as the was designed to do so. 2.05 English Heritage’s Conservation affecting the Outstanding Universal less tangible aspects of setting; Principles, Policies and Guidance for Value, integrity, authenticity and • Setting has a role in revealing the specifically the context in time. The the Sustainable Management of the significance of the WHS significance of a heritage asset definition suggests that the setting Historic Environment 3 includes the helps to provide understanding, • Setting can include a buffer zone • The contribution of setting does not following principles of setting: significance or other enhancement where an added layer of protection depend on public rights of access. of the subject rather than just a • Setting is the local context of the WHS is provided. 2.08 The Xi’An Declaration on the passive role. of a heritage asset 2.07 The now withdrawn PPS 5 Conservation of the Setting of 2.03 The National Planning Policy • Setting embraces past and present Planning for the Historic Environment 5 Heritage Structures, Sites and Areas 6 Framework defines the setting of relationships between the heritage also included the following principles contains a range of useful principles heritage assets as: ‘The surroundings asset and surrounding landscape which are included here not as policy and recommendations for the setting but in order to provide a broader of WHSs. Some are listed below. in which a heritage asset is • Setting is defined by the extent understanding of the significance of experienced. Its extent is not fixed to which change could affect the • The setting of a heritage structure, setting. and may change as the asset and its place’s significance. site or area is defined as the surroundings evolve. Elements of immediate and extended a setting may make a positive or environment that is part of, or negative contribution to the contributes to, its significance significance of an asset, may affect and distinctive character the ability to appreciate that significance or may be neutral’.2 15

North Parade Bridge towards Beacon Hill showing treed skyline • The definition of setting requires • Includes the surroundings implying an understanding of the history, there is a diminishing relationship evolution and character of the with distance or other factors surrounds of the heritage resource • Is influenced by visual relationships • Setting includes interaction with the between the asset and the natural environment, past or present surroundings social or spiritual practices, customs, • Is influenced by historical traditional knowledge, use or relationships between assets activities and other forms of intangible cultural heritage aspects. • Is influenced by relevant present day relationships between assets 2.09 A summary of the key characteristics of the setting of • Is influenced by significant aspects heritage assets and specifically of landscape character WHSs is given below. These factors • Is influenced by intangible have been fully taken into account in cultural aspects compiling this Supplementary Planning Document. Setting: • Is influenced by impacts such as noise, dust and vibration • Provides an added layer of protection of the Outstanding • Is influenced by change which could Universal Value, integrity, enhance or cause harm to the asset authenticity and significance • Is not fixed and can change of the asset as the asset, values and • Affects the significance of the understanding evolves asset whether or not it was • May include parts which make a designed to do so variable contribution to the asset • Has a role in revealing the and in parts may have a neutral significance of the asset or negative effect • Is not a designation in its own right • Is not dependant on public access, but its raison d’etre is to protect and abundance or shortage of open contribute to the asset landscape or the quality of the landscape. Chapter 2 16 Definitions, Policy and Guidance on Setting

Policy Context for UNESCO Operational Circular on the Protection of protecting setting The reasons for Guidelines for the World Heritage Sites 07/2009 2.10 The main reason for defining defining where Implementation of 2.14 This document provides current where the setting of a WHS is the setting of a the World Heritage policy guidance for WHSs in England. and what is important about it, WHS is and what is Convention (Nov 2011) It confirms that the outstanding is given below: universal value of a WHS Site is ‘a key important about it 2.12 The UK government signed up material consideration to be taken into Firstly to ensure protection of the to the 1972 World Heritage Convention • Firstly to ensure protection of account - - - in determining planning WHS. This includes the following which it ratified in 1984. The and related applications’. (paragraph aspects. the WHS. This includes the convention requires the government 8). It states that ‘Policies for the following aspects. to promote, interpret and protect • The Outstanding Universal Value protection and sustainable use of a WHSs and their Outstanding Universal including • The Outstanding Universal particular WHS should apply both to Value and to transmit them onto future Value the site itself and, as appropriate, to its • The Site’s integrity generations. The Operational setting, including any buffer zone or • The Site’s integrity Guidelines set out the procedures for • The Site’s authenticity and equivalent’. (paragraph 10) • The Site’s authenticity and the protection and conservation of • The Site’s significance World Heritage properties to National Planning Policy • The Site’s significance implement the convention. Secondly to ensure that the setting Framework (March 2012) is appropriately protected and • Secondly to ensure that the 2.13 The key principles relating to 2.15 This sets out the national properly managed and setting is appropriately setting include ‘the proper protection planning policies for England and of the property’ (paragraph 103) with Thirdly to enable the significance protected and properly replaces the range of Planning Policy ‘an added layer of protection’ which of the WHS to be revealed managed and Statements including Planning Policy should include ‘the immediate setting and appreciated. • Thirdly to enable the Statement 5. Its emphasis is on of the nominated property, important promotion of Sustainable The following key documents give significance of the WHS to be 2.11 views and other areas or attributes that Development and recognises the role the context for the protection of WHSs revealed and appreciated are functionally important as a support of the natural environment, historic and their setting. to the property and its protection.’ environment and good design. (paragraph 104)

17

2.16 Paragraph 132 states that ‘Significance can be harmed or lost through alteration or destruction of the heritage asset or development within its setting’ and that ‘Substantial harm to or loss of designated heritage assets of the highest significance, Approach Golf Course to the WHS setting at Bathampton Down notably - - - World Heritage Sites, should be wholly exceptional’. 2.17 Paragraph 137 states that ‘Local planning authorities should look for opportunities for new development within - - - World Heritage Sites and within the setting of heritage assets to enhance or better reveal their significance.’ Chapter 2 18 Definitions, Policy and Guidance on Setting

Approach Golf Course showing open landscape within the WHS Protection of which protect the Outstanding Setting in Practice Universal Value and the WHS setting. Other means include policies which 2.18 The approach to protecting protect the setting using other WHSs in England is outlined in the designations, policies to protect English Heritage Guidance on ‘The significant views, use of Article 4 Protection and Management of World directions, reliance on WHS Heritage Sites in England’ which management plans and reliance supplements Circular 07/09. on secure landownership and Paragraph 5.2 states that this includes management such as by the National through policy, preparation of Trust. These approaches are also management plans and through relevant where a buffer zone is in stakeholder steering groups. Further place. The key is in identifying the English Heritage guidance on setting significance of the Site expressed is provided in ‘Seeing the History in through the Statement of Outstanding the View’ (2011) and ‘The Setting of Universal Value and the Site’s Heritage Assets’ (2011). attributes and the part the setting 2.19 The Operational Guidelines state plays in supporting the Outstanding that ‘Wherever necessary for the Universal Value and its attributes in The distinct character of Bathford above the River proper conservation of the property, conjunction with a strong policy to Avon and By Brook valleys an adequate buffer zone should be ensure the protection of the Site and provided‘. This recognises that there its setting. The significance, landscape are various options for protecting the and heritage assets associated with setting of WHSs. The planning system the City of Bath WHS and its setting in England is well suited to protecting are described in Chapter 5. setting with or without a buffer zone. Different approaches to protecting the setting of WHSs in the UK are reflected in practice where there is a balance between Sites with a buffer zone and those without. Where there are no buffer zones in place the setting is protected in a variety of ways appropriate to the nature of each Site. The main means is through policies Chapter 3 1919 The Importance of Setting to Bath and Surrounding Communities The chapter outlines This includes: • The importance of green spaces, trees and open some of the wider countryside in enhancing local distinctiveness and fostering a benefits of the green sense of place • The contribution setting makes to the distinctive quality of the environment with setting to Bath. significant benefits for the economy • The opportunities the setting provides for recreation and local food production and so contributing to a healthy lifestyle • The opportunities for nature conservation and for people to experience wildlife close to where they live and work Chapter 3 20 The Importance of Setting to Bath and Surrounding Communities

3.01 The distinct topography is one 3.03 There are opportunities for a 3.05 Many of the values discussed 3.06 The importance of the rural of the foremost characteristics which range of leisure uses including walking, above are compatible with or directly undeveloped landscape setting of have influenced the development of rambling and cycling using the support the setting in protecting and Bath in reinforcing the Outstanding Bath. Initially building took place network of Public Rights of Way and revealing the significance of the World Universal Value and in maintaining beside the River Avon and later was other routes. They include the long Heritage Site (WHS) as contained in and enhancing local distinctiveness set into the surrounding hillsides which distance Cotswold Way, the River the Statement of Outstanding and the high quality environment can provided opportunities for spectacular Avon Trail, the Bristol to Bath Railway Universal Value. The significance is perhaps best be understood by views across the open Avon valley to Path and the Kennet and Avon Canal. broken down into a series of aspects considering the implications of the undeveloped slopes beyond. The There is also great potential for local which are listed in Chapter 5. These are not protecting the setting. city has been planned to make the food production given the number of important individually and together • Views from the city to undeveloped most of the relationship of the residents within a short distance. in achieving a strong sense of place and treed slopes around the edge buildings to green open space. This The setting therefore provides which can help in fostering a sense of the city could be lost, reduced is still a valued characteristic of the opportunities for a range of of community through engendering or impacted on city today with the green setting of recreational activities and can play an pride in and connecting with the local the city forming a positive backdrop important part in contributing to a area. Landscape character, views, the • Development beyond the hollow to people’s lives. healthy lifestyle. The importance of an historic environment, recreational created by surrounding hills could attractive environment to encourage opportunities and biodiversity are all result in the city becoming more 3.02 A key objective of the Council healthy lifestyles is recognised in the important parts of feeling connected widely visible from the surrounding is to ensure a strong economy White Paper:Healthy Lives, Healthy and belonging within the local area losing its hidden nature recognising the importance of People (2010). community. employment opportunities, shops • The distinct break from urban to rural and tourism. One of the ways to 3.04 The setting is important for could be broken with development achieve this is through maintaining biodiversity. It includes a Special influencing the character of the and enhancing the quality of the Area of Conservation for bats and adjoining rural areas. environment and enhancing access. a substantial part is identified as a The value of the natural environment Strategic Nature Area. There are a in producing services for the local range of habitats including woodland, economy and society is recognised in rivers, floodplains and pasture with the Government's vision for the natural opportunities for nature conservation environment outlined in the Natural which are perhaps greater than within Environment White Paper (2011). the developed part of the city or conversely other more intensively farmed areas. The proximity to a large population also provides opportunities for access to nature. 21 Rich biodiversity of a limestone grassland meadow

The city set in its landscape setting seen from Widcombe Hill

Alexandra Park panorama to Widcombe Hill Chapter 3 22 The Importance of Setting to Bath and Surrounding Communities

The distinctive character of the River Avon at Batheaston 3.07 The objective of protection of the setting not only has value The objective of in its own right in protecting the protection of the authenticity of the WHS but also contributes directly to the economy, setting not only health and welfare of the city and its has value in its surrounding villages and its residents. own right in protecting The understanding, management and the authenticity of protection of specific heritage assets within the setting, such as the the WHS but also registered battlefield at Lansdown, contributes directly and of the character of the setting to the economy, health are important in contributing to the and welfare of the city quality of life of residents, visitors and those who work locally. This is and its surrounding expressed in one of the core principles villages and its of the National Planning Policy residents. Framework to ‘conserve heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their Enjoying a healthy walk beside the Kennet and Avon Canal significance, so that they can be enjoyed for their contribution to the quality of life of this and future generations’.1 Chapter 4 2323 The Extent of the City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting

The chapter gives an indication These include: of where the setting is and how • Whether a particular area is within or outside the setting far its extends so that decisions is informed by whether inappropriate change may on development, on other affect the setting and significance of the Site. changes and on management • Not all parts of the setting will necessarily contribute to the operations can fully consider significance of the Site in equal measure. • The extent of the setting is not fixed the implications on the World and static and may need to be reviewed Heritage Site and its setting. depending on the nature of any proposals and understanding of the significance of the area which may be affected. The chapter stresses a number The indicative setting shows where the impact of development on the setting will of key considerations in relation need to be considered and further evidence may indicate that the setting extends beyond to the setting and its extent. the outer boundary indicated. Chapter 4 24 The Extent of the City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting

The Purpose of Defining the The Aspects of the Setting 4.03 There are two further important The Extent of the Setting Extent of the Setting 4.02 The three main aspects of the considerations. Not all parts of the 4.04 Map 2 gives an indication of the setting will contribute to the 4.01 The identification of where the setting discussed in Chapter 5 and extent of the WHS setting boundary significance of the Site in equal setting is and how far it extends from which are taken from the Statement based on the research and analysis measure and indeed some parts the World Heritage Site (WHS) is of Outstanding Universal Value are 1) carried out in preparing this of the setting may have a negative dictated by the need to protect the the landscape and townscape Supplementary Planning Document. contribution. This does not, however, WHS and to facilitate understanding character, 2) views to and from the The evidence for the position of the preclude them from forming part of and appreciation of its significance. World Heritage Site (WHS) and key outer boundary is described in greater the setting. This is expressed in the The Circular on the Protection of heritage assets and 3) historical detail in Chapter 5. Its extent is National Planning Policy Framework World Heritage Sites states: ‘The buildings, sites and features associated dictated by the need: which states: ‘Elements of a setting setting of a World Heritage Site is the with the WHS. The question as to may make a positive or negative • To include sufficient area around area around it - - - in which change or whether a particular area is or is not contribution to the significance of an the WHS to protect the distinct development is capable of having an within the setting is therefore informed asset, may affect the ability to character and relationship of the adverse impact on the World Heritage to a large degree by the extent to appreciate that significance, or may city to its surroundings. This Site, including an impact on views to which inappropriate change may be neutral.’ The second consideration indicated that a minimum distance The area that needs affect these aspects of the setting and or from the site.’ is that however well informed our of 1.5km was required from the protecting is therefore anywhere therefore the significance of the WHS understanding of the setting is, it is boundary of the WHS outside the Site where change could and how it is revealed. not completely static and set for all have an adverse impact on the Site. • To include sufficient area to time. Any outer boundary needs to This is explained further in the Circular include key topographic features be seen as being flexible and subject stating ‘In developing plans for the of the setting such as river valleys to review or revision in the light of and slopes including views from protection of World Heritage Sites it new information on specific heritage is important to consider carefully how the WHS and key heritage assets to assets or attributes, in the light of undeveloped slopes to protect the setting of each World changing values placed on them and Heritage Site so that its Outstanding in the light of types of change or • To incorporate areas which provide Universal Value, integrity, authenticity development at a location or of a scale views of the WHS and its key and significance is not adversely that was not necessarily anticipated. heritage assets within their wider affected by inappropriate change or This is expressed in the National setting and which therefore reveal development.’ Planning Policy Framework which and provide understanding of the states in relation to setting that: ‘Its significance of the WHS extent is not fixed and may change as • To incorporate key historical sites, the asset and its surroundings evolve.’ buildings and features associated with or revealing the significance of the WHS. 25

4.05 It should not be considered Chapter 7 will provide answers as to as the definitive area where changes whether a particular proposal at a given could have an adverse impact on location will have an adverse impact on the WHS. There may be factors which the Outstanding Universal Value, mean that there are areas beyond the integrity, authenticity and significance indicated setting boundary which may of the Site and to what degree. The now or in the future be considered map showing the setting therefore within the setting where change could provides an indication of where have a detrimental impact on the WHS. impacts on the WHS and its setting will The indicative setting does not show as a rule need to be carried out as part the parts of the setting which may of any project proposal, management extend beyond the B&NES boundary considerations, policy planning and in because neighbouring authorities have the planning application process. planning responsibility. The research in Towards Beckford's Tower showing the harmonious edge Appendices 3 and 5 indicates that the to the city and lack of suburban character setting is likely to extend north of Batheaston to include the Rocks in South Gloucestershire and up the By Brook valley to Ashley and southwards along the plateau edge to include Kingsdown, west of Monkton Farleigh Warleigh Wood and southwards to the Avon valley including Freshford, Limpley Stoke and Winsley Hill within Wiltshire. Conversely there may be changes proposed within the defined setting which may not adversely impact on the Site or indeed which could enhance the Site and our understanding of it. The map should therefore be seen as a useful tool shows where changes have greatest potential for impacting on the WHS. The assessment of impact of proposals on the WHS and its setting as outlined in 26

Map 2 Indicative City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 Chapter 5 2727 Characteristics of the City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting

This chapter describes the Important characteristics of the setting characteristics of the setting and their significance. This include: is informed by the Statement • The character of the surroundings of the Site including the green undeveloped of Outstanding Universal farmland, green spaces, trees and woodland and settlements within the Value which describes the setting. significance of the Site which • The views afforded from the city to the green hillsides, woodland and open spaces lead to its inscription as and conversely the opportunities provided by the surroundings to view the city and its a World Heritage Site. surrounding landscape. • The historical associations with the city from the key Roman and Georgian periods. These include archaeological sites, historical routes into the city most of which are in use to this day, historic buildings, the opportunities for the enjoyment of the landscape within the setting including the interpretation and appreciation of the ‘picturesque’ qualities of the landscape. Chapter 5 28 Characteristics of the City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting

Introduction 5.02 The Statement of Outstanding 5.03 The main reasons for the Work is being carried out in 5.01 This chapter describes the Universal Value (SoOUV) is the inscription of the Site as defined in conjunction with English Heritage on aspects and landscape and heritage primary source for understanding the SoOUV are summarised below. identifying the attributes for the City the significance of the WHS. It is also of Bath WHS. The word attribute is assets that make up the World • Roman Archaeology – including the the primary source for informing the used throughout this document to Heritage Site (WHS) setting and their Roman Baths and Temple complex significance to the WHS. Map 2 shows extent and significance of the WHS refer to the characteristics which the general extent of the setting. This setting. The setting may or may not • The Hot Springs – the only convey the OUV or otherwise support should be used as a guide and read in include aspects of the OUV but its role one of its kind in Britain the Site, it's protection and is to protect and enhance the understanding of it's significance. conjunction with the guidance in this • Georgian Town Planning – its significance and understanding of the Reference is also made to qualities, Supplementary Planning Document to innovative and cohesive landscaped OUV. The definition of significance in values, aspects, components and establish whether a particular site or concept harmonised with its green the National Planning Policy characteristics to describe the area is likely to be within the WHS valley setting setting. Different parts of the setting Framework (see Appendix 10) attributes or facets of the OUV. recognises the importance of setting • Georgian Architecture – neo-classical may convey aspects of the OUV or 5.04 Bath is unusual in that the WHS to heritage assets. public buildings and set piece provide understanding of the covers the complete city. The WHS developments including terraces, significance of the WHS to varying and its setting is a living and evolving crescents, squares and the Circus degrees. The implications of policy environment whose long term designed by Palladian-inspired Bath planning, proposed development and protection and appreciation relies architects other changes within the setting will on changes and decisions about the need to be considered in order to • The green setting of the City in a management being informed by an protect the WHS. The background to hollow in the hills – the deliberate understanding of the significance the protection of the setting of WHSs appreciation of the landscape in of the Site and its setting. and heritage assets is given in Chapter the creation of a beautiful city 2. Chapter 4 outlines considerations in defining the extent of the setting. • Georgian architecture reflecting 18th century social ambitions – its role as a destination for pilgrimage and the social aspirations of the fashionable spa culture that created the Georgian city. The SoOUV is included in full in Appendix 1. 29

5.05 The Site has a close physical Key Aspects of the City of the natural landscape and activities and visual relationship with its Bath World Heritage Site Setting and features within the landscape surroundings and indeed the green 5.06 At its simplest the setting of including the interpretation and setting is at the heart of the the WHS is the surroundings around appreciation of the ‘picturesque’ significance of the WHS. While the the Site’s boundary. The setting has qualities of the landscape. setting of the Site technically starts different aspects which convey the Two further aspects are given below at it's outer boundary there are none- Outstanding Universal Value. These which although part of the above the-less green spaces and hillsides provide the basis for establishing • The views afforded within the setting, categories are included because of within the Site which provide a setting whether a site or area is within or from the city to the green hillsides their particular contribution to the both to individual key WHS assets as outside the setting and for shown in map 5, woodland, farmland WHS and its setting. well as a more general setting to key understanding the significance and open spaces and conversely the areas of the WHS. The link, whether of various aspects of the setting. opportunities provided by the physical or visual, between these They can be summarised as: surroundings to view the city in the areas and the setting of the WHS context of the setting. Typically views are particularly important and indeed into the city are few which reflects from many key views the distinction the compact form of the city which between the Site and the setting are appears to be contained within a characteristically indistinct. There are hollow and is surrounded by hills. also aspects of the Outstanding • Routes into and out of the city and Universal Value (OUV) which extend the quality and character of their beyond the WHS boundary including environs and views to and from them. for example important Georgian buildings such as Sham Castle and • The distinctive character provided part of the setting of Beckford’s Tower. by the topography, the townscape The WHS boundary therefore and land-use including the green although clearly defined for undeveloped farmland, green administrative and planning purposes spaces, and trees and woodland, • The historical associations with in many ways can be seen as a landscape features and the qualities the city from the key Roman and transitional zone. Aspects of the Site's such as tranquillity which Georgian periods. These include • The River Avon, the Kennet and significance extend beyond the WHS characterise the surroundings of archaeological sites such as Roman Avon Canal and surviving evidence boundary and conversely aspects of the Site. villas, historic buildings such as of the Somerset Coal Canal and the the Site's setting extend into the WHS. Kelston Manor and Bailbrook House, historical sites, walks and rides quality and character of them and appreciated in Georgian times their environs and the views to through to the present day including and from them. opportunities for the enjoyment of Chapter 5 30 Characteristics of the City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting

5.07 These aspects can be further The setting has different aspects which convey the Landscape Characteristics sub-divided into landscape and of the Setting Outstanding Universal Value. These provide the basis heritage assets and attributes which 5.08 The landscape of the setting for establishing whether a site or area is within or outside convey the Site’s significance. They characteristically consists of the green are described in more detail below. the setting and for understanding the significance of undeveloped farmland, green spaces, Although they are considered various aspects of the setting. They can be summarised as: and trees and woodland which separately there is often a large surround the Site. It also includes • The distinctive character Roman villas, historic buildings degree of overlap between the villages and other developed areas different aspects of setting which provided by the topography, such as Kelston Manor and within the setting which also play an together provide a fuller the townscape and land-use Bailbrook House, historical sites, important role. The development has understanding of the setting. A green including the green undeveloped walks and rides appreciated in particular significance where it pre- hill for example may be an important dates, or is from, the Georgian period. farmland, green spaces, and trees Georgian times through to the landscape feature, it may also have The distinctive pattern of settlements and woodland, landscape present day including significance as a hill fort contributing and the undeveloped green landscape features and qualities such as opportunities for the enjoyment to conditions which enabled the are key characteristics of the setting founding of the Roman town and it tranquillity which characterise of the natural landscape and together with the compact nature of may also contribute to views to and the surroundings of the Site. activities and features within the the city contained within well defined from the Site. While each of these has landscape including the boundaries. • The views afforded from the city value in their own right together they to the green hillsides, woodland interpretation and appreciation of reflect the greater depth of 5.09 As with many aspects of the and open spaces and conversely the ‘picturesque’ qualities of the significance of the setting to the WHS. WHS’s setting there is often no clear the opportunities provided by the natural landscape. An understanding of the setting will demarcation between the Site itself surroundings to view the city. • Routes into and out of the city and help in planning and carrying out and its setting. The green nature of the appropriate management which is landscape characteristically not only Typically views into the city are the quality and character of their discussed in Chapter 6. The surrounds the Site but punctuates few which reflects the compact environs and views to and from implications of change within the and weaves through it towards the form of the city which appears to them. setting is covered in Chapter 7 with very heart of it through the river be contained within a hollow and • The River Avon, the Kennet and a framework provided for assessing valleys, hillsides and areas of open is surrounded by hills. impacts on the WHS. Inappropriate space. Although this document deals Avon Canal and surviving change within the setting of any WHS with the setting beyond the Site • The historical associations with evidence of the Somerset Coal could have an adverse impact on the boundary the green elements within the city from the key Roman and Canal and the quality and WHS itself. In the case of Bath the the WHS have a similar function and Georgian periods. These include character of them and their close interrelationship between the are often physically or visually archaeological sites such as environs and the views to and Site and its setting heightens the connected to the setting. from them. importance that the setting has to the significance of the WHS. 31 Chapter 5 32 Characteristics of the City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting

5.10 The significance of the 5.12 The extent of the area needed to Description of the Landscape 5.15 The River Avon flowing through surrounding landscape to the WHS protect the landscape character of the forming the Setting of Bath Bradford-on-Avon south east of Bath, is not dependant on public access, setting is dictated by the surrounding 5.13 The presence of the hot springs, bends northwards cutting into the ecological value or how plentiful green topography and the diminishing cold springs, the river and its crossing Cotswolds plateau through the space is in the locality although these relationship to the WHS with distance. points all influenced the location of the Limpley Stoke valley. It then turns are important in considering the wider The setting needs to reinforce the city and together with the green sharply to the west at Bathampton benefits of the setting. It also is compact nature and distinct entity of undeveloped character and the towards Bristol where it continues importantly not necessarily dependant the city within its hollow, to maintain distinct landform influenced the form to cut through the Cotswolds plateau on being visible from key landscape its green setting, to provide protection and nature of development as we see before leaving the plateau at Twerton. and heritage assets within the WHS. of the OUV and the Site’s integrity, it today. This influence is most evident 5.16 Where the River Avon cuts authenticity and significance and to 5.11 The green setting is important in in the crescents and terraces which through the plateau between facilitate understanding of the enhancing the character of the WHS. were built to be seen and to have Bathampton and Twerton its significance of the Site. The setting It is a key aspect of the character and expansive views over open space meandering course has effectively therefore incorporates a zone of at attribute's of the Site and its setting and the countryside. The highly given rise to a hollow within the least 1.5km around the Site to include and in its role in protecting the OUV, valued relationship between built Cotswold plateau; the base and sides the valleys which immediately the authenticity, integrity and form and the green landscape is a undulating where tributary streams surround the Site’s boundary and a significance of the Site. The key thread throughout the SoOUV. (many now culverted) have eroded sufficient amount of the hills or plateau contribution of the surrounding the plateau unevenly. The city has which together provide the distinct 5.14 The striking and complex landscape is also a key contributor to expanded from its original location context of the city. The setting also landform in which Bath sits was views from and to the city. The on the gravel beds beside the River incorporates other aspects which are created by the River Avon and its evidence to support this section Avon in the centre of the hollow. It has described later in this chapter. tributaries, in particular the Newton includes the landscape character Brook and the Midford and Cam spread up the slopes of the hollow to assessments of the area and in Brooks which cut through the the edge of the plateau, and in places particular ‘Rural Landscapes of Bath southern tip of the oolitic limestone onto the plateau itself. The and North East Somerset: A Landscape Cotswolds plateau. At this point the containment of the city by the bowl- Character Assessment 2003’ which is plateau is dipping down and gradually like form of the landscape has given it referred to below. merging with a complex surrounding one of its distinct characteristics of geological landscape. The plateau being compact and looking in towards areas and the river and tributary the historic centre; physically quite valleys are shown on Map 3 and the hidden from the wider countryside. contours are shown on Map 4 later Why the city has not continued to in this section. spread beyond the hollow and out into the wider countryside can be explained today by a combination of the complex topography and strong 33

Distinctive well treed slopes at Beechen Cliff planning controls especially those 5.18 To the east of the city the associated with the Bristol – Bath Bathampton and Claverton Downs Green Belt and the Cotswolds Area of contained partly within the city Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) boundary, and the wide, steep which continue to have an important sided Limpley Stoke valley act part in protecting the Site's setting. as a constraint to development The AONB surrounds the city except spreading in this direction. for the western side; however, this is 5.19 To the south, the city lies close within the Green Belt. Maps 1a to d in to the southern outer edge of the Chapter 1 show the extent of the Cotswold plateau, which includes Cotswolds AONB, the Green Belt Combe Down and Odd Down, around Bath, Conservation Areas, effectively forming the sides or lip of Scheduled Ancient Monuments and the bowl. Development stops before Historic Parks and Gardens all of which the strong, steep sided Midford and are important to the character of the Cam Brook valleys, which form an setting. Land ownership is also a factor abrupt edge to the high plateau. and of particular note are the holdings Bathampton looking across the Avon valley to of the National Trust which have 5.20 To the west a steep sided wooded slopes and treed skyline secured the open green character tributary valley of the Newton Brook and management of land such as at and the brook itself runs up against Bathampton Down and Prior Park. the western outer scarp slope of the Cotswold plateau and similarly 5.17 To the north of the city lies the prevents the city spreading over the high Cotswold plateau incised by the lip of the bowl. There is an steep sided River Avon tributaries uncharacteristic example at Twerton such that there are three distinct where housing development has been plateau areas; Lansdown, Charmy allowed to spread down over the lip of Down and Bannerdown. A small the bowl to face the wider countryside amount of development of housing, with a strongly anomalous effect on the previous Ministry of Defence character and views. complex at Ensleigh, and some urban fringe development of playing fields and a Park and Ride has extended up onto the plateau at Lansdown. Map 3 Landform Features 1 Eroded plateau and ridges34 2 Predominantly Lias Associated with the Character limestone of the World Heritage Site 3 Eroded plateau and ridges, predominantly Lias Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance limestone Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office 4 River Avon Valley © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution 5 Corston Brook or civil proceedings. Licence number 6 Newton and Conygre Book 100023334 7 Lias plateau 8 Lansdown High Cotswold Plateau and outer slopes 9 Eroded plateau and ridges, Lias limestone 10 Weston Valley 11 High Cotswold Plateau, Oolitic Limestone 12 Oolitic Limestone ridge 13 Wellow Brook Valley, flood plain 14 Lam Brook Valley 15 Charlcombe Valley 16 Cam and Midford Brook Valleys, flood plain 17 Charmy Down, High Cotswold Plateau 18 Lower Oolitic limestone, undulating plateau 19 St Catherines Brook Valley complex 20 Bannerdown High Cotswold Plateau 21 By Brook Valley 35

Map 4 Contour Map Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 36

Map 5 Green Hillsides Forming Prominent Features of the Landscape Setting Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 37

Fog Settled in Bath's Hollow 5.21 The character of the 5.23 The zones are listed below with landscape itself and the topographic the original character area number in relationships which combine to brackets. contribute to the strong sense of A (16) Cotswold Plateaux and Valleys place are important aspects of the Landscape Character Zone site’s setting in their own right. The landscape has heightened significance B (18) Bathford and Limpley Stoke where it retains a land-use or character Valley Landscape Character Zone that is broadly the same as the C (17) Hinton Charterhouse Plateau contemporary historic uses and Landscape Character Zone character associated with the OUV. The green landscape which extends E (12) Cam Brook Valley Landscape out into the Site’s setting is part of the Character Zone OUV enhancing the significance and D (13) Peasedown St. John Ridge appreciation of the Site. It includes the Landscape Character Zone ‘picturesque’ qualities admired by visitors to, and residents of, Georgian F (6) Newton St. Loe Plateau Lands Bath and which is still valued today. Landscape Character Zone 5.22 The setting can be divided into G (14) River Avon Valley Landscape areas of distinct landscape character Character Zone Camden Crescent in its Green Setting as shown on Map 6. Each of these zones lies within and in some cases forms a substantial part of landscape character areas described in the publication ‘Rural Landscapes of Bath and North East Somerset: A Landscape Character Assessment 2003’. The character area boundaries have been slightly modified in this SPD so that they do not overlap with the city character areas described in paragraph 5.24 38

Map 6 Character Areas Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 39

Bath City-wide Character Rural Landscape Character Areas: 5.24 The character within the city is 5.25 The buildings of the Georgian Appraisal Areas: A Cotswold Plateau and Valleys Zone equally important in protecting the period combine harmoniously with 1 Weston B Bathford and Limpley Stoke OUV and indeed some character their landscape setting both at the city 2 Weston Park, Sion Hill and Upper Valley Zone zones straddle the WHS boundary. wide level, with views across the city Lansdown C Hinton Charterhouse Plateau Zone Map 6 includes the character areas and to undeveloped landscape, and 3 Faifield Park and Larkhall D Peasedown St. John Ridge Zone within the city which are broadly at the local level in the way buildings 4 Newbridge (north), Combe Park E Cam Brook Valley Zone based on the assessment included are in harmony with open green areas and Lower Weston (north) F Newton St Loe Plateau Zone in the ‘Bath City-wide Character and the public realm. Characteristically 5 Lower Lansdown and Camden G Avon Valley Zone Appraisal (August 2005)’. Some of the countryside appears to extend into 6 Grosvenor and Lambridge the areas are largely Georgian such the city through a series of interlinked 7 Brassmill Lane, Locksbrook and as areas 5 (Lower Lansdown and green spaces forming an integral part Western Riverside Camden) and 8 (city centre) and of the character of the city providing 8 City Centre others have a significant element of cohesion to the city and integration 9 Bathwick Georgian development. The character between the city and the surrounding 10 Widcome and the Kennet and of others often towards the periphery countryside. of the city are dictated to varying Avon Canal 5.26 A description of the special degrees by Victorian and twentieth 11 Bathampton importance of this landscape to the century expansion, yet even here the 12 Tweron, Whiteway, Southdown historical development of Bath is given Roman and Georgian influence can and Moorlands in the introduction to ‘Cherishing sometimes be seen in some road and 13 Bear Flat and Oldfield Park Outdoor Places – A Landscape building alignments. Some of the 14 Pulteney Road Strategy for Bath’ (February 1994) character areas retain a significant 15 North Road and Cleveland Walk and is included in Appendix 2. 16 Bathampton Slopes proportion of undeveloped land 17 Beechen Cliff and Alexandra Park thereby retaining some of the qualities 18 Entry Hill, Perrymead and Prior that existed in the Georgian period. Park 19 Bathampton Down and Claverton Down 20 Odd Down 21 Foxhill 22 Combe Down Chapter 5 40 Characteristics of the City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting

5.27 Some of the most significant 5.30 The distinctive agricultural landscape characteristics of the land-use and the contribution setting are described in sections of trees and woodland 5.28 to 5.32 • The green pastoral landscape 5.28 The compact nature of the city surrounding the WHS with influenced by the distinct hollow or the surrounding hills providing bowl shape of the landform and the containment and a green backdrop valley formed by the River Avon and to the city. Farming practices, characterised by: particularly grazing, which reflect the land-uses during the Georgian • A well defined edge to the city period are particularly valued and • A general lack of urban sprawl or would have included uses such as suburbia horticulture, orchards and poultry The distinct character of the Kennet and Avon Canal at Bathampton production to supply the increasing • The largely hidden nature of the population of Bath. city from the surrounding area. • Green links into the city. 5.29 The inter-relationship of development to the topography • The green setting to heritage and green setting providing beauty assets outside the Site but which and harmony to the townscape and are associated with the Outstanding landscape Universal Value. • Development within the city taking • Trees and woodland forming advantage of the slopes with views a characteristic part of the landscape across the Avon valley to green including on steep slopes, along hillsides beyond and conversely the line of the River Avon and its appearing as dramatic architectural tributaries and within gardens, open masterpieces when viewed from spaces, parkland and farmland often across the valley. enhancing the ‘picturesque’ qualities of the landscape. • Opportunities for appreciating the relationship of buildings with • Skyline trees and woodland the landform and undeveloped around the edges, and surrounding, green landscape. of the WHS. The picturesque landscape of the Cam valley 41 admired in C18 verse

Map 5 shows important green hillsides corridors, within and each side of the which contribute to the character of, city, and the surviving evidence of and views from, the city. They not only the Somerset Coal Canal corridor.' include undeveloped land but also well 5.32 Appreciation of the ‘picturesque’ treed areas where trees form a large qualities of the landscape part of the character or where buildings are subservient in views. • The contribution of ‘picturesque’ qualities in both designed and natural 5.31 The landscape character landscapes such as the contrasts of Widcombe Hill, one • The distinct character of the gently sloping floodplains and steep of the many historic landscape surrounding the WHS, valley sides, and trees and pasture roads into the city and characteristically penetrating providing drama and incidence in the into the Site, provided by the landscape which inspired landscape topography, the land-uses painters including Thomas particularly the natural and Gainsborough and John Constable. agricultural land-use, landscape The picturesque qualities are features, distinctive pattern and encapsulated by the painter characteristics of villages, historic Benjamin West as recorded by the features and associations and diarist Joseph Farington in 1807 qualities such as tranquillity. who extolled the picturesque beauty of the mills, the rocks, the quarries, • The Georgian and pre-Georgian the roads, the pools and the streams development within the landscape. of water falling from the hills It will have particular significance if surrounding Bath. it retains elements of the character and appearance that would have • Opportunities for experiencing been experienced during the the dramatic contrasts and views Georgian period. afforded by the topography. • Intangible aspects of character 5.33 The appreciation of these expressed through literature, verse qualities can go hand in hand with and the culture of the Georgian contemporary appreciation of the period in particular. surroundings of the city for recreation, exercise, local food production, nature • The distinct character of the River conservation and access to nature and Avon and Kennet and Avon Canal appreciation of the views. Chapter 5 42 Characteristics of the City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting 43

