35-40, GAY STREET

This is a group of six irregular terrace houses, now occupied as shops, a restaurant, and offices, situated on a sloping site from number 35 to the left. They were built between 1735 and 1740, with alterations made in the 19th and 20th centuries by John Wood the Elder. The houses are constructed of limestone ashlar with slate mansard roofs, featuring dormers and moulded stacks along the party walls.

The houses have a double-depth plan and are arranged over three storeys with attics and basements. Numbers 35 and 36, each with a three-window front, are higher than the adjacent properties and form a continuous pair. They feature a slightly returned coped parapet and a stopped cornice. The upper floors have moulded architraves, with a sill band, cornices, and lowered sills to the first floor. Steps lead up to the left-hand doors, which have raised surrounds and pediments supported by consoles. Number 35 has six/six-pane sash windows on the second floor, with the architraves removed, and six/nine-pane sashes with balconettes to the first floor. A 1902 shop front occupies the right-hand side and has a cornice to the fascia. Number 36 has plate glass sash windows within moulded architraves, with lowered sills to the first floor, and painted architraves. It features a cornice and pulvinated frieze