9, Walcot Terrace

WALCOT TERRACE 656-1/13/1817

No.9

(Formerly Listed as: LONDON ROAD (South side) No.9 Walcot Terrace and Hawthorn Cottage) 05/08/75

GV II

Formerly known as "Old Bath Eye and Ear Infirmary", now funeral director's premises stepped well forward from No.8 Walcot Terrace (qv) to right. Dated 1837 with C20 additions. MATERIALS: Limestone ashlar, roof unseen with two moulded stacks to left return. PLAN: Double depth plan, with staircase along left-hand side. EXTERIOR: Single storey, no windows to front. Tall corniced parapet has set forward pier to centre supporting Greek Revival bust of Aesculapius, divinity of medicine, above cornice (here identified by inscription as Ablis); paired pilasters to each side have anthemion caps above cornice and three stone balusters on plinths below it. Left return has similar panel of eight balusters. Ground floor has returned cornice and stepped blocking course over prostyle Ionic porch over late C19 half-glazed double doors. Left return has C20 door and six/six-pane sash window. Painted lettering above cornice of eastern wall reads THE BATH EAR AND EYE INFIRMARY'. INTERIOR: Not inspected. There is a top-lit octagonal room in the centre of the narrow plot. HISTORY: The building began life as the Bath Ear and Eye Infirmary in 1837, and continued in this use until 1911, when the Undertakers' firm of W.F. Dolman & Sons moved in. Like the Dispensary on nearby Cleveland Place, this was a prominent building of public philanthropy, designed in a Goodridge-like Greek Revival manner. The Eye Infirmary had been established in 1811, under the presidency of the Earl Camden, but was a separate establishment to this one. The giant bust is reminiscent of the colossal bust of Jupiter in Royal Victoria Park by Osborne. The building was conserved following structural damage caused by incessant traffic (Dougal Hunter, architect) in c1987. SOURCE: Dougal Hunter,Repair of the Bath Ear and Eye Infirmary¿, Association for Studies in the Conservation of Historic Buildings transactions.

Listing NGR: ST7537365785