Visual Characteristics Individual buildings or other heritage Description of the Visual • Views to the city set within the of the Setting assets within the WHS have their own Aspects of Setting hollow incorporating the Georgian visual setting which when combined townscape and green spaces. Later 5.34 The visual aspects of setting 5.37 The visual aspects of setting with other heritage assets provide an development from the Victorian consist of the views from the WHS can be described as constituting: overall picture of the extent of the period onwards is also often and key heritage assets associated visual aspects of the setting. Nested • Views to and from the city from the a component of these views. with the Site’s significance out to and overlapping settings of individual road system and from the River Avon beyond the city boundary as well as • Views from key viewpoints or assets therefore exist within the and Kennet and Avon Canal. Views the opportunities the setting affords known recreational walks and rides. site’s setting. from the railway, although it was built for viewing and appreciating the WHS subsequent to the Georgian period, and its component heritage assets. 5.35 Views to the green undeveloped are also relevant in revealing the The visual aspects of setting could be landscape of farmland and open significance of the Site. thought of as the extent of views from spaces and to trees and woodland the Site ie the visual envelope, within the Site and in its setting are although the setting will not always integral parts of the OUV of the Site. extend to this limit because of the Refer to Map 5. A particular diminishing relationship with the Site characteristic is the green links with distance. Representations of the between the open countryside Railway at Dundas Aqueduct extent of views from a given viewpoint surrounding the WHS and green links providing views of the setting are termed view-sheds and a selection and open spaces extending into the from key features and viewing points is city. The views may be long or short given in Appendix 3. For the purposes views, they may be from single of the mapping the views are shown significant viewpoints or as part to a distance of 5km from the viewing of a sequence of views, they may point which gives a general indication be narrow glimpsed views or wide of the area within which change may panoramas and they may be have an adverse impact on the view planned or incidental. though in practice this may be less or 5.36 This section has been informed more for example views to rising land by research into how the city was may be affected to some 6.5km or experienced and perceived by more. The extent of the visual aspects residents and visitors during the of setting is guided by factors such Georgian period. The sites have been as distance from the Site, the scale mapped and are included in Map 9. and nature of any proposals and the specific location in relation to the Site. Chapter 5 44 Characteristics of the City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting Towards Batheaston – harmonious relationship of the village to Alexandra Park towards Beckford's Tower the Avon valley and surrounding landscape

Little Solsbury Hill to Bath 45

5.38 Views which are from heritage 5.39 Work carried out to assess the 5.40 Visitors to Bath in Georgian 5.41 The views out from the city show assets or from significant places visual setting has included identifying times would often take excursions the importance of the green upper associated with the OUV have a selection of significant views. Views on horseback, in carriages or on foot slopes and skyline all the way around particular significance. Likewise have been assessed and described. into the surrounding countryside. the built city and also illustrate the views which show the WHS and its A set of computer generated view- During the Georgian period from the contained nature of the city within its heritage assets in their own right and in shed plans from a representative beginning of the 18th century and into landscape hollow and the importance the wider context and which help our selection of key viewpoints are the mid 19th Century development in of trees on the skyline. There are no understanding of the WHS and included in Appendix 3. When Bath was relatively sparse within tracts views which show a consistently urban its attributes also have particular these are combined they provide of open and mainly grazed skyline. The majority of the skyline is significance. These include views an indication of the extent of visibility countryside. Some of the known key well treed with occasional areas such as which were important during the from viewpoints associated with the routes are shown in Map 9. These above parts of Weston and to the west Roman and Georgian periods many attributes of the Site. The extent of include walks taking in Primrose Hill, of Twerton where agricultural fields of which are still valued today and visibility is influenced by the Beacon Hill to Charlcombe, Widcombe form the upper slopes and hedges run those that help our understanding of topography and also by development to the Combe Down stone mines, along the skyline. Even where housing the Roman and Georgian development and tree cover. It should be noted Alexandra Park and Wells Road on reaches the skyline for example at Fox of the city. The importance of these that although there are very extensive to Oldfield Park. Of particular note Hill, Combe Down and Twerton and views is enhanced where the landscape views from some viewpoints there is Ralph Allen’s carriage drive around continues over onto the plateau, the today reflects some of the appearance will be a limit to how far from the WHS the edge of Bathampton Down and tree cover is generally such that the and character that would have been can reasonably be considered part of westwards to Foxhill. Another popular housing is at least partially screened experienced during the Georgian the setting. For the purposes of the walk, often in conjunction with these and the overall skyline effect is of trees. period in particular. Both the viewpoints mapping the views are shown to a walks and with ferry crossings, was Looking from within and across the city, and the views are of significance and distance of 5km from the viewing alongside the river to places such as there is a succession of hills and ridges, therefore need to be considered in point which gives a general indication Newbridge to the west or Camden starting with the slopes of the hollow planning any changes and in decision of the area within which change may Crescent. The significance of the itself (some of which lie within the WHS), making affecting an area. This applies have an adverse impact on the view. walks, promenades and rides to and then rippling out in all directions, regardless of whether they are inside In practice this distance may be less the Outstanding Universal Value forming a layered visual backdrop to the or outside the WHS if they enhance or more depending on factors such is important in understanding how city of open countryside. Some of these the values or help in appreciating the as topography. As an example views Georgian development was so fully hills and ridges can be seen from values of the WHS. The emphasis in to rising land may be affected over integrated with the appreciation of locations within the WHS from the this document however is on the a greater distance to some and integration with the landscape. Georgian period, such as the Royal setting outside the Site. 6.5km or more. Valued views included to and from Crescent and the Georgian Upper Town specific buildings, landmarks and area, and others form the backdrop other places of interest as well as an when viewing the city from areas appreciation of the rural landscape developed more recently such as within easy access of the town. parts of Twerton and Weston. Chapter 5 46 Characteristics of the City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting

5.42 The views into the city fall into 5.44 The visual setting of the those from the open countryside and Georgian city can best be understood those now within the urban area. as a series of layers from individual There are very few publicly accessible buildings and places of interest which views of the city from the countryside may be viewed at close quarters and these are all from the edge of the through to longer views, with the Cotswold plateau. To the south, east occasional landmark, which form and west the city is tucked down a valued backdrop to people’s lives. within its hollow and except for the Typically key views into the city will framed views along the Avon valley incorporate both views to Georgian is largely hidden from view, blocked development, and to open spaces by ridge lines and plateau edges. and undeveloped land. These two elements reflect some of the 5.43 The main viewpoints are the character of the city that would Prospect Stile and nearby Kelston Viewing point from below Sham Castle across have been experienced during Round Hill, along the Cotswold Way the city to the wooded slopes at Carrs Wood the Georgian period. at Penn Hill / Dean Hill above Weston, Little Solsbury Hill and Brown’s Folly. These views all, to different degrees illustrate the compact nature of the city laid out in its landscape hollow with either open fields on upper slopes or woodland and well treed residential areas running up to well treed skylines. The wide vista from the aptly named Prospect Stile gives a particularly impressive view of a large part of the city. A selection of these views is shown and described in Appendix 3. 47

Kelston View looking across the City

Kelston Manor looking over the Avon Valley Chapter 5 48 Characteristics of the City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting 49

5.45 There is a third component 5.47 Views from key buildings and • Views from historic recreational • Views to trees and woodlands on of views which consists of later other heritage assets associated with routes including walks, rides and the skyline and slopes (woodland, development from Victorian times and providing understanding of the places of interest which were tree belts and scattered trees). through to the present day. This third sites OUV and attributes including significant in the Georgian period • Views to trees, woodlands and open component though not directly part known from literature and • Views from key buildings, landmarks green space along the valley floor. of the original Georgian town none- and groups of buildings of the illustrations. Some are referred the-less largely respects the character Georgian period. Both those located to in the Historical Associations 5.48 A key role of the WHS of neighbouring areas for example in to take advantage of the view such section below and in Appendix 4. designation is to facilitate the use of Bath stone, the hierarchy understanding and revealing the as Sham Castle, Beckford’s Tower • Views from existing or proposed and scale of buildings and in the attributes of the Site and therefore two and The Royal Crescent and recreational routes following or provision of trees and open space further categories are included below. those with incidental or not near to historical routes including and in the way they are contained necessarily planned views. sequential views such as along the within the hollow. These areas form 5.49 Views to key buildings and river through to incidental glimpsed an important part of the view seen • Views from other historically other heritage assets associated views and routes which provide from the Georgian city and seen significant locations and assets such with and which provide appreciation of the attributes of from higher ground where the context as parks designed to take advantage understanding of the sites OUV the Site and its setting. of the Georgian city can be seen fully. of the view such as Prior Park and attributes including There are, however, examples of Gardens and those with incidental • Views afforded from the River Avon, • Views of key buildings landmarks buildings, which have compromised or not necessarily planned views. Kennet and Avon Canal and surviving and groups of buildings showing the harmonious composition of the • Views generally from the WHS with evidence of the Somerset Coal Canal. them both in their own right and / city and therefore do not support greater importance given to the • Views from key routes into and out or in their landscape context. or enhance the OUV. Georgian parts of the city and those of the city, both historic and existing • Views of the Georgian town 5.46 Significant components of the views which reveal the site’s OUV. including sequential views in general showing it both in visual setting can be categorised experienced by travellers entering its own right and / or in its under the following headings. This or leaving the city. The views landscape context. list should be read in conjunction afforded from and to roads into with the Historical Associations and out of Bath are described in • Views of other historically section below and should not the relevant section below. significant locations such as parks. be considered exhaustive. • Views to the green undeveloped hillsides, slopes and skyline. Chapter 5 50 Characteristics of the City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting 51

Grenville Monument at the Lansdown Battlefield Site • Views of historic recreational routes. Historical Associations • Views of key historic routes 5.51 Bath is a city with a near into and out of the city. 2000 year built history, and a pre-built history of several thousand years. The • Views from popular and historically surrounding area is full of historical significant viewing points. and archaeological sites, many directly • Views to the River Avon, Kennet and related to the eras of Bath’s history Avon Canal and evidence of the which gave rise to its inscription as route of the Somerset Coal Canal and a WHS as well as being significant in their corridors. their own right. For the purposes of identifying the historical aspects of • Views from the surrounding hills the setting of the WHS those elements which provide dramatic views that play a significant supporting into and across the city. role to Bath’s OUV have particular • Views associated with the OUV significance. Historical relationships which have ‘picturesque’ qualities and past land uses are a valid element provided by the landform, the of a heritage asset’s setting rocks and geology, the historic particularly where the relationships development, trees and agricultural and uses retain a similar character land-uses and the way they contrast today. and complement each other.

5.50 Views to proposed sites or areas subject to actual, proposed or potential change • Views to proposed sites or areas subject to actual, proposed or potential change seen from key locations such as those listed in paragraph 5.47 or seen in the context of views which provide understanding or appreciation of the site’s attributes such as those listed in paragraph 5.49. Chapter 5 52 Characteristics of the City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting 53

5.52 This section has been • Key viewing points from the influenced by their physical, visual and • Aspects of these periods which informed by a search of the Historic Georgian period overlooking cultural connectedness to the WHS. have influenced the developing and Environment record, by a desktop the city known from written existing form of the city such as the study of the main historic routes into history, literature or art Roman occupation and activities city walls and the Roman Roads. and out of the city (see Appendix 6), that supported the town • Key views appreciated in the 5.57 An indication of some of the and by a desktop study of the main Evidence of Roman occupation Georgian period from within the 5.55 key pre-Roman, Iron Age and Roman historical views and places of interest and activity are important both within city or its immediate environs out to remains or known sites of significance in and around the city (see Appendix the city and the area surrounding it. the surrounding landscape as known associated with Bath is shown in Map 4). The results of these studies have They not only provide evidence of from written history, literature or art 10. These include sites both within and been analysed for their particular the development, governance and outside the WHS which are likely to importance to the OUV For up-to-date information refer to the workings of the Roman city of Bath have been associated either socially and the following themes highlighted: Historic Environment Record. and its hinterland but also help our or economically with the town of understanding of the foundation of • Roman occupation and activities 5.53 Each of these individually and in Aquae Sulis. These include: that related to the Roman town combination contribute to, and make the Roman city and the prehistoric and its hinterland (see Map 10) up, the historical contextual setting of and Iron Age civilisation into which the 5.58 Pre-Roman and Iron Age Roman culture became established. the WHS. Within the WHS • The Georgian town, and Georgian The city was considerably smaller • The hot springs buildings and places of interest Description of the historical and more compact and much of the • A small part of Bathampton (see Map 11) aspects of the setting of Bath present day city is now on land that would have formed the surroundings Down – pre-Roman field system • Historic routes to and from the 5.54 This section gives examples to the Roman city. and settlement city still in use (see Map 13) of some of the main sites associated • Other sites of Iron Age occupation • Bath Stone (oolitic limestone) with the OUV and its attributes 5.56 Aspects of significance • Berewick – Iron Age enclosure quarrying or mining in the local grouped under key themes. These to the setting include: lists are not exhaustive and there is area and associated settlements • Sites and features associated potential for discovering new sites of and facilities or infrastructure, both with the pre-Roman, iron age significance. The historical context is Roman and 18th or 19th century and Roman period including set out as a series of themes. The sites Roman Villa sites, Roman Roads, • Key areas used by residents of under each may have their own burial sites and their setting or visitors to the city for leisure settings and when taken together in the Georgian period (see Map 9) contribute to the WHS setting. The • Relationships, particularly views strength of relationship of the and the relationships between individual heritage assets with the aspects of their respective settings WHS and the degree to which they and the WHS whether in the WHS, are part of the setting will vary and be close to it or at a greater distance Chapter 5 54 Characteristics of the City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting

Outside the WHS • Locksbrook Cemetery Outside the WHS 5.62 Aspects of significance • Little Solsbury Hill – Iron Age hill fort – burials and Roman road • Box – villa to the setting include: • Partis College – burials and building • Little Down – Iron Age hill fort • Atworth – villa • Sites, features and buildings • Sion Hill – settlement and burial • Stantonbury – Iron Age hill fort • Wellow – villa associated with the Georgian period, • Royal Crescent – burials, • Combe Hay Iron Age site • Keynsham – villa in particular associated with the OUV • Lansdown – Iron Age enclosure settlement and road • Newton St Loe – villa • Bathampton Down – pre-Roman • Haycombe Drive – cemetery • Church Farm, North Stoke – villa • Relationships, particularly views and field system and settlement • Englishcombe Lane – burials • Brockham End, Lansdown – villa the relationships between aspects • Charmy Down – pre-Roman and possible Roman road • Hollies Lane, Batheaston – villa of their respective settings, between field systems • Perrymead cemetery • Bathford – villa the above sites and the WHS • Other sites of Iron Age occupation • Combe Down – villa • Bathford Meadows – villa whether in the WHS, around the • Hodshill, Southstoke – villa WHS or more distant locations 5.59 Early Roman Outside the WHS • Combe Hay • Little Down – Romanised village • Aspects of these periods which Within the WHS • Other occupied sites and burial sites • Warleigh Wood – Romanised village have influenced the developing and • River crossing near Cleveland Bridge existing form of the city such as the • Bitton – Romanised village The Georgian town, buildings, and possible fort in Bathwick city ramparts and street pattern • See also roads below features, structures and other • First Roman baths (late 60s or 70s) sites (see Maps 9, 11 and 12) 5.63 Some of the key sites are listed and settlement 5.60 Later Roman below with further detail given in • Walcot Street and London Road 5.61 The relationship of buildings to Within the WHS Appendix 5. – cemetery the wider townscape and landscape • City centre – expansion of the • Bathwick – cemetery and settlement are of particular significance including • Lilliput Castle, North Stoke Roman town, the hot springs • Julian Road – burials both views to and from the buildings and Minerva Temple • Grenville Monument, Lansdown and Roman road and structures. Key examples of • Walcot – part of the Roman town buildings of the period forming part of • Lansdown and Claverton • Royal Crescent – market district the sites setting include the impressive Racecourses (Claverton • Wells Road – villa Newton Park House and Kelston Racecourse is within the WHS) • Daniel Street – villa Manor within their estates. • Norfolk Crescent – villa • Lansdown Fair • Lower Common – villa • Woolley Gunpowder Mills • Sion Hill – villa • High Common – house • The Rocks, Marshfield • Other occupied sites and burial sites • Shockerwick House and Park • Cold Bath Farm, Batheaston 55

Somerset Coal Canal locks at South Stoke • Trevarno Paper Mill and Spa, • Coal Pits, Newton St Loe Bathford • Kelston Manor and Park, • Bathampton Manor Newton St Loe

• Bathampton Lodge and Bath House, Historic routes to and Bathampton from the city still in use • Hampton Rocks tramway, 5.64 The significance of the roads Bathampton Down and their details are given a separate • Sham Castle, Bathampton Down section later in the chapter. • Claverton Manor, Claverton Stone quarrying or mining • Claverton Pump, Kennet and 5.65 The main mines at Combe Avon Canal Down and Odd Down, together with associated workers housing • Warleigh Manor, Bathford and facilities, lie within the WHS. • Dundas Aqueduct, Kennet In addition to these, there are sites and Avon Canal of potential Roman quarrying in the Bathampton Down area which may • Conkwell Incline, Winsley be of great significance if they were Old inclined railway stones near Bathampton • Murhill Incline, Winsley the origin for the stone used in the Roman era and fuller’s earth mining • Combe Grove, Monkton Combe at Combe Hay. Quarry sites and • Tucking Mill associated infrastructure include: • William Smith’s tramway and quarry • Potentially Roman quarries around Bathampton Down slopes • De Montalt Mill, Combe Down • Roman fuller’s earth quarrying • Midford Castle, South Stoke at Combe Hay • Caisson and Locks, • Bathampton Down inclined plane Somersetshire Coal Canal • Hampton Down tramway • Combe Hay Manor, Combe Hay • Mount Pleasant Quarry • Newton Manor and Park, Newton St Loe • St Winifred’s Quarry. Chapter 5 56 Characteristics of the City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting

Key areas used by residents • Bathampton Down (especially 5.68 There are however more public Key views from within the city or of, or visitors to, the city the old quarry workings) including viewpoints within or close to the city its immediate environs out to the (see Map 9 and Appendix 4) Ralph Allen’s carriage drive which looking towards the centre which have surrounding landscape 5.66 Bath was a place of leisure and extended around Claverton and been significant since the 18th or 19th 5.69 From the historical study carried pleasure in the 18th century. Places Bathampton Downs and westwards centuries and are still existing today. out, it is clear that there were certain such as Sydney Gardens within the to beyond Foxhill They include: views from within the city in the 18th city played a significant role in the • Route to Combe Down stone mines • Lansdown plateau including or 19th century to the surrounding social life of the city. Getting out of and the Midford Brook valley taking Beckford’s Tower and landscape which were notable. Bath to enjoy the immediate in Widcombe Hill, Widcombe village Lansdown Cemetery They include: countryside was also a popular pursuit, and Prior Park • West from Newbridge area towards particularly with the views of the city • Primrose Hill and Sion Hill • Lyncombe Vale including Kelston and Newton St Loe that could be seen from the hilltops. • Somerset Place and Lyncombe Spa (now the Paragon These routes are generally within the Lansdown Crescent • The panorama of the city and WHS but also extended beyond in School), Alexandra Park taking in its backdrop landscape taking places. They include: panoramic views in all directions • Camden Crescent in Kelston Roundhill around to and Oldfield Park. Sham Castle • The High and Middle Commons • Kelston View, Whiteway (not known (now Royal Victoria Park and the Key viewing points to have been significant in the 18th • East from Bathampton and Approach Golf Course respectively), overlooking the city century but popular today) Claverton Downs (location of Sion Hill and Primrose Hill and for 5.67 There are very few views to the • Alexandra Park above Beechen Ralph Allen’s carriage rides) the energetic on to Kelston Round city from the open countryside outside Cliff looking north • Alexandra Park to the west, Hill and Prospect Stile the city. These are listed below: • Twerton Roundhill (not known south and east. • Lansdown (walking, riding, fair, races) • Prospect Stile and Kelston Roundhill to have been significant in the 18th including routes to the Grenville century except as a landmark but • Little Solsbury Hill (although of Monument, Lansdown Battlefield, popular today) Beacon Hill and Charlcombe antiquarian interest it is not recorded as a significant destination in the • Prior Park and Rainbow Woods • River walks including the village 18th century) of Twerton and its watermill, the • Widcombe Hill • Brown’s Folly. vineyard at Old Newbridge Hill with its • North Road, Sham Castle and rural views to the west and linking of Bathampton Down. walks to Beacon Hill to the east. The river also provided links via a number of ferry crossings such as at Green Park and the Parades to the south. 57

Widcombe Hill looking towards Lansdown Chapter 5 58 Characteristics of the City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting

5.70 A key characteristic of the Routes into and Possible Roman roads 5.73 In most cases the roads both WHS is the views, often corridor out of the City • Weston Road and Julian Road provided visitors their first glimpse of views, along streets, between the city and also were used as a means 5.71 Part of the reason for Bath buildings or along the river corridor • Brougham Hayes for enjoying the surrounding area. The being created was its strategic and more occasionally panoramic Turnpike Act in 1707 was instrumental importance as a place where the Fosse • The Wansdyke potentially follows a views from the developed part of in facilitating improvements such as Way crossed the Avon, allowing the Roman road where it skirts the WHS the city to undeveloped (wooded or widening, surfacing and drainage and Romans access to the south west. boundary in the Odd Down area. grazed), slopes or hills which reflect the construction of diversions and new Good Roman road access to the town the more extensive rural landscape • Bathampton roads enabling Bath to develop some encouraged commerce and made it setting to Bath that would have been of the best roads in the country at that easier for pilgrims to reach the Temple • Combe Down experienced in Georgian times. The time. Prior to the Turnpikes access and bathing complex. The key Roman views are a combination of planned 5.72 Unsurprisingly roads were the to Bath was difficult and at times roads are listed below: and incidental views which together principal means of reaching Georgian dangerous on account of the hills. Bath and some followed the route of characterise the city. Examples of Known Roman roads A selection of the key roads is panoramic views include from the Roman roads. Further detail is given described in Appendix 7. The present Royal Crescent, Royal Victoria Park • The Upper & Lower Bristol Roads in Appendix 6. Nearly all the roads network of roads, leading to Bath, still (previously Middle Common), High • The Fosse Way entering Bath from are still in use today although short largely follows the historic alignments. Common and Grand Parade and sections may survive only as minor the south along the A367 and exiting 5.74 Outside the WHS the roads Terrace Walk. Examples of corridor roads or lanes following subsequent along the London Road and beyond are now mainly class ‘A’ and ‘B’ roads. views are numerous and include The improvements. The roads and the Batheaston as the Bannerdown Road With very few exceptions up to 2km Circus looking down Gay Street, Saw integrity, quality and character of their from the city boundary there is very Close to Bathampton Down and • The Lansdown Road approaching environs, including views to and from little evidence at all that an urban area Beechen Cliff and Henrietta Street the city from the north them, is a key component of the OUV is about to be entered. Key buildings to Beacon Hill. A description and and contributes to the appreciation of such as Kelston Manor and Bailbrook selection of river corridor views the World Heritage Site. House and structures such as the are shown in Appendix 8. bridge at Newbridge provided a sense of the approaching Georgian town. On the old A4 through Batheaston the visitor is travelling in a built up environment anyway before entering the city but only a limited amount of city development can be viewed before entering the city itself. On the Lansdown Road, there is a rare sense 59

of urban fringe when travelling from 5.75 The assessment of roads the Lansdown Racecourse to the city within the WHS indicates the sense boundary, with playing fields and of anticipation and then the feeling associated buildings, lighting, signage of arrival that would have been and the Lansdown Park and Ride. experienced by travellers into Bath. There are, however no views of the city For example travellers from the south itself until well within the city boundary would experience the climb up the where the road drops sharply down steep Brassknocker Hill and the level off the plateau top and into the Avon section of the plateau at Claverton valley. From the A36 through Down Road before the steep descent Bathampton, again the visitor is driving into the city which would gradually from the built up area of the village reveal itself as the traveller descended more or less straight into the city Ralph Allen’s Drive, or the Bathwick suburbs. From the A367 the old Fullers or Widcombe Hills. A sequence of Earth Works 0.75km from the city views along some of the routes is boundary with the adjacent Park and shown in Appendix 7. Ride site does give a brief sense of 5.76 Access was also available urban fringe. From some of the other by boat from Bristol via the Avon surveyed routes there are occasional Wellsway navigation from 1727 onwards and glimpses of small parts of the city from London via the Kennet & Avon development in the distance but for Canal which opened in 1810. Bath was all routes other than those described not reached by railway from London above there is quite a sharp change until 1840. from high quality rural to suburban / urban character with almost no intermediate urban fringe and almost no views of the city ahead until it is entered. Chapter 5 60 Characteristics of the City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting

River Avon towards Beacons Hill The River Avon and the This heightens the value of the Kennet and Avon Canal remaining green character alongside the river and canal as part of the OUV 5.77 There is an impression that including the near continuous belt of society in Georgian times turned its trees alongside them and the string of back on the river which presumably open green spaces from small is perceived by the fact that few incidental spaces to larger open developments have historically faced spaces such as Green Park. The on to the river. However both the river significance of the walks, promenades and the Kennet and Avon Canal played and rides including the river and canal an important part in the development paths to the OUV is important in of the city’s economy, in the layout of understanding how Georgian the city including taking advantage of development was so fully integrated the views to the river, canal and the with appreciation of, and integration green valley floor and in the day-to- with, the landscape. day life of its citizens and visitors. In the Georgian period there were 5.79 A description of the river walk pleasure grounds directly relating to and a selection of river corridor views the river, taking in places such as is shown in Appendix 8. Newbridge, Camden Crescent, 5.80 The River Avon and Kennet Midford Brook Valley from Brassknocker Hill Twerton village and mill and the and Avon Canal are also important various ferry crossing points, and features of the setting as is the there is evidence that the river and surviving evidence of the Somerset canal were a key recreational routes. Coal Canal. Their significance results 5.78 Then as now the quality and from their contribution to the character of the river and the Kennet character of the setting and to views and Avon Canal and its environs and as well as in providing understanding the views afforded to and from them of the historical relationships of these are key attributes. The expansion and features to the city and the landscape intensification of development particularly in the Georgian period. within Bath since the Georgian period has reduced the open and green character of the valley floor. Chapter 6 6161 Management of the Setting

This chapter emphasises General on-going management is the importance of effective essential to maintain management and care of the character and significance of the Site the World Heritage Site and its setting. Some of and its setting based on the key issues include: • Open agricultural use of land within the an understanding of the setting and in particular grazing by farm stock. significance of the Site. • Maintenance of the landscape character and associated landscape features. • Keeping views both to and from key areas. • Management and planting of trees to ensure a healthy cover of trees including on the skyline, along the Avon valley, within parks, gardens, streets and open spaces, along linear features and in woodlands. Effective management can be achieved through local planning policies and guidance, through management plans for specific sites, through the World Heritage Site Management Plan and through community participation in projects. Chapter 6 62 Management of the Setting

6.01 The on-going management 6.02 One of the key characteristics 6.04 Views are also particularly 6.06 There are a number of existing or and care of the setting needs to be of the surroundings is the open characteristic including those to potential means available to ensure informed by a full understanding agricultural land-use. Grazed pastoral and from key buildings and other that the Site and its setting are of the significance and attributes landscapes are particularly significant areas of significance. It is important properly managed including: of the Site and the contribution that as these reflect the land-use and to manage the landscape and • Policies to protect the WHS and its the setting makes as outlined in the character of the landscape that would townscape to ensure key views are setting, in the Local Plan (Policy BH.1) previous chapters. Management have been appreciated during the maintained by careful control of new and Core Strategy (Policy B4) once of the World Heritage Site (WHS) Georgian period. One of the objectives development and where opportunities adopted, supported by this requires protection and enhancement is therefore to encourage on-going occur to restore or enhance views. Supplementary Planning Document. of not only the Site and its setting as management of the open landscape The appropriate management of a whole but also protection and through effective grazing. The vegetation is important to ensure • Other policies on specific issues or enhancement of the individual opportunities for other agricultural key views are maintained. for specific purposes which support heritage assets which contribute to the practices including organic farming, appropriate management 6.05 Trees and woodlands are an Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of community woodlands, important component of the character • Removal of permitted development the Site. This will include assets and agri-environment schemes and of the WHS and its setting whether rights through use of Article 4 attributes both within the Site and community supported agriculture individually, in groups or as part of a directions. within the setting. can also positively contribute to the woodland or parkland. There is need appropriate management of the • Management plans for specific sites. to ensure a healthy on-going mixed setting. age structure including on the skyline, • The WHS Management Plan. 6.03 The landscape was historically along the Avon valley, within parks, • The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding appreciated for its ‘picturesque’ gardens, streets and open spaces, Natural Beauty Management Plan quality including characteristics along linear features and in and features such as the distinct woodlands. The maintenance of views • The Green Space Strategy and contrasting landform, trees, rock which are significant to the OUV needs • The Green Infrastructure Strategy outcrops and the variation provided to recognise the desirability of by the contrast between open and providing softening and screening of • Other local strategies and guidance enclosed areas. The protection and buildings by trees and the contrast which may be a material enhancement of the landscape they provide to other more open consideration features which make up the landscape areas. • Liaison with landowners and character is therefore an important organisations and objective. • Projects to enhance, restore or protect the landscape character Chapter 7 6363 Assessing Impacts Affecting the World Heritage Site Setting

This chapter outlines the • The degree of detail needs to be proportionate to the scale process for assessing impacts of effect of proposals and the sensitivity or significance of of proposed development and the aspect of the World Heritage Site that may be affected. other changes on the World • Any assessment needs to include impacts on specific assets and attributes (receptors) Heritage Site relating to the and an overall assessment of the impact on the World Heritage Site and its setting setting. indicated by how the Outstanding Universal Value, integrity, authenticity and The need for an assessment will be significance of the World Heritage Site may dictated by the location and nature of be affected. • The assessment will need to include any proposed development and is likely effects on aspects associated with the to include where an Environmental significance of the Site including landscape Impact Assessment is required and townscape character, effects on views and effects on historical significance and / or where development may cause and associations. harm to the OUV or attributes of the Site. Chapter 7 Beckfords tower towards Bathampton Down64 Assessing Impacts Affecting the World Heritage Site Setting

Beckford's Tower towards Kelston Roundhill and Cotswold Way

Kelston Manor and Avon Valley 65

Introduction changes so that all parties can benefit Existing Legislation 7.05 The EIA Regulations aim to inform 7.01 Decisions affecting the setting from the intended transparency of the 7.04 The requirement for carrying out the decision making process by whether within it or in the World process. an EIA is implemented in England identifying potentially significant environmental effects. It puts in place Heritage Site (WHS) itself should be 7.02 Those proposing development through the Town and Country a system which seeks to promote made with a full understanding of the within, or affecting, the setting of Planning Regulations. Guidance on sustainable development by ensuring significance of the World Heritage Site the WHS should use the following carrying out EIAs has been produced that effects on the historic environment, and its setting and of the likely effects framework to assess the likely effect by the Department of the the natural environment and, the of any proposed development or other of development on the WHS. This is Environment, Transport and the livelihood and well-being of people changes on the Outstanding Universal assessed with reference to the likely Regions in Circular 02/99. Any and communities are fully considered. Value (OUV) as set out in Chapter 5. impacts on the OUV, integrity, development which is in or partly in a Sites where change is considered in the authenticity and significance of the WHS requires an EIA ‘if it is likely to 7.03 An EIA will not be required for setting are likely to be highly sensitive WHS. The framework should also have a significant effect on the all situations where proposed with potentially a high magnitude of be used as part of the plan making environment’ (Circular 07/2009 on the development may result in impacts on effects because of the highest process and where other changes Protection of World Heritage Sites.) the WHS. This may occur where the significance afforded to WHSs. A finer are proposed within the setting with WHSs are considered sensitive areas type of proposed development is not level of detail and subtleties between potential effects on the WHS. The under the EIA regulations and listed in the Schedules of the the significance of effect resulting from assessment could form part of an therefore an EIA is likely to, but not Regulations. In these situations an different development proposals and Environmental Impact Assessment always, be required for works listed in assessment of the impact on the WHS development in different parts of the (EIA) where this is required; it could Schedules 1 or 2 of the Regulations. and its setting will still be an important setting can be identified taking account form part of other assessments or Consideration should also be given to part of a planning application even if of the value and susceptibility to could be prepared as a stand-alone whether proposals outside the WHS not part of an official EIA. The degree change of key aspects which may be assessment. It is not intended that the are likely to impact on the WHS. of detail in any case whether as part affected. This chapter provides assessment should replicate work or of an EIA or as a separate impact guidance on the process required in be separate from an EIA where it can assessment should be commensurate order to assess the likely effects of be incorporated within. with the scale of any proposed proposed development or other changes and the sensitivity or 7.03 This chapter also includes the changes which may affect the setting significance of the aspect of the legislative and local requirements for of the WHS. The assessment process environment that may be affected. not only guides the planning of assessing impacts of development proposals and informs the decision proposals which are briefly summarised making process but also helps the below. Chapters 4 and 5 outline where public and communities to understand the City of Bath WHS setting is and the predicted effects of any proposed what is important about it. Chapter 7 66 Assessing Impacts Affecting the World Heritage Site Setting

Impact Assessment Process 7.05 Those proposing development parts and to assess the effect on 7.08 The aggregated impacts on 7.04 The EIA Regulations lay out a set within, or affecting, the setting of the individual views as part of the individual assets can contribute to procedure that requires a systematic WHS should use the following assessment of effects on the WHS and understanding the full significance to assessment of a project’s likely framework to assess the likely effect of its setting. The approach to visual the WHS. For example the impact on a environmental effects incorporating development on the WHS. The impact has been taken forward in landscape appreciated for its an EIA within an Environmental framework should also be used as part English Heritage’s ,‘Seeing the History ‘picturesque’ qualities in Georgian 10 Statement before consent for certain of the plan making process and where in the View’, which applies the times or an impact on the view from or types of development can be given. other changes are proposed within the methodology specifically to assessing to a Georgian building located to take Key requirements include: setting of the WHS. It seeks to bring visual impacts on heritage assets and advantage of the view and / or to be together the various aspects of is therefore particularly applicable for seen in the context of the wider view, • A description of the project significance including landscape and assessing impacts on the WHS. There will have particular significance. It is • A description of measures proposed townscape character, views (from has been less guidance on assessing not necessarily the number of to avoid, reduce or remedy significant heritage assets, from key impacts on heritage assets with a few viewpoints the proposed development significant adverse effects. parts of the WHS and significant views exceptions such as work produced by can be seen from or even the scale of to the WHS and individual assets), and the Highways Agency. More recently the impact on any asset which of itself • Data which identifies and assesses historical associations and heritage ICOMOS International have produced will define the degree of impact and the main effects on the environment assets which make up the WHS and its draft guidance on heritage impact overall significance on the WHS and its 11 • An outline of alternatives setting. The framework is consistent assessments. setting. This will be dictated by the with guidance prepared by English sensitivity or significance of the considered and 7.07 By assessing impacts on specific Heritage 7 and ICOMOS International.8 landscape and / or the view or views landscapes and their features, on • A non-technical summary. affected in relation to the OUV. This 7.06 There are existing methodologies views and on heritage assets which differentiates the assessment of applicable for assessing impacts on contribute to the significance of the landscape and visual impact on the heritage assets which should be used WHS as defined in the Statement of WHS from other landscape or visual for assessing impacts on the WHS and Outstanding Universal Value (see impact assessments where for its setting. A well established and Appendix 1), and specific attributes, example factors such as the landscape accepted methodology for assessing the results can be aggregated to designation of the landscape or Landscape and Visual Impacts is provide an overall understanding of viewpoint may be more significant. It provided in the ‘Guidelines for the impact of any given proposal on can therefore be seen that in assessing Landscape and Visual Impact the WHS. The relative significance to impact on the WHS, the landscape Assessment’ 9. The guidelines and any the OUV of each view, each landscape and visual impact is intricately up-dated guidelines can be used to and each heritage asset which may be wrapped up with the OUV. In addition assess the effects of proposals on the affected, should be identified. it will also be necessary to assess landscape, both developed and impact on specific heritage assets and undeveloped, and their component attributes related to the OUV of the 67

WHS, this may include impacts on hill forts associated with Bath and its 1 2A 3A 4A founding, Roman sites or features of Identify key assets and Assess the sensitivity Assess the scale or Assess the overall significance to the founding or attributes (receptors) of each of these assets magnitude of effects significance of the management of the city and Georgian (character, views and and attributes to the of the proposals on effects on each of buildings and landscapes known to be historic associations) proposed each of the assets and these assets and of significance in Georgian times. Any which may be affected development attributes attributes (requires assessment of impact on the setting by the proposed (requires combining an combining the results will assess each of these aspects of development assessment of of the assessment of setting together with an overall susceptibility to sensitivity and scale assessment of the impact on the WHS. change and an of effects) assessment of the 7.09 The following flow diagram value of the aspect outlines the key stages in assessing affected for each) impacts on the WHS and its setting. Guidance on grading the key categories in the assessment is provided in Appendix 9. The framework brings together existing guidance and best practice in order to guide the assessment of the effects of proposals on the City of Bath WHS located within or affecting the setting of the WHS. 2B 3B 4B 7.10 The process should run parallel Assess the combined Assess the combined Assess the overall with and inform and influence sensitivity of these scale of effects of the significance of the development proposals to avoid assets and attributes proposals on the effects on the WHS or reduce impacts or to better to the WHS and its assets and attributes and its setting reveal the significance of the WHS. setting to the WHS and its (requires combining setting the results of the assessment of sensitivity and scale of effects) Chapter 7 68 Assessing Impacts Affecting the World Heritage Site Setting

Description of Work Required and Presentation Guidance

A Description of Existing Conditions Visual Setting Any other aspects of setting i) Identify and describe the assets • Identify specific significant • Identify any other aspects of setting and attributes which convey the viewpoints from which the site or which may be affected. This should OUV and / or better reveal the any potential development or include routes into and out of the city significance of the Site which may changes would be visible from and the River Avon and Kennet and be affected by development or (including views to and from the Avon and Somerset Coal Canals other changes. WHS and views within the setting of corridors where there may be an ii) Assess the sensitivity of each the WHS). effect on their character or views to obtained by combining an • Identify and describe their sensitivity and from them. assessment of their susceptibility to the proposed change or • Identify and describe their sensitivity to the proposed change and their development proposal. to the proposed change or value in conveying the OUV. development proposal. The following aspects should be Historic Context and Setting assessed. • Identify any heritage assets and Presentation attributes and assess potential for Written text supported by Landscape and Townscape historic remains which may be photographs of the site and its Character including Topography affected by the proposals surroundings, of significant historic • Identify and describe significant • Identify and describe their sensitivity assets and views from significant aspects of the landscape character, to the proposed change or viewpoints with photograph locations developed and undeveloped, rural development proposal. indicated on a map. and urban, and • Identify and describe their sensitivity to the proposed change or development proposal. 69

Description of Work Required and Presentation Guidance

B C Description of Proposed Assessment of the Effects of the • heritage assets and attributes Presentation Development or Other proposals on the OUV, authenticity, relevant to the WHS and its setting Written text supported by illustrations Proposed Change integrity and significance of the • other aspects of setting if as appropriate. The impact i) Describe the proposed WHS for each of the aspects of appropriate. This should include the assessment should also be presented development or other changes. setting listed. effect of any noise or smells resulting in tabulated form particularly for Particular emphasis is required to i) Assess the scale of impact of the from the proposals and effects on larger or more complex proposals. those parts which may affect the proposed development or other routes into and out of the city and on assets listed in A above changes on the individual the River Avon and Kennet and Avon ii) Describe alternatives considered attributes including assets and Somerset Coal Canals corridors. and the reasons for the final ii) Assess the overall scale of Impact choice. on the WHS (the OUV, Assess the degree of change and authenticity, integrity and whether the impact is adverse Presentation significance of the WHS) by (negative), neutral or beneficial Written text supported by aggregating the results of Ci (positive) for each asset. Identify plans, elevations, sections and above whether impacts are direct or indirect, photomontages as appropriate. cumulative, and temporary or The effects on the following aspects permanent. should be assessed. Assess opportunities for mitigation • the character of the landscape in measures to reduce detrimental the area of proposed change and impacts and potential opportunities in the surrounding area for enhancement. Assess the resultant • specific views both to and from the scale of impact. area of proposed change. Preparation of a Zone of Assess the overall magnitude of Theoretical Visibility may help to the impact of the proposals on the indicate the potential extent of any WHS by aggregating the results of the views to the proposals assessment of impact on individual attributes including assets. Chapter 7 70 Assessing Impacts Affecting the World Heritage Site Setting

D E Detailed Design Considerations Summary and Conclusion Describe how the proposals and any i) Assess the overall significance of proposed mitigation respond to the the effects of proposed location and the wider area. Describe development or other changes on how they have avoided, reduced or the WHS. This is obtained by how they have mitigated the Impacts combining the assessment of identified or better revealed the sensitivity and the magnitude of significance of the WHS with effects. reference to the aspects of setting. ii) Summarise the effects of the proposed development or other Presentation changes on the WHS (OUV, Written text supported by illustrations authenticity, integrity and as appropriate. significance of the WHS ).

