1-12, CHATHAM ROW

A terrace of twelve houses on the north side of Chatham Row, sloping downhill towards the River Avon. The houses date from the mid-18th century. They are constructed of limestone ashlar with double-pitched slate mansard roofs, featuring moulded stacks to the party walls and the right return. The houses are three storeys high with attics and basements, arranged in a double-depth plan. Each house has a two-window range front. Shared features include stepped coped parapets, cornices, platbands, plinths, and moulded architraves to the upper floor windows, with cornices above the first-floor windows. Most houses have six/six-pane sash windows, although variations exist. Number 1 has paired windows to the ground floor and basement; Number 2 has trellised balconettes to the first floor; Number 3 has splayed reveals to the ground floor and an eight/eight-pane sash window to the basement; Number 4 has horned plate glass windows and a two/two-pane sash window to the basement; Number 5 is similar to Number 4 with a trellised balconette to the ground floor; Number 6 has horned six/six-pane sash windows and an eight/eight-pane sash to the basement; Number 7 has horned plate glass sash windows (two to the basement) and a five-panel door; Number 8 has six/six and one eight/eight-pane sash window to the basement; Number 9 is similar to Number 2 with trellised balconettes to the first floor; Number 10 has two basement windows with splayed reveals; Number 11 has one ten/ten-pane sash window to the basement; and Number 12, the right-hand terminal, reflects the design of Number 18 Cornwell Buildings. A garden is situated at basement level to the right return. Notable window features include a tripartite window to the second floor, a Venetian window with tall entablatures to flanking sashes and radial glazing bars to the first floor, and a wider six-panel door in a raised surround with a hood similar to that of the other houses.

Interior inspections have been undertaken at Numbers 3, 6, 9, and 11. At Number 3, fireplaces have been removed. Number 6 has partially inspected areas. Number 9 was recorded by the Bath Preservation Trust in 1991, and a previous owner’s architectural salvage business may have resulted in replacement iron fireplaces. A half landing features windows with red and blue glass detailing. Number 11 suffered considerable damage, with remains of a garland frieze in the ground floor front room.

The lower end of the terrace was unfinished in January 1770 when Benjamin Axford’s lease was postponed due to river encroachment. William Pulteney purchased Number 12 in 1789 for wharfage access, offering it for rent in 1790. It was occupied by John Pinch the Elder in 1800. The street was initially named Pitt Street before being renamed Chatham Row in 1770, a reference to Earl of Chatham. Francis Kelly reported that Pulteney acquired numbers 10-12 and leased them to John Pinch.