The Bath Tap

The Bath Tap is a house, later adapted as a public house, dating from circa 1768, potentially designed by John Palmer in collaboration with Thomas Jelly. It forms part of a long terrace on the southwest side of St James's Parade. The building is of double depth and has mansard roofs. It is constructed of limestone ashlar, with some rubble to the rear, and has a slate and double Roman tile roof.

The three-bay front has three storeys, an attic and basement. The windows are twelve-pane sashes, except for the paired four-pane dormer window in the roof. The left-hand windows on each floor are paired; those to the ground floor have splayed surrounds, while those to the first and second floors are framed by architraves and a central mullion, with consoles supporting the cills and a cornice above the first-floor paired windows. The right-hand windows on the upper floors are similarly framed. The entrance is via a six-panel door, approached by two steps and set within a two-storey, pedimented Ionic doorcase featuring a fluted frieze and paterae. The building has a deep cornice, blocking course and parapet, with tall stacks to the left.

The rear of the building has double Roman tiles and a walling of mainly squared rubble, but with ashlar to the staircase section. A rear dormer window has a paired four-pane sash above a triple twelve-pane window across three levels. One sash window has been modified at first and second floor levels to the left, with a deep twelve-pane window at mid-level, above a small 20th-century addition, and a single-storey extension across the lower ground floor, raised in 1984.

The pub interior was altered circa 1994, though some original cornices remain, largely painted over. A mid-19th century cast iron fireplace is set within a timber surround.

St James’s Parade, originally Thomas Street, was developed from 1765 onwards by Richard Jones, Thomas Jelly and Henry Fisher, who were granted permission to construct new houses. The street was originally closed off with bollards at each end. The elevations, attributed to Thomas Jelly and John Palmer, show the influence of John Wood the Younger's work. The houses were mainly built around 1768. Following bomb damage and extensive redevelopment, St James’s Parade was preserved. The property was formerly known as the Rugby Arms.