Architecture, Bath

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In Bath there are some clear examples of buildings with bricked up windows, which may have been affected by window tax. In 1696 this tax was created by William III & during a slump in the economy but this tax lasted until 1851.

The tax was paid on a house which had more then 6 windows, so as a result many people bricked up the excess windows. In 1792 a person who had 7-9 windows would be made to pay 2 shillings & houses with 10-19 windows would be forced to pay 4 shillings. In 1825 the number of windows allowed pre-tax was increased to 8 (how very generous).

Window tax was replaced by a tax called House Duty.

North of the pedestrian zone, there is a neogothic church with the name of St. Michael's with St. Paul's. It is already the fourth building on this site, with the first dating dating back to the 10th century. Not much is known about this first structure and it is still uncertain why it was dedicated to St. Michael. Construction of the present building began in 1835 and in 1837, it was consecrated.

Today, the church stands between two streets and close to a modern shopping center. It's impressive tower can be seen from many parts of the city.

During the time of Richard 'beau' Nash, Bath had a very prosperous period. Bath became a popular town among the rich and the beautiful of this time. Among them was also William VI., Prince of Orange who came to Bath to have his illness cured. The water from Bath's thermal fountains was said to heal almost everything - from rheumatism to asthma, from itches to deafness. At least, it seems that it cured the Prince of Orange, so that Richard Nash had an Obelisk erected for him in 1734. It was rebuilt in 1834, after it almost collapsed during the centuries. Today, it can be seen at a traffic island at Orange Grove, close to the abbey.

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Close to the Abbey church, you will find another gothic beauty, the church of St. John the Evangelist. The tower, in decorated style, is one of the highest buildings in Bath and visible from almost everywhere. Unfortunately, I haven't found anything about the history of this roman catholic church. If someone can provide me further information, I would be grateful.

I love old architecture, especially the Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian style. I've got to admit, the olde Tudor style does nothing whatsoever for me though, and anything with beams showing on the ceiling inside a building really puts me off, that belongs inside old pubs .

Modern buildings just don't do it for me unless they have been specifically designed and built to fit in with the places that are already there.

These old houses were along the side of the road as we were coming into the city of Bath, they are tall and quite pretty in thier own way. They reminded me of a bygone time and age, one that could never be recaptured again, unfortunately, of fortunately, whichever way you might see it or have lived in it? For instance, being rich and upper class in the old days would have been great fun! but to be from a poor household and be forced in to service, read - slavery, would have never worked for me, i would have ran away or at least told the owners to F.O.

The haphazard purchases of the Scottish laird, Sir William Holburne, bequeathed in 1882, are confusedly housed in a grand eighteenth-century villa, too big for what it contains. What are worth seeing there are a Stubbs, a Zoffany and (although they are badly hung and subjectively selected) some of Holburne's Dutch pictures. Apart from these there are some local views by local painters, three mediocre portraits attributed to Gainsborough, and an accumulation of objects in china, glass and silver. The entrance fee, around four pounds at present, is ambitious for what is on display.
Personally, I would repair to the tea rooms outside for more enjoyment.

Bath is a very Georgian city, stemming from its boom in popularity during that period and the general boom of the mercantile and industrial businessmen in nearby Bristol and other parts of SW England at the same time. It thus possesses a rich array of Georgian architecture and street layouts.

Bath is hemmed by seven hills...It is a gorgeous town !
Throughout The Middle Ages, Bath was served as an ecclesiastical centre & also a wool-trading town.
Bath has some amazing architectures !
This photo is a church with a high tower is one of them...It is called St. John's Roman Catholic Church.
Seriously, this church tower is visible from any angle if you are in Bath, but nobody on VT would write anything about it !
Even on the Internet, we couldn't find any infos on this church ! I wonder why...