25-27 Including Post Office

Post Office, built in 1927 by the HM Office of Works. The building is constructed of limestone ashlar with a parapeted roof. The plan is irregular, with an entrance on a narrow corner façade and long returns.

The building is three storeys high, with the entrance treated as two. A giant Venetian window features Ionic columns and pilasters supporting pieces of an entablature, a round-headed cornice, and a bracketed keystone beneath a recessed giant arch. A semi-circular, projecting porch with Doric columns extends internally to create a circular entrance vestibule. The entablature includes a dentilled cornice and a plain frieze inscribed "Post Office." A shallow dome is topped with an elaborate swagged urn and flame finial. Channelled rustication runs along the sides, with a frieze and cornice continuing around the entire building, as do the panelled sill and window apron band, raised quoins, modillion cornice, and a blocking course resembling a parapet. A bronze plaque inside the vestibule references Bath’s role in the history of the postal system; carved keystones bearing heads of Mercury are above the entrances. The nine-window range facing Northgate Street has tall sash-like windows with moulded architraves and flat cornices, the central three with segmental pediments on scrolled brackets. Similar windows without hoods are found on the second floor. The ground floor has a central entrance arch, doorways to either side, and six windows with glazing bars, finely detached mullions, transoms, and frames. A similar four-window range facing New Bond Street was likely intended to be continued further. A further Venetian window is present on the narrow front to Green Street.

The interior retains some Neo-Georgian details, such as the richly moulded cornice in the posting hall. Modern counters have been installed.

This is a notable example of an Office of Works revivalist design, effectively using the Neo-Georgian style in this prominent city centre location. The section to the right of the entrance arch was originally built as a Telephone Exchange. The main Bath Post Office previously occupied the Old Post Office in George Street, and before that, No. 8 Broad Street. The building was formerly listed as The Post Office and is now divided into 25-27, including the Post Office.