The assessment should include a summary and conclusion clearly setting out the effects of the proposals on the OUV, authenticity, integrity and significance of the WHS. Presentation Written text with tabulated summary of the significance of the effects on the main Landscape and Heritage assets and the overall significance of the effects on the WHS. Appendices 7171

D E Detailed Design Considerations Summary and Conclusion Describe how the proposals and any i) Assess the overall significance of 1 Statement of Outstanding proposed mitigation respond to the the effects of proposed Universal Value location and the wider area. Describe development or other changes on how they have avoided, reduced or the WHS. This is obtained by 2 Extract from Cherishing how they have mitigated the Impacts combining the assessment of Outdoor Places identified or better revealed the sensitivity and the magnitude of significance of the WHS with effects. 3 Information Sheets and Computer reference to the aspects of setting. ii) Summarise the effects of the Generated View-shed Maps proposed development or other for a Selection of Views Presentation changes on the WHS (OUV, Written text supported by illustrations 4 Historical Views and Places of Interest authenticity, integrity and as appropriate. in the Georgian Period significance of the WHS ). 5 Significant Heritage Assets The assessment should include a 6 Principal Historic Roads into and summary and conclusion clearly setting out the effects of the out of Bath proposals on the OUV, authenticity, 7 Road View Descriptions integrity and significance of the 8 River Corridor View Descriptions WHS. 9 Grading Categories for Assessing Presentation Written text with tabulated summary Impacts on the World Heritage Site of the significance of the effects on 10 Definitions the main Landscape and Heritage assets and the overall significance of 11 Historical Illustration References the effects on the WHS. 12 References Appendices 72 Appendix 1

Appendix 1 City of Bath World Heritage Property Statement of Outstanding Universal Value

Date inscription: 1987 • The Neo-classical style of the public Criteria Bath’s quality of architecture and urban Criteria: i, ii, iv buildings (such as the Assembly design, its visual homogeneity and its Criterion (i): Represents a masterpiece Date of SOUV: 2010 Rooms and the Pump Room) beauty are largely testament to the skill of human creative genius. harmonises with the grandiose and creativity of the architects and The City of Bath is of outstanding proportions of the monumental Bath’s grandiose neo-classical Palladian visionaries of the 18th and 19th universal value for the following cultural ensembles (such as Queen Square, crescents, terraces and squares spread centuries who applied and developed attributes: Circus and Royal Crescent) and out over the surrounding hills and set in Palladianism in response to the specific • The Roman remains, especially the collectively reflects the ambitions, its green valley, are a demonstration opportunities offered by the spa town Temple of Sulis Minerva and the baths particularly social, of the spa city in par excellence of the integration of and its physical environment and complex (based around the hot the 18th century. architecture, urban design and natural resources (in particular the hot springs at the heart of the Roman city landscape setting, and the deliberate springs and the local Bath Oolitic • The individual Georgian buildings of Aquae Sulis, which have remained creation of a beautiful city. Not only limestone). Three men – architect John reflect the profound influence of at the heart of the City’s development are individual buildings such as the Wood Senior, entrepreneur and quarry Palladio, and their collective scale, ever since) are amongst the most Assembly Rooms and Pump Room owner Ralph Allen and celebrated style and the organisation of the famous and important Roman of great distinction, they are part of social shaper and Master of spaces between buildings epitomises remains north of the Alps, and the larger overall city landscape that Ceremonies Richard “Beau” Nash – the success of architects such as the marked the beginning of Bath’s evolved over a century in a harmonious together provided the impetus to start John Woods, Robert Adam, Thomas history as a spa town. and logical way, drawing together this social, economic and physical Baldwin and John Palmer in public and private buildings and spaces rebirth, resulting in a city that played • The Georgian city reflects the transposing Palladio’s ideas to the in a way that reflects the precepts of host to the social, political and cultural ambitions of John Wood Senior, scale of a complete city, situated in a Palladio tempered with picturesque leaders of the day. That the architects Ralph Allen and Richard “Beau” Nash hollow in the hills and built to a aestheticism. who followed were working over the to make Bath into one of the most Picturesque landscape aestheticism course of a century, with no master beautiful cities in Europe, with creating a strong garden city feel, plan or single patron, did not prevent architecture and landscape combined more akin to the 19th century garden them from contriving to relate each harmoniously for the enjoyment of cities than the 17th century individual development to those the spa town’s cure takers. Renaissance cities. around it and to the wider landscape, creating a city that is harmonious and logical, in concord with its natural environment and extremely beautiful. 73

Criterion (ii): Exhibit an important Criterion (iv): Be an outstanding Although Bath gained greatest Authenticity (2010) interchange of human values, over example of a type of building or importance in Roman and Georgian The hot springs, which are the reason a span of time or within a cultural architectural or technological ensemble times, the city nevertheless reflects for the City’s original development, area of the world, on developments or landscape which illustrates (a) continuous development over two are of undoubted authenticity. The in architecture or technology, significant stage(s) in human history. millennia with the spectacular key Roman remains are preserved, monumental arts, town planning mediaeval Abbey Church sat beside Bath reflects two great eras in human protected and displayed within a or landscape design. the Roman temple and baths, in the history: Roman and Georgian. The museum environment, and the Roman heart of the 18th century and modern Bath exemplifies the 18th century move Roman Baths and temple complex, Baths can still be appreciated for their day city. away from the inward-looking uniform together with the remains of the city original use. The majority of the large stock of Georgian buildings have been street layouts of Renaissance cities that of Aquae Sulis that grew up around Integrity (2010) dominated through the 15th-17th them, make a significant contribution continuously inhabited since their centuries, towards the idea of planting to the understanding and appreciation Remains of the known Roman baths, construction, and retain a high degree buildings and cities in the landscape to of Roman social and religious society. the Temple of Sulis Minerva and the of original fabric. Repairs have largely achieve picturesque views and forms, The 18th century re-development is a below grounds Roman remains are well been sympathetic, informed by an which could be seen echoed around unique combination of outstanding preserved and within the property extensive body of documentation, and Europe particularly in the 19th century. urban architecture, spatial arrangement boundary as are the areas of Georgian aided by a programme of restoration in This unifying of nature and city, seen and social history. Bath exemplifies the town planning and architecture, and the late twentieth century. More throughout Bath, is perhaps best main themes of the 18th century large elements of the landscape within vulnerable is the overall interaction demonstrated in the Royal Crescent neoclassical city; the monumentalisation which the city is set. Despite some loss of between groups of buildings in (John Wood Younger) and Lansdown of ordinary houses, the integration of Georgian buildings prior to inscription, terraces, crescents and squares and Crescent (John Palmer). Bath’s urban landscape and town, and the creation the Georgian City remains largely intact views to the surrounding landscape and landscape spaces are created by and interlinking of urban spaces, both in terms of buildings and plan form. that contributed to the city’s visual the buildings that enclose them, designed and developed as a response An extensive range of interlinked spaces harmony. There is a need for new providing a series of interlinked spaces to the growing popularity of Bath as a formed by crescents, terraces and developments to respect the planning that flow organically, and that visually society and spa destination and to squares set in a harmonious relationship of the Georgian terraces, to respect the (and at times physically) draw in the provide an appropriate picturesque with the surrounding green landscape scale and rhythm of its structures, and green surrounding countryside to setting and facilities for the cure takers survive. The relationship of the Georgian to contribute to picturesque views. create a distinctive garden city feel, and social visitors. city to its setting of the surrounding hills looking forward to the principles of remains clearly visible. As a modern garden cities developed by the 19th city, Bath remains vulnerable to large century town planners. scale development and to transport pressures, both within the site and in its setting that could impact adversely on its garden city feel, and on views across the property and to its green setting. Appendices 74 Appendix 1

Management and All UK World Heritage Sites are The main pressures currently facing the Protection (2010) required to have Management site are large scale development and Plans which set out the OUV and the need for improved transport. New The UK Government protects World the measures in place to ensure it development will continue to be Heritage Sites in England in two ways. is conserved, protected, promoted assessed against the policy framework Firstly individual buildings, monuments, and enhanced. Relevant policies carry listed above. Transport improvements gardens and landscapes are designated weight in the planning system. World are based principally around a bus under the Planning (Listed Buildings Heritage Sites should have Steering based network and pedestrianisation, and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 Groups which are made up of key local outlined in the Management Plan. and the 1979 Ancient Monuments and stakeholders who oversee monitoring, There is a need for development to Archaeological Areas Act and secondly implementation and review of the be based on a greater articulation and through the UK Spatial Planning system Management Plans. understanding of the distinctiveness under the provisions of the Town and of the Georgian city, in order that new Country Planning Act 1990. The World Heritage Site Management developments may reinforce the Plan aims to address the key tensions National guidance on protecting the attributes that convey outstanding between development and conservation Historic Environment (Planning Policy universal value. of the city wide site. The plan proposes Statement 5) and World Heritage supplementary planning documents of (Circular 07/09) and accompanying the Summary Management Plan and of explanatory guidance has been the Setting Study. recently published by Government. Policies to protect, promote, conserve and enhance World Heritage Sites, their settings and buffer zones can be found in regional plans and in local authority plans and frameworks. The Bath and North East Somerset Local Plan contains a core policy which states that development which would harm the qualities which justified the inscription of the World Heritage Site, or its setting, will not be permitted. Appendices 75 Appendix 2

Appendix 2 Extract from Cherishing Outdoor Places – A Landscape Strategy for Bath Bath City Council (adopted 1993)

Part 1: Introduction The topography has also provided Bath’s landscape is therefore part The city has a wealth of greenery and and Summary unique architectural opportunities. cause and partly an effect of the open spaces, and this provides many There are fine views across the River historical development of the city. It has different opportunities for leisure Bath’s Special Landscape Avon valley from the hillsides and these been the interaction between the built activities, learning, relaxation and the Bath’s rich and varied landscape is have inspired architects to develop and natural environment throughout simple enjoyment of outdoor places. the product of its history. The natural the high quality architecture of the history and their influence upon one It also provides a home for a wide setting to Bath – its geology and crescents and terraces which another, which has created the unique variety of plant and animal life. The climate – has shaped the city’s characterise 18th century development composition of Bath. biological diversity of the landscape topography over thousands of years. in Bath and for which the city is so well is important and is a natural resource The inscription of the City of Bath on Bath sits within the River Avon valley renowned. on which all life depends. the List of World Heritage Sites (1987) as it cuts through the southern end of Throughout the city, buildings are means that whole city has been The landscape provides a natural the Cotswold Hills and where it is joined viewed set within, or against, a recognised as being of outstanding beauty, which is an integral part of by a number of tributaries. The location backcloth of trees. Our forefathers universal value and thereby worthy the city’s special character and of the hot springs within the river valley planted exotic tree species within the of special protection. This accolade appearance and has the ability to attracted early settlers. Throughout city at the time of great explorations recognises Bath as a city of soften the harshness of people’s history the presence of the springs and and plant collecting. Many of these international importance for its activities and a capacity to improve the valley setting have contributed to were coniferous and evergreen and contribution to the art of urban design, the quality of all our lives. the impact of the city on its survive today as important features in for its architectural quality, its Roman surroundings. the city’s landscape. remains, its Georgian town centre and The characteristic hilly, and often steep, its historic associations. The City From many city centre streets, views topography of Bath, has both restricted Council believes that the special quality are channelled towards the fields and and determined the pattern of of Bath lies not only in the fine woodlands of the rural skyline. Many of development within the city. As a result architectural facades of its built the important Georgian buildings take it has provided Bath with its superb environment but also in the urban advantage of these views. New wooded skyline and allowed the and landscape spaces that they landscapes were often created in retention of important greenspaces enclose and its setting amidst the high association with the terraces and to penetrate deep within the built-up quality landscape of the southern crescents to enhance the enjoyment of area. Many of these bring high quality Cotswold Hills. their views further. Many of these have rural landscapes right into the heart been conserved as important of the city. townscape features within the city. 76

Map 7 View Locations Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 Appendices 77 Appendix 3

Appendix 3 Information Sheets and Computer Generated View-shed Maps for a Selection of Views (note: viewsheds cut off at 5km from the viewpoint)

1 Prospect Stile Significance of Viewpoint Historic Built Features Other Built Features The viewpoint is one of only a few Distant views of the city including Prior Weston village and distant views of the which shows the city in the context of Park Mansion and Beckford’s Tower. development rising up the slopes of the surrounding hills looking from the Baths hollow including Bathampton, Landscape and outside. The view to Prospect Stile and The University of Bath, Widcombe. Topographical Features Kelston Round Hill was praised by John Southdown, Odd Down and Twerton. Bath is laid out to the south showing Wood seen from the south west corner the city in a hollow surrounded by hills. of Queen Square soon after its Near views include fields, hedges and construction. Only determined walkers copses above Weston village and in the 18th century would have towards Kelston Roundhill. Middle ventured to Kelston Roundhill and distance views extend to the ridge of Prospect Stile. the Cotswold Way to the south. Distant Description of View views include the Avon Valley and the Panorama of the landscape with hills beyond to the south, the wooded distant views of the western edge of slopes of Bathampton Down, Twerton Bath, the Avon valley and settlements Roundhill, the hills above Newton St. towards Bristol. Loe, Stantonbury Hill and distant Somerset hills. 78

Map 8a Area Visible from the Viewpoint at Prospect Stile (Viewpoint 1) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 79

2 Beckford's Tower and Lansdown Cemetery Significance of Viewpoint Historic Built Features Horse, Kelston Round Hill, Prospect Beckford’s Tower was designed by There are only glimpsed views to the Stile and Bath racecourse. Views to Henry Goodridge for William Beckford Georgian city which is largely green spaces within the city include and completed in 1827. It was built to concealed by the topography and Beechen Cliff, St James Cemetery, take advantage of the panoramic views vegetation. The later Brown’s Folly is Stirtingale Farm, The Tumps, of Bath and the surrounding visible in the distance. Brickfields, Locksbrook Cemetery, countryside. A pleasure garden was Bath City Farm, Carrswood and the Landscape and built around the tower with a ride well treed corridor of the River Avon. Topographical Features linking the tower and Beckford’s Views include the Lansdown Cemetery Other Built Features residence at number 20, Lansdown and the south western slopes of Ensleigh Ministry of Defence offices, Crescent. Lansdown Hill in the near distance. Bathford, Weston Park housing, Royal Description of View Dean Hill forms a major part of the view United Hospital, Weston, Western There are commanding views of Bath in the middle distance. Long distance Riverside gas holders, Oldfield Park, both from the tower and at ground views extend to Little Solsbury Hill, Moorlands, Twerton and Whiteway level from Lansdown Cemetery (once Bannerdown, Odd Down plateau, housing, Brickfields and Lymore part of the pleasure garden) showing Padley Bottom western slopes, Newton Avenue. its setting and containment within the Brook valley and undulating plateau, surrounding hills and open landscape the southern slopes of the River Avon and the characteristic of trees and valley between Newton St. Loe and open landscape extending into the built Twerton, distant Somerset hills, area from the surrounding landscape. Salisbury Plain and the Westbury White 80

Map 8b Area Visible from the Viewpoint at Beckford's Tower (Viewpoint 2) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 81

Map 8c Area from which Beckford's Tower is Visible (Landmark 2) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 82

Map 8d Area Visible from the Viewpoint at Lansdown Cemetery (Viewpoint 2) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 83

3 Lansdown Crescent Significance of Viewpoint Landscape and Lansdown Crescent was designed by Topographical Features John Palmer and built in 1789-1793. Near views are predominantly green The significance of the viewpoint is with fields and trees. Middle distant the way the Georgian buildings were views include Locksbrook Cemetery designed to fit harmoniously within the with a glimpse of the chapel spire. landscape setting, offering dramatic Views to the south include Twerton views across the Avon valley. Roundhill and Twerton Hill Farm. Views to the west include Carrs Wood, the Description of View ridge above Newton Brook, the River Much of the view is restricted by trees Avon valley and Winsbury and in the foreground with occasional Thomas Robins 'From Near St. Winifred's Well' Stantonbury Hills. glimpses across the valley to the city and hills beyond. Other Built Features Western Riverside gas holders, Twerton Historic Built Features housing, Twerton football ground, There is a clear view of Prior Park Lymore Park nursing home and Mansion to the south east. The housing at Southdown Georgian city is largely concealed behind trees.

Panorama looking South West 84

Map 8e Area Visible from the Viewpoint at Lansdown Crescent (Viewpoint 3) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 85

Map 8f Area from which the Lansdown Crescent is Visible (Landmark 3) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 Appendices 86 Appendix 3

4 Approach Gold Course Significance of Viewpoint Historic Built Features Other Built Features This viewpoint is on the route of a Near views include Somerset Place and Near views include St Stephen’s popular circular 18th century walk Cavendish Place. Middle distance views Church, housing at Westmoreland, new which took in the Middle Common include Portland Place, St James housing at Rush Hill, Western Riverside (now Victoria Park) and Sion Hill with Square and New King Street. Distant including the gas holders, Wellsway, views across Bath. Part of this route is views include Sham Castle and Holloway, Southdown and 19th century now the southern section of the Bloomfield Crescent. housing in Twerton on the lower north Cotswold Way National Trail. The open facing slopes. Middle distance views Landscape and landscape provided a spectacular view include Bath University. Topographical Features across the valley in the 18th century Near views include the Approach Golf which can still be enjoyed today. It was Course, Royal Victoria Park and also valued for the view eastwards to Locksbrook Cemetery. Middle distance View towards Lansdown Crescent and All Lansdown Crescent and All Saints views include Claverton Down, The Saints Chapel published by Robertson Chapel (since bombed and destroyed Tumps, Twerton Hill Farm, Stirtingale in the 1942 Baedeker raids) and the Farm, Moorlands School grounds and later Cavendish Place and Cavendish the Brickfields open space. There are Crescent. distant views of the hills and ridge Description of View above Newton St Loe, Winsbury Hill The view looking south from the and Twerton Roundhill. Approach Golf Course extends across the city to the north facing slopes of hills at the edge of the city. Roads and streets, interspersed with greenery, climb up the north facing slopes. 87

5 Royal Crescent Significance of Viewpoint Historic Built Features The Royal Crescent was built by John The curve of the Crescent and railings Wood the younger in 1767-1775. It is frame near views of Marlborough significant in its design which was Buildings and Brock Street. Prior Park intended to look outwards over the Mansion can be seen in the distance landscape and also to be viewed from to the east. a distance. The fields below the Royal Landscape and Etching by JR Cozens from present day Royal Victoria Park Crescent which were accessed by the Topographical Features (view now obscured by Marlborough Buildings) Gravel Walk became one of the most There are near views of the Royal fashionable promenades in Bath. (see Crescent lawns and the trees of Royal Appendix 4 View 5 Crescent Fields.) It Victoria Park which form a visual barrier is still a popular location for visitors to to the city in the summer. The mid view the iconic Royal Crescent. views to the south are of the greenery Description of View on the north facing slopes of Beechen Royal Crescent Lawns dominate the Cliff, Stirtingale Farm, Claverton Down, foreground with a fringe of mature trees and Twerton Roundhill. along Royal Avenue concealing the Other Built Features Avon valley and near views of the city. The middle distant views are of 19th and 20th century terraces and larger villas above Beechen Cliff. 88

Map 8g Area Visible from the Viewpoint at the Royal Crescent (Viewpoint 5) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 89

Map 8h Area from which the Royal Crescent is Visible (Landmark 5) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 Appendices 90 Appendix 3

6 The Circus Significance of Viewpoint Historic Built Features The Circus was built by John Wood Gay Street and Queen Square the elder and younger in 1754 to 1758. in the near distance. It was primarily designed to look Landscape and inwards, nonetheless, a vista to Topographical Features Beechen Cliff via Gay Street has Queen Square marked by mature been incorporated into the design. trees and the wooded Beechen Cliff. Description of View Gay Street is a hill with views to the There is a corridor view down Gay north and south but constricted by Street which includes trees in Queen the terraces on either side. Square and the wooded Beechen Other Built Features Cliff slopes below Alexandra Park. The post war terraced housing From the southern end of Gay Street of Calton Gardens at the foot of looking up the hill, the view is halted Beechen Cliff. by the later planting of a clump of trees in the Circus.

View down Gay Street towards Queen Square View up Gay Street to The Circus 91

7 Terrace Walk to Bathampton Down Significance of Viewpoint Historic Built Features Terrace Walk which ran along the top Orange Grove, the rear of Argyle of the city wall became a fashionable Buildings and Johnson Street, and parade when it was paved in the early North Parade in the near distance. 18th century. It is believed that Ralph Sham Castle. Bathwick Hill, rear view of Allen built Sham Castle on Bathampton Widcombe Cresent, terraces on View from south bank across the ferry at Bathwick to South Parade, Down to be seen from the new wing of Widcombe Hill and Ralph Allen Drive Terrace Walk, the Abbey and panorama of Bath, Thomas Robins c 1750 his house behind the terrace. The and Prior Park Mansion in the middle existing road was built in 1933 when the distance. Assembly Room at this location was Landscape and demolished restoring the original view Topographical Features which is today a popular viewpoint View across Parade Gardens and along overlooking the Parade Gardens. the river in the near distance. Grassland Description of View and wooded slopes of Bathampton Wide view taking in Orange Grove Down in the middle distance. around to North Parade and across to Other Built Features Parade Gardens, the river and The Empire Hotel, river flood defences, Bathampton Down beyond. Post 19th century housing at the Dolemeads, railway bridge, the post office building, St John’s Church, St Matthew’s Church and Widcombe. Appendices 92 Appendix 3

8 North Parade Bridge Significance of Viewpoint Historic Built Features Other Built Features North Parade Bridge was built in Views northwards of the southern To the north there are city views 1835-36 by W Tierney Clark originally elevation of Pulteney Bridge and the of The Empire Hotel, St. Stephen’s as a cast iron structure. This viewpoint old mill race, the adjacent Argyle Church and the Podium and to the would therefore not have been Buildings and the rear elevation of east the perimeter fence to the available during the Georgian period Johnson Street and Great Pulteney Recreation Ground. Looking south until this date. North and South Parade Street. Distant views of the rear there are near views of the Cricket were fashionable promenades giving elevation of the Paragon and Lansdown ground and 19th century housing an elevated position with extensive Road. To the south middle distant views at Dolemeads. views of the surrounding countryside of Prior Park and the rear elevation of in all directions and across the river. The Widcombe Crescent. bridge is a key viewing point towards Landscape and Pulteney Bridge and also provides Topographical Features a significant view to Prior Park. View north along the well treed River Description of View Avon and riverside walk, Pulteney Weir, Views across and along the River Avon Parade Gardens and the Recreation across Georgian parts of Bath to Ground. Middle distance views of View from the River Avon towards wooded hillsides and skylines. Beacon Hill and to the south the Prior Park, Thomas Ross c 1740 wooded valley rising towards Prior Park Mansion.

North Parade Bridge towards North Parade Bridge towards Pulteney Bridge and Beacon Hill Bathwick and Prior Park 93

9 Old Newbridge Hill Significance of Viewpoint Description of View Travellers from Bristol sometimes Coming down Newbridge Hill the view avoided this route as it was often takes in the water meadows towards congested with traffic from the the Globe Public House. To the north Kingswood Colliery. One route from Kelston Manor and Park can be seen Bristol entered Bath down a link road in the distance. between the Upper and Lower Bristol Historic Built Features Road at Newbridge Hill. The original Kelston Park can be seen to the east. ford crossing the Avon was replaced Landscape and Topographical Feature with a bridge in 1736 built by Ralph The distant view across the water Allen’s clerk of works Richard Jones meadow and lower slopes of the However the steepness of the road Cotswolds are little changed from together with the steep and narrow the 18th century. New Bridge crossing the Avon which was considered difficult and dangerous Other Built Features to navigate, made this route into Bath Modern housing lines the Newbridge unpopular. This crossing of the Avon Hill and obscures views to the east. was later improved by J L McAdam in 1831. Appendices 94 Appendix 3

10 Little Solsbury Hill Significance of Viewpoint Landscape and Charmy Down Farm near Bath, Thomas Robins Little Solsbury Hill is an Iron Age hill Topographical Features fort which would have existed in Near views of grazed hillsides. Beacon Roman times and has significance Hill in middle distance. Avon valley, in the historical development and Bathampton Down slopes, Perrymead, setting of Roman Bath. It is a strong Widcombe fields, parks, gardens and topographical feature and a popular woodland, Stirtingale Farm and Carrs public viewing point which shows Wood with ridge above Conygre and Georgian buildings in the context Newton Brooks beyond. of the surrounding hills. Other Built Features Description of View 19th century and later housing at Extensive panoramic view of the built Larkhall and Fairfield Park in middle city, down the Avon valley and of the distance and Twerton housing in the surrounding countryside of woods, distance. Individual buildings such as trees and greenery. the Empire Hotel, the Podium and flats at Snow Hill stand out from the Historic Built Features surrounding built areas. Camden Crescent in middle distance. Both the upper and lower town of the Georgian city including the Paragon, terraces along Lansdown Hill and Bath Abbey. 95

Map 8i Area Visible from the Viewpoint at Little Solsbury Hill (Viewpoint 10) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 Appendices 96 Appendix 3

11 Camden Crescent Significance of Viewpoint the trees and shrubs are trimmed to Other Built Features Camden Crescent was designed by reveal the panoramic view over the city The Empire Hotel and the roof lines of John Eveleigh and was built in 1787- to the northern facing slopes of modern development in the lower city. 1794. It was never completed to its Widcombe and Bathampton Down. planned full extent. A landslide Greenery dominates the view destroyed several buildings which were interspersed with distant linear post under construction at the north- war housing. eastern end. Panoramic views are Historic Built Features afforded over the east side of Bath Historic View 10 from Beacon Hill by John Syer Prior Park Mansion and gardens. taking in Bathampton Down and Beechen Cliff. This area around Beacon Landscape and Hill provided some of the most popular Topographical Features views of Bath during the 18th and 19th Near views of the trees and shrubs century. Prospect Walk which ran along below Camden Crescent Distant and the front of the crescent opened up a middle views from the east to west of popular route for ramblers which for Bathampton Down and associated the more energetic may have taken north facing slopes, Smallcombe them to Charlcombe village; a walk Woods, Claverton Down and Rainbow described by Jane Austen. Woods. Prior Park, Perrymead, Lyncombe Vale, Beechen Cliff, The Description of View Tumps and west to Stirtingale Farm. Views from Camden Crescent are Distant view of woodland around largely dependent on the height at Brown’s Folly. which the trees and shrubs below the crescent are maintained. Periodically 97

Map 8j Area Visible from the Viewpoint at Camden Crescent (Viewpoint 11) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 98

Map 8k Area from which Camden Crescent is Visible (Landmark 11) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 99

12a Alexandra Park Looking North Significance of Viewpoint Landscape and This was an important viewing point Topographical Features during the Georgian period forming part Steep wooded slopes of Beechen Cliff in of a series of routes referred to by John foreground. Trees in near to middle Wood and Jane Austen. A summer distance at Royal Victoria Park, Queen house was built at the top of Beechen Square and the Circus, Parade Gardens, Historic illustration 1d Robins A Southwest Cliff in the 1750s as a useful viewing Henrietta Park and Sydney Gardens and Prospect of the city of Bath 1723 point which is thought to be the point beside the River Avon and railway line. where Catherine Morland commented Open space at the recreation ground on the landscape in Jane Austen’s and cricket ground. Distant views to Northanger Abbey. The location is now High Common, Beacon Hill woodland, marked by a park bench. hills above Charlcombe, Charmy Down, Little Solsbury Hill, Bannerdown and Description of View Bathampton Down slopes. Commanding views into and across Bath City centre and to undeveloped Other Built Features wooded and grassland slopes beyond Bath City College, Carpenter House, framed by trees growing on Beechen Kingsmead, the new Southgate Cliff below. development, the Empire Hotel, Berkeley House, Snowhill housing and Historic Built Features the Dolemeads. In the foreground the The lower Georgian town in the near Great Western railway built in 1840 lies distance including St. James’s Parade, along the Avon valley. the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, the Parades, the upper Georgian town beyond including Royal Avenue, Queen Square, the Circus, the Royal Crescent, Lansdown Crescent, the Paragon and around to Camden Crescent, Prospect Place and Great Pulteney Street. 100

Map 8l Area Visible from the Viewpoint at Alexandra Park (North) (Viewpoint 12a) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 101

12b Alexandra Park Looking East Significance of Viewpoint Landscape and This was an important viewing point Topographical Features during the Georgian period forming The eastern view includes the part of a series of routes. This prospect Lyn brook valley, Alexandra Park, became popular as Bath expanded allotments and small fields enclosed with views to Bathwick Hill and with trees and hedgerows in the near Widcombe. distance. Smallcombe Wood and Rainbow Woods form part of the Description of View wooded skyline with fields below. Commanding view to and across Widcombe and to undeveloped Other Built Features wooded and grassland slopes The view contains very little beyond framed by trees around development later than 1837. the edge of the park. Buildings are set within a well treed and verdant landscape. Historic Built Features Excerpt from Panoramic View of Bath, Harvey Wood 1824 Lyncombe Hill terraces, Prior Park Buildings, Crowe Hall. Widcombe Manor, St Thomas a Becket church and Macaulay Buildings 102

Map 8m Area Visible from the Viewpoint at Alexandra Park (East) (Viewpoint 12b) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 103

12c Alexandra Park Looking South Significance of Viewpoint Historic Built Features This viewing point was part of an Views towards Prior Park. important series of routes during Landscape and the Georgian period which provided Topographical Features views across the open countryside. The view south of the crest of the hills Views are now partly restricted by to the south including Lyncombe Vale the building of Beechen Cliff School. fields and the eastern edges of Foxhill. Description of View Other Built Features The view point on the crest of the Near and mid distant views of hill looks south towards woodland Beechen Cliff School and post and fields. Beechen Cliff School 19th century housing at Foxhill. buildings dominate the foreground.

