It’s go to be the most historically comprehensive map of Bath l have ever seen – and what detail to enjoy!
I have been enjoying opening up and devouring the information contained in this delightful fold-out which shows all the major Roman, Medieval and later buildings and places of historical interest in our unique city which has been twice-listed as a World Heritage site.
This publication – by the Historic Towns Trust – (www.historictownstrust) – is the latest in a series of maps covering historic towns of England, Scotland and Wales, and has been created in collaboration with the History of Bath Research Group. It is available online and in all good bookshops now.
‘Oh! Who can ever be tired of Bath?’ asks Catherine Morland in Jane Austen’s classic, Northanger Abbey. Of course, the Georgian townscape will be particularly familiar to many who have never visited the city, but have walked its streets with Austen’s heroines and more recently, the cast of Bridgerton.
However, the enduring allure of Bath is not limited to fiction. The real Queen Charlotte paid a visit in 1817, while several other monarchs and dignitaries have been drawn to the spa’s fabled health benefits from Roman times onwards.
In fact, Bath’s royal connections extend all the way back to AD 973, when King Edgar’s coronation in the abbey became the blueprint for all subsequent coronations, including that of King Charles III.
Chair of the Historic Towns Trust, Vanessa Harding, said, ’We are delighted to publish a map that shows how the inhabitants and visitors of Roman, medieval, Stuart and Georgian Bath have shaped today’s city.’
This 1:2500 map reveals the richly layered history of the city from Roman times to the start of the 20th century. It covers the historic core of the city, the whole of the Georgian development to Lansdown in the north and Bathwick in the east, and the 19th-century developments south of the River Avon.
The reverse of the map outlines Bath’s development and important themes and events in its history, with brief accounts of major buildings and features keyed to the map.
It also includes a detailed reconstruction of Bath c. 1641, based on a contemporary survey and the rich archive of property documents held by the corporation.
It is illustrated with numerous paintings and prints from the collections of the Victoria Art Gallery.
The Bath map is number 17 in the Historic Towns Trust’s Town and City Historical Maps series. The cartography is by Giles Darkes.
Available in all good bookshops and online retailers now.
Support the Trust by buying direct from the Historic Towns Trust website.
ISBN: 978-1-8380719-6-7 RRP: £11.99
About the History of Bath Research Group
The History of Bath Research Group was founded in 1986 with the objective of bringing together historians actively engaged in research in the Bath area.
Over the years, many members have published and given talks on different aspects of local history, including studies in the journal of Bath History.
The group also welcomes those who simply wish to learn more about Bath’s history. You can support their work, attend regular talks and visits, or follow them through their website: https:// historyofbath.org
About the Historic Towns Trust
The Historic Towns Trust is an educational charity working to map the urban histories of Great Britain in partnership with local historians and communities.
Their maps and atlases give an insight into how towns and cities developed and why they appear as they do today.
To find out more, visit: https://historictownstrust.uk
