Gay Street, Bath

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Gay Street
Gay Street Bath.jpg
Location Bath, Somerset, England
Coordinates 51°23′05″N2°21′49″W / 51.38472°N 2.36361°W / 51.38472; -2.36361
Built1735-1750
Architect John Wood, the Elder
Listed Building – Grade I
Official name18-30, Gay Street
Designated12 June 1950 [1]
Reference no.1395825
Listed Building – Grade I
Official name2-17, Gay Street
Designated12 June 1950 [2]
Reference no.1395823
Listed Building – Grade I
Official name41, Gay Street
Designated12 June 1950 [3]
Reference no.1395837
Listed Building – Grade II
Official name31 Gay Street; 12 and 12A, George Street
Designated12 June 1950 [4]
Reference no.1395912
Listed Building – Grade II
Official name32, Gay Street
Designated12 June 1950 [4]
Reference no.1395828
Listed Building – Grade II
Official name33, Gay Street
Designated12 June 1950 [4]
Reference no.1395831
Listed Building – Grade II
Official name34, Gay Street
Designated12 June 1950 [4]
Reference no.1395832
Listed Building – Grade II
Official name35-40, Gay Street
Designated12 June 1950 [4]
Reference no.1395835
Somerset UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location of Gay Street in Somerset

Gay Street in Bath, Somerset, England, links Queen Square to The Circus. It was designed by John Wood, the Elder in 1735 and completed by his son John Wood, the Younger. [5] The land was leased to the elder Wood by Robert Gay, MP for Bath, and the street is named after him. [6] Much of the road has been designated as Grade I listed buildings.

The houses are of 3 storeys with Mansard roofs, with many also having Ionic columns. There are slight variations in window design but they work together to provide a consistent streetscape. Many of the houses are now used as offices.

Numbers 2 to 17 are on the west side. Hester Thrale, who was also known as Mrs Piozzi, lived at number 8, with its 4 Corinthian pilasters on the ground and 1st floors in 1781. [2] Number 18 to 30 are on the east side of the road. It was built before the west side. [1]

Number 41 is on the corner between Gay Street and Queen Square. It was the home of John Wood, the Younger. [3]

Numbers 31 to 40 have been designated as Grade II. [4] The Jane Austen Centre is at number 40, although Jane Austen actually lived at number 25.

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References

  1. 1 2 "Nos 18 to 30 (consec) Gay Street". Images of England. English Heritage. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
  2. 1 2 "Nos 2 to 17 (consec) Gay Street". Images of England. English Heritage. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
  3. 1 2 "No 41 Gay Street". Images of England. English Heritage. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Nos 31 to 40 (consec) Gay Street". Images of England. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2007.
  5. Historic England. "Nos 18-30 Gay Street (1395825)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  6. Matthews, Shirley. "GAY, Robert (d.1738), of Hatton Gardens, Mdx. and Walcot, Bath". History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 3 October 2016.