WT2 - WALK: Walcot Street, 2000 Years Of History

Walcot Street was originally laid out to link the area’s first Roman settlement, around where the Hudson Steakhouse now stands, with the hot springs bubbling up in today’s city centre. This means it could be described as Bath’s version of Rome’s Appian Way.

On this stroll, you’ll learn about the many chapters in Walcot Street’s history, from Roman discoveries to when the city’s medieval cloth industry centred around the bottom of the street. In Bath’s 18th-century heyday, many coaching inns could be found here, as this was on the main coaching route into the city from London.

In Victorian times the street took a downward turn and was packed with squalid housing clustered around cramped courtyards, breweries and slaughter houses. Prostitution was rife: the tour passes Ladymead House, once a penitentiary for fallen women.

You’ll hear how, during the post-war period, two major redevelopment projects were proposed for the street. Thankfully these failed to materialise, allowing Walcot to become Bath’s artisan quarter with independent shops and a bohemian feel.  

Since the 1970s Walcot Street has been the centre of Bath’s music scene. The Bell Inn is the city’s live music pub, and opposite is the site of the old Crescent Studios where Bath band Tears for Fears cut their first single.

From the top of Walcot Street the walk will return to the city centre along The Paragon and down Broad Street.

The tour will be led by Tony Abbott, a local Blue Badge-qualified tour guide, and is organised by Fred Mawer Tours (www.fredmawertours.co.uk)