Excerpt from Panoramic View of Bath, Harvey Wood 1824 104

Map 8n Area Visible from the Viewpoint at Alexandra Park (South) (Viewpoint 12c) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 105

12d Alexandra Park Looking West Significance of Viewpoint Landscape and This viewing point was part of a series Topographical Features of important routes during the Ridge rising up to Whistling Copse Georgian period. The view from beyond Newton Brook valley, hill on Magdalen Gardens was particularly south side of River Avon valley with popular with illustrators in the 18th Seven Acre Wood on the crown, Carrs century and the surviving plaque Wood on distinct area of rising ground 1845 Miss Brackstone’s Establishment erected in the 1920s is testament to at Twerton, Ashton Hill (west of the ongoing appreciation of this view. Corston), and Kelston Park and the Cotswold scarp slope in the distance. Description of View View down Shelley Road over Oldfield Other Built Features Park to Twerton and open countryside 19th century housing, terraces at Bear beyond. The built city blends into Flat and Oldfield Park in near distance distant green hills and woodland along and Twerton in the middle to far the Avon Valley. distance. Historic Built Features Kelston Park can be clearly seen on the edge of the Cotswold Plateau in the distance above the Avon valley. 106

Map 8o Area Visible from the Viewpoint at Alexandra Park (West) (Viewpoint 12d) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 107

13 Twerton Roundhill Significance of Viewpoint Grove Hotel, Great Pulteney Street Twerton Roundhill is a strong and the Holburne Museum, the Abbey, topographical feature. It provides the Roman Baths and Pump Room, a popular public viewpoint on the St Michael’s Church, Bathwick Hill, south side of the city which shows Darlington Place and Sydney Buildings. the Georgian city in the context of Landscape and the surrounding hills. Great Pulteney Topographical Features Street is thought to have been Near views of wooded slopes and designed to line up with the hill seen ridge of Claverton Down, Brickfields, from the Holburne Museum end. Stirtingale Farm, Rush Hill, The City of Bath, T Clark 1826 Description of View Englishcombe village and views to the Panoramic 360 degree view including south. Middle distance views of Royal the Newton Brook valley and open Victoria Park and allotments. Distant undulating rural landscape to the south views of Kelston Roundhill, Prospect and west and over Bath looking north Stile, the Lansdown ridge, High taking in the Bristol Channel and Wales Common (Approach Golf Course), in the far distance to the west and Little Solsbury Hill and Bannerdown. Claverton Down to the east. Other Built Features Historic Built Features Post 19th century housing including Kelston Manor, Beckford’s Tower, Southdown Estate, Waterside Court Cavendish Crescent, Somerset Place, student accomodation, Western Lansdown Crescent, Marlborough Riverside, Kingswood School, St Buildings, Marlborough Street, Park Stephen’s Church, Balance Street flats, Street, Park Place, Doric House, Royal Bath City College, Empire Hotel, Crescent, Brock Street, Nelson Place MOD offices on Warminster Road West, Norfolk Crescent, the Circus, and modern housing at Rush Hill. Lansdown Road, and Lansdown Map 8p Area Visible from108 the Viewpoint at Twerton Round Hill (Viewpoint 13) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead toprosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 109

14 Bloomfield Road Significance of Viewpoint Historic Built Features In the far distance the valley opens To the east, the parallel street pattern Upper Bloomfield Road was one of the The view includes large areas of the out towards Bristol. To the far east of pre war residential development at routes from the south into Bath which Georgian city on the south facing Alexandra Park and to the north Little Bear Flat climbs the hill towards entered the city across the historic St slopes of Lansdown. The view includes Solsbury Hill and Charmy Down Alexandra Park. Beechen Cliff School Lawrence’s Bridge at Widcombe. The The Abbey, Royal Crescent, Lower beyond and playing fields are visible on the road passed Cottage Crescent (now Common, Lansdown Crescent and Sion southern slopes of the hill. In the valley Other Built Features known as Bloomfield Crescent) and the Hill crowned by Kingswood School and to the east the copper roofs of the The lower slopes below Bloomfield descent into the city would have had Beckford's Tower. To the west, the view Snowhill flats are visible. Crescent are dominated by post 18th far reaching views to the east and west. down the Avon Valley includes Kelston century development as Bath extended Park and to the far east Alexandra Park. Description of View up the southern slopes of the city. The The view from Bloomfield Crescent Landscape and Western Riverside Development is across Stirtingale Farm of fields and Topographical Features changing the view of the previously trees, extends across the city to the Bloomfield Road twists down into the industrial river corridor. south facing slopes. The view includes city from the southern rim into the large areas of the Georgian city on the hollow in which Bath sits. The view south facing slopes of Lansdown Far includes the built and developed city views along the Avon valley extend and the green hills of the Cotswolds west and east. Area of Outstanding Beauty to the north. To the west, the view down the Avon Valley includes Kelston Park, Kelston Round Hill, and to the far west Twerton Round Hill ( High Barrow Hill) Appendices 110 Appendix 3

15 Sham Castle Significance of Viewpoint Historic Built Features Sham Castle was built in 1762 as an Middle distance views of the Abbey, eye-catching folly to be seen from Johnstone Street, Pierrepont Street, Ralph Allen’s townhouse and was Bridge Street and the central Georgian probably designed by Sanderson core of the upper and lower town. Key Miller. Bathampton Down itself was buildings include Johnstone Street, the popular in the 18th and 19th century Circus, Gay Street, Lansdown Road for its views and riding. Literary (Belmont Row) and The Paragon. references to it include those by WH Bartlett 1841 Landscape and Spencer Cowper, William Pitt and Jane Topographical Features Austen. It was used for horse racing View of the city defined by the over a 2 mile course and later Ralph northern and southern surrounding Allen made a carriage drive to show hill slopes. Royal Victoria Park, river off the skyline views. This ran around valley corridor towards Bristol, middle the periphery of Bathampton Down and distant views of open countryside and extended as far as Rush Hill. and hills. Description of View Other Built Features View framed by trees looking from the The recreation ground, the North east of the city towards the west. The Parade leisure centre, the Empire view takes in trees in the foreground, Hotel, Thermae Bath Spa, Western the proposed development site at Riverside gas holders, St. Michael’s Western Riverside in the middle Church and Twerton. distance and distant views of the countryside and hills. 111

Map 8q Area Visible from the Viewpoint at Sham Castle (Viewpoint 15) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 112

Map 8r Area from which Sham Castle is Visible (Landmark 15) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 113

16 Widcombe Hill Significance of Viewpoint Landscape and Other Built Features In the 18th century Widcombe Hill Topographical Features Near view of St Matthew’s Church provided, and still does today, some Near views of Perrymead, the lower (Widcombe), Churchill Bridge with of the best panoramic views to the slopes of Widcombe and the the riverside warehouses, Kingsmead west and north of the city seen from Lyncombe Vale terraces, Abbey housing, Western Riverside and gas the east. Georgian buildings are seen cemetery, Alexandra Park and holders and post 19th century housing in the context of the surrounding hills allotments and Beechen Cliff to the west of city. Snow Hill housing and the green River Avon valley. woodland. Middle distance views of and terraces below Beacon Hill in the the Approach Golf Course, the route middle distance. Description of View of the Cotswold Way, trees in The View of the Georgian city within the Circus, woodland areas below J Parker 1792 hollow of the surrounding hills with Lansdown Crescent, Royal Victoria distant views west along the River Park and Locksbrook cemetery. Distant Avon valley. view to the north and west of the city Historic Built Features in a hollow, along the Lansdown ridge Distant view of Kelston Park and including Kelston Round Hill and hills Beckford’s Tower. The Georgian city above Corston and very distant views including The Circus, the Royal of ridges west of Bristol. Crescent, Lansdown Crescent, Camden Crescent and the Abbey. 114

Map 8s Area Visible from the Viewpoint at Widcombe Hill (Viewpoint 16) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 115

17 Prior Park Mansion Significance of Viewpoint Historic Built Features Other Built Features Ralph Allen’s mansion was built in Palladian Bridge and Crowe Hall in near St. Stephen’s Church, St. Thomas 1733-1750 at a prominent location to middle distance. Beckford’s Tower, a Beckett at Widcombe, Snow Hill at the head of a tributary valley above Lansdown Hill, the Royal Crescent, housing, Camden and Larkhall housing. Widcombe village. It was designed Lansdown Crescent, Camden Crescent, by John Wood the Elder and provides Lower and Upper Camden Place and spectacular views of Bath and Prospect Place in the distance. conversely there are many views of the Landscape and Topographical mansion from the Georgian city. Many Features famous guests were invited and on Prior Park landscape garden in the certain days of the week the grounds near distance. In the middle distance were accessible to the public as they views to Upper Common (Approach are today through the National Trust. Golf Course), Kelston Roundhill, Description of View Lansdown Hill and Beacon Hill. In the Spectacular view down the open distance the hills above Charlcombe grassland valley enclosed by trees on and Charmy Down. the side slopes framing views to Bath.

Hollway 1837 116

Map 8t Area Visible from the Viewpoint at Prior Park (Viewpoint 17) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 117

Map 8u Area from which Prior Park is Visible (Landmark 17) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 Appendices 118 Appendix 3

18 Great Pulteney Street Significance of Viewpoint Description of View Landscape and Great Pulteney Street is a fine formal This is a much valued view, closed by Topographical Features street of monumental proportions. It the Holburne Museum to north east The view from Twerton Roundhill to has been designed to provide vistas and Laura Place to the south west. the east forms an axis along the street to pediments and Corinthian pilasters Apart from a distant glimpse of trees terminating in the Museum. Side streets along the street and lines up with the in the museum grounds the view is hard give views of trees in Henrietta Park Holburne Museum and the well treed and urban which emphasises the grand and of the hills to the south. Sydney Gardens to the north-east and scale of the street. Other Built Features Twerton Roundhill some distance to Historic Built Features The present modern fountain is built the southwest. There are also incidental The three storey terraces were on an earlier base by AS Goodridge. views to the wooded slopes of speculatively built. The Holburne The ‘Penfold’ hexagonal pillar box dates Perrymead, Beacon Hill, Bathampton Museum, originally known as Sydney from 1866 to 1879. Down and Claverton Down and to the House was designed by Thomas well treed Henrietta Park from roads Baldwin and built to a modified design and openings off the street. by Charles Harcourt Masters in1796-7. 119

Map 8v Area Visible from the Viewpoint at Kelston View (Viewpoint 19) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 120

Map 8w Area Visible from the Viewpoint at Primrose Hill (Viewpoint 20) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 121

Map 8x Area Visible from the Viewpoint at Ralph Allen's Carriage Drive / Meare Road (Viewpoint 21) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 122

Map 8y Area Visible from the Viewpoint at Ralph Allen's Carriage Drive / Bathampton Down (Viewpoint 22) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 123

Map 8z Area Visible from the Viewpoint at Ralph Allen's Carriage Drive / Limekiln Lane (Viewpoint 23) Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 Appendices 124 Appendix 4

Appendix 4 Historical Views and Places of Interest in the Georgian Period

As with the section on Historical Routes and a number of pleasant scenes Twiverton, immersed as it were in a administration of the city, the rampart into Bath, the following is mainly based unknown to those who amuse Forest of Trees, is always conspicuous walks on the eastern and south-eastern around the period when the resort was themselves with walking backwards by the Morning Sun, and becomes a sector (formerly belonging to Bath at the height of its popularity, from the and forwards on the parades.’ Beauty beyond the Power of Words to monastery) were held in private beginning of the 18th century until the express; the Object being vastly ownership, whilst the rest (called For this reason, descriptions and mid-19th century. The aesthetic appeal enriched on one Side by Barrow Hill ‘Rampires’) were publicly maintained illustrations of historical views around of the city and its hinterland was [Twerton Round Hill] rising up on a by the Corporation. By the early 17th the city occur most frequently during already well established by this time, declining Branch of [Odd Down], and century the Rampires were already this period, not only to publicise the and an important part of the social on the other Side by Henstridge Hill being improved with pavements, attractions of Bath, but to provide a ritual for visitors to Bath were [Kelston Round Hill] rising up on a railings and ‘whirligigs’ (turnstiles), like guide to the stranger. excursions on horseback, in carriages, declining Branch of [Lansdown], like the continental boulevard, as an or on foot, into the surrounding Historical Viewing Places immense Tumuli.’ amenity for visitors to view the countryside – considered not only surrounding landscape, and by the end This house was occupied later by Jane beneficial to physical health but also to from Inside Bath (Up To 1770) of the century the private sections were Austen, who was pleased with the view cultural and spiritual well-being. The Until the building of the Royal Crescent also being opened up as fashionable northward towards Brock Street, but experience of William Jones, in the 1770s, developments outside the promenades. In the early 18th century made no mention of one to the west, mentioned in his letter to Viscount city walls were based mainly around each sector of the city wall had its own which suggests that it had become Althorp in 1777, would have been enclosed streets and squares, although identity and prospect view, i.e: obstructed by then. However, familiar to many: a vista might be incorporated into the design, such as the Circus (looking out development plans after 1770 tended St.James’s Rampire (from the South ‘During a month’s residence at Bath I through Gay Street to Beechen Cliff) or, to take greater advantage of the fine Gate to the West Gate, now Lower pursued my own inclination so entirely later, Pulteney Street (which appears to views readily available on the northern Borough Walls and Westgate and joined so little in the follies of the have been purposely aligned on slopes above the town. For this reason Buildings). This offered fine views of the place (well knowing that one ball or Twerton Round Hill). A prospect view the upper part of the city, built after this Avon Valley and Beechen Cliff to the assembly is as like another, as a fig is was of course still regarded as an date, is dealt with in the section below south, and would not have been like a fig) that I was unable to answer advantage, but otherwise accidental to on Historic Viewing Places and Sights completely obstructed until the fifty questions which were put to me the overall plan. In the case of Queen Outside Bath. development of Westgate Buildings to-day about Mr.Wade and his ball, and St.James’s Parade in the 1760s. The Square, for example, built initially in In the meantime, the city’s medieval and the concerts, and the breakfasts, view from the west end of Abbey open fields, John Wood was quick to wall remained the main viewing point, and the Duke of Cumberland, and the Church House, one of the original point out that one of his buildings on providing an ideal platform standing gambling, and the dresses... but I houses that overlooked the wall, was the south-west corner (presumably the about 20 feet above the surrounding could pass a strict examination about partly restored in the 1930s when present no.13) had a commanding view fields, obstructed only by a few houses the walks and rides, the hills and Westgate Buildings was cut through for in the suburban streets outside the valleys, and Landsdown, and ‘.. of the rich Vale of [Avon] to the the present roundabout and junction North and South Gates. For reasons Granville’s Monument, and the Rocks, Westward, wherein the Village of with James Street. connected with the medieval 125

Gascoyn’s Rampire (from the West first development outside the city wall storey car park. This left a flat platform, as lodgings for the visitors. Spencer Gate to ‘Gascoyn’s Tower’, now the since the middle ages. slightly raised above street level and Cowper, brother of the 2nd Earl Seven Dials and Saw Close) with a fine view overlooking the river, Cowper, referred to his view over the Counter’s Tower and Collibee’s Court This short section was named after a which became known locally as ‘The weir several times in his letters – ‘The (The north-east corner of the city wall, raised bastion which stood on the Podium’ – the name adopted for the River is generaly intolerably foul and now the north side of Bridge Street, corner of the city wall on the north- shopping precinct subsequently built yellow, but is a great addition to the adjoining Slippery Lane) These stood in west side of the Saw Close. For on top of it. prospect … The house, where I lodged a private area situated behind the defensive purposes this had a good looked full upon it, and if you saw it you church of St.Mary by Northgate. Little is The Orange Grove view to the north and west, and during wd think it the prettiest scituated of any known about the tower or its military Until the dissolution of Bath Monastery the Civil War was mounted with in the whole place’. However by the end significance (if any), but in reference to in 1539, this area had been an open artillery. Above the medieval West Gate of the 19th century the status of the the character of the owner of the court, green overlooking the city wall used by itself there were some fine apartments Grove had declined considerably, Wood remarked that ‘the Beauties of the monks as their ‘Litton’ or graveyard, known as Westgate House which had a leading to the progressive demolition [the Avon Valley], to the North but in 1572 it was donated to the city good view to the west, and where both of all these houses for the development Eastward of the Body of the City, are so together with the Abbey Church. By Queen Elizabeth and Ann of Denmark of the Empire Hotel and Grand Parade, conspicuous, that they render that the early 17th century the Litton had were said to have stayed. Although the thereby restoring the original view Court superior to all the rest: The become a bowling-green, and in 1674 tower, gate, and ramparts on this towards Bathampton Down. Landskip commanded by the high was laid out as a promenade with section were not removed until the situation of this Court may be very justly gravelled walks, gift shops, and lines of Terrace Walk 1770s, the views were already being said to have Charms sufficient to invert trees, henceforth known as the ‘Grove’. Like the Litton, the adjoining sector of obstructed in the 1720s by the building the Principles of a Miser; and to infuse a The Grove soon became a fashionable wall to the south, occupied by a private of Beaufort Square, St.John’s Court, Spirit of Liberality into him to enjoy parade for visitors, one of its orchard (formerly the site of the old Kingsmead Square and Monmouth them to all the Advantage that Art is attractions, noted by the antiquary Abbey cloister), was also opened up to Street. capable of Contributing…. Although this Samuel Gale in 1705, being the the public as a bowling green by the St.Mary’s Rampire (from the Saw Close sector was entirely demolished for the ‘pleasant prospect of the river and 1640s. This too became a fashionable to the North Gate, the ‘Upper Borough building of Bridge Street, early prints of adjacent hills’. Indeed, it became so parade in the early 1700s when a Walls’) Described as a ‘noble walk’ by the Pulteney Bridge suggest that popular that in the 1720s various fine properly paved Terrace Walk was built Wood, this would have provided a clear Newmarket Row and the platform on houses began to be built on the east along the top of the wall, together with view to the summit of Lansdown, with the north side of the bridge (now the side, against the outer face of the city a line of shops on the site of the an open prospect which may well have rear entrance to the Podium) were wall, and by the 1740s the Grove had bowling-green. Below the wall was a influenced the siting of the General intended initially to take advantage of effectively been turned into an riverside walk and pleasure ground Hospital there. However, much to this view. The view on the north side enclosed square. Many of these new (formerly an old Abbey orchard) called Wood’s disgust, obstructions along this was temporarily opened up in the houses, having fine views at the rear Harrison’s Walk, today the site of the walk progressively accumulated after 1960s when the east side of Northgate and being close to the Baths and Pump Parade Gardens. Although the Terrace the building of Trim Street in 1707, the Street was demolished for the multi- Room, were naturally in high demand was partly obscured by the building of Appendices 126 Appendix 4

Bath’s first Assembly Room on the and Beacon Hill (and later, the Pulteney which overlooked the Abbey orchard the same time in the middle of the Ham, outer face of the wall in 1709, the view Bridge),; to the south, Claverton Down by the river. The full significance of this near the site of Bayntun’s bookshop. from the walk remained an important and Beechen Cliff, with Ralph Allen’s building in the middle ages awaits Having a wide south-east prospect feature, and legend has it that Ralph mansion between. Both prospects further investigation, but a legal witness across the river, this was ideally situated Allen built his Sham Castle on were frequently depicted in 18th in c.1620 testified thatthe ‘ Prior did use (the meadows were popular walks for Bathampton Down to be seen from century prints and drawings, such as to sit there and view all the orchard’, visitors), and was not removed until the the new wing of his house behind the Elizabeth Crossley (View from North which suggests that the house was development of the Ham in the early Terrace, a vista which is still (just) Parade, Illus.) and Thomas Robins sited specifically for its fine prospect 19th century. possible today. The Assembly Room (From the South Parade, Illus.), and are across the river. By the 1740s however, (converted to a museum in the early included among the few landscape this whole section of the city wall Historical Viewing Places 19th century) was eventually paintings taken from the city – by became completely hidden behind And Sights Outside Bath demolished in 1933 for the construction Thomas Ross ( John Wood’s Parades, and Gallaway’s View Towards Prior Park Artistic representation of the present roadway and balustrade , Illus.) and Buildings were eventually built on the from the Avon, Bath Few painters recorded the scenery between Pierrepont Street and the Copplestone Warre Bampfylde ( site in 1749. View around Bath until the later part of the Orange Grove, thereby reducing the of Bath looking east, Illus.). However, The Shury Garden 18th century, when Gainsborough and size of the Parade Gardens but J.C.Bourne’s print of the St.James’s For some reason there is no mention of his successors such as Thomas Barker restoring the original view. Railway Bridge [Illus.] taken from the a rampart along the rest of the wall (still found great inspiration in this South Parade in the 1840s, shows how The Parades partly visible today behind Marks and landscape – particularly in its ‘wilder’ this view was already drastically altered (the North and South Parades) Spencer’s) towards St.James’s Church aspects amongst the wooded cliffs and even before the building of St.John’s The Parades, built on high arches over and the South Gate. Inside the wall quarries. Though this had a profound Church some 20 years later. The view part of the old Abbey orchard by the there was a priory garden and stable effect on the development of the from the North Parade has been less river, were started by John Wood in area (later known as the Shury or Picturesque ideal, few topographically affected, although the Sports Centre 1740 as part of a larger development on ‘Shoe-ery’ Garden), with access recognisable views were produced. and other buildings in North Parade the Ham. Although this scheme was through a gate in the wall into the Ham However, some notable engraved Road now occupy much of the not continued, the paved areas along Meadow. However 17th century maps panoramas had already been foreground. the north and south sides (now also show an ornamental garden published, and in the 1750s Thomas roadways) which linked up with the The former Prior’s House (now North outside the gate, just below the wall, Robins produced many remarkably Terrace Walk nevertheless became Parade Buildings, formerly Gallaway’s which appears to have been laid out to authentic topographical drawings and fashionable promenades. Thanks to Buildings) enjoy the view looking south across the prints of the scenery around Bath, their elevated position the Parades A house known in the late 17th century site of the present Ham Gardens. perhaps aided by a Camera Obscura or provided a ‘pier’ or platform as ‘Mrs.East’s Garden House’ which Although this garden was replaced by other optical device. During the latter overlooking the river from which views stood on the city wall on the east side houses in 1709, a summer-house or half of the 18th century, skilled could be taken of the surrounding of the Abbey Green appears to have refreshment room, called ‘Marchant’s engravers and printmakers began to countryside; to the north, Lansdown been part of the former Prior’s House Folly’ after its owner, appeared about settle in the city, and printed 127

topographical views of Bath became published in 1742 but reprinted and 1. Beechen Cliff Lyncombe Hill area throughout the 19th widely available. Indeed, by the early revised well into the early 19th century. This has always been the main viewing century, good views can still be 19th century published prints became Described as ‘a very useful airing point from which the city can be seen obtained between Calton Road and the so numerous that only a general companion and director’ it was in detail, as recommended by John top of Jacob’s Ladder. indication has been given here of the evidently designed to be folded and Wood; ‘.. for the Eye to distinguish the b. From the crest. most popular view-points. For similar used as a guide to the surrounding particular Buildings of the City … such as What appears to be the earliest oil reasons, early landscape photographs sights and scenery. After the mid-19th would View them more distinctly must painting of Bath, Bath from the south of Bath are rare until the publication of century however, the character of the ascend to the Summit of Beaching Cliff,’ east was taken from the brow here, mass-produced picture postcards and guidebooks began to change, placing However, different parts of the Cliff probably by a Dutch artist such as Van photo-litho illustrations at the very end more emphasis on the outlying villages offered different angles of view, i.e: Diest in the mid 17th century [Illus.1b]. In of the 19th century. which could, by then, be easily reached a. From the eastern end, around the 1750s a summer-house or by local railway passenger services, or Literary representation Lyncombe Hill and Jacob’s Ladder. refreshment room [Illus.1b, Cozens] was eventually by tram and char-à-banc. The frequent literary references to the The earliest primitive illustrations of the built at this point by the then owner of scenery and sights around Bath The Views city [illus.1a], by Wenceslas Hollar and the Cliff, Edward Bushell Collibee, an correspond well with the descriptions Jacob Millerd in the 17th century, look apothecary and shrewd property included in the published Guidebooks The following prospects are marked north-west from this point – a view owner in the neighbourhood who which begin to appear from the 1760s with their respective numbers on the which continued to be popular with later became twice Mayor. Although there is onward. These were based on John accompanying map, together with an illustrators [Illus.1a; Hollar, Millerd, Grimm, little information about this structure, it Wood’s original descriptions in his arrow indicating direction of view. Also Clark]. However, as the city expanded, remained a prominent land-mark for Essay, which were merely brought up shown on the map: there was a tendency to look northward, many years, and was evidently a useful to date as the city developed. [The Red lines: to take in the Pulteney Estate, or even observatory, as indicated by the report relevant extract from Wood is included Ralph Allen’s carriage drives around the eastward, towards Bathwick Hill and of the theft of a spy-glass from the below in the Appendix, together with skyline – taken from his estate map. Widcombe. A particularly fine oil building in 1763. Later in the century it the description from the 1763 guide for painting entitled Panorama of Bath was visited by Robert Southey, and was comparison. Also included is a typical Green lines: [illus.1a] was taken from this point by presumably the point at which Jane account by an anonymous author Popular walks identified from literary J.W.Allen in 1833, showing the SE part of Austen’s Catherine Morland passed describing a variety of walks that were descriptions and guidebooks the town in great detail – not long before critical comment on the city landscape available in the early part of the 18th Blue lines: the view was considerably altered by in Northanger Abbey. The summer- century] Sites of ferries over the river Avon used the building of the Great Western house appears to have been Railway in 1840. From hereon, the demolished in the early 19th century, Also available to the visitor was Thomas by walkers and riders Railway Viaduct and Station provided a and all that remains is its platform, later Thorpe’s unique map of the Bath Purple outlines: new and interesting subject for used as a triangulation point and today neighbourhood, An Actual Survey of Pleasure gardens and other places of printmakers and early photographers. occupied by a park seat. the City of Bath, in the County of interest Despite the development of the Somerset, and of Five Miles Round, first Appendices 128 Appendix 4

c. From the summit. Odd Down. However, despite the towards Norfolk Crescent. The practice the early 18th century. From the 1780s Some time later, in 1824, a 360-degree formation of a consortium of of identifying landmarks from this the view was used by artists such a Panoramic View of Bath (BRL) was shareholders (Bath Panorama Ltd.) to location was continued into the 20th J.C.Nattes and T.Clark [Illus.2a] to show taken by Harvey Wood from a point raise the £50,000 capital for its century when the illustrative plaque in the new developments in Green Park further back towards the summit housing (perhaps in an inflatable tent), front of the path above Magdalen and Norfolk Crescent. [Illus.1c]. This large lithograph, 13ft long it only appears to have been otherwise Garden was installed in the 1920s at the b. Some views were taken from the by 1ft high and in seven sections, exhibited in London and its present instigation of the then Mayor, Cedric new Wells Road which was opened includes the whole southern prospect whereabouts is unclear. Chivers. The plaque, which shows in through Hayesfield at about the same between Prior Park and Twerton Round outline key features of the city between d. From the western end, time, and in the early 19th century Hill, and is annotated to show key sites Kelston Round Hill on the west and around Magdalen Gardens others were produced looking towards in the town and surrounding landscape. Sham Castle to the east, now has and the ‘Dolly Steps’ Twerton and Kelston (from the top of Such an undertaking would have antique value itself, as practically the For illustrators, this was aesthetically the King Edward Road and the Bear Flat) represented a considerable whole of the lower city has subsequently best view from Beechen Cliff, as it was [Illus.2b]. However, most of these views achievement for its time, and is the been re-developed since it was made possible (looking north-east) to include progressively disappeared with the nearest thing to a photograph of the [Illus.1d]. Magdalen Garden, formerly the picturesque details of Magdalen development of Oldfield Park and countryside around Bath at the end of part of the city water-works, remains a Chapel and the roofs of the buildings in Hayesfield in the late 19th century. the Georgian period. A more restricted public park and still provides a fair Holloway for foreground composition. view was taken not long after the arrival vantage point. Various houses which 3. High Barrow Hill The earliest example appears in 1723, as of the railway by J.Syer [Illus.1c]. Since surrounded the Garden were (Twerton Round Hill) an illustration in William Stukeley’s the creation of Alexandria Park in the demolished after WWII (‘Prospect Although this provides a fine view of Itinerarium Curiosum [Illus.1d.], but in early 20th century, practically all these Buildings’ on the west side, and Bath even today, it was too distant from 1757 a much larger and more detailed views have become obscured, either by ‘Beautiful View’ and ‘Bath View’ on the the city to portray any identifiable panoramic view was engraved by the growth of trees on the cliff and east side of the Dolly steps), their sites features and was only occasionally Thomas Robins entitled A Southwest around the Park, or by the building of now occupied by vegetation and trees. used by printmakers and Prospect of the City of Bath. Dedicated Beechen Cliff School on the south side. photographers. In earlier times it would to the Mayor and members of the 2. Oldfield Park and Indeed, when a similar panorama was have had quite different associations. Corporation, it was among the first the new Wells Road produced in the 1980s, it was necessary Being a prominent local landmark, it illustrations of Bath to include a a. Oldfield Park, which occupies the for the artist to ascend above the trees served as the meeting-place for the numbered key, indicating 53 notable promontory at the western end of in a balloon. This project, by the Sheriff’s Tourn of the Hundred of features in and around the city [Illus.1d]. Beechen cliff, formerly provided a fine Twerton artist Roger Hallet, resulted in Wellow, although this had fallen out of A similar view with a key indicating 18 prospect towards Lansdown, A rare a 360-degree panoramic canvas use by the early 18th century. sites was produced as a lithograph in 17th century panorama of Bath by W. painting, 200ft long by 20ft high (said 1860, but by this time prints and Schellinks (The town from the heights) 4. The Avon Valley (West) to be the largest painting in the photographs from this point tended to is taken from this angle [Illus.2a], and a The path along the northern bank of country), which was exhibited at the look north-west as the city spread out Mr.Mullins had a summer-house there in the river downstream from Bath was abandoned Fuller’s Earth Works on 129

one of the most popular walks for c. Although the riverside below the city replaced by the Bath Refuse Amenity ‘ . .went to the Crescent fields which is visitors from the time of Celia Fiennes in provided few opportunities for artistic Centre), and the Crescent in the the present Mall of Bath and I think the the 17th century through to Jane representation of Bath, there were background is now hidden behind the pleasantest I ever was in as one is Austen in the 19th. The main objective several notable exceptions. An aquatint trees of Victoria Park. litterally walking in the fields with a on this route was ‘Twerton Lock’ view from the Twerton Ferry near Henry most beautiful prospect all around at e. By the end of the 18th century, a (strictly speaking in the parish of Fielding’s Lodge (a few yards from the the same time that you meet all the good view of Green Park and Norfolk Weston) and the adjoining Brass Mill. present Locksbrook Footbridge) was company that is now here. There is Crescent was possible from the Lower included by J.C.Nattes in his Bath, something whimsical yet pleasing in a. From here it was possible to continue Bristol Road near Brougham Hayes, as Illustrated by a Series of Views …, 1806, seeing a number of well-dressed to the vineyard in Old Newbridge Hill depicted by Spornberg in Warner’s to which he added After‘ passing [the people walking in the same fields on the Upper Bristol Road and admire History of Bath [Illus.4e]. This view Ferry] a short distance, the view towards where Cows and Horses are grazing the view towards Kelston and Newton survived until c.1870 when the Midland Bath becomes so pleasing, & affords so as quietly as if no such intruders came St.Loe [Illus.4a, Bonner]. Although Railway yards were constructed in the good a mixture of the picturesque & among them ...’. John Wood mentions the views in the meadow shown in the foreground of beautiful, that it was determined to make region of Henstridge Hill (Kelston Spornberg’s print, now occupied by Naturally a large number of printed drawing of it, although it does not Roundhill) and Prospect Stile, only the Sainsbury’s Petrol Station and Home views of the Crescent were produced, comprise much of the town itself’ most determined walkers would have Base. Similarly, the familiar view from generally taken from various points [Illus.4c]. This view is barely ventured this far. the area around the Old Bridge still along the Gravel Walk. Until the recognisable today, the foreground provided a rural setting before the construction of the Royal Avenue for b. An alternative was to cross the river along the riverside being filled in recent coming of the railway viaduct in 1840, the Victoria Park in 1830, the Crescent by ferry to the picturesque village of times with industrial units. as depicted by Benjamin Barker Fields remained completely open as Twerton which still remained in a d. Nearer to the town, an unusual late [Illus.4e]. far as the Lower Bristol Road, and separate rural parish – not yet covered 18th century oil-painting by Joseph some views were taken from the road with suburban overspill from Bath until 5. Crescent Fields Farington (1747-1821) entitled The Royal or from the opposite side of the river. after the mid-19th century. Indeed, in Unlike the earlier Georgian Crescent from the Avon [Illus.4d] The view from the Crescent itself 1801 the Woollen Mill there was singled developments, designed to form depicts the view from the riverside near seems to have been avoided by artists, out by the Rev.Richard Warner as an enclosed squares or circuses, the Royal the present Windsor Bridge [Illus.]. It although a public Camera Obscura object of curiosity, being one of the Crescent, completed in the 1770s, was also includes in the foreground what was available in the early 1800s just earliest examples of a mechanised the first that looked outwards and appears to be Westhall, a house below the Crescent near the present factory in this region. Even after the could itself be viewed from a distance. associated with the Limekiln Spa in Park Brock Street entrance to the Park. building of the GWR, the prospect from For this reason, the fields just below the Lane, although the spa itself had closed During the 1840s this became the site the wood above Twerton tunnel still Crescent soon became the most by this time. Today the scene is virtually of Bath’s first photographic studio, provided J.C.Bourne with an attractive fashionable promenade in Bath, unrecognisable. In 1817 the whole of the though only for portraits. An early 19th rural view for his lithograph of the accessed by the Gravel Walk, as foreground became the site of the Bath century scheme to improve the view western approach of the railway described by Betsy Sheridan in 1786, Gas Light and Coke works (recently from the Crescent by masking the towards Bath [Illus.4b]. Appendices 130 Appendix 4

irregular old buildings along the Upper b. As today, the High Common (now visible, half built), it is remarkable for Campagna; ‘I shall never forget how I Bristol Road with an ‘handsome’ the Approach Golf Course) provided the great accuracy of the southern first passed over that land of the Dead, terrace [Illus.5] was not adopted. spectacular views across the valley, but skyline which can be seen extending far strewed with ruins and covered with for printmakers it was valued for the into Somerset and Wiltshire. green turf … This scene [Lansdown] 6. The Common view eastward, initially to show recalls to me my dreams and a. The Middle Common (now Victoria 8. Lansdown Lansdown Crescent and All Saints meditations there. The surface is Park) was already a familiar venue for Lansdown was one of the most popular Chapel (destroyed in the 1942 ‘blitz’) smoother, but it has the same dun visitors by the late 17th century. For of the Downs around Bath for riding [Illus.6b, Robertson], and later, colour, the same “death-like stillness” walkers it provided a popular route to out and airing. From the late 18th Cavendish Place and Cavendish and “dread repose”’. His mile-long ride Sion Hill via Cow Lane and the High century there was also the attraction of Crescent. laid out between the Tower and his Common, and for equestrians there was the races and, for artists such as house in No.20 Lansdown Crescent, a circular area for fashionable rides on 7. Sion Hill Thomas Barker, the old fair, which was consisting of gardens, plantations, and the high ground behind Marlborough For walkers, this was a popular route, still a notable event until the early 20th rustic seats with views over the Avon Lane known as the Ring Common or either to Lansdown (via St.Winifred’s century. Beyond Lansdown, Wick Valley, was all to be seen as a sequence ‘Hyde Park’. Nearby there were several well – valued for its curative properties), Rocks also attracted the artists, as well of linked landscape episodes which Riding Schools (one on the site of the or as a circular walk across the fields as those with an interest in geology. It is culminated at the summit. It is hardly present Bath at Work Museum and beyond Primrose Hill to Weston village. unfortunate that the gorge was surprising that when this well-known another in Monmouth Place) where It was this route that was taken by Jane subsequently turned from a landmark was sold after Beckford’s horses could be hired for airings on the Austen and her companion Mrs. picturesque landscape into an death, it was intended to be converted Common or, further afield, on Lansdown Chamberlayne in 1801, and by Katherine industrial one. For visitors such as John to a Public Tea-gardens – a fate only or along the London and Bristol Roads. Plymly, who in October 1794, ‘.. Penrose and William Jones, a visit to averted by the intervention of After the Ring was superseded by the accompanied Miss C.Isted to Weston a the Granville Monument (erected c.1720 Beckford’s daughter the Duchess of Victoria Park circuit drive, it remained in very pretty village about a mile from on the Civil War battlefield at the Hamilton. use for open-air events such as Circuses Bath. We took a round in going to it & northern edge of the Down) was and Tattoos, and today is the site of a from Sion Hill above Bath we had a fine obligatory. From here a fine view could 9. Belvidere seasonal Funfair and hot-air balloon view of this singular city’. For illustrators be obtained looking westward towards a. As its name implies, the area around events. For printmakers, the Middle however it appears to have been too Bristol, as shown in an engraving of the Belvidere was noted for its fine view Common was also the best site to view distant to portray recognisable details Monument by T.Cadell in 1793 [Illus.8], across the city to Beechen Cliff and the the Royal Crescent [Illus.6a, Cozens], of the city, a notable exception being before it disappeared behind the adjoining Downs, and individual houses until obstructed by Marlborough Thomas Robins who produced a screen of trees. were already being built there by the Buildings in the 1790s. No buildings were drawing in the late 1750s from a high early 18th century. Betsy Sheridan, In 1826 Beckford built his Tower on allowed on the Common itself except, point looking south from the fields near writing in 1786 recorded that ‘.. in the Lansdown to take advantage of what temporarily in the 1790s, for a small St.Winifred’s Well [Illus.7]. Besides Evening I walk’d with Mrs Paterson to a he proclaimed ‘The finest prospect in Public Cold Bath next to the stream just showing the new developments new Walk which has been made by Europe’, and which he likened to the below Marlborough Buildings. extending up the hill (the Circus is Belvidere, Shelter’d to the North by an paintings of Claude or to the Roman 131

immense Hill where they purpose b. Below Belvidere, Walcot Street and the 19th century [Illus.10, Cox, Syer]. as a private enterprise, this bridge gave building the New Crescent [Camden Walcot village still gave good rural Although the view from the summit improved access to the scenery around Crescent], and on the other side views over the river in the early 18th itself seems to have been avoided by Bathwick and Bathampton (described commands the most beautiful prospect century (John Wood describes it as a artists, this route would have been below), already popular with ramblers, immaginable...’. Prints and drawings of ‘noble strand’) – Thomas Robins’ suitable for the more energetic rambler and was greeted with fulsome praise by this view, some taken from lower down drawing of Bathwick in 1765 [Illus.9b] such as Jane Austen, who in 1799 ‘.. local commentator Captain R. in what later became Hedgemead Park was probably taken from the garden of took a very charming walk from 6 and 8 Mainwaring, in his Annals of Bath, [Illus.9, Watts, Wallis, and postcard], Cornwell House (now Ladymead up Beacon Hill, & across some fields to 1800-1830: were frequently produced in 19th House). The views from both sides of the Village of Charlcombe, which is ‘ . .The delightful walks which this century, and even in the 20th century the river near the Walcot/Bathwick sweetly situated in a little green Valley, bridge enables the pedestrian to was a subject for the post-impressionist Ferry [Illus.9b, West, Nattes] remained as a village with such a name ought to accomplish are, indeed, infinite and painter, Walter Sickert (1860-1942), in popular until the ferry was replaced by be’. Charlcombe today can still be unbounded. The beautiful scenery his Beechen Cliff from Belvedere, Cleveland Bridge. recognised in Collinson’s description; ‘.. which unfolds itself in every direction, Lansdown, Bath [Illus.9]. John Wood, the views round this rural spot are 10. Beacon Hill is enchanting to the eye of a whilst speculating on the course of the confined, but very pleasing; it being The new Prospect Walk along the front picturesque traveller, and affords a Roman road through Bath to Sea Mills almost surrounded with hills, which rise of Camden Crescent, mentioned above rich display of subjects for his prolific (outlined in the Itinerary of Antoninus nobly on every side, and are fringed by Betsy Sheriden, opened up a new pencil, particularly as the stranger – the so-called ‘Julian Road’), identified with fine hanging woods and route for ramblers below the face of turns towards the village of what he supposed to be a land-mark coppices…’. Beacon Hill. Following what is now Bathampton, whose cultivated valley, on its route; ‘.. At the North West Corner Camden Road towards Fairfield, it was 11. Grosvenor in contrast with the sterile hills which of the Win Yards [Vineyards] there is a possible to continue around the side of Accessible from the London Road was encompass it (bearing evident large Mount of Earth, by the side of the the hill through the fields to the Grosvenor Pleasure Gardens, remains of Roman encampments), Fosse Road [Guinea Lane] … It is a spot Charlcombe. Soon after this date a opened in 1791, which provided a more present the varied effects of light and of ground so conspicuous to the whole small Public Cold Bath was erected on rural atmosphere than its rival, the shade, in endless succession.’ Country, for many Miles, that from it the site of the present Belgrave Terrace Sydney Gardens. Though designed on there are some of the most delightful In 1925 the bridge was acquired by the at the top of Gay’s Hill, and a little an ambitious scale, its distance from Views I have ever seen; and they are Corporation who replaced it in 1929 further on a Public Botanic Garden was the city proved to be a disadvantage, such as had once like to have seduced with the present toll-free ferro-concrete opened up in 1793 by local lawyer John and by the 1820s had been converted me into a very great Expense, by structure which still continues to fulfil Jelly on what is now Prospect Place. to domestic gardens at the rear of erecting a House, in a military Taste, its original purpose. Although these ventures were only Grosvenor Place. However, in 1830 one upon it’. A rank of houses appropriately temporary, for painters, printmakers of the owners there, the local artist named Belmont Row was eventually and photographers the route provided Thomas Shew, built a footbridge built on this site at the corner of Guinea one of the most popular viewing points (Bath’s first suspension bridge) over the Lane and Lansdown Road by John of the city from the north throughout river from the end of his property. Built Wood the Younger in 1769. Appendices 132 Appendix 4

