Ladies' Public Lavatories Circa 50 Metres North Of Holburne Of Menstrie Museum

These ladies' public lavatories, dating from circa 1914, are a notable example of cast iron construction, manufactured by the Saracen Foundry in Glasgow to MacFarlane's patent design. The structure employs cast iron for its walls and a glass roof.

The building's footprint is roughly rectangular, featuring cubicles positioned on either side of a central passage. Externally, the structure is based on a rectangular tubular framework supporting cast iron panels embellished with decorative bands, resting upon a plinth. The plinth is articulated by decorative frames, with square decorative panels at dado level. A pierced ventilation frieze adorns the upper portion.

Inside, the entrance is screened by grille doors offering views through opposing openings, with three cubicles located on each side.

Sydney Gardens were originally laid out between 1792 and 1794 by Thomas Baldwin, with Charles Harcourt Masters taking over in 1794. They opened in 1795 as Sydney Gardens Vauxhall, quickly becoming a popular entertainment venue. A section of the Kennet and Avon Canal was cut through the gardens in 1799, and additional features were introduced throughout the early 19th century. The arrival of the Great Western Railway in 1839 sliced through a portion of the gardens. The site was purchased by Bath City Council in 1908, with the gardens opening as a municipal park in 1913 and the Sydney Tavern being remodelled into the Holburne of Menstrie Museum. The lavatories were added circa 1914, chosen for their cost-effectiveness. Subsequent additions of later facilities in the late 20th century rendered these cast iron lavatories obsolete. The gardens remain a public park.

The lavatories are designated at Grade II for their unusual survival as a complete example of industrial prefabrication applied to a specialized building. Despite being mass-produced, the quality of the casting is high, and the decorative elements are more elaborate than typically required for a utilitarian structure. They also possess group value in association with the nearby gentlemen's lavatories of a similar date, as well as the other listed buildings and structures within Sydney Gardens.