12. Batheaston Gainsborough produced several 13. Shockerwick and Warleigh Hampton cliffs and the neighbouring a. For the literary visitor in the 1770s, pictures for the Jacob family in the Another friend of Gainsborough in the woods, where Gainsborough, Wilson the most famous attraction outside 1760s, and would certainly have been 1770s was the influential Bath carrier and Barker studied Nature so well, and Bath was Batheaston Villa, where familiar with this landscape. and banker Walter Wiltshire, who lived where is shown the flat rock called poetic competitions were held by the nearby at Shockerwick House and Park Gainsborough’s table, on which the first c. Another prospect nearby, recorded hostess, Mrs.Miller. Many prominent [Illus.13]. The artist evidently found of this picturesque triumvirate so often in a drawing by Thomas Robins, was authors of the day attended the inspiration here; one of the trees in the ate his rustic meal’. The allusion here to from Nicholas Farm (the present meetings there, including Garrick, park was traditionally known as Thomas Barker refers to his landscape, Charmy Down Farm) which at that time Anstey, and Graves, or, like Fanny ‘Gainsborough’s Elm’, and one of his Hampton Rocks, morning, painted in had a curious gothic summer-house Burney, visited out of curiosity. landscapes, owned by Wiltshire, is the 1790s [Illus.14]. above the farm with an unusual view almost certainly derived from the b. However, the landscape around looking south towards the Limpley 15. Bathampton quarry scenery on Kingsdown Hill Batheaston and St.Catherine’s valley Stoke valley [Illus.12c]. a. The Avon valley around Bathampton overlooking the House. Indeed, artists was already attracting visitors, and by [Illus.15a, Bonner] was renowned in the d. The plateau of Little Solsbury Hill in general seem to have been familiar the 1740s a Public Cold Bath had been 18th century for its beauty (often however does not seem to have with the cliffs and quarries of the established on the site of the present referred to as Arno’s Vale, from its attracted much attention in the past, Limpley Stoke valley, particularly Elmshurst House. The Rocks, a castle- resemblance to Tuscany), but was despite its spectacular views, although around Warleigh Woods, home of like house belonging to the Jacobs relatively inaccessible from the city, as the Iron Age Camp was of some Louisa Skrine who also sat for family on the edge of a cliff at northern noted by Philip Thicknesse in his New antiquarian interest. Like the Gainsborough. However, views of Bath end of Bannerdown, was of particular Prose Bath Guide, 1778; surrounding Downs it was an open taken from this angle do not occur until interest, having been celebrated in a common, but formed part of the after the 1840s – about the same time ‘.. some of the Bridle-Roads being collection of poems by Mrs.Mary manorial field system of Batheaston that Mr.Wade Browne, a local quarry known to but few, should be pointed Chandler of Bath, dedicated to Princess and was therefore kept under owner, built the tower known as out ... The pleasantest of which is, Amelia in 1738; cultivation until well into the 19th Brown’s Folly on the crest of the cliff. from BATH to Claverton, the lower To Mrs.Jacob, On her Seat call’d The century. Now used for open grazing, it Way; passing ... from Bath Wick to 14. Hampton Rocks Rocks, in Gloucestershire. remains the best example of how the Bath Hampton … After entering that The old quarry workings on other Downs would have appeared in Village, a broad, handsome Road Romantic Views these Prospects yield, Bathampton Down was another previous ages and still retains an offers itself on the right Hand [later That feed poetic Fire; favourite haunt for artists in the late atmosphere of its own. For this reason Bathwick Hill], which leads up to the Each broken Rock, and Cave, and Field, 18th century [Illus.14, Hassell]. A rock in it has attracted wider (if not Race-Ground, on Claverton; but And Hill, and Vale inspire. this area known as ‘Gainsborough’s international) attention in more recent instead of ascending the Hill, take the Palette’ is presumably the same as the These various, gay, delightful Scenes times as the subject of Peter Gabriel’s first left-hand Lane [Bathampton one mentioned in 1840 by Henry Like Paradise appear; song ‘Solsbury Hill’. Lane], which leads through a Variety Lansdown in his Recollections of the of beautiful Meadows, not far from the Serene as ev’ning Sky my Soul, Late William Beckford in which he Margin of the River, and afford[s] also And hush’d is ev’ry Care. describes ‘the hills above Warleigh, with 133

many picturesque Objects. This Road The canal was not only seen as a Thomas Robins entitled Prospect of 17. Sham Castle and the Fir Forest leads into the Village of Claverton, picturesque object in itself, but also Bath c.1750, is taken from this direction, In the early 18th century the west side of where stands a goodly-looking provided many new views, frequently providing a panorama of the city Bathampton Down overlooking the city Mansion-House, and one of the illustrated, of the city from the east between the ferry and the South was called Bathampton Warren, having prettiest Parsonage-Houses in [Illus.15c]. Walkers could obtain Parade from an imaginary high angle. been a rabbit warren since the middle England, now inhabited by the refreshment in the village at ages. On acquiring Bathampton Manor b. An alternative attraction, described Ingenious and Reverend Mr.GRAVES, Bathampton Lodge with its rustic in 1742, Ralph Allen immediately covered by Fanny Burney, was the Bathwick the well-known poetic Friend of bath-house, or at the Folly tea-gardens this area of open grassland with a large Villa Gardens in a field on the east side SHENSTONE ... And if you are not (later the Cremorne Pleasure Gardens) plantation of scots and spruce firs of the village, but both pleasure tempted by the retired, and beautiful near the Grosvenor Bridge. known as the ‘Fir Forest’, together with grounds were eventually superseded Scenes, which this Ride has afforded, others at the top of Widcombe Hill and d. Bathampton became even more after the completion of Pulteney Street to return the same Way, you may pass across the top of Combe Down. These accessible with the building of the new with the opening of Sydney Gardens over Claverton Down, and enter BATH ‘extensive and noble plantations’, which Warminster Road in 1834, and by the Vauxhall in the 1790s. This had the by the Old Bridge. Just below the required some 55,146 trees according to GWR in 1840, the latter being effect of opening up new walks and Church at Bath Hampton, there is a Allen’s clerk of works Richard Jones, had commemorated in J.C.Bourne’s rides to the east of the city, and for Ferry-Boat, which conveys Horses and a considerable impact on the bare lithographs which includes a fashionable riding, a circular drive was Carriages ... and lands you near Bath skyline on the eastern and southern side picturesque view of the line where it laid out around the perimeter of the Easton: but it is not always passable; of Bath and were universally acclaimed crossed the meadows near the Gardens. Many illustrations of the city and indeed it is necessary to smooth (in Collinson’ words) as the‘ pride and Grosvenor Bridge [Illus.15d]. Indeed, taken from the slopes below the Brow of the Jezabel who is the ornament of the surrounding country’. the railway and canal were not seen as Bathampton Down were published in Bateliere, as well as the Face of the eyesores, both being conspicuous in the early 19th century showing the new The site of Sham Castle was then Waters, to pass over it calmly. Dicksee’s Bath from Bathampton developments in Bathwick and along occupied by a building (possibly also of b. Except for a drawing of the ferry- [Illus.15d]. Beacon Hill on the opposite side of the medieval origin) called Warren House crossing in the 1750s by Thomas Robins, river [Illus.16b, Bartlett]. It was also or Anstey’s Lodge – presumably a 16. Bathwick including Bathampton Manor, Mill and about this time that Bathwick Hill summer-house occupied by Francis a. Until the development of the village in the view [Illus.15b], few (formerly a field-way leading to Anstey, the wealthy distiller and spirit Pulteney Estate in the late 18th century, illustrations of the area were produced Claverton Down) became available for merchant of Stall Street. In 1762 Allen the parish of Bathwick on the east side until the building of the Kennet & Avon its views; either from the lower end, as demolished the lodge for the ‘castle in of the river was still entirely rural, and Canal at the end of the century. From in Bourne’s drawing of the approach of the warren’ with the intention of for those such as John Penrose who hereon the canal towing-path became a the GWR to the city [Illus.16b], or for building a larger house on the extreme wished for outdoor entertainment, popular route for walkers (one of the the beauty spot near the summit, north-west peak of the Down. This there was a ferry above the town weir first being Jane Austen) between Bath overlooking Smallcombe Wood and house would have become a prominent which led over to the Spring Gardens and the Limpley Stoke valley – which it the view of the city in the distance. landmark, visible from the London Pleasure Ground in Bathwick Meadow. remains to this day. Road as well as from the city, but An unusual painting [Illus.16a] by Appendices 134 Appendix 4

Richard Jones talked him out of it on spectators. Even a grandstand and McCaulay Buildings and Widcombe visitors could drink the waters in the grounds of cost. Collinson, writing stables were erected for this purpose, Crescent were preferred. Probably the Lyncombe Spa (now the Paragon in 1791, noted that the castle and probably near Claverton Down House best-known image of the city and its School), or view the flower gardens in the plantation together ‘..appear pleasing (now Rainbow Woods Farm). However, setting in the 18th century was The Pleasure Ground known as King James’s objects, not only from almost every part under Ralph Allen’s ownership of South East Prospect of the City of Bath, Palace (now ‘The Court’). The latter title of the city, but through a great extent of Claverton, these events were drawn and engraved by Samuel and seems to have been adopted because of the country westward to the other side discouraged, and 20 years after his Nathaniel Buck in 1734 [Illus.19b]. Taken a tradition that King James II stayed with of the Severn; the light colour of the death were eventually moved to the from an imaginary high angle, his consort Mary of Modena at stone forming a conspicuous contrast present site on Lansdown. somewhere above of the present Lyncombe Vale during her treatment at with the deep mass of shade thrown Abbey View or Tyning, this was not Bath. Following the Lyn Brook, it was A large part of the Down on the south from the grove close behind it’. The only the earliest panoramic view Bath, possible to then continue down to side was occupied by private grounds, Castle is less visible today, being but also the first to include a numbered ‘Wicksteed’s Machine’, a cameo- enclosed with a wall, known as the shrouded in deciduous trees, and is key indicating the surrounding villages engraving studio next to Ralph Allen’s Bishop’s Park. Even in Saxon times there best seen when illuminated at night. and landmarks as well as the principal carriage drive and railway which later was a ‘riding wood’ in this area, but the Illustrations of the Sham Castle itself buildings inside the city. became the site of another pleasure Great Park as it was sometimes called have always been popular, but printed ground called the Bagatelle (now the site was laid out by the Norman bishop of 20. Lyncombe Vale and views of the city from this point were of Bagatelle House and Ashley Lodge). Bath, John of Tours, after being granted Widcombe Village also produced, such as W.H,Bartlett [as the City for his see in 1091 by William a. A visit to Lyncombe Vale was an b. From here it was possible to return to in Illus.16b, above]. Rufus. This was evidently the scene of essential part of the Bath experience in Claverton Street via the railway, or 18. Claverton Down King John’s hunting expeditions during the 18th century, and for that reason the continue to Widcombe Hill past the The open grassland on the northern his visits to Bath between 1212-1216, route from the city was well grounds of Mr.Bennet’s House (now side of Claverton Down was one of the although the park was divided soon documented, being recorded among called, wrongly, Widcombe Manor) and most popular areas around Bath for its after this time, the western end being others by John Penrose, Betsy Sheridan Thomas à Becket Church. Many views or for riding out, and there are given to the Prior of Bath Monastery, and Jane Austen. At the end of South illustrations of the surroundings frequent literary references to it, described below. Parade there are still some steps, (particularly of Prior Park) were including Spencer Cowper, William Pitt formerly known as Whitehall Stairs, produced from here, including an 19. Widcombe Hill and Jane Austen. From 1722 the where it was possible to cross by a ferry unusual drawing by Thomas Robins of a. Widcombe Hill and its Corporation leased Claverton Down at to the riverside path in the Dolemead the view of towards Lyncombe Vale neighbourhood offered the best views £30 per annum for public use, (Spring Gardens Road) to view Ralph from the steps of the House. [Illus.20b] of the city from the east, and numerous particularly for the horse-races which Allen’s stone wharf and novel crane near Shown in the foreground is the garden prints were produced from the summit were held over a two-mile course the site of the present entrance lock of mount, with spiral path leading up to a above Smallcombe Wood [Illus.19a]. around the perimeter of the Down, and the K&A Canal. The usual route then Chinese pavilion on the summit, which could be attended by as many as 800 b. However, to see the outlines of the continued from Claverton Street over was evidently built as a viewing point of carriages and at least 20,000 city in detail, the lower slopes between Lyncombe Hill into Lyncombe Vale where the city and the neighbouring landscape 135

until it was planted with trees in the 22. The Lodge 19th century even this had fallen into a can be more enchanting’. A view of the mid-19th century. All the routes When Ralph Allen acquired the Park dangerous condition. It was finally city from just below Monument field mentioned above met in Claverton Lawns to the east of the mansion in demolished in 1953 and today only the appears to have been taken from one Street where, instead of using the ferry, 1750, he also obtained a substantial foundations can be seen showing of these drives [Illus.23]. it was possible to return to the city via gothic building already standing there through the turf. Lodge Field, now 24. Combe Down the Old Bridge, perhaps stopping at called The Lodge. Possibly based on a known locally as ‘Monny’ [Monument] Ralph Allen’s Stone Mines on the Thomas Greenway’s Cold Bath on the medieval hunting lodge, the most Field, is now used as a school sports summit of Combe Down, behind way. striking feature of this house was a ground and the view largely obscured Prior Park mansion, were also much tower at the front of the building which by trees. 21. Prior Park visited, as can be seen on a lady’s fan stood as a prominent landmark for a. Prior Park, formerly part of the 23. The Southern Skyline illustrating the rock face and crane in many miles around, visible in many of Norman deer park granted to the Priors The Dry Arch or Rustic Bridge which front of the miners’ cottages (now De Thomas Robins’ drawings [e.g. of Bath (mentioned above) which had still stands over Hanginglands Lane Montalt Place) [Illus.24]. At that time Illus.22]. Ralph Allen evidently took been reinstated by Ralph Allen, was (now known, wrongly, as Pope’s Walk) most of the Down around the mines great pride in this, as noted by Richard also an essential part of the visitors’ was built to carry one of the many was covered with Ralph Allen’s fir Jones in his Memoirs: itinerary, not only to view his mansion, driveways which Allen laid out around plantations which later in the century but also the gardens. Many famous ‘ . .she [Mrs.Warburton] caused to be his estate, reaching as far as were discovered to be a healthy guests were invited here, but the pulled down one of the neatest gothic Bathampton Down to the east, and summer retreat for invalids. As a result grounds were also accessible to the piles of buildings which stood in the beyond Fox Hill to the west. These the Down soon became the site of general public – although this was Lodge field which Mr.Allen took a drives generally followed the edge of convalescent dwellings, where the air restricted to certain days of the week. great deal of notice of to all gentlemen the Downs and were evidently was said to be ..‘ very fine … probably The route from Bath was, as today, that came, – to shew it – from it was an designed to take advantage of the fine rendered more salubrious by the along what was then Ralph Allen’s exceedingly fine prospect into Wales views. In total, Jones estimated that plantation of firs … which throw a solemn private drive and railway, the latter and Wiltshire and Somersetshire; then these drives (or ‘coach roads’ as he gloominess of shade, impervious to the being itself an object of curiosity, as can I could have £30 a year for that house called them) measured at least ten sun and winds, over a fine soft turf free be seen in Anthony Walker’s engraving, if she would have granted a coach miles in length, but only a few survive from underwood’. However, the trees Prior Park the Seat of Ralph Allen Esqr road from Claverton down, but her today around Bathampton and were already reaching maturity by this near Bath, Drawn from Mr.Allen’s Road answer to me was she would not be Claverton Down. In a letter of 1763, time, and by the mid-19th century had in the Year 1750 [Illus.21a]. overlooked by any person: poor Mrs. Samuel Derrick, a Master of almost all been block felled. Allen cried when she came to hear she Ceremonies in Bath, wrote, The‘ ride b. Naturally many printed views have Some walkers and riders such as had ordered it to be pulled down’. bordering the grounds is miles in extent been produced since then, not only of Dr.Pococke continued beyond the in which the views of the city, river and Prior Park, but also towards the city, It was not in fact entirely pulled down, southern edge of the Down into adjacent country are every minute so taken either from the Mansion itself as the tower was retained as a Horsecombe Vale and the Midford varied that to me it wears the [Illus.21b] or from the adjoining grounds monument to Ralph Allen by Bishop Valley. William Smith, whilst building appearance of a fairy ground, nothing around Perrymead and Blind Lane. Warburton [Illus.22], but by the late the new Somersetshire Coal Canal Appendices 136 Appendix 4

through Tucking Mill, was so impressed Exercise; some on Horseback, some in Inhabitant, who had lived almost to the by the Summit of that Part of the Hill: A by its beauty that he bought an estate Coaches: There are others who divert Age of one hundred Years: And the Region that sets Paradise itself before there for his own home. There were themselves with Reading in the fourth, and last Place is the first three ones Eyes; and as such it might have also various fine houses of interest in Booksellers Shops, as well as with Miles of the London Road, which is been the very Elysium Fields of the the neighbourhood, such as Combe Walking in Queen Square, and in the much frequented for Airing, in the Antients, as those Blessed Abodes Grove in Monkton Combe, Midford Meadows round about the City, Winter especially, and therefore no were confessedly in an Island of the Castle in Southstoke, and Combe Hay particularly in those by the Avon Side, greater Service could be rendered the Western World. Manor, and later in the 1790s some between BATH and Twiverton, the Publick than the Removal of every The Point from whence all this Beauty spectacular industrial novelties. The De Place where the first Lock upon the Impediment that affects this Road. is seen, Bears North East a Quarter Montalt paper mill in Horsecombe had River is situated, with the Canal leading THE Difficulty of ascending our Hills is Northerly from the Hot Springs; and lies the largest water wheel of its day to it, of near Half a Mile in Length, that not so great as is generally reported; at the Distance of about three Miles and [Illus.24, Tackler], and the trials of the was undertaken by Me … but when surmounted, what beautiful a Quarter from them; a Distance too experimental Caisson Lock on the Coal The first Place appropriated for taking Prospects do they give? And what fine great for the Eye to distinguish the Canal attracted many thousands, the Air and Exercise, in Coaches or on Air do the Invalids breath in upon particular Buildings of the City; and including the Prince of Wales. Jane Horseback, is a small Ring in Imitation them? I will venture to say, that thirty therefore such as would View them Austen wrote in 1801 of her uncle’s of the Ring in Hyde Park, near London; different Rides, each sufficient for a more distinctly must ascend to the intention to walk out to visit the Lock, it is six hundred Yards in Circumference, Morning’s Airing, with so many Summit of Beaching Cliff, looking down but this seems to have been something highly situated, defended from the beautiful Points of View, and Matters of from which, Bath will appear to them of a private joke. For a determined Winds, is Part of the Town-Common, Curiosity may be found about BATH, as much the same that Virgil declares walker like her, the three-mile journey and the Field out of which it is taken is conducive to the Health and Pleasure of Carthage to have appeared to Æneas … over hilly country would have been called Hyde Park: The next Place is … Mankind in general, as can be met with difficult enough, but for a gouty invalid From the 1763 Guide-book: Claverton Down, and on which there is in ten Times the Space of Ground in any this would not have been possible. The Roads about Bath grow every Day an excellent two Mile Course for Horse other Country. much better, by the Prudence and good Racing; but as this Down is private Appendix The Fosse Way leading from Aquae Management of the Commissioners of Property, the Corporation of BATH Solis to Venta Silurum, as above, passes the Turnpikes; as they are at this time From John Wood’s Essay formerly paid a Rent of Thirty Pounds just under that part of the Brow of not only very safe, but pleasant; and the (1765 Edition), p.439-441 per Annum for the Liberty of Airing [Lansdown] to which the Curious Access to the Hills, Claverton and WHEN Noon approaches, and Church upon it: Lansdown is the third Place, Resort not only to look down upon the Lansdown, (which were formerly very is over, some of the Company appear which, though as much inclosed as Cities of Bath and Bristol, together with difficult to ascend) is now rendered very on the Grand Parade, and other Publick possible, nevertheless affords many the Town of Cainsham, all situated upon safe and easy either on Horseback, or in Walks, where a Rotation of Walking is excellent Parts to ride upon; and the the Banks of the Avon, which from Carriages. When you arrive on the continued for about two Hours, and Healthiness of the Place is such, that, thence appears Meandring all along the Summit of Lansdown, you have a very Parties made to play at Cards at the not long since, every House upon it, as Bottom of [the Vale of Avon]; but to extensive Prospect for many Miles Assembly Houses; while other Part of was before remarked, had an the Company are taking the Air and behold the whole Region commanded around [The 1755 Guide adds; – 137

Wiltshire Downs, Mendip Hills, Part of chief Object, and towards it the walk Saw Mr Allen’s Brewhouse & the [Lyncombe Hill], there is one Large Wales, great Part of Gloucestershire, principal Front of the House is turned. Key for the Landing of the Stones, as House to Lodge in & a few near it, it is Malvern Hills near Worcester, Part of the Here also are a great Variety of Rides also Mr Morrisson’s walks [i.e. Harrison’s famous for a well of Water in high Bristol Channel; and at one Corner, a made thro’ the adjoining Lands, where walks, now the Parade Gardens] it Lays Repute hear Say’d to be as good as the View of Bristol and Bath at the same the real beauties of Nature appear in near the Grand Parrade but being very German Spaw water but will not keep time]; and the Air that you breath in, great Abundance. Low is but Little frequented tho they [Lyncombe Spa]. I think it tastes as the upon these Hills, is very beneficial to Run by the Side of the River & is well water of Islington wells, the House is There are many more agreeable Rides Invalids that ride to restore their Health; Planted with Tree’s. Incloses [inclosed] by other High Hills for Airing about this City, especially and especially on Lansdown, for the which makes it very Rural and there is when the Weather is cold or (6 Sep) walk by the River to Twiverton a Inhabitants of three or four Houses that abondance of Springs of water tempestuous, viz. to Kelston, London mile from ye City, partly planted with are built upon the Down, often live to the Esewing [issuing] out of these & allmost Road, and Bristol Road. In the Road to Tree’s & fine meddows on Each side the Age of one hundred Years and upwards. all the Hills round about Bath – from Kelston you have a great Number of River, past by [?]ause Hall a house of At the farther End of this Down is thence went to Wincomb [Widcombe] very fine Prospects, particularly of the Entertainment & Small Garden erected a Monument, to the Honour of a Mile from it a delighfull Situation for River Avon, which runs in a serpentine [Limekiln Spa] it has a water for Sir Bevil Granville, on the very same Summer it lays on the Side of the Hill & Manner for many Miles; in either of Drinking Good for Sundry Disorders, Spot, as near as possible, where the has a Butefull valley under it we say these Roads you become better called Limewater, at the town, is a Brass brave Gentleman was killed, in the [saw] the House & Gardens of Mr Bush sheltered by the Hills from the mill for wyer [wire] & Plate w[h]ere they Action between him and Sir William of Bath & also: of Mr Bennet the Inclemency of the Weather. The last make all sorts of things in ye Brass way Waller, in the Civil Wars, in the Reign of Member [M.P.], which is a fine Building Act of Parliament relating to Bath, is – & is a Large manufactory – saw Mr Charles the First. [Widcombe Manor] and Small Gardens strictly adhered to, as the Streets every Cawleys Vine Yard a fine plantation on of some others went to see Sr: Phillip Claverton Down is also a pleasant Place Night are extremely well lighted by ye side of ye hill [Newbridge Hill] & has Parker’s house it is in a Bottom an to take the Air; indeed, the Ascent up Lamps; and the City in general is kept a Good Veu [view] of the Bath. Indifferent place. the Hill is pretty steep; but when you very clean. Here is also a regular Watch (7 Sep) Rambled about the City & then surmount it, you have a delightful View: every Night, in Case of Accidents. (8 Sep) … took a walk to Mr Allen’s house walk upon the Hills to the Ring, half a Here you overlook the City of Bath, and & his Quary of Stone it is a Large & From Diary of an Unknown Traveller, mile out of the City it is the place where have an agreeable Prospect of the Vale Butifull Building ... & Stands upon the 1743. Bristol Ref.Library the Sick are Caryed for Air & others Air between Bath and Bristol; and from it, Brink of a hill Next ye Garden’s which [quoted by Fawcett, 1995] in Coaches, it Lays behind Queen you have some View of the last- look’s into a Deep Bottom ... the Quarry (5 Sep) Walk upon the Hill [Beacon Hill] Square & Say’d to be the Sweetest part mentioned City also, tho’ not much. is a Surpriseing place w[h]ere he diggs which is very delightfull to the village of of Bath, Near this place is a few house’s Near it is a Seat belonging to RALPH the Stone’s, which is done with Great Walcot from whence we had a fine Called Belvider, a fine Situation w[h]ere ALLEN, Esq. called PRIOR PARK, which Ease ... they drive in Iron wedges & then prospect of the City the River & some of ye people of Bath have commands a Prospect as delightful as Losen it with Iron Crow’s, which often Country about. in the afternoon cross’d Gardens & Houses, in the afternoon possible for the Imagination to Brakes of[f] p[iece]s of a prodigious the River & went to Bathwick, the went to Lincomb about a mille out. it conceive, the City of Bath being the Sise, then they fix a Large Chain round it mannor of ye Earl of Bath – a pleasant has a very steep hill to Assend to it Appendices 138 Appendix 4

& Crane it up – it goes by a horse, when References Peter Davenport, ‘Roman Bath Reverend John Skinner, Journals at ye top of ye pit it is placed upon a and its Hinterland’, Bath History, Vol.V, Historic Roads Illustrative Sources Carrage of wood which has Iron weales Millstream 1994 Brenda Buchanan, ‘The Great Bath James Lees-Milne and David Ford, about it 18 Inches High, – this goes on a Road, 1700-1830’, Bath History Vol.4, Christopher Pound, Genius of Bath, Images of Bath, Saint Helena Press 1982 Grouve fixt in the Earth & when it comes Millstream 1992 The City and its Landscape, to the desent of the Hill, it is mannaged Iain McCallum, Thomas Barker of Bath, Millstream 1986 by One Man ... [Mr Allen] has also Built a Brenda Buchanan, ‘Ralph Allen’s The Artist and his Circle, Millstream Long Row of Houses Near the Quary Quarries and the Turnpiking of the Rev.Richard Warner, 2003 w[h]ere many of his work men live [De Southern Link Road from Entry History of Bath, 1801 Sue McKechnie, Jacob Spornberg, 18th Montalt Place], he has also all his Iron Hill to the top of ‘Muncton’ (later Literary References Century Artist from Finland, Tabard work for the makeing his Instruments of Brassknocker) Hill’, BIAS Journal Janet Aylmer, In the Footsteps of Jane Press 1971 all Kinds for the use of the Quary – & also No.34, 2001-2 Austen, Copperfield Books 2003 Carpenters &: – there is a Large Space of Mike Chapman, ‘Streetscape John Claude Nattes, Bath, Illustrated Ground Not got dugg up & tho the pitts Trevor Fawcett, , , 1806 history and character’, Streetscape Bath Entertain’d by a Series of Views… are very deep & is free from water yet he Ruton 1998 Manual for Bath & North- East Susan Sloman, Gainsborough in has a pump near one of them over a well Somerset, B&NES 2005 Trevor Fawcett, Voices of Eighteenth- Bath, Yale University Press, 2002 which Supplys them with water. Century Bath, Ruton 1995 Godfrey Laurence, Bathford Susan Sloman, ed., Victoria Art Gallery, (13 Sep) walkt to Bathwick ... it is a place Past and Present, Bathford Local Maggie Lane, A City of Palaces, Bath Bath. Concise Catalogue of Paintings for the people of Bath to walk to [and] History Society 1985 through the Eyes of Fanny Burney, and Drawings, Bath Museums Service many of them has Garden’s with Millstream 1999 1991 [topographical prints now pleasure house’s to which they Resort. it John Wroughton, Stuart Bath, available to public view in the gallery]. has also a small number of Inhabbitants The Lansdown Press, 2004 Maggie Lane, A Charming Place, Bath who are Gardeners which Supply the Landscape Histories in the Life and Novels of Jane Austen, Fine Art Views of Bath (Ninety Six Fine Bath with Greens & Roots. thro the Millstream 1988 Art Photographs, Bath and District) Mike Chapman, Bath and the River whole town they have the Springs Run published by Rock Bros. Ltd., London Avon, an historical analysis for Bath Rev.John Penrose, Letters from Bath, in a Troffe & at Each house they have a EC2. [c.1910] & NE Somerset Council, 2005 1766-1767, Alan Sutton 1983 hollow Stone which contains water, Topographical Guides which they laid out with a bole [bowl] Mike Chapman, A Guide to the Gavin Turner, Christopher Anstey, The Bath and Bristol Guide, printed by for there use, the water is very Cleair & Estates of Ralph Allen around Bath, A Life in Eighteenth Century Bath, T.Boddely, Kingsmead Street 1755 Comes from the fine Rilles which Survey of Old Bath, 1996 Bristol Books 2005. descend from the Hills Round them. The New Bath Guide, or Useful Pocket Rev.John Collinson, Ellen Wilson, ‘A Shropshire Lady in Companion, 1763, printed by C.Pope, The History and Antiquities of Bath, 1794-1807’, Bath History Vol.4, sold by Leake, Frederick & Taylor the County of Somerset, 1791 Millstream 1992

139

The New Bath Guide, &c, 1770, printed by Crutwell for H.Leake, W.Frederick & W.Taylor (Kingston Buildings, Church Street), booksellers The New Bath Guide, &c, 1773, printed by Crutwell for W.Taylor & A.Tennant (1s., with map 1s.6d.) J.W.Morris, ed., ‘The Environs of Bath – notes on the Principal Parishes within 4 miles of the city’, Handbook to Bath, Pitman 1888 (prepared on the occasion of the visit of the British Association). Philip Thickness, The New Prose Bath Guide, for the Year 1778 James Tunstall, Rambles About Bath & its Neighbourhood, 1847. [22 walks]. Re-published 1876 (by R.E.M.Peach), and 1889 (by Bath Herald). Mrs.Louie Wheatcroft, ‘Picturesque Village Rambles’, Bath & Cheltenham Gazette, 1898-1901 John Wood, An Essay towards a Description of Bath, 1765 edn. 140

4d Limekiln Spa 11 Grosvenor Gardens 12a Batheaston Villa 16a Spring Gardens 16ba Bathwick Villa 16bb Sydney Gardens 20aa Lyncombe Spa 20ab King James's Palace 20ac The Bagatelle 23 Bishop’s Park 25 Harrison's Walks

Map 9 Views and Historic Places of Interest in the Georgian Period Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 Appendices 141 Appendix 5

Appendix 5 Significant Heritage Assets

The following study, with cultivation, but others were of sufficient imperial control as a result of suggests that fuller’s earth, a rare accompanying maps, identifies the size to be classed as ‘villages’. opposition to Roman rule. The deposit specific to the neighbourhood significant historical components of the surrounding land, little of which lay of Bath, was being exploited for the 2. Early Roman (c.50 to c.270 AD) World Heritage Site surrounding Bath unexploited, was occupied by a large manufacture and laundering of textiles. The Roman town of Bath was first associated with the Roman and number of small farms, hamlets and established about 50AD to exploit its Bath stone was also produced for Georgian periods. villages which, unlike the town, position as a route centre at a river funerary monuments, an industry which remained at a low level of crossing near the present Cleveland received a considerable boost after the Roman Romanisation, many occupying or Bridge in Walcot (A), north of the 2nd century when cremation gave way replacing pre-Roman sites. They were Three main stages are recognisable in springs. Through here passed the Fosse to inhumation in stone coffins. Extensive nevertheless well organised. There are the development of Aquae Sulis and its Way (a) and roads from London (b), the Roman cemeteries have been found indications of a network of local tracks hinterland throughout the Roman Severn crossing at Aust (c, the so-called bordering the roads leading out of the that enabled these settlements to period, i.e; Julian Way), Cirencester (d), and Poole town, a characteristic and prominent communicate with each other as well Harbour (e). Early remains found near feature in their day, such as the London 1. Pre-Roman/Iron Age as with the town centre, and there were this crossing suggest a military Road, reaching as far as Lam Bridge (i), The area of the hot springs was not several large villages based around a presence nearby, possibly a fort on the Bathwick (ii), Julian Road (iii), and on the only a place of special ‘spiritual’ street plan, such as Little Down (D), opposite side in Bathwick, and it was lesser roads such as Locksbrook gathering before the Romans, but also Warleigh Wood (E) and Bitton (F). stood at a ‘node’ of trade routes across probably for the soldiers guarding the cemetery (iv) and Partis College (v). the Cotswolds (north-south) and along crossing that the first baths were built The main agricultural output in this area Some were close to a suburban the Avon Valley (east-west). By the time separately over the springs (B) in the was cereals, cattle and sheep, settlement such as Sion Hill (vi) or of the invasion the landscape around late 60s or 70s. Whether the town supplemented with such industrial Crescent fields (vii), but several others, Bath was also highly populated and played any part in the administration of activities as ironworking and the always sited high up the surrounding intensively farmed, as indicated today the province is doubtful, but its manufacture of pottery and pewter, the slopes such as Haycombe Drive (viii), by the many remains of Celtic fields, productive agricultural and industrial latter employing lead from the Englishcombe Lane (ix) and Perrymead enclosures, hillforts and associated hinterland ensured that it grew into a Mendips, tin from Cornwall and coal cemetery (x), appear to stand isolated settlements surrounding the city. This flourishing market and manufacturing from the neighbouring coalfields. The and are less easy to interpret. centre, with a local trading influence extraction of Bath Stone from quarries was therefore one of the more wealthy It is very noticeable that hardly any villas extending over a ten-mile radius. in the surrounding Downs was tribal areas, where (in the early stages were built in this area before the mid 3rd Similarly its popularity as a resort grew probably even more important, at least) the Roman occupation was century, the Combe Down villa (10) to such an extent that the central part although the quarry sites are now not readily accepted. being the only one in the immediate of the baths complex was completely virtually impossible to identify. As well vicinity. Its early date and finds on the Although many Iron Age sites have been replanned in the late 2nd century. as local use, building stone from Bath site indicate that this was possibly the detected, archaeological information has been found as far afield as The Farm Economy. During this early headquarters of an imperial estate near about them is still scarce. Most appear Colchester, London, Silchester and period the hinterland of Bath as well as or around Bath controlling a large to have been farmsteads, usually sited Caerwent. A site at Combe Hay (9) also high up on the downs close to areas of the town itself remained under direct number of native farmsteads and Appendices 142 Appendix 5

villages. Nevertheless, for this and other The Villas. The effect of this boom on More notable perhaps are those which estates further afield, Bath would still the surrounding landscape was equally have been described as ‘Suburban have been an important distribution and spectacular. It has long been realised Villas’ on the outskirts of the town, export centre, and the presence of that, while villas tend to cluster around such as Wells Road (19), Daniel Street officials and soldiers supervising such towns, the numbers built around Bath (20), Norfolk Crescent (21), Lower estates would help to explain the early during this period are exceptional – the Common (22), and Sion Hill (23), all and quite separate development of the highest concentration in Britain. Within of which would have had view of, baths and temple precinct. its larger hinterland there were about and been visible from, the town. It is thirty or forty, half of which stood in the quite evident from their density on the 3. Later Roman (c.270 to c.400 AD) immediate neighbourhood of Bath. ground that they were not dependent However a most sudden and Indeed, it is highly probable that others on the land and probably served as spectacular change occurred in and may appear as archaeological retirement homes of imperial officials around Bath at the end of the 3rd and investigation proceeds. The grandest and soldiers who would have the beginning of the 4th century, and largest of these lie at the periphery appreciated the luxuries and amenities during which time the buildings within of the area, serving as the head of large of the health resort, or as suburban the springs precinct attained their outlying estates, such as Box (11), retreats for the more successful town greatest magnificence. There was also Atworth, Wellow and Keynsham, the residents such as magistrates, doctors, a considerable expansion of the town nearest being at Newton St.Loe (12). and priests of the temple. The mosaic itself, particularly along the approach to schools of Cirencester and Gloucester the precinct, the two eventually Most of these new estate villas occupied flourished here at that time, and even becoming united. The centre at Walcot prominent sites on the lower slopes ordinary houses, such as at the High was rebuilt, and a new suburban of the downs, some replacing earlier Common (24), were well appointed, market district was established behind farmsteads, such as at Church Farm, exhibiting an exceptionally high level the Royal Crescent at a junction of the North Stoke (13), Brockham End, of Romanisation. Sea Mills Road (C). Altogether the built Lansdown (14), Hollies Lane, Batheaston urban area covered about 60 acres. (15), Bathford Village and Meadows (16 and 17), and Hod’s Hill, Southstoke (18). These events occurred during the These sites were evidently chosen for administrative changes in the Empire the better managing their estates, but after a period of economic and political a magnificent view seems also to have chaos, when imperial estates and been a consideration. In several industries were sold off to aid the ailing instances two villas stand close treasury, and which, in this instance, together, presumably one serving allowed the wealth of Bath and its as a management centre, the other hinterland to be retained, creating a only as a luxurious residence. boom in both the town and the resort. 143

Map 10 Roman Historical Sites and Features Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 Appendices 144 Appendix 5

Symbols used from the air. Those on Georgian The Sites (numbered on the map: Charmy Down (8) are Sites of significance outside the city in clockwise on the map) now less visible, partly Light green areas the Georgian period can broadly be 1. Lilliput Castle, North Stoke due to the construction Iron Age hilltop forts and divided into two categories; At the far end of Lansdown, below the of an airfield there during enclosures. Grenville monument, a small retreat WWII. Public. Sites accessible to the public at was built in about 1738 by Dr.Jerry Only half of these, Little large included those designed Green triangles Peirce, who played an influential part in Solsbury (1), Littledown specifically for recreation and Known sites of Iron Age the foundation of the Bath General (2) and (at the periphery) entertainment as well as naturally occupation. Hospital. Named from its unusual and Stantonbury (3) appear occurring landmarks and features of diminutive size, it was designed by to have served some Light Blue areas interest. It is noticeable that the latter John Wood the Elder and set in local defensive purpose The built area of the town were predominantly of a novel landscaped grounds which included a (the remainder, of Aquae Sulis, including technological or industrial nature. rustic arch and hermit’s cell, evidently Bathampton Down (4), the Baths and Temple Though often regarded as curiosities in inspired by the ideas introduced by Berewick (5) and precinct and the later their day, many proved to be important Alexander Pope, Ralph Allen and Lansdown (6) being large market area around forerunners in the development of the others. In 1802 the original house was enclosures used for Julian Road. industrial revolution. incorporated into a larger building, the agricultural and other Thick Red lines Private. Less accessible however were present Battlefield House, purposes), and none can Known roads. private residences or estates, well to form its entrance hall. be regarded as known to the ‘company’ at Bath, whose rudimentary ‘towns’. Pecked Red lines owners generally provided leadership 2. Grenville Monument, Lansdown Nevertheless, with the Probable roads. in the political and cultural life of the A well-known landmark for visitors exception of Berewick taking an airing on Lansdown was the Purple squares city. These residences often served as a and Lansdown, all these monument to the Sir Bevil Grenville Villas. meeting-place of ideas, the estates earthworks remain themselves expressing the architectural Monument at the northern edge of the prominent landmarks Red triangles and landscape ideals of the time. Today Down. This was erected in 1720 on the around the city today. Other occupation sites; many are now either in public use or site of the Civil War battlefield of 1643 farms, hamlets and to commemorate the death of the Dark green areas accessible to the general public. villages Royalist leader by his grandson George Surviving remains of Grenville, Lord Lansdown. pre-Roman field systems. Yellow circles Coin hoards. On Bathampton Down (7) the outlines of the Dark blue circles fields are still very Burials and cemeteries. noticeable, particularly 145

3. Lansdown and Claverton 5. Woolley Gunpowder Mills of Bath. In the 1760s Gainsborough Gainsborough’s paintings to their Down Racecourses The manufacture of gunpowder at produced several paintings of the Jacob destinations safely without charge and, From the early 18th century, Woolley was set up in 1722 by a family, and would have been familiar for his part, Gainsborough made horseracing became one of the most partnership of Bristol Merchant with this landscape which included Wiltshire gifts of some of his paintings. popular entertainments outside of Venturers who wished to move its ornamental woodland gardens and These were dispersed at a sale at Bath, and on occasions as many as 800 production away from Bristol into the ponds below the cliff, now part of a Shockerwick about a century later. carriages and at least 20,000 people neighbouring countryside. Among forestry amenity known as the Rocks When Walter Wiltshire died in 1799, on foot or horseback attended the these were members of the Parkin East Woodland. In 1790 the property Shockerwick passed to his son, John, meetings, with a grandstand and family who were then owners of passed by inheritance to Isaac Webb and it was in his time that William Pitt stables erected for their use. These Woolley, but it was their successors, the Horlock who was a partner in the the younger, having come to Bath to initially took place on Claverton Down, Worgans, who actually resided there foundation of the Bath and take the waters, visited Shockerwick in but the turf was considered too hard and managed the works from 1740 Somersetshire Bank in 1775, one of the December, 1805 to view the paintings going, and in the mid 1780s the races onward. Although the mills are earliest in the city. It was probably Isaac by Gainsborough and other were moved to the present site on mentioned by Collinson in his History of Webb’s family who converted the distinguished artists. Whilst there, the Lansdown, where they have continued Somerset, this was a high security mansion to the present castle-like Prime Minister received the despatch ever since. operation and any interest by visitors structure, and organised the well-known giving the news of the defeat at would have been discouraged. By its fox-hunting meetings there in the early 4. Lansdown Fair Austerlitz. For Pitt, who had been in very nature also it would have been 19th century. Although the B&S bank An additional annual entertainment on failing health for several years, this was avoided, as explosions were not crashed during the 1793 slump in Bath, Lansdown was the traditional three- a fatal blow and he died in London a uncommon. The works were closed in the original building known as ‘Stuckeys’ day fair in August, instituted by the few weeks later. Princess Victoria, later about 1802, partly as a result of the in Milsom Street is still run by the Prior of Bath in the 14th century. This Queen Victoria, visited Shockerwick abolition of the slave trade, and only National Westminster Bank. occupied the open area opposite the with her mother when, in 1830, she fragments of the buildings and water old Chapel, adjoining the race course, 7. Shockerwick House and Park came to Bath to open the Royal supply system now remain. and although not a ‘genteel’ occasion, Shockerwick House was built by John Victoria Park. The house now was a source of picturesque interest for 6. The Rocks, Marshfield Wood the Elder in c.1750 for John serves as a nursing home. many, including artists such as Thomas This was a fine 17th century mansion Wiltshire, proprietor of Wiltshire’s 8. Cold Bath Farm, Batheaston Barker, whose painting Lansdown Fair built on the edge of a cliff at the Assembly Rooms on Terrace Walk and From the 1740s, visitors to Batheaston gives some idea of the event in 1813. northern end of Bannerdown which founder of a successful carrier’s and St.Catherine’s valley could refresh Thanks to its association with the race belonged to the Jacobs family business. John’s son Walter, who went themselves in a public bath which had course, it later came to specialise in throughout the 18th century. It was on to become three times Mayor of been established at Cold Bath Farm horse trading and was not discontinued already noted for its romantic setting in Bath, had a particular friendship with overlooking the village. The house was until the early 20th century. 1738 when it was celebrated in a Gainsborough who found inspiration in later enlarged and is known as Eden collection of poems dedicated to the park and surrounding countryside House, but the spring that fed the bath Princess Amelia by Mrs.Mary Chandler in the 1770s. Wiltshire conveyed can still be seen issuing into one of the Appendices 146 Appendix 5

basement rooms. It was in a field below 10. Bathampton Manor and Cold Bath House’ in the style of a although the rock-faces for which they the farm provided by the then owner In 1743 Ralph Allen acquired the manor gothic cottage, has survived, complete were so well known were demolished Henry Walters that William Smith of Bathampton from his brother-in-law with its stone bath and interior fittings, with explosives for safety reasons. directed the unsuccessful sinking Charles Holder, including the old manor and including a boiler house, well, and 13. Sham Castle, Bathampton Down of a coal mine in 1813. house on an unusual site on the bank of privy at the rear. Sham Castle was built on a site the Avon next to Bathampton Mill and 9. Trevarno Paper 12. Hampton Rocks tramway, previously occupied by a building on Ferry. In the 1750s he made various Mill and Spa, Bathford Bathampton Down the edge of a medieval rabbit warren alterations to the building which In about 1740 water from a spring In 1808-10, when the Kennet & Avon on Bathampton Down called Warren probably included its present elevation, adjoining Bathford fulling mill was found Canal was nearing completion, a House or Anstey’s Lodge, a summer- together with a surrounding pleasure to have strong mineral content with self-acting inclined plane tramway was house, it appears, used by Francis ground containing avenues of trees and good curative properties. As a result, opened up connecting quarries on Anstey, a wealthy distiller and spirit ornamental features along the river ‘Bathford Spaw’, as it was called, was Bathampton Down known as Hampton merchant of Stall Street. In 1762 Allen bank. Allen did not occupy the house acquired by Dr.William Oliver, a founder Rocks to a wharf on the canal near demolished the lodge for the ‘castle in himself, but it remained the residence of the Bath General Hospital and Holcombe Farm. Previously these old the warren’ to provide a picturesque of later members of the Allen family inventor of the Bath Oliver biscuits. John quarry workings had been a favourite landscape feature outlined against a well into the 19th century, although Wood the elder designed a pavilion over haunt for artists, including Thomas background plantation of fir trees. much enlarged, and the pleasure the spring in 1746, and the whole Barker whose landscape, Hampton Although the work was carried out by ground reduced to a garden. It now property including the mill and mill Rocks, morning, was painted in the Richard Jones, Allen’s clerk of works, it serves as a nursing home. house (used as an occasional residence) 1790s. At this time, the quarries were is thought to have been based on a was named ‘Trevano’ after Oliver’s 11. Bathampton Lodge and Bath owned by Messrs.Bowsher & Co., design by Sanderson Miller who had family home in Cornwall. However, the House, Bathampton formerly clerks to the Somersetshire been approached seven years earlier spa does not seem to have lasted very Soon after the opening the K&A Canal, a Coal Canal, who commissioned William with the intention of building a larger long, and the mill was converted to residence in the High Street of Bennet, engineer of the canal, to design house on the extreme north-west peak leather dressing in 1768. In about 1800 it Bathampton, originally a farm house, the tramway. Although initially of the Down. Although Jones thought it was converted to a paper mill, reputed was converted to a place of refreshment successful, the line became redundant would be too small to be visible, for producing the best paper in the for walkers along the towing path. By in the 1840s following the discovery of Collinson, writing in 1791, noted that the kingdom. Although nothing remains of 1815 a large new wing had been added new and better sources of Bath Stone castle and plantation together the original mill, mill house or spa, high on the east side, suitable for at Box during the construction of the ‘..appear pleasing objects, not only quality paper is still manufactured on entertainments and dancing (and Great Western Railway. Along the steep from almost every part of the city, but this site by Portals Ltd. presumably for lodgings), and at the incline, now a public footpath, rows of through a great extent of the country rear a pleasure garden including a bath sleeper blocks for the tramplates are westward to the other side of the house. Although the premises have long still visible, as also a bridge or ‘Dry Arch’ Severn; the light colour of the stone since returned to residential use and the which carried the line over an old parish forming a conspicuous contrast with garden broken up, the charming ‘Hot road. The quarries above also survive, 147

the deep mass of shade thrown from Parsonage-Houses in England, now purchased Claverton Manor in 1714. Superintendent of the Works. When the grove close behind it’. inhabited by the Ingenious and Being in possession of some ground on the canal was reaching completion in Reverend Mr.GRAVES, the well-known the west side of the Hot Bath, he also 1808, Thomas purchased Prior Park The Castle is less visible today, being poetic Friend of SHENSTONE ...’ became a centre of controversy by and Widcombe House (in anticipation it shrouded in deciduous trees, and is best Philip Thicknesse in his digging down to tap the hot spring which is thought, of a considerable increase in seen when illuminated at night. New Prose Bath Guide, 1778 he proceeded to sell ‘for his own benefit.’ trade of Bath Stone), where he 14. Claverton Manor, Claverton Later that century, Henry Skrine, known remained until his death in 1827. At the After Allen, the manor was acquired by Dr.William Skrine, an eminent and as ‘the tourist’ on account of the west end of the aqueduct is the original John Vivian, an eminent barrister, who wealthy physician in Bath related to the extensive tours he made throughout gauging wharf and crane at the replaced the old house in 1819-20 with Skrines of Warleigh, purchased the Britain, became known as the author of a entrance to the Somerset Coal Canal the present Palladian building further manorial estate of Claverton from the number of works on travel. It was during which has been restored as far as the up the slope of Claverton Down, Bassett family in the early 18th century, this time that the Skrines became Limpley Stoke Viaduct and converted designed by the architect Jeffry and it was his son John who sold it in patrons of Gainsborough; Louisa Skrine to a marina and amenity centre known Wyatville. It is now open to the public 1758 to Ralph Allen. Allen often sat for him, and several of his works as the Brassknocker Basin. as the American Museum in Britain. preferred to live in the Jacobean manor including Gentleman with a gun and a 18. Conkwell Incline, Winsley house and entertain his friends there, 15. Claverton Pump, K&A Canal small portrait of William Pitt the younger, This was one of several self-acting particularly Richard Graves who was Soon after the completion of the canal, still remained in the house when the inclined plane railways which were built the rector of Claverton and author of in 1813, a pump was erected on the site contents were sold in 1956. It was Henry’s by Kennet & Avon Canal Company to the best-selling novel ‘The Spiritual of Claverton Mill to supply additional son, also Henry, who built the present supply stone from neighbouring Quixote’. Allen also chose to be buried water to the section between Bradford Warleigh Manor House in 1815 to the quarries for the construction of the in Claverton and his tomb remains in on Avon and Bath. Designed by the designs of Neale Webb, a Staffordshire canal. Built in 1799, it linked Conkwell the church yard. He erected a school canal’s engineer John Rennie to use the architect, in Tudor revival style. After Quarry some 325ft above the canal to a room for Graves (now a garage) whose power of the river to lift its own water serving as the home of Warleigh Manor wharf at the eastern end of Dundas most notable pupils included Malthus, some 48ft up to the canal, it is a unique School in recent years, it has now been Aqueduct. Of no further use after the Prince Hoare (son of the artist), Henry example of this kind of technology to converted to private residences. completion of the canal, it was only Skrine of Warleigh (author of the The be applied in this country. Having 17. Dundas Aqueduct, K&A Canal retained until 1812 when the fittings were Rivers of England, etc., see below) and remained in continual use up to 1952, This is by far the most spectacular and sold off, but the line is still very clearly the diarist and antiquarian Rev.John restoration was started in 1969, and it architecturally noteworthy structure on defined and serves as a public footpath. Skinner of Camerton. Graves’ garden now serves as a museum as well as the whole line of the canal. Built and summer house belonging to the performing its original function for the 19. Murhill Incline, Winsley between 1796-98, below its heavy rectory still remain. now popular waterway. At Murhill is another of the self-acting cornice are two bronze dedication inclined plane railways built by Kennet ‘.. the Village of Claverton, where 16. Warleigh Manor, Bathford tablets; one to Charles Dundas, & Avon Canal Company to supply stone stands a goodly-looking Mansion- William Skrine of Bathford became a Chairman of the Company; the other to for the canal, opened in 1803 to House, and one of the prettiest doctor of high repute in Bath and John Thomas, Bristol Quaker and connect with Murhill Quarry. In this case Appendices 148 Appendix 5

it continued to be commercially useful small mill which was intended to driven paper mill on the edge of Combe rustic hermitage, possibly inspired by after the completion of the canal and provide income to support the estate. Down overlooking Tucking Mill. Prior Park nearby. It was later owned by remained in operation until about 1880. All of this he lost after his bankruptcy in Completed in 1805, the mill was run by Charles Connolly, whose business There are some spectacular workings 1819. However, Smith’s house still a partnership of booksellers and association with William Smith led to the in the cliff above the where the incline remains, together with a gothic cottage stationers in Milsom Street in Bath who latter’s imprisonment for debt in 1819. starts, about 300ft above the canal, which adjoined the mill, the latter produced high quality writing paper for 25. Caisson and Locks, and although most of the line is now having been demolished in 1927. The the highly literate visitors to Bath. By Somersetshire Coal Canal covered by an asphalt service road, fishing lake, after being filled in later for 1819 they were also producing artist’s A most notable new technique original cast-iron rails still remain in situ a fullers’ earth works, has been restored water colour paper, particularly adopted in the building of the Coal at the canal wharf which is scheduled as an amenity the disabled. favoured by Turner, but also used by Canal in the 1790s was Robert as an Ancient Monument. Constable and others. After the death 22. William Smith’s Weldon’s experimental Caisson Lock at of the partners the business was given 20. Combe Grove, Monkton Combe tramway and quarry Combe Hay, in which boats could be up in 1841 and the premises put to other This mansion was completed by 1706 In about 1811 William Smith acquired a transferred inside a submersible vessel purposes. It was notable in its day also on the southern edge of Combe Down Bath Stone quarry on Combe Down to the required level. Many thousands for size of the water wheel, 56ft overlooking the Midford Valley by the from Charles Conolly, then owner of attended to watch it in operation in diameter, then said to be the largest in Poole family, local landowners who sold Midford Castle, which he connected by 1799, including the Prince of Wales, and the country, although even this needed Prior Park grounds to Ralph Allen. John means of a tramway to his mill at Jane Austen wrote in 1801 of her uncle’s to be supplemented with steam power Wesley stayed and preached here Tucking Mill where the stone was sawn intention to visit the site. However the in 1808. The building has a surprisingly when he visited Bath in 1764. A few up into ashlar for export via the canal. ground in which it was constructed fine architectural frontage, and despite years later it was acquired by Richard Unfortunately Smith was unable to pay proved unstable, and the Caisson a long period of abandonment in later Graves, rector of Claverton and friend Connolly his share of the enterprise, for chamber had to be filled in and times, survived in sufficient state to be of William Shenstone and Ralph Allen, which he spent a spell in the debtors’ replaced by a flight of 22 conventional restored and is now converted to who probably landscaped its extensive prison in 1819 and was compelled to locks, a considerable engineering feat residential units. grounds. It now serves as a hotel and leave Bath to find employment completed in 1805. Although the canal country club. elsewhere. Kingham Quarry, as it was 24. Midford Castle, South Stoke itself was eventually abandoned in known, can still be seen above Summer This substantial but eccentric villa or 1898, there are considerable remains of 21. Tucking Mill. Lane, and the lower section of the ‘Gothic Mansion’ in trefoil plan was built these works in the area of Caisson William Smith, whilst supervising the tramway now serves as a public on the southern edge of Combe Down House (the resident engineer’s building the new Somersetshire Coal footpath where stone sleeper blocks in about 1775 for Henry Disney Roebuck, mansion) adjoining the Caisson site. Canal through Tucking Mill (named are still visible in places. after a design by John Carter. It is Most of the 22 locks still stand in after a former fulling mill) was so situated in extensive park grounds various states of dilapidation, together impressed by its beauty that he bought 23. De Montalt Mill, Combe Down which still contain such picturesque with the foundations of the pumping an estate there in 1798 for his own In 1803 the Ralph Allen estate was elements as embattled gatehouse, engine, an inclined plane and various home. Below his house he created a inherited by Lord De Montalt who stables, chapel, ‘priory’ tea-house and ancillary basins and wharfs. The lock fishing lake behind the canal to drive a began the construction of a water 149

flight is progressively being cleared by designed by Stiff Leadbetter, together 29. Kelston Manor and Park, Kelston the Somersetshire Coal Canal Society with a reorganisation of the park and Since Elizabethan times the park e in collaboration with the present owner old castle grounds, including artificial state at Kelston had belonged to the of Caisson House. lakes and cascades, landscaped by Harrington family whose members still Capability Brown with additions by played an active part in the political life 26. Combe Hay Manor, Joseph Repton. Newton Park is now of Bath throughout the Georgian period, Combe Hay occupied by Bath Spa University particularly in the medical field. In 1767 The present house was built for the College under the ownership of the however the estate passed into the Smith family in about 1730 (possibly by Duchy of Cornwall. hands of Sir Caesar Hawkins, surgeon John Strahan, with alterations in the to George III, who demolished the 1770s), together with the landscaped 28. Coal Pits, Newton St.Loe Jacobean manor house and park which includes a serpentine river By the early 18th century pits supplying commissioned the present mansion on the Cam Brook and an artificial lake. coal to Bath were already being worked on the site of a former summer house. John Smith followed Pitt as M.P. for Bath in Corston by a member of the The mansion was designed by John and, as Grand Master of the Province of Harrington family of Kelston Park, and Wood the Younger in collaboration with Somerset, played an important rôle in by the 1730s others had been sunk in Capability Brown who landscaped the the development of the freemasonry the adjoining parish of Newton St.Loe park grounds, creating a prominent vista movement in the city. In the 1790s it belonging to the Gore-Langtons. John across the Avon valley. Brown probably passed to his son Col.Leigh-Smith, also Wood gives a description of the carried out the work himself, as he was Grand Master, whose friendship with the winding houses in the meadows paid the considerable sum of £500. It has Prince of Wales (later George IV) adjoining the Globe Inn which would been suggested that Wood may have presumably led to the Prince’s visit to have been an object of curiosity for been influenced by Brown in setting out Combe Hay to witness the operation of visitors passing along the Bristol Road. the lawns below the Royal Crescent. the Caisson Lock in 1799. By the 1780s pumping-engine houses also began to appear, and new shafts 27. Newton Manor and Park, were in operation by the Cross Post Newton St.Loe turnpike house near Newbridge. This was an old park estate which However, by 1845 the pits in Newton belonged to the Gore-Langton family had closed, all the coal in this who played an active part in the neighbourhood being exhausted, and a political life of Georgian Bath. Joseph new colliery was opened in the Langton had the distinction of being adjoining parish of Twerton. Today the defeated by the celebrated politician sites of these early shafts can still be William Pitt in the election for M.P. for made out as black patches in the fields Bath in 1757. It was he also who built the around the Globe after ploughing. present mansion house in 1762-3, 150

Map 11 Georgian Historical Sites and Features Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 151

Map 12 Georgian Bath in 1852 Appendices 152 Appendix 6

Appendix 6 Principal Historic Roads into and out of Bath

The following deals principally with A Note on Local that in 1751 arrangements were made for came either through Devizes (the Bath’s main approach roads, which, for Turnpike Trusts the turnpike tolls paid by horsemen and present A365) or Chippenham (the most of its history constituted the main coaches on short outings to be present B3109, shown on Ogilby’s 1675 Until the early 1700s all the roads access into or out of the city or the refunded. Despite the inconvenience of road map). These roads however met through Bath (as shown on Thorpe’s means of enjoying its environs. Routes numerous turnpike gates, the new roads on the open down at Chapel Plaster, 1742 map) had grown up during the by water or rail are discussed briefly at also provided a great stimulus to the and from hereon all traffic had to Middle Ages (some based on even the end of this section. Each main road development of stage-coach services descend the notorious Kingsdown Hill earlier Roman roads) over terrain which is described as it would have appeared and, more particularly, to the through Bathford Village, one of the was only suitable for travellers on during the Georgian period when the introduction of the fast mail-coach, most difficult hills to negotiate in the horse-back or with pack animals. Celia resort was at the height of its initiated by John Palmer of Bath. Bath area. When the Bath Turnpike Fiennes, who visited Bath by coach in popularity, starting from 1707 onward Trust was first established, its the 1680s, noted that The Bath roads also began to link up when the first local turnpike trusts were ‘the ways to Bath jurisdiction was immediately extended with other local trusts set up about this established and the obstacles that are all difficult – the town lies in a bottom as far as the top of the hill (about five time, such as Bristol (established 1727) previously made the city so and it is steep ascents all ways out of the miles from Bath, just beyond the , and that and Wells (1752), all eventually forming inaccessible were progressively town’ ‘..there is little use of a county boundary), and by 1759 some part of a nation-wide system. From removed. From hereon better coach … for the ways are not proper for improvements had been made, . The magnificent views of the hereon it could be said that Bath information about the roads becomes coaches’ including a straightened section city from its approaches was a small possessed some of the best roads in available, particularly relating to the between the villages of Kingsdown and compensation for the danger and the country, particularly after the Bath Turnpike Trust whose jurisdiction Bathford. The abandoned section is still discomfort of negotiating its hills. famous road-maker John Loudon extended some three to four miles from traceable along Ashley Road in McAdam (1756-1836) become General the centre of Bath where visitors would It was already evident that the city could Bathford, although mostly as a farm Surveyor of the Bath Trust in 1826, first become aware of their approach to not develop as a premier resort unless track. Soon after, in 1761, the Brickers followed by his grandson William until the city. The end of this period is this problem was solved, and a Turnpike Barn Trust built a completely new 1861. The Bath Trust continued to marked by the decline in Bath’s Act was therefore granted in 1707 (one by-pass road (the present A4) at a manage these roads until 1878 when, popularity as a fashionable resort in the of the earliest in the country) which lower level through Box to Bathford in line with the national trend, it was mid-19th century, and the growth of the brought the approach roads under the Bridge, via Chippenham. However, replaced by the local authorities. railway system that eclipsed long- jurisdiction of the Bath Turnpike Trust. since most of the traffic still came via distance road travel for the next Improvements by way of road widening, The Roads Devizes, it was not until 1828, when the hundred years. Practically all the roads surfacing and drainage were soon present road between Blue Vein and described here are still in use today, carried out, and by the middle of the The London Road Box was joined up with the lower road, although a few sections, cut off by later 18th century, following several new Acts, Despite the importance of this route, that Kingsdown Hill was finally avoided deviations, survive merely as minor diversions and new roads built on easier the original Roman road from this as a major highway. roads or lanes. In most cases, the gradients also started to appear. Indeed, direction had long fallen out of use and In 1795 the Bradford on Avon Turnpike descriptions follow the in-bound the approach roads became so popular by the 18th century there was no single Trust opened up another new road (the journey towards the city. with visitors for excursions and ‘airings’ main road from London. Travellers 153

present A363), from Bradford through was again discussed but not taken up. 1773), on easier terrain and with a fine traffic cutting across from the new Warleigh Woods, to join the main road Although a road bridge was eventually view of the Avon valley, universally Gloucester Road. at Bathford. As today, this does not built over the Avon at Bathford for the regarded as one of the finest pieces of Being level and easily accessible from seem to have been a very important recent Batheaston Bypass, the route landscape around Bath. At the Lam the city, the London Road soon route into Bath, but served instead as a into Bath via Bathwick was not adopted. Bridge, the London Road was joined in became one of the most fashionable bypass to the north after the opening at the 1790s by an important new road From Bathford the London Road for visitors wishing to ride out or take about that time of the new Gloucester from the north, built by the Cirencester crossed the 17th century Box Brook an ‘airing’. The broad strand between Road, mentioned below. In 1771 William & Bath Turnpike Trust, which became Bridge (still in use today), before Lower East Hayes and Grosvenor Place Pulteney, the owner of Bathwick, the (New) Gloucester Road (the entering Batheaston village over the was presumably laid out with this in proposed to seek an Act of Parliament present A46, now joined to the St.Catherine’s Brook Bridge at mind, and prints were frequently granting him powers to build a bridge Batheaston Bypass). Diverging from ‘Stambridge’. Here it joined the Fosse published of views along the road across the Avon at Bathford and put in a the old Gloucester Road (mentioned Way, then known as the Oxford Road, between Walcot village and Bathford. new turnpike road to the as yet below) at Dyrham, this provided a which descended from Bannerdown In the early 18th century Walcot village uncompleted Pulteney bridge. The much easier gradient from the via Fosse Lane. The present route down still remained in open countryside, and effect would have been to divert the Cotswold scarp at Nimlet Down Bannerdown Road on an easier the final approach to the city, along main London traffic across Bathampton through the Swainswick valley. Its gradient was adopted after 1757 when Walcot Street, could still give good to enter the city through the Bathwick turnpike gate was situated a little way the road was taken over by the Bath views over the river (according to John estate. Clearly Pulteney’s hope was for a up the road in Lower Swainswick, Trust as far as the turning to Colerne, Wood), before passing through the consequential rapid rise in land values where the toll-house still stands. just beyond the Three Shire Stones. North Gate into the Market Place. and profitable building development. Although this does not appear to have On the London Road, the first Nevertheless, the suburb of Walcot However, the Corporation was hostile to been a particularly busy route, visitors turnpike gate belonging to the Bath Street did not give a good impression Pulteney’s proposal, and by a decision of such as Richard Pococke who had an Trust stood at the top of Walcot of Bath. Wood complained that, a large majority, a counter petition antiquarian interest in the Roman road Street by St.Swithin’s Church, but this despite the presence of a few notable opposing the scheme was drawn up to would ride out along Bannerdown (still was soon removed to the end of buildings such as Ladymead House, the present to Parliament. It was also unenclosed) to villages along the way Walcot village, at the bottom of Snow street was also occupied by ‘Hovels for opposed by the Bath Turnpike Trust at a as far as Nettleton. A turnpike gate was Hill. After the development of the Refuse of the People’. However, as large meeting packed with initially sited at the Colerne junction, Grosvenor Place it was moved yet the upper part of the town began to represen¬tatives from Bath including but in the 19th century was moved back again to the top of the rise there at develop, many stage-coach lines took Ralph Allen, John Wood and other to the London Road junction where it the entrance to the later St.Saviour’s the opportunity to continue along the notable citizens. In the face of such could control both roads. Road. There was also a gate in Paragon (opened up in the 1770s) to a collective opposition Pulteney Batheaston Village, initially outside new terminus outside the York House eventually abandoned the idea. In the Following the Fosse Way, the remaining Batheaston House, but this was Hotel and General Post Office in 1830s the opportunity to build this road section of the London Road, through relocated in 1829 next to Bailbrook George Street. in combination with Brunel’s route for Batheaston High Street, provided a Lane with a side-bar to intercept any the GWR between Bath and Bathford better prospect for the visitor (illus., Appendices 154 Appendix 6

The Old Gloucester Road the top of Weston Lane, but until the end of Lansdown was realigned. Swineford. As conditions improved, the The York House was also a convenient building of Beckford’s Tower in 1826 the Originally it passed directly in front of road often became busy with local terminus for traffic arriving down only other landmark was the old Hare the Granville Monument, on the east traffic, particularly with coal wagons Lansdown Road. Known as the and Hounds Inn (originally known as side, instead of the west, as today, and from the Kingswood Coalfield, and for Gloucester Road until superseded in Lansdown House), at the crest of the would have descended a very steep this reason was often avoided by the early 1800s by the new Gloucester hill into Bath. slope on its way down past Dr.Jerry travellers. Indeed, many preferred the Road (mentioned above), this was the Pierce’s Lilliput Farm (the present slower but more civilised wherry The steep slope of Lansdown Hill was main route from the north, over ‘Battlefields’). Until the 19th century the service along the River Avon after it perhaps even more dangerous than Lansdown, which entered the North Wick road also turned off at the was made navigable in 1727. Kingsdown, and it was here in 1703 that Gate of the city via the suburb of Broad Monument, but this was re-routed on a Queen Anne’s horses were so Nevertheless, the road remained Street. It is thought to have been a better gradient around the present exhausted that her coach ran generally popular for riding out and branch (later adopted by the Romans) S-bend lower down the hill, and the old backwards into a ditch – an event that airings as far as Bitton, mainly because of the so-called ‘Jurassic Way’, a road, which climbed steeply along the presumably contributed to the granting it provided the best views of the Avon prehistoric trackway along the side of Beach Wood, has since of the Turnpike Act only four years later. Valley between Kelston Park and Cotswold Edge towards the Somerset disappeared. The most likely site of this incident Newton St.Loe, much praised for its marshes. In 1707 the Bath Trust’s would have been between the site of The Upper Bristol Road beauty by John Wood and others. For jurisdiction only reached to the summit Belvedere and St.Stephen’s Church, the The ‘Upper’ Bristol Road, which this reason a view from the top of Old of the hill, with a turnpike gate at the most difficult section even today. Maps followed the northern bank of the river, Newbridge Hill, engraved by Jacob top of Broad Street, but in 1757 this was of the 1740s show that the road appears to have been largely based on Spornberg, is included in Collinson’s extended to the county boundary at originally ran on a steeper slope in a the course of the Roman Road from History of Somerset, 1791. Although this the Granville Monument. The road direct line between these points Bath to the Severn at Sea Mills (the particular view is now partly obscured along the top of Lansdown ran across (approximately following St.Stephen’s so-called ‘Via Julia’). Though the two by buildings, the valley is still a open grassland and was very popular Road and Camden Road), but was Bristol Roads had fewer gradients than spectacularly sight from this road, with visitors for riding out and airing. diverted, according to John Wood, those approaching from the downs, especially in evening light. Indeed, complaints were made when along its present course in 1707. their condition was no better, and were the Down was finally enclosed in the Crossing the river below, was a ford frequently foundrous in bad weather. In 1790s, and a subscription was even Some time later the Broad Street used by local traffic that was removed 1707 the Bath Trust’s jurisdiction along proposed to keep it open, but only the turnpike was moved to the upper end in the 1720s to make the river navigable this road (also known as the Bitton broad verges remain today. It was also of this section, at the junction of and replaced in 1736 with bridge by Road, now the A431) only ran as far as about this time that the first race Charlcombe Lane (now Richmond Ralph Allen’s clerk of works, Richard Lox Brook Bridge, but in 1757 this was meetings were held here, in preference Road), probably after 1757 when the Jones. In 1759 the ‘New Bridge’ was extended to meet the Bristol Turnpike to their previous site on Claverton Bath Trust extended its jurisdiction to adopted by the Bath Trust who built Trust at Buckle Brook bridge below Down. As late as the 1830s the ancient join the Chippenham to Bristol Road connecting roads each side to link the Kelston Park, and again in the 19th Lansdown fair was still held annually on (the present A420) at Wick. It was also Upper and Lower Bristol Roads, with a century to Coombe Brook towards the green in front of the old chapel near after this time that the road at the north new turnpike gate called the ‘Cross 155

Post’ at the Lower Road junction next another turnpike amongst a group of Street to the West Gate. This is now a Newton Park and Mansion, newly to a group of Coal Pits in Newton St. buildings associated with a mineral one-way system for out-bound traffic, landscaped by Capability Brown in 1761. Loe parish. However, it is unlikely that spring there called Limekiln Spa – the main in-bound route being along The Globe Inn was a notable landmark this link road was initially very popular. named after a limekiln overlooking the Charlotte Street, opened up to Queen along this part of the road, surrounded Besides the steep connection with the road. One of these buildings was a fine Square in the 1820s. (until the mid-19th century) by the Upper Road (now Old Newbridge Hill), house called ‘West Hall’ which The Lower Bristol Road Newton Coal Pits, and standing at the the bridge itself was very steep and presumably served visitors taking the Although the Lower Bristol Road (also junction of two other roads. One of narrow, requiring (according to Wood) waters. However in 1817 the Bath Gas known as the Keynsham Road, now these was previously an old route a fair degree of courage to cross. Light and Coke Works was built on the part of the A4) was a longer route to leading westward through Corston, Indeed, it collapsed during a bad flood south side of the road next to the river, Bristol than the Bitton Road, it was with connections to the Bristol to Wells in 1774, and had to be rebuilt with a and by the mid-19th century ‘West Hall’ often preferred by travellers who Road (the present A38). This was taken stronger arch and with proper graded had disappeared, to be replaced by wished to avoid the traffic from the over in 1761 by the Bath Trust as far as ramps on each side. Even so, it was still road-side terrace housing. Kingswood coalfield. The views of Avon Rush Hill in Ston Easton and known as narrow, and the two-lane traffic which Until the end of the 18th century the valley were not as fine as the Upper the Lower Wells Road (the present it carries today was only made possible stretch of road below the Town Road, but it was still popular for riding A39), thereby avoiding the steep by J.L.McAdam who widened the Common and Crescent Fields remained out and airing, passing through almost gradients on the Upper Wells Road, bridge in 1831. At the same time, to relatively open, providing a fine view of completely open countryside on fairly described below. Despite many avoid Old Newbridge Hill, a new the Royal Crescent to the north and the level ground between Keynsham and improvements, this was a long detour diversion (the present Newbridge riverside meadows to the south. Bath. Until the 20th century, Saltford and does not appear to have been very Road, now part of the A4) was built Katherine Plymley, returning from village did not extend up to the road, popular with travellers other than coal between Lox Brook Bridge and the Bristol on 1794 was moved to write; ‘It and the traveller would only encounter hauliers from the North Somerset bottom of the Hill. On the opposite side was dark before we reach’d Bath, the the Crown Inn at the top of Saltford Hill Coalfield. Leading south-east also from of the river the T-junction at the Cross lamps, particularly in the Crescent & and the Ship Inn and toll house at the the Globe was the ancient Frome Road Post was changed to a fork and Landsdown Crescent, seen from the bottom (all of which still remain). In 1707 (or Salisbury Road), crossing provided with a new central toll house road, had a beautiful effect’. This the Bath Trust’s jurisdiction ran only as Pennyquick Bottom and climbing past (demolished in the 1960s) to control appears to be the first notice, even far as Twerton Church, but in 1757 was High Barrow Hill to Rush Hill on Odd both roads. before the days of gas lighting, of the extended to meet the Bristol Turnpike Down. From there it continued on During the 18th century the only ‘Lights of Bath’ at night for which the Trust at the Globe Inn in the parish of across the Midford Valley as the building between Kelston village and city later became well known. In the Newton St.Loe. There appears to have Warminster Road (discussed below), Lox Brook was ‘Halfway House’ (now early 18th century the main road been a turnpike gate in Twerton High and therefore formed an important ‘Warlands’), near the junction of Penn entered the western suburb of the city Street, but this would have been route between Bristol and Salisbury. Hill Road where there was later a at a turnpike gate by the King’s Arms superseded by the Cross Post gate This is the most likely road taken by the turnpike gate. Towards Bath, at the Inn in Monmouth Place before opposite Newbridge after 1759. At the Duke of Monmouth in 1685 when he led bottom of what is now Park Lane, was continuing on through Monmouth Globe it was possible to turn off to view his army from Keynsham, calling on Appendices 156 Appendix 6

Bath, on his way to Norton St.Philip and opened up from what is now Howe Hill nearby this whole stretch became across the Cam and Wellow valleys. In (finally) Sedgemoor. It was presumably through Twerton Wood in the 1820s, engulfed in industrial buildings as 1707 the Bath Trust was only given for this reason that it was quickly taken but this only lasted until 1839 when it far as Bath Bridge. jurisdiction as far as ‘the top of Odd over by the Bristol Trust in the early was demolished for the Great Western Down’, where the Wansdyke crossed The Upper Wells Road 1730s as far as the top of Midford Hill. Railway. In its place, Brunel built the the road at the parish boundary of In the early 18th century travellers Although entirely by-passing Bath, it present stretch of road along the north Lyncombe, Widcombe and Combe approaching the city from the south nevertheless provided a link between side of the railway embankment Hay. The ‘Burnt House Turnpike Gate’ were still obliged to cross the Avon by all the main roads leading south from between Ferry Lane and Twerton was set up here, but in 1759 an the medieval St.Lawrence’s Bridge, the city and may well have served as a Lower Mill which completely by-passed extension was granted as far as the with its oratory chapel and fortified useful circuit for excursions. However, the whole of Twerton village. ‘White Post’ a few miles south of gateway at the southern entrance, as time went on, it seems that new Radstock at the meeting with the Wells The rest of the route to Bath, between before continuing along the suburb of routes between Bristol and Salisbury Turnpike Trust. the last house in the village (Fielding’s Southgate Street to the South Gate. In were becoming more profitable, and Lodge, now Fielding’s Road) and Bath 1707 a tollgate was erected in front of Various long diversions with better powers over this road were abandoned Bridge, passed through open meadows the old gate at the southern end of the gradients were soon carried out, by the Bristol Trust in the early 19th with fine views of Green Park and the bridge, but as traffic increased, the particularly on Dunkerton Hill century. Unfortunately the records of western side of the town, as depicted in narrow bridge became such a nuisance (thereby preserving much of the the Bristol Trust have not survived. an engraving by Spornberg in Warner’s that in 1754 it was rebuilt (again by Fosseway, now a public trackway), Beyond the Newton meadows and 1801 History of Bath. Indeed, this view Richard Jones) and the turnpike moved but the result was never regarded as Cross Post turnpike, the rest of the (taken from the present junction with elsewhere. Confusingly, the new Bath satisfactory, and even a tunnel was Lower Bristol road towards Bath (now Brougham Hayes) would have Bridge came to be known as the ‘Old proposed. There is still a stable near part of the A36), crossed Newton remained unchanged until 1869 when Bridge’ – to distinguish it from the ‘New the summit of the hill, opposite the Brook by the ‘Avon Bridge’ (a the meadow in the foreground became Bridge’ on the Bristol Road. former Crossways Inn, which until the corruption of its earlier name, ‘Eden the engine depot and goods sidings of 20th century provided trace horses to Three turnpike roads converged at the Bridge’). The present bridge, rebuilt by the Midland Railway. A few yards assist with heavy loads in the ascent. bridge; the Wells Road, Lower Bristol the Bath Trust in 1824, is a fine structure further on, to the right, was the site of a Also at the Crossways was an Road and Bradford Road. The most which still carries today’s heavy traffic. turnpike gate in the early 19th century, alternative route to Wells, leading important of these was the Wells Road Following the river Avon along but this appears to have been removed through Paulton and Tunley (the (now part of the A367), particularly ‘Twerton Flat’ to the Twerton Lower to the bottom of Brook Road when present B3115) to the Lower Wells during the early middle ages when Mill, travellers had then to negotiate a St.James’s Cemetery was laid out in the road, which John Leland used in the communication was required between steep climb before reaching Twerton adjoining field by Major Charles Davis. 16th century, and was still shown as the cathedral city of Bath and its High Street. This slope, below St. Opposite Green Park, there were some the main road on Ogilby’s map in the diocese in Somerset. Most of this route Michael’s Church, remains today as a fine villas built beside the road in the 17th century. However, it was never followed the old Roman Fosse Way short slip-way called Connection Road. early 19th century, but after 1858 when turnpiked and has remained a local which, on its straight course, typically A more gradual by-pass for the hill was the Stothert & Pitt foundry was built road ever since. ignored the long and difficult gradients 157

An increasing problem on both roads landmark on the Down until it was convicted murderer was executed here rokky hille fulle of fair springes of towards the end of the 18th century destroyed by fire in 1904. The mine in the presence of a large crowd and his water: and on this rokky hille is sette a was the quantity of heavy traffic, however continued in use until the corpse hung up in chains to the longe streate as a suburbe to the cyte particularly colliers’ wagons from 1980s, and its rusting silos remain a view of passing travellers. of Bath; and [in] this streat is a chapelle Timsbury and Radstock in the North prominent feature of the Down today. of S.Mary Magdalen … Bytwixt the Below the summit there were extensive Somerset Coalfield, a situation only bridge and the south gate of Bath I In the vicinity of the junction of Combe quarry workings (some still visible partly alleviated by the opening of the markid fair medows on each hand, but Hay Lane, traditionally known as ‘The today) with a fine view towards Bath Somersetshire Coal Canal through to especially on the lift hond, and they ly Burnt House’, a building called ‘Odd before Cottage Crescent was built in Bath in 1801. Near the base of by south west on the toun. The cite of Down House’ is shown on Ogilby’s 1675 1801. At the bottom of the hill the Wells Dunkerton Hill the canal bridge can still Bath is sette booth yn a fruteful and road map. Later maps, from 1742 Road converged with the Warminster be seen under the main road, together pleasant botom, the which is environid onward, show nothing on this site Road from Entry Hill road (described with the sites of several wharves just on every side with greate hilles …’. except the turnpike gate, which below) on the level area known as the above the ancient Swan Inn where suggests that at some time between ‘Bear Flat’. Throughout most of the 18th There has recently been some doubt William Smith first penned his these dates this house was destroyed century this remained an open space whether this part of the Wells Road geological discoveries. Also crossing by fire, its blackened ruins remaining a except for the Bear Inn at the northern actually followed the course of the the road next to the Inn was the GWR gaunt landmark for travellers for many end towards Holloway, and it was on Roman Fosse Way, and indeed there is viaduct which by-passed the years. Since the present Wellsway was this site that the ancient ‘Holloway Fair’ good evidence for an alternative route abandoned canal in 1910, but this was not built until 1803, the original road continued to be held annually until the diverging from the Burnt House (along demolished with explosives in the 1970s continued along the (Upper) 1830s. At the summit of Holloway there ‘Old Fosse Lane’) on a more westerly and only the embankments remain. Bloomfield Road to the northern was a turnpike gate until the late 18th course following the parish boundary Unlike the other downs, Odd Down had summit of Odd Down where it crossed century when the present Wells Road to the Avon below the Royal Crescent. been mainly enclosed by the 18th the Frome Road. In the 18th century the was built. To control both roads, it was However, the antiquity of the suburb at century, and it is probably for these only building on the crossing, later replaced by a toll house in the the foot of the hill is not in doubt, and is various reasons that this part of the nowadays known as Noad’s Corner, middle of the Flat, at the fork between now recognised as the Saxon village of Wells Road was not popular for was the Red Lion Inn which served of the Wells and Warminster roads. ‘Cliftune’, the original manorial centre of excursions except for those with traffic negotiating the steep ascent Lyncombe and Widcombe, mentioned The steep descent through Holloway antiquarian interests. Indeed, industry from Bath. Later, when Wellsway was in a charter granted to the monastery provided a fine view of the town, and all continued to feature prominently along built to avoid this gradient, the old Inn at Bath in 970. the early commentators seem to have this road in the 1880s when a fuller’s was abandoned and the present Red entered from this direction. The earliest, By the mid-18th century Holloway earth mine was opened on the crest of Lion Inn built next to the new John Leyland, who visited Bath in the contained some moderately the Down above Combe Hay. A wind crossroads to intercept the diverted 1530s noted that: respectable houses, but like Walcot engine that powered the machinery traffic. Just beyond the Red Lion Street, it gradually declined as a result (the largest windmill in the country at crossroads, at the crest of the hill, was ‘Or ever I cam to the bridge of Bath of increasing commercial activity. To that time) provided a spectacular the site of a gallows, and in 1748 a that is over Avon I cam doun by a avoid the narrow climb up Holloway, Appendices 158 Appendix 6

the present Wells Road diversion Mitford, Old English, ‘meeting ford’) is deviations, is still in use, though little Although the Down had become through Hayesfield was completed in evidence of a route in Saxon times, and more than a lane. Near the top of the enclosed for pasture grounds by the the 1780s, but the junction at the bridge it would seem that a stone bridge had old road is Pack Horse Farm, formerly early 18th century, it was still very open, foot where the three turnpike roads already been long established here the notorious 17th century Pack Horse with few buildings to be seen except converged remained one of the busiest before the 16th century. Positioned at Inn, known for its tea-smuggling the newly-built Cross Keys Inn at the thoroughfares into the city. By 1800 the junction of two valleys, the hamlet activities. Cut off by the new road Southstoke junction which was the Holloway had became a disreputable of Midford later became the focus of diversions, and with the resulting loss staging post for the Salisbury and district avoided by visitors, and for other communications systems, and in trade, the inn was eventually closed Southampton coaches. Whilst the Bath many years remained a thorn in the the road today still features remains of in the 1850s and its name transferred traffic could turn off here towards side of the City Corporation who had two abandoned railway viaducts (of the to the present Pack Horse public Entry Hill, traffic coming from the no jurisdiction in that parish until later. Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway, built house in Southstoke Village. opposite direction could take a turning In 1840 it was further isolated by the 1872, and the GWR, built 1910) and about a quarter of a mile further on The jurisdiction of the Bristol Trust construction of the Great Western canal bridge (of the Somersetshire which led eastward (the present began a little way beyond the crest of Railway viaduct and the clearance of Coal, built 1801). A3062, across the summit of the Entry the hill where, like the Wells Road, the houses clustered around the bridge, Hill and along Combe Down) to the This part of the road was taken over in Wansdyke crossed the road on the and by the 20th century had become Bradford Road at the top of 1752 by the Bath and Warminster Trust boundary of Lyncombe & Widcombe very run-down. Finally in the 1970s the Brassknocker Hill, described below. (generally known as Black Dog Trust, parish. This was also the crossroads of a lower half of the street was almost At this turning was a tall glass furnace after the inn used as its headquarters) medieval route between Bath and entirely demolished and dug out for the cone which provided a notable as far as the summit of Midford Hill on Southstoke which led on to Wellow and roundabout under the railway viaduct, landmark visible for many miles around. Odd Down, where it met the Bristol Mells. By John Leland’s time however, it leaving the upper half as a cul-de-sac. Built in the late 17th century, ‘Mr. Trust. This was a steep climb, and offered a useful diversion into Bath Bennet’s Glass House’ had already The Warminster Road several deviations on a better gradient from the Bristol to Salisbury Road. His gone out of production by the early As mentioned above, in the past the were put through land belonging to description of this route provides a 18th century and had been converted road from Warminster and Salisbury Midford Castle, probably in about 1775 vivid impression of the open Down in to a farm, ‘Glasshouse Farm’, but the (the present B3110) was not only a main when the house was being built. A those days: cone remained standing for use as a route to Bath, but also to Bristol, and turnpike was established by the I ... passid over a ston bridge where cart-shed and did not disappear until it therefore more important than today. bridge, and about the same time two ranne a litle broke there they callid collapsed in a storm in 1764. The farm Approaching from Norton St.Philip, it new inns also appeared; the Fox on the Mitford-water … From this bridge to was eventually demolished in the 1970s crossed the Midford valley at the south side of the bridge, and on the Bath 2 good miles al by mountayne and replaced with a block of flats. confluence of the Cam and Wellow north side, the White Hart (later ground and quarre, and litle wood in When Wellsway was built in the early Brooks where signs of an earlier Roman changed to the ‘Hope & Anchor’ when syte. About a mile from Bath I left the 1800s, a link road (the present Midford road to Bath can be traced across the the Coal Canal was built next to it). way that ledith to Bristow for them Road) was extended to the Cross Keys, fields towards a crossing further These buildings still survive, and the that use from Saresbyri to Bristow’. cutting off part of the Old Frome Road downstream. The name Midford (or Old Midford Road, cut off by the and creating a new crossing over the 159

Bradford Road which is still known as the top of Brassknocker Hill, but in at Dundas Aqueduct, cutting across circuit road had become established locally as ‘The Glasshouse’. 1757 these were extended as far as the the road a little way up Brassknocker around the boundary wall of the private bridge over the Combe Brook (now Hill. In 1834 the bridge which carried deer park set up in 1091 by the Norman In 1707 the jurisdiction over the known as the Midford Brook) near its the road over the canal became Bishop, John of Tours, later shared with Warminster Road by the Bath Trust confluence with the River Avon in the incorporated into the New Warminster Priors of Bath Monastery. Leland goes only reached to the top of Entry Hill, at Limpley Stoke Valley. Road viaduct (mentioned below) and on to note; ‘A mile a this syde Bathe by the Bradford Road crossing, but in 1757 can still be seen in the canal tunnel southe est I saw 2 parks enclosyd with a this was extended the extra quarter In former times the route from Bradford under the viaduct. The tunnel now ruinus stone walle, now with out dere. mile to the Bristol-Salisbury Road at the followed a rather tortuous route serves as a covered dock at the end of One longyd to the bysshope, an othar Cross Keys. Entry Hill (sometimes called through Westwood, across the ancient a short stretch of the waterway which to the prior of Bathe …’. In this instance Anthony Hill in the past, but spelled bridge at Freshford and through has been brought back into use for a he appears to have taken the western Enterry Hill by the Turnpike Trust) Limpley Stoke village to the Combe marina. The new intersection between branch which passes the section of the dropped steeply down to the Lyn Brook bridge – as described by Leland the Bradford Road and the viaduct park belonging to the Prior, and would Brook at the head of Lyncombe Vale on another of his visits to Bath; ‘I passyd remained a simple crossing until c.1910 therefore have entered Bath by turning before joining the Wells Road on the firste ovar by Frescheforde bridge of when the GWR Camerton Branch off, as before, into Entry Hill. Since the Bear Flat. The Lyn Brook at that point stone on Frome. And a myle and more railway was constructed beneath it. Dissolution of the Monasteries, the park passes through a deep ravine which the beyond that at a new stone bridge I Since the railway ran a little way below wall has been continuously repaired, Bath Trust appears to have overcome passyd ovar a litle broke that aftar a litle the abandoned canal, the present and a large proportion of it still survives. at some early stage by building a lower goythe in to Avon’. In 1752 the dog-leg taking the Bradford Road over At Ralph Allen’s request, this stretch of massive viaduct over 30ft high with a Tinhead Turnpike Trust obtained the viaduct was adopted to avoid the Bradford Road, from Brassknocker single culvert arch (illus., c.1839). jurisdiction over this route, with an building a second bridge. Hill to Entry Hill, was brought under the Despite its crude construction, this still intended diversion from Freshford to control of the Bath Trust in 1763. This carries today’s heavy traffic, and in the join the Warminster Road at Midford, Still standing near the summit of the hill was not only to the benefit to the 19th century provided a picturesque but this was immediately dropped is the former Brassknocker Inn quarry owners on Combe Down, but feature for artists. when the Bradford on Avon Trust (originally known as the Crown), a fine also provided better access to the acquired powers for a better route. This 18th century house converted back to a The Bradford Road entrance of Allen’s mansion in Prior followed the present B3118 through dwelling in about 1870. Beyond this This road, which leads across Claverton Park at the crossing of his carriage Winsley and over the river Frome at point, the road divided as it joined a Down, was probably the most popular drive and quarry railway. Limpley Stoke where a new bridge circuit road around the top of Claverton for riding out and airing and provided (confusingly known as the ‘New Down. One branch followed the circuit Continuing northward, the Bradford the best views of the city. For this Bridge’) had just been built at Stoke westward along Combe Down towards Road diverged from the park wall and reason it was mainly known as the Ford in about 1740. the Glasshouse (the present A3062, headed north-west into the open and Claverton Road, but was also the main mentioned above); while the main road flat part of Claverton Down. At this route to Bradford on Avon which then In 1800 the Somerset Coal Canal was continued through a turnpike gate and point, near what is now Limekiln Lane, led on to Winchester and Portsmouth. built along the side of the Midford followed the circuit northward. This there was a gallows where a In 1707 the Bath Trust had powers as far Valley to join the Kennet & Avon Canal Appendices 160 Appendix 6

highwayman, John Poulter, was river. In anticipation of the development mill pond. In 1893, when the mill closed, Arch’ at Bathampton, a bridge built to executed and hung up in chains as a of the Bathwick Estate by William the road was widened the pond carry a tramway over the road from the warning to others. It was also a reminder Pulteney, the lane to Bathwick village removed, but eventually all the houses quarries on Bathampton Down to a that the uninhabited downs had was taken over by the Bath Trust in 1759, on the north side of Claverton Street wharf on the K&A canal. Constructed on become an ideal haunt for highwayman and provided with its own turnpike gate were demolished for the Rossiter Road a sharp bend, this later became a and footpads to waylay the increasing at the junction. This road (the present by-pass in the 1970s. dangerous corner and was eventually numbers of wealthy people visiting Pulteney Road, part of the A36) demolished in the 1970s. Curiously, an The New Warminster Road Bath. This problem was only resolved remained something of a cul-de-sac earlier ‘Dry Arch’ which had been built The most ambitious of the later schemes later in the 18th century by the adoption until the 1830s when it was joined up over the old parish lane to Claverton in for new roads into Bath was undertaken of armed stage-coach guards and the with the new Warminster Road at 1810, and was by-passed by the new by the Black Dog Trust in 1834. This was development of the banking system. Sydney Gardens. Its present use as a road, still survives overlooking the bend. the new Warminster Road (now the After crossing the Down (site of the Bath route through to the London Road via A36) which ran on a completely new Today the road still presents a fine race meetings before they were moved Bathwick Street did not occur until the route between Woolverton and Bath via entry into Bath, towards Sydney to Lansdown in the 1780s) to the Cleveland Bridge was purchased by the Limpley Stoke and Claverton, its object Gardens from St.Georges Hill, and it is western edge, the road presented one Corporation and freed from tolls in 1929. being to avoid the hills at Midford on the unfortunate that there is little of the best views of the city as it Similarly, Ralph Allen’s Drive, originally old Warminster Road, as well as information on its use by visitors, descended Widcombe Hill between the route of his railway and private drive, Brassknocker Hill on the Bradford Road. possibly as a result of competition from Smallcombe Wood and Ralph Allen’s fir did not become fully opened as a public Forshadowing the railway age, it was a the Bath & Weymouth Railway plantations. Though one of the steepest thoroughfare until the 1920s. considerable engineering project which constructed in 1857. hills out of Bath, it was a popular The rest of the Bradford road, between met with much opposition, particularly excursion for many, including Spencer A note on other routes: the bottom of Widcombe Hill and Bath from the Kennet & Avon Canal Cowper who took great pleasure in all Bridge, eventually become congested Company who were concerned that the Waterways the local rides: ‘Every way the views are with housing during the early 19th road would cause land-slips onto the Even before the Avon Navigation was fine, and the Town, considering what a century, particularly after the opening canal below. Interestingly, one of the fully open to Bath in 1727 a passenger hole it is in, is seen from many to great of the entrance to the Kennet & Avon arbitrators who spoke in favour of the boat or wherry (manned by oarsmen) advantage, particularly one, wch shews Canal in Ralph Allen’s wharf. Previously, road was the engineer Isambard was running between Bristol and the New Square [Queen Square]... but the main obstacle on entering the Kingdom Brunel, who had just arrived in Twerton, but the first person to make my favorite one is from the road to suburb of Claverton Street was the the area to design the future Great the full journey to Bath was Lord Clerken [Claverton] Down …’. turnpike gate near the bottom of Western Railway. Falmouth on 3 January 1728. The At the bottom of the hill it met the Lyncombe Hill, where the road passed Navigation received the royal seal of However the new road was hailed as a junction of Bathwick lane, opposite the between Gibbs’s Mill and its millpond. approval a few months later when the success, and the viaduct across the White Hart Inn, before continuing over The road at this point was said to be so Princess Amelia, daughter of George II, Midford valley was much praised. the level crossing of Ralph Allen’s railway narrow that it was possible to jump whose dislike of road transport was By-passing all the villages along the at the entrance to his stone wharf by the across to the mill from the wall of the well known, made the journey to Bristol route, the only obstacle was the ‘Dry 161

in a wherry especially decorated for the return trip from Welsh Back at Bristol reasons the Midland Railway were proposed, but feeder motor occasion. Soon after, Samuel Tomkins, each day, was in operation in 1814, (Mangotsfield branch), connected to buses were adopted instead – from the wherry owner, ran a regular service quite a technological innovation for Bath in 1869 with its extension to Bathford to Chippenham, Devizes and along the route, leaving for Bristol from the time. The steam packet City of Bournemouth and the south by the Trowbridge; from the Globe to Bristol; the Bath Bridge at 10 am each morning. Bath was still doing the run to Bristol Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway in and from the Glasshouse to Radstock, By 1740 two boats were running daily, during the 1830s. 1872, offered the visitor to Bath an even Midsummer Norton and Frome. The taking about four hours on the journey less favourable impression of the city. It trams were popular with the working The Kennet & Avon Canal, opened in at a fare of 1s. In the same year, Tomkins was hoped that the railways might help population of Bath who could escape 1810, provided a new and picturesque announced that he had added three restore Bath’s flagging fortunes as a from the city and take circular walks route from London, and a successful new pleasure boats to his fleet‘.. with a resort, and the Corporation was already across country between each terminus. passenger service was soon in House on each, with Sash Windows, placing advertisements at railway As a result, tea-gardens and other operation to Bradford on Avon. By the &c.’, one of which was ready ‘to be lett, stations throughout the country by the amenities soon began to appear in 1830s fast ‘scotch boats’ to London at an Hour’s Warning, to any select 1850s, but the decline continued. previously out-of-the-way villages such could also be obtained several times a Company; being neatly ornamented, as Englishcombe or Tucking Mill. week, but again it seems that the main Postscript: Revival of the roads and designed for Expedition … Mann’d However, motorised transport provided use of the canal was for outings and However, throughout the rest of the with able London Watermen’. a more flexible alternative and the local traffic. Indeed, all passenger 19th century the city became instead a tramway was eventually abandoned in However, the main purpose of the traffic along both waterways residence for retired gentlefolk, for 1939. Since then the roads have Navigation was to carry freight, and it practically ceased after 1840 with the whom local rides and outings by road continued to regain dominance, is difficult to assess the how important arrival of the railways. or rail remained an important amenity. particularly after the construction of this route was for passengers. Outings Indeed, by the 1890s this activity had Railways the motorways in the last quarter of the along the river were certainly popular become available to all levels of the Bath was well-served with railways, the 20th century, a significant feature in the throughout the 18th century, but most population thanks to the invention of first being the main GWR Bristol to revival of Bath as a world tourist centre. passenger traffic to Bristol was the bicycle and the introduction of London line in 1840, together with its probably local. Though river travel horse-buses and trams in the city branch to Westbury and Weymouth in could be pleasant in good weather, suburbs. When the electric tramway 1857. Brunel’s landscaping and providing fine views of the city as it system was laid in 1904, the line was spectacular engineering along the line wound its way through the meadows extended for this purpose into the in this region contributed much to towards the town quay, it was surrounding countryside to three rural Bath’s prestige, as demonstrated by the dangerously unpredictable in adverse termini; The Crown Inn at Bathford (via views of the railway approaches to seasonal conditions. An alternative the London Road); The Globe Inn at Bath in J.C.Bourne’s prints. However, scheme for canal to Bristol was set up Newton St.Loe (via the Upper Bristol this was somewhat marred later on by in 1811, but this was never carried out. Road); and the Combe Down industrial activity which, like the The first steam-boat on the Navigation Convalescent Home (via Wellsway and waterways before it, was inevitably to Bath, a passenger packet doing a the Bradford Road). Further extensions attracted to the railway. For similar 162

Map 13 Principle Historic Roads into and out of Bath Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 163

The historic main roads are delineated on the accompanying map with the following key: Red Lines Original (medieval) roads taken over by the Turnpike Trusts Green Lines Later diversions along these roads, with date of construction Yellow Lines Completely new roads built by the Turnpike Trusts, with date of construction Blue Lines Traceable routes of former Roman roads Also shown, at the approaches to the city: - Principal Inns In the days of horse transport, these were best sited at the summits of the hills, but villages on the main roads (principally Batheaston, Kelston and Twerton) naturally acquired two or three coaching inns. Except for a few dating from the 17th century, most were established during the first half of the 18th century. Turnpike gates All known turnpike gates are shown, although not all co-existent. Initially they were sited at the outskirts of the city suburbs, but were continually moved as the city expanded and the turnpike road system developed. Appendices 164 Appendix 7

Appendix 7 Road View Description

The Upper Bristol Road Richard Jones, and became know as As the road enters the city, the high Kelston / Bitton the New Bridge and in 1774 after a walls of Italianate villas overlooking partial collapse, further improvements the valley still line the road. Historic Commentary were made by J.L. McAdam in 1831. The views from the road change from The “Upper” Bristol Road appears to However 18th century visitors preferred Newbridge inwards to Bath as the city have roughly followed the course of the the new more direct diversion along becomes built up. Victorian and later Roman Road (Via Julia) from Bath to the present Newbridge Road which terraces crowd the road and further on the Severn at Sea Mills. The road was gave attractive views of Crescent Fields the road descends following the stone originally in a poor condition until the and Town Common, (now part of Royal walls of Locksbrook Cemetery. Entering section from Swineford to Bath was Victoria Park and the Lower Common Bath, old industrial sites still lie between improved by the Bath Turnpike Trust. Allotments), to the north and riverside the road and the river to the south Local traffic then increased, in meadows to the south. particular the coal wagons from the including the redundant gas holders, Kingswood Coalfield and because of Katherine Plymley, returning from now part of the proposed Western this visitors to Bath tended to avoid this Bristol in 1794, wrote” It was dark Riverside development. The road road and preferred the slower wherry before we reach’d Bath, the lamps, passes by the end of Park Lane, the (ferry) service along the river. particularily in the Crescent and Lower Common and Royal Victoria Lansdown Crescent, seen from the Park which if it were not for mature The road from Bitton was popular for road had a beautiful effect” trees would still allow a view of Royal riding out and airing because of the fine Crescent recognisable to the 18th Current View views of the Avon Valley, Kelston Park century visitor before the road enters The road to Bath from Bitton and and the hills of Newton St Loe. A link Queen Square. road was constructed by the Bath Kelston is still pleasantly rural with Turnpike Trust to connect the Upper views of the Cotswolds Scarp rising and Lower Bristol roads (see “Kelston” to the north and the Avon Valley and by T Bonner,1791) but the bridge beyond to the south. Kelston Park crossing the river at Newbridge was still commands the valley but also narrow and steep and the link was not the railway line and the busy Lower popular. The bridge was later rebuilt in Bristol Road from Saltford. 1731 by Ralph Allen’s foreman, 165

K1 As the road passes Kelston Park K2 The road narrows and twists as it K3 Old Newbridge Hill used to be unpopular to travellers because views of the Avon Valley and the western approaches the junction with Pen Hill of the narrow steep Newbridge crossing of the Avon which was fringe of the city can be seen and to the Road here walls and gardens of the villas avoided in favour of the route through Lower Weston left (north) views of the Cotswolds scarp. lining the right hand (southern) edge of the road close the views to the south.

K4 View down past Locksbrook K5 The view into the city with Lower Cemetery with the derelict gas Common on the left (north) and holders of Western Riverside Marlborough Buildings in the distance. concealing the distant view of the woods of Claverton Down. Appendices 166 Appendix 7

Lansdown North This historic route from Gloucester Current Views into the City passes up over along the Cotswolds Lansdown Road still crosses the Scarp at Battlefields and across the Lansdown plateau from Battlefields Historic Commentary flat open plateau of the Cotswolds. The and the views would be familiar to the The Old Gloucester Road (Lansdown road passed Beckford’s Tower (1825-6 18th century visitor apart from Road) entered the City of Bath H Goodridge) with views to the north of developments at the Race Course and through the North Gate close to now rolling hills and to the south of the River scattered 20th century housing as the where the Podium shopping centre is Avon valley and the western edge of road approaches Bath. There are still situated. The present Lansdown Road Bath. From the edge of the plateau the panoramic open views of the city from is thought to be on the line of the road went down a steep and in places Beckford’s Tower and Cemetery of the ancient Jurassic Way which was later narrow hill into the city. This part of the Avon Valley to the south and of green L1 Flat plateau of the Cotswolds with adopted as a Roman road. During the road was considered dangerous for fields which have now been enclosed the racecourse to the right (west). 18th century the road was popular with coaches and horses and was the scene with stone walls. This view along lengths of the road visitors for riding out and taking the air of a royal accident in 1703, when Queen The entrance to the city from the north has not altered much since the 18th on the open grassland with its Anne’s horses were so exhausted that has been changed by the Ministry of century. Towards Bath the Lansdown pleasant views. Visitors and residents the carriage ran back into a ditch. who enjoyed riding there complained Defence buildings at Ensleigh and Park and Ride and playing fields are when access to the open ground was The hill descends past Georgian villas modern housing. As Lansdown Road partially concealed by generous restricted after the Downs were finally and turnings to Georgian terraces and descends into the city it passes roadside planting which obstructs enclosed in the 1790s. crescents past Ainslie’s Belvedere and Kingswood School, the Georgian open views to the south west and the fine Belmont Terrace (1768-73) terraces and turnings into Lansdown conceals much of post 18th century raised above road level by generous Crescent and further down Camden development. cellars and pavements. Crescent. Below Lansdown Grove the modern Balance Street housing development (Dr Howard Stutchbury 1969-1973) has replaced artisan terraces. These views still frame the distant city, the Abbey and the green hills above Widcombe. Further down the hill before the road meets George Street and the London Road the views along Bennett Street to the Assembly Rooms are largely unchanged. 167

L2 As the road leaves the plateau the L3 The road becomes steeper as it L4 The twist in the descending road L5 As the Lansdown Road historic view has been changed by the descends into the city and is lined passes Ainslie’s Belvedere (initially approaches the cross roads with the modern development of the Ministry with fine villas with leafy gardens. 1760) and views open out into the city, London Road (formerly the Oxford of Defence complex at Ensleigh To the left is Lansdown Grove Hotel in the middle distance the Abbey and road) the view down into the heart of and suburban housing either side (1770), previously a house. In clear beyond the wooded hills of the the city includes the Abbey and St of the road Descending from the weather glimpses can be seen of the southern rim. Further down it narrows Michael’s without (present church Cotswolds plateau along Lansdown Abbey framed behind by Beechen and is lined with fine terraces with 1834) with a back ground of Road, there are views of the wooded Cliff and the lower slopes of generous raised pavements. In the green hills of Widcombe and grounds of Kingswood School Widcombe. distance Prior Park Mansion and Beechen Cliff. (James Wilson 1850-2) and grounds and Rainbow woods a fine avenue of lime trees. complete the view. Appendices 168 Appendix 7

Fosse Way into Batheaston Current Views and London Road The road from Oxford and Colerne provides attractive views towards Box Historic Commentary as it descends into Batheaston. Modern This road originally the Oxford Road is development has obscured the distant on the line of the Fosse Way from views as the road passes down through Colerne. This route was not popular for the upper parts of Batheaston and airing and riding out but visitors such as once in the valley the road turns west Richard Pococke who had an along Batheaston high street. Here antiquarian interest in the Roman road there are views of the shops and used to ride out along the Fosse Way to houses closely lining this narrow road Bannerdown. Bannerdown Common is with glimpses of the river valley and still unenclosed and provides good hills to the north which are largely views of the city. Following the Fosse unchanged from the 18th century. The Way into Bath the road descends into landscaping of the new Batheaston Lo1 The Fosse Way as it passes along the high wall Batheaston and follows the river into bypass which passes through the water near Ashwicke Hall before the descent into Batheaston Bath. Batheaston’s main street is meadows has been effective in hiding narrow and lined with modest 18th the road from Batheaston and century and later period houses, shops Bathampton. This is not the case with and the George and Dragon Inn. The the A46 as it passes north towards road would have included fine views of Swainswick through a hard concrete the Avon with a back cloth of cutting. As the road enters Bath the Bathampton Down and Brown’s Folly street scene of terraces and fine villas to the south and Little Solsbury Hill to would be still recognisable to the 18th the north. At Lambridge, the road met century traveller. the junction of the new Gloucester Road, the present A46. This route into Bath, the present A4, then followed the river into the city and was lined with fine Georgian buildings and terraces including Grosvenor Place Hotel (façade by John Eveleigh 1791) west to the junction with Bathwick Street. 169

Lo2 The views open south across the valley Lo3 The road turns right (west) at the bottom of Lo4 The road through Batheaston is narrow and with Bathampton Down in the background. this hill and passes the coaching inn of St George lined with 18th century and later, artisan cottages and the Dragon, views open up of the lower slopes and shops retaining an 18th century character. of Bailbrook with the eastern edge of Bath in the On the left (south) of the image is the wall of distance. The middle distant views include Batheaston House (1712) which was the home the copper roofs of the Snow Hill housing of the wealthy clothier Henry Walters. On the development and in the far distance the post right (north) is a chapel elevated on the Batch. The 18th century housing of Odd Down, Oldfield Batheaston bypass has relieved the traffic through Park and Twerton Round Hill on the skyline. the narrow high street and this has improved the appearance and character of the village. Appendices 170 Appendix 7

Lo5 The outskirts of Batheaston village Lo6 Entering Bath along the London Road with Lo7 As the road approaches the junction with near Bailbrook looking towards the Grosvenor Place on the left. Bathwick Street. To the right of the image, Batheaston bypass roundabout. Thomas Street, an 18th century terrace, rises steeply up the slope towards Walcott and the King William public house is visible on the corner. 171

Brassknocker Road, Claverton The road up Brassknocker Hill passed After crossing the Down (site of the If the traveller had turned west at the Down Road and Widcombe Hill the entrance to Combe Grove Manor Bath race meetings before they were summit of Brassknocker Hill they would and on the right a fine 18th century moved to Lansdown in the 1780s) the have passed the walls of the enclosed Historical Commentary house previously the Brassknocker Inn road descended Widcombe Hill with Prior Park and through the stone The line of the road from the south, and then The Crown. At the crest of the fine views of the city including Pulteney mining village of Combe Down Bradford on Avon, Winchester and hill, the route split and the traveller Bridge, Bath Abbey, the Georgian established by Ralph Allen for his Portsmouth has improved from being a could enter Bath by going east centre of the city and the terraces and workers. The route proceeded west tortuous route from Westwood across following the wall of the Prior’s Park churches of Lansdown. Towards the and provided a choice of roads down the ancient bridge at Freshford to the and from there through the unenclosed bottom of Widcombe Hill the route into the city. present improved turnpike road. The Claverton Down. Further along this passed Widcombe Crescent and then present route from Bradford on Avon route at the junction of Limekiln Lane the road converged with Ralph Allen passes down Winsley Hill crosses the stood a gallows where a highway man Drive at The White Hart public house. Kennet and Avon Canal, the River Avon John Poulter was executed, a warning At this junction the road would have and either climbs up Brassknocker Hill to all of the perils of travel. crossed over the tram way from the or passes along the modern (1833) Combe Down stone mines which Warminster Road around the base of delivered stone to Ralph Allen’s wharf Claverton Down, through Bathampton by the river at Dolemeads before into the city. (see Bath from entering the city. Bathampton T.F.Dicksee 1845) Appendices 172 Appendix 7

Current View The road running west towards Combe As the road leaves Limpley Stoke and Down still has largely uninterrupted travels along the modern Warminister views out towards Salisbury Plain Road to the junction of Brassknocker between the developments of the Hill. The steeper winding climb up Wessex Water Headquarters and Ralph Brassknocker Hill from the south Allen School. As the road passes following the pre turnpike road has through Combe Down village it meets views back along the valley of the modern housing and the artisan stone Dundas Aqueduct, the canal and the quarry workers cottages which line the railway. At the summit of the hill road. descending down into the City from the To the south the old wall of the Prior’s eastern route across Claverton Down Park (now the grounds of a school in some modern development lines the Ralph Allen’s mansion) still stop views road down Widcombe Hill but northwards. Further along this road it is Macaulay Buildings (1819-30) and built up with post 18th century W1 Looking back along the Avon Valley towards further down 18th century mansions development as it proceeded west to Limpley Stoke from Brassknocker Hill and terraces still characterise the meet the old roads into the city at Entry roadside view. The views from the road Hill or the Old Wells Road. are still open and give one of the best views of the Georgian city and the modern developments of Oldfield Park, Widcombe and Twerton beyond. 173

W2 At the top of Brassknocker Hill, turning W3 Top of Widcombe Hill W4 Macaulay Buildings left following the original wall of the Prior’s looking north towards the city. Park towards Combe Down village.

W5 Widcombe Hill looking north.across meadows. W6 Cottages lining the narrow W5 Views of Widcombe and St Matthew’s Church In the background Snow Hill, Beacon Hill and Little lower part of Widcombe Hill. close to the junction with Ralph Allen Drive. Solsbury Hill with Kelston Round Hill in the distance. Appendices 174 Appendix 7

Upper Wellsway (Odd Down) The road had a number of coaching The old road then entered Bath down Current View and Wellsway (A367) inns and near the cross roads at Noads Holloway (see Aquae Sulis from the Top The road passes up the steep hill from Corner there was a gallows which of Southern Hill W Stukeley 1723) and Radstock across the plateau and then Historic Commentary reminded travellers of the dangers of (A Southern Prospect of the City of winds down the steep hill to Bath. Until The Wells Road (now part of the A367) highway robbery. Below the summit, Bath Thomas Robins 1723). The road the road reaches Odd Down the views was the main route between the as the road descended into Bath along went past the Chapel of St Mary are rural looking across the Avon Valley cathedral City of Wells and its diocese the current Upper Bloomfield Road Magdalen (built for Prior Cantlow of to Bristol and the Welsh hills beyond. in Somerset. Most of the route followed passing Bloomfield Crescent (formerly Bath 1495 and which is Bath’s only pre The visitor entering Bath down the the Roman Fosse Way, undeviating and Cottage Crescent, Charles Harcourt 16th century building). The Holloway Wellsway after 1803 would have had straight as it ignored the hills and Masters 1801) to Bear Flat, there were district in the 18th century was the spectacular views of the city including valleys into Bath. Parts of the route extensive stone mines and a fine view haunt of the Bath underclass who lived the 18th century terraces on the were heavily used by Collier’s wagons of Bath before later development in crowded slums lining the road. The northern slopes. The new Wellsway from the Somerset coalfields and at screened it. At the bottom of the hill the steep descent to the old crossing of the bypasses Holloway which has now Odd Down the Fuller’s Earth works Warminster Road (Entry Hill) joined the Avon at the St Lawrence’s bridge with been redeveloped with the new where the largest windmill of its kind at Wells Road at Bear Flat. its oratory chapel and fortified gateway terraces of Calton Gardens. the time would have been a prominent eventually became an obstacle to The original route along the northern land mark. This area had been enclosed traffic and was later rebuilt in 1754. by the 18th century in contrast to the summit of Odd Down and at Noads Cotswolds scarp to the north. The road Corner descended down Upper was not popular for outings and airings Bloomfield Road into the city through a perhaps due to the industrial character mix of 18th century cottages, Victorian of the countryside and the steepness of artisan cottages and modern housing. the hills. The road also still passes the end of Bloomfield Crescent (formerly Cottage Crescent). The road joins Bear Flat and enters the city on the modern route. 175

Wel 1 The Old Upper Bloomfield Road at the junction Wel2 This image shows the road near to the cross with Englishcombe Lane, the route from the south to roads with Combe Hay Lane, known as The Burnt Bear Flat and the city before the Wellsway was built House, an historic landmark which probably referred back to the burnt remains of Odd Down House, now demolished, which is close to the Odd Down Park and Ride site. The views would have included distant views towards Bristol and Wales beyond. Appendices 176 Appendix 7

Wel3 The road gently begins the descent into Wel4 The road descent becomes steeper as it Wel5 In the distance the views open out of the Bath to the west of the Entry Hill Golf course with approaches the junction with the old St Anthony Georgian Terraces of Lansdown including Sion distant views of the crest of Alexandra Park and Hill (Entry Hill) and is lined with Victorian and Hill and Royal Crescent and Kingswood School.. Beechen Cliff School. Edwardian villas and the old coaching inn The Pleasantly framed by trees and green spaces Bear on the small plateau of Bear Flat which on the northern slopes of the city. was also the site of the ancient Holloway Fair. 177

Wel6 This view from below the junction with the Wel7 The view from the modern Wellsway. The old Old Warminster Road (Entry Hill) and Wells Road route down Holloway winds down past St Mary shows the city opening up below in the valley. Magdalen Chapel not visible on this image. Appendices 178 Appendix 7

Saltford to Bath (A4) Current View This was a significant route into Bath Historic Commentary which avoided the steepest hills as it The route followed from Bristol through followed the river valley into the city Keynsham was preferred by travellers centre. The view points from Saltford to the more scenic Upper Bristol Road towards Bath are still dominated by the as it avoided the traffic from the green Cotswolds Hills to the north and Kingswood Colliery. The road through gentle hills to the south. Modern views the Avon Valley was popular for “riding of this approach to Bath are largely out and airing”. The weary traveller unchanged except for the encroaching would have been relieved and full of residential estates at Whiteway and anticipation at the first glimpse of Odd Down, the traffic on the dual Kelston Manor on the skyline as the carriageway and the railway. Once over road approaches the city. The Globe the historic Avon Bridge (Bath Trust Inn surrounded by the Newton Coal 1824) the experience of entering Bath LBR1 Descending the hill from Saltford, the valley pits was also an important landmark the road passes through a narrow opens up with the Cotswolds scarp to the left (north) and coaching stop on the approach valley lined with trees between the and gently rolling hills to the right (south) Distance to the city. The road then followed the river to the north and the Carrs Hill views of the Odd Down and Whiteway housing river ( see Twerton Near Bath J.C. woodland to the south now retained appear to the south and the modern buildings Bourne) until climbing a steep hill as by the GWR elevated section. Further of University of Bath can be seen on the skyline. it passed through Twerton. This part along, approaching Twerton from the of the route is now bypassed and cut west, the view has been changed by off by the raised section of the GWR modern improved roads, retail and before the road enters the city outskirts small industrial units, the formidable (see View of Bath from the Lower elevated railway line of the GWR, and Bristol Road J Spornberg 1801). Further Victorian suburban housing rising into the city the route passed through up the southern slopes. the industrial area of Westmoreland lined by mills, industrial buildings and artisan’s cottages. 179

LBR2 Along the flat river valley to the left (north) LBR3 The road passes into the previously industrial LBR4 The flat land between the steeper hills to the Kelston Manor and parkland is still a landmark along district of Bath, mills and small factories buildings south and the river narrows and former industrial with the villas bordering the road to Bitton. (Not line the route. The gas holders are landmarks and mills and factories line the route. The Bath Press visible in this image.) This part of the Avon valley in are part of the proposed Western Riverside building is visible on the right. The street scene is the floodplain is principally agricultural and playing redevelopment site. The road follows the river and busy and traffic dominated but views of Georgian fields and except for the railway embankment to the right (south) Victorian and later period artisan crescents and greenery of Royal Victoria Park can presents a green rural approach to the city. housing dominate the view. To the left(north) the still be glimpsed to the left (north). As the valley green hillsides and woodlands of the Cotswolds corridor narrows views to the right (south) are on the skyline form a backdrop to the terraces limited by the wooded slopes of Beechen Cliff. and crescents rising up from the city. 180

Map 14 Location of Road Viewpoints Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 Appendices 181 Appendix 8

Appendix 8 River Corridor Views Description

Historic Commentary Bath’s first pleasure grounds were For more serious exercise, visitors could The routes into and out of Bath Many visitors to Bath enjoyed exploring often built on the flat land next to the ramble into the country along the river. following the serpentine twists of the the city on foot and by horseback. river. The first appeared in 1709 below The great orientalist, William Jones, at river provided picturesque vistas for The river corridor and water the town weir overlooked by the city Bath in 1777 believed he got much the walker or rider. The Dean of meadows would have provided wall and Harrison’s new Assembly more out of wandering the hills and Durham told his brother that he had pleasant opportunities for exercise Rooms. (Prospect of Bath S.H.Grimm valleys than ”those who amuse enjoyed his strolls enormously “you along the flat river valley. In the city, 1788). On the opposite side of the river, themselves with walking backwards will find most beautiful and romantic close to Pulteney Bridge (1769-74 Spring Gardens, established in the and forwards on the parades” (Bath Prospects for your Entertainment… built by William Johnstone Pulteney 1730s could be reached by a ferry from the South S.H.Grimm 1788). Every way the views are fine, and the above the weir, or along the river bank Town, considering what a hole it is in, is to Robert Adam’s design with shops on An obstacle to walkers was often the via Ralph Allen’s wharf at Dolemeads. seen from many to great advantage… both sides) the pleasure grounds close lack of well maintained paths, in 1789 To the east, Grosvenor Gardens, also The River is generally foul and yellow, to the river provided a natural focus for the path by the Avon to Spring Gardens adjacent to the river provided a focus but is a great addition to the prospect”. promenading and taking the air. was in a dangerous state and others had for river walks. Further east the visitor been repaired by public subscription. By Further out a favourite walk was River trips were popular from Tomkins could enjoy the river as it passed out the end of the 18th century there were westwards towards the Spa at Westhall who hired out pleasure boats from the into the flood plain of Batheaston (view at least six river ferries and together with (In the neighbourhood of the present Bath Bridge. near Bath,S Middiman, 1750-1831). Along the three bridges made visits out from New Westhall Inn close to the junction the river there were opportunities for Terrace Walk on the banks of the river Bath more practical. of Park Lane and the Upper Bristol river trips and boat hire. was built on the former Bath Abbey Road) as far as the vineyards overlooking Cloisters in the 1700s provided Newbridge (The vineyards may have interesting views out from the city been on the south facing slopes of which included Sham Castle built by Newbridge off the Kelston Road) Ralph Allen on the hillside to the south. Appendices 182 Appendix 8

Current View To the south views of the slopes above Travelling down river from Pulteney The quality of the river water is far Sham Castle, Widcombe, Beechen Bridge access to the river is still cleaner than in the 18th century, recent Cliff and of Prior Park Mansion are possible in places but unfortunately the records of otters passing through Bath still largely unchanged. Further down riverside path is not continuous due to indicate a clean river rich in wildlife. the river, the formal pleasure grounds later developments. Upstream above The local authority maintained are gone but the flood plain has kept the flood defences the banks of the footpaths and cycle ways along the much of the areas either side at Parade river are more natural with tree fringed river provide good access to the Gardens and the Recreation Ground banks and wild plants. Where access is country for walkers but in contrast, green and open. The banks of the river possible, there are views to the north horse riding is controlled to avoid the through the city have been canalised of the Georgian crescents and terraces conflict with walkers and cyclists. to prevent flooding but it is possible and the green city skyline above to walk along the top of the bank Beacon Hill. Further out from the city The views from the river out into the on at least one side of the river beyond the modern supermarket at city and beyond would be recognisable out from the centre. Kensington, the path along the river to many 18th century visitors. From the through Kensington Meadows Local Further west towards Twerton the river river in central Bath close to Pulteney Nature Reserve is rural with a willow has lost the working mills and factories Bridge views north towards the lined banks. To the south of the river but many of the buildings albeit with a Georgian Terraces and Crescents, the Cleveland Baths, now closed, can new use have been retained. Outside Beacon Hill and green hill sides are be seen in the winter, is close by the the city the valley and hillsides are green still possible and not dominated by Bath boating station which still rising up to the Cotswolds scarp to the recent development. provides boat hire and river trips. north with views of Beckford’s Tower and Kelston Manor. The Westhall Spa no longer exists but it is thought to be close to the New Westhall Inn. To the south towards Carrs Woodland and Newton St Loe outside the city boundary, the views are still rural in character. 183

R1 Close to the site of The Old Bath Bridge, Widcombe, R2 Looking towards North Parade Bridge with South R3 North Parade Bridge looking Beechen Cliff rising up to the south with the pedestrian Parade in the foreground and Parade Gardens from back towards North Parade foot bridge to the back of Bath Spa Station. the river and in the distance St Stephens Church

R4 Parade gardens to the west with Pulteney R5 Looking towards the back R6 Riverside path at Walcot, Part of the riverside Bridge. The locally distinctive former Empire Hotel. elevation of Pulteney Bridge. walk which is not currently continuous Appendices 184 Appendix 8

R7 Cleveland Bridge looking towards the R8 From the banks of Kensington Meadows Local R9 Close to the probable site of the Westhall cit with trees lining the banks of the river. Nature Reserve the views are wooded and green. Spa a favourite stop on the walk along the river out of the city towards Newbridge

R10 The river lock on Twerton Island R11 Newbridge (WH Bartlett 1830) R11 The current Newbridge crossing the Avon remnant of Bath’s industrial past. 185

Map 15 Location of River Viewpoints Maps are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100023334 Appendices 186 Appendix 9

Appendix 9 Grading Categories for Assessing Impacts on the World Heritage Site

Introduction Sensitivity of Landscape and Scale or Magnitude of Effects on Overall Significance (See Table 1) Heritage Assets and Attributes Individual Landscape and of the Effects on the The written assessment is the key part which may be Affected by Heritage Assets and Attributes World Heritage Site of the assessment and should provide Proposed Development (See Table 3) (See Table 4) a full description of the receptors (see (See Table 2) This requires an assessment of the The overall significance is obtained as table 1), their sensitivity (see table 2) The assessment of sensitivity of the degree of change to the individual a function of the sensitivity and scale of and the magnitude (see table 3) and asset is the combination of the value landscape and heritage assets and effects of proposed development significance of effects (see table 4). and susceptibility to change of the attributes which convey the or other changes on the Outstanding The preparation of tables supports landscape and heritage asset in Outstanding Universal Value. This Universal Value. This provides the the text by providing a useful summary conveying the Outstanding Universal needs to be assessed using all the measure of the significance of effects and quick reference. Value. There are four grades; high, available detail on any proposed on the Outstanding Universal Value, medium, low and negligible. In some development or other changes. authenticity, integrity and significance of the World Heritage Site. cases particularly in relation to Table 3 is provided as a guide for archaeology there may need to be grading the magnitude of effects. This A guide for grading the overall a further category of unknown. seeks to incorporate published significance of effects on the WHS is Table 2 is provided as a guide for guidance and good practice. given in table 4 although professional grading value. This seeks to incorporate Magnitude is assessed as high negative judgement will be required in both published guidance and good practice. / moderate negative / slight negative / describing and assessing the This list refers to aspects of the neutral (negligible) / slight positive / significance of effect. This seeks to Outstanding Universal Value and its moderate positive / high positive or no incorporate published guidance and landscape and heritage assets which change. good practice. Magnitude is assessed may be affected by proposed as High Adverse / Medium Adverse / development either within the World Low Adverse / Imperceptible or None Heritage Site and impacting on the (negligible) / Low Beneficial / Medium setting or within the setting Beneficial / High Beneficial change. and impacting on the Outstanding Universal Value. In practice there may be aspects of the Outstanding Universal Value which are in more than one of the categories. The list of assets should not be considered exhaustive. 187

Table 1 Summary of Landscape and Heritage Assets which may be Affected by Proposed Development (the assets and attributes listed are not intended to be exhaustive and other relevant receptors should be assessed as appropriate)

Grading Landscape and Views (Visual Assets Historical Associations Other Assets Townscape Assets and Attributes) (Heritage Assets and Attributes and Attributes and Attributes)

The distinct landscape and A Views from key buildings Heritage assets and attributes A Routes into and out of the City townscape character conveying and other assets conveying which convey or provide B The River Avon and the Kennet aspects of the Outstanding or providing understanding understanding of the Outstanding and Avon and Somerset Coal Universal Value and attributes of of the sites Outstanding Universal Value and its attributes Canals the World Heritage Site including; Universal Value and attributes A Roman and pre-Roman C Other aspects of the A The compact nature of the city B Views to key buildings and occupation and activities Outstanding Universal Value other assets associated with and that supported the town B The inter-relationship between and its attributes not covered which provide understanding of the buildings and the topography B The Georgian town, buildings, under the other headings the sites Outstanding Universal and green setting features, structures and other sites Value and attributes C The agricultural land-use and C Historic routes to and from C Views to the proposed site or trees and woodlands the city still in use (could be area subject to actual, proposed effectively covered under A D The distinct landscape or potential change from in the Other Assets and character and presence of viewpoints which also provide Attributes section) landscape features understanding or reveal the Outstanding Universal Value D Stone quarrying or mining E The ‘picturesque’ qualities of the landscape E Key areas used by residents of, or visitors to, the city during the Georgian period F Key viewing points overlooking the city (likely to be most effectively covered in the views section) G Key views from within the city or its immediate environs out to the surrounding landscape (likely to be most effectively covered in the views section) Appendices 188 Appendix 9

Table 2 Value of Landscape and Heritage Assets which may be affected by Proposed Development (this assessment needs to be combined with an assessment of the susceptibility to change for each of the assets and attributes to provide the degree of sensitivity. The susceptibility to change assessment requires judgements on the ability of the receptor to accommodate the proposed development without undue negative consequences)

Grading Landscape and Views (Visual Assets Historical Associations Other Assets Townscape Assets and Attributes) (Heritage Assets and Attributes and Attributes and Attributes)

High Assets which strongly convey Views which strongly convey Assets which strongly convey Assets which strongly convey or or reveal aspects of the or reveal aspects of the or reveal aspects of the reveal aspects of the Outstanding Outstanding Universal Value Outstanding Universal Value Outstanding Universal Value Universal Value

Medium Assets which moderately Views which moderately convey Assets which moderately Assets which moderately convey convey or reveal aspects of the or reveal aspects of the convey or reveal aspects of the or reveal aspects of the Outstanding Universal Value Outstanding Universal Value Outstanding Universal Value Outstanding Universal Value

Low Assets which make a small or Views which make a small or local Assets which make a small or Assets which make a small or local contribution to conveying contribution to conveying or local contribution to conveying or local contribution to conveying or revealing aspects of the revealing aspects of the revealing aspects of the or revealing aspects of the Outstanding Universal Value Outstanding Universal Value Outstanding Universal Value Outstanding Universal Value

Negligible Assets with no significant value Views which make no significant Assets with no significant value in Assets with no significant value in in conveying or revealing the contribution to conveying or conveying or revealing the conveying or revealing the Outstanding Universal Value revealing the Outstanding Outstanding Universal Value Outstanding Universal Value Universal Value

Unknown Where the value of the area has Where the significance of Where the value of the area has Where the value of the area has unknown potential in conveying a viewpoint has unknown unknown potential in conveying unknown potential in conveying or revealing aspects of the potential in conveying or or revealing aspects of the or revealing aspects of the Outstanding Universal Value revealing aspects of the Outstanding Universal Value Outstanding Universal Value Outstanding Universal Value 189

Table 3 Scale or Magnitude of Effects on Individual Landscape and Heritage Assets or Attributes

Impact Landscape and Views (Visual Assets Historical Associations Other Assets Grading Townscape Assets and Attributes) (Heritage Assets and Attributes and Attributes and Attributes)

High The proposed development or The development or other The development or other The development or other adverse other change would severely change would severely erode the change would severely impact on change would severely impact (High impact on or erode the landscape heritage values of the heritage or erode the Heritage asset or on or erode the asset or attribute Negative) or townscape asset or attribute asset in the view, or the view as a attribute whole, or the ability to appreciate those values

Medium The proposed development or The development or other change The proposed development The proposed development Adverse other change would impact on or would erode to a clearly discernible or other change would impact or other change would impact (Moderate erode the landscape or extent, the heritage values of the on or erode the Heritage asset on or erode the asset or attribute Negative) townscape asset or attribute to a heritage asset in the view, or the or attribute to a clearly to a clearly discernible extent clearly discernible extent view as a whole, or the ability to discernible extent appreciate those values

Low The proposed development The development or other The proposed development or The proposed development Adverse or other change would impact change would erode to a minor other change would impact on or other change would impact (Low or on or erode the landscape or extent the heritage values of the or erode the Heritage asset or on or erode the asset or Slight townscape asset or attribute heritage asset in the view, or the attribute to a minor extent attribute to a minor extent Negative) to a minor extent view as a whole, or the ability to appreciate those values

Imper- The proposed development or The development or other The proposed development or The proposed development ceptible / other changes would not affect change would not affect the other change would not affect or other change would not None the landscape or townscape asset heritage values of the heritage the Heritage asset or attribute affect the asset or attribute (Neutral / asset in the view, or the view Negligible) as a whole, or the ability to appreciate those values Appendices 190 Appendix 9

Table 3 Scale or Magnitude of Effects on Individual Landscape and Heritage Assets or Attributes continued

Impact Landscape and Views (Visual Assets Historical Associations Other Assets Grading Townscape Assets and Attributes) (Heritage Assets and Attributes and Attributes and Attributes)

Low The proposed development or The development or other The proposed development The proposed development or Beneficial other change would enhance the change would enhance to a minor or other change would enhance other change would enhance the landscape or townscape asset or extent the heritage values of the the Heritage asset or attribute landscape and townscape asset attribute to a minor extent heritage asset in the view, or the to a minor extent and attribute to a minor extent view as a whole, or the ability to appreciate those values

Medium The proposed development or The development or other The proposed development The proposed development or Beneficial other change would enhance the change would enhance to a or other change would enhance other change would enhance the landscape or townscape asset or clearly discernible extent the the Heritage asset or attribute asset or attribute to a clearly attribute to a clearly discernible heritage values of the heritage to a clearly discernible extent discernible extent extent asset in the view, or the view as a whole, or the ability to appreciate those values

High The proposed development or The development or other The proposed development or The proposed development or Beneficial other change would considerably change would considerably other change would considerably other change would considerably enhance the landscape or enhance the heritage values of enhance the Heritage asset or enhance the asset or attribute townscape asset or attribute the heritage asset in the view, or attribute the view as a whole, or the ability to appreciate those values 191

Table 4 Overall Significance of the Effects on the World Heritage Site

Impact Landscape and Views (Visual Assets Historical Associations Other Assets Impact Grading The Landscape and Heritage Assets and Attributes Grading Townscape Assets and Attributes) (Heritage Assets and Attributes and Attributes and Attributes) Major adverse High or Medium Sensitivity with Major Adverse Effect (High Negative) High Sensitivity with Medium Adverse Effect Low The proposed development or The development or other The proposed development The proposed development or Beneficial other change would enhance the change would enhance to a minor or other change would enhance other change would enhance the Medium Adverse High Sensitivity with Low or Medium Adverse Effect landscape or townscape asset or extent the heritage values of the the Heritage asset or attribute landscape and townscape asset (Moderate Negative) attribute to a minor extent heritage asset in the view, or the to a minor extent and attribute to a minor extent Medium Sensitivity with Medium or High Adverse Effect view as a whole, or the ability to Low Sensitivity with High Adverse Effect appreciate those values Low Adverse High Sensitivity with Low Adverse Effect Medium The proposed development or The development or other The proposed development The proposed development or (Low or Slight Negative) Medium Sensitivity with Low Adverse Effect Beneficial other change would enhance the change would enhance to a or other change would enhance other change would enhance the Low Sensitivity with Low, Medium or High Adverse Effect landscape or townscape asset or clearly discernible extent the the Heritage asset or attribute asset or attribute to a clearly attribute to a clearly discernible heritage values of the heritage to a clearly discernible extent discernible extent extent asset in the view, or the view as a Imperceptible / None High or Medium Sensitivity with Imperceptible Adverse of Beneficial Effect or No Effect whole, or the ability to appreciate (Neutral / Negligible) Low Sensitivity with Low Adverse or Beneficial Effect or those values with Imperceptible Adverse of Beneficial Effect or No Effect

High The proposed development or The development or other The proposed development or The proposed development or Low Beneficial High Sensitivity with Low Beneficial Effect Beneficial other change would considerably change would considerably other change would considerably other change would considerably Medium Sensitivity with Low Beneficial Effect enhance the landscape or enhance the heritage values of enhance the Heritage asset or enhance the asset or attribute Low Sensitivity with Low, Medium or High Beneficial Effect townscape asset or attribute the heritage asset in the view, or attribute the view as a whole, or the ability to appreciate those values Medium Beneficial High Sensitivity with Low or Medium Beneficial Effect Medium Sensitivity with Medium or High Beneficial Effect Low Sensitivity with High Beneficial Effect

High Beneficial High or Medium Sensitivity with Major Beneficial Effect High Sensitivity with Medium Beneficial Effect Appendices 192 Appendix 10

Appendix 10 Definitions

Asset Heritage Asset Sensitivity Susceptibility to Change See ‘Heritage Asset’ A building, monument, site, place, The combined assessment of the The ability of a receptor to area or landscape identified as susceptibility of a receptor to a specific accommodate the proposed Attribute having a degree of significance type of change or development development without undue negative Aspects which convey or express meriting consideration in planning proposed and the value related to that consequences. the Outstanding Universal Value decisions, because of its heritage receptor. of the World Heritage Site and Tranquillity interest. Heritage asset includes which contribute to and enhance Setting (of a heritage asset) The quality of calm experienced in designated heritage assets and assets understanding of the Outstanding The surroundings in which a heritage places with mainly natural features and identified by the local planning Universal Value. (compiled from asset is experienced. Its extent is not activities, free from disturbance from authority (including local listing). UNESCO Operational Guidelines 2012) fixed and may change as the asset and manmade ones. (CPRE Saving Tranquil Integrity its surroundings evolve. Elements of a Places October 2006) Authenticity Integrity is a measure of the wholeness setting may make a positive or negative Those characteristics that most View-cone and intactness of the natural and/or contribution to the significance truthfully reflect and embody the A graphic representation of the width cultural heritage and its attributes of an asset, may affect the ability to cultural heritage values of a place of a view. The series of maps within (UNESCO 2008). appreciate that significance or may (English Heritage, Conservation the report are computer generated be neutral.(National Planning Policy principles: Principles, Policies and Landscape and so provide an approximation of Framework March 2012). Guidance for the Sustainable ‘An area, as perceived by people, those areas which are visible from key Management of the Historic whose character is the result of Significance (for heritage policy) areas or from which key landmarks Environment) Authenticity in a the action and interaction of The value of a heritage asset to this are visible. They have taken account World Heritage Site is expressed natural and/or human factors’. and future generations because of its of intervening vegetation and buildings through attributes and assets which (Council of Europe 2000) heritage interest. That interest may and have been cut-off at a distance truthfully reflect and embody the be archaeological, architectural, artistic of 5 km to indicate those areas which Outstanding Universal Value Outstanding Universal Value. (UNESCO or historic. Significance derives not are potentially most significant. Cultural and/or natural significance Operational Guidelines 2012) only from a heritage asset’s physical which is so exceptional as to transcend presence, but also from its setting. Georgian period national boundaries and to be of (National Planning Policy For the purposes of this common importance for present Framework March 2012). Supplementary Planning Document and future generations of all the Georgian period is taken to include humanity (UNESCO Operational Significance of Effect the reigns of George I, II, III and IV and Guidelines 2012). A measure of the importance or gravity William IV from 1714 to 1837 and to of the effect defined by significance Receptor therefore include both the Georgian criteria. Aspects of significance are Assets and attributes that have the and the Regency periods described in chapter 5. potential to be affected by a proposal. Appendices 193 Appendix 811

Appendix 11 Historical Illustrations References

List of Historical In the case of prints, the J.C.Bourne 1773 2a 1662 4d 1790 Illustrations names of the relevant (in The History The North Parade The town from The Royal Crescent from publications in which they and Description J.R.Cozens [shows the heights the Avon 1. Historical Views appear are given instead. of the Great Collibees summerhouse W.Schellinks Joseph Farington and Places of Interest These are generally Western Railway) on Beechen Cliff] (photograph in BoBM) (VAG) available in the Bath (Bodl) Views From 1826 4e 1801 around Bath Library. Most of the prints Outside The City 1c 1824 The City of Bath View of Bath from The following illustrations, also appear in Images of Panoramic View of Bath T.Clark the Lower Bristol Road mentioned in the text Bath by James Lees- 1a 1662 Harvey Wood (BL) J.Spornberg in Appendices 4 and 5, Milne and David Ford. Bathe Wenceslaus (BL) (in Warner’s, History are identified by the Holler (attrib.) 2b c.1845 Views From The City of Bath) numbers of the relevant (Ashm.) c.1846 The Vicinity of Bath North Parade 1759 paragraphs in which Bath from Beechen Hill from Miss Brackstone’s 1824 View from North Parade 1673 they appear, together J.Syer Establishment Scene near the Elizabeth Claybourn The South Prospect with the artist’s name. (VAG) Anon Old Bridge Crossley Of Bathe (BL) Bath, Benjamin Barker Paintings, manuscript (BL) Jacob Millerd 1d 1723 (Barker’s, Forty-Eight drawings and some (Brit.Mus.) Aquae Solis .. from the 4a 1791 South Parade c.1740 Views) of the rarer prints, are top of the Southern Hill Kelston View Towards Prior Park 1788 catalogued in the W.Stukeley (in Stukeley’s T.Bonner 5 1810 from the Avon, Bath Bath from the South following sources: Itinerarium) (in Collinson’s History of Sketch of the view from Thomas Ross S.H.Grimm Somerset) the Crescent…and with The Bath Library (BL) (VAG) (VAG) 1757 proposed buildings. A Southwest Prospect of 4b 1846 Victoria Art Gallery c.1750 1817 (BL) the City of Bath Twerton near Bath or Building of Bath View of Bath Looking Bath Thomas Robins J.C.Bourne 6a 1773 Museum (VAG) East Copplestone Thomas Clark (BL) (in The History…of the The Crescent Warre Bampfylde (BL) Courtauld Institute (CI) GWR) J.R.Cozens (VAG) 1920s 1833 (Bodl.) British Museum (BM) or Photograph of Beechen 4c 1806 1759 Panorama of Bath British Library (Brit.Lib) Cliff Plaque Twerton Ferry 6b 1792 From the South Parade J.W.Allen (Reece Winston J.C.Nattes Lansdown Place Ashmolean Thomas Robins (VAG) Collection) (in Nattes’, Bath, A.Robertson Museum (Ashm) (CI) 1b late 17c Illustrated (in Robertson’s Bodleian Library (Bodl) 1846 Bath from the south east by a Series of Views) Topographical Survey) Van Diest (attrib.) Other private collections St.James’s (VAG) (named) Railway Bridge 194

7 1750s 9b 1765 13 1775 15d 1846 19b 1734 24 1750s From near View from Walcot Walter Wiltshire’s Railway and Avon – The South East Prospect Ralph Allen’s Stone Mines St.Winifred’s Well to Bathwick House at Bathford near Bath of the City of Bath Fan (Thos.Robins?) Thomas Robins Thos.Robins (Shockerwick House) J.C.Bourne S.& N.Buck (CI) (CI) (CI) Anon. (in The History…of the (in Buck’s Antiquities) 1850s (Brit.Lib.) GWR) 8 1793 1789 20b 1750s The De Montalt Mill The Granville An Exact View from 14 1798 c.1845 Pleasure Gardens and neighbourhood Monument Walcot Parade, Bath, 1789 Free Stone Quarries. View Bath from Bathampton of Lyncombe Mrs.Tackler T.Cadell J.West near Bath, Somersetshire T.F.Dicksee Thos.Robins (BL) (BL) (VAG) J.Hassell (Arthur Elton Collection, (CI) (VAG) Ironbridge) 2. Principal Historic 9a 1794 1805 21a 1750 Bath from Camden Place Bath: Bathwick Ferry 1795? 16a c.1750 Prior Park the Seat Routes into and W.Watts J.C.Nattes Hampton Rocks, Morning Prospect of Bath of Ralph Allen Esqr out of Bath (from Watts’ Select (in Nattes’, Bath T.Barker Thos.Robins near Bath 1785 London Road Views) Illustrated) (VAG) (Brit.Mus) Anthony Walker View near Bath 1785 (Bodl.) Thos.Malton jnr. 1841 10 1820 15a 1791 16b 1841 (unidentified Bath from Camden Place Bath from Beacon Hill Bailbrook Lodge Bath 21b 1750s scene, but evidently W.Wallis David Cox T.Bonner W.H.Bartlett View from Prior Park towards Batheaston (in J&F Harwood, (in Cox, Six Views) (in Collinson’s History (in E&W Finden, Ports, Thos.Robins or Bathford) Scenery of Gt.Britain) of Somerset) Harbours, Watering (CI) 1850 (VAG) Places..) 1905 Bath from Beacon Hill 15b 1750s 22 1765 1773 London Road Bath from Camden J.Syer View of Bathampton 1846 Ralph Allen Monument Bath from the Crescent, (postcard) (BL) Manor from Batheaston Bath Thos.Robins

(n.k.) Thos.Robins J.C.Bourne (CI) London Road 12c 1750s J.R.Cozens (CI) (in The History…of the 1917-18 Charmy Down Farm near 23 c.1837 (Bodl.) GWR) Beechen Cliff from Bath 15c 1824 View of Bath, taken near c.1839 Entry Hill Belvidere, Lansdown, Thos.Robins Scene on the Bath Canal 19a 1792 Prior Park, J.Hollway Bath from the Wells Bath (CI) Benjamin Barker Bath (in Hollway, Bath Views) [sic] W.Sickert (in Barker, Forty-Eight J.Parker Road W.N.Hardwick (VAG) Views) (VAG) (BL) Appendices 195 Appendix 12

Appendix 12 References

1 New Shorter Oxford English 8 Guidance on Heritage Impact Dictionary. Oxford University Press Assessments for Cultural World Heritage Properties, ICOMOS 2 National Planning Policy Framework, International (Draft May 2010) March 2012. Department for Communities and Local Government 9 Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, the Landscape 3 Conservation Principles, Policies and Institute and the Institute of Guidance for the Sustainable Environmental Management and Management of the Historic Assessment (2013) Environment, English Heritage. 2008 10 Seeing the History in the View: 4 Circular on the Protection of World A Method for Assessing Heritage Heritage Sites, Department for Significance within Views, English Communities and Local Heritage (May 2011) Government. 2009 11 Guidance on Heritage Impact 5 Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning Assessments for Cultural World for the Historic Environment, Heritage Properties, ICOMOS Department for Communities and International (Draft May 2010). Local Government. 2010 The Natural Environment White 6 The Xi’An Declaration on the Paper 'The Natural Choice: securing Conservation of the Setting of the value of wildlife', .DEFRA (June Heritage Structures, Sites and Areas, 2011) ICOMOS, 2005 Operational Guidelines for the 7 The Setting of Heritage Assets, Implementation of the World English Heritage (October 2011) and Heritage Convention, UNESCO (2012) Seeing History in the View (May 2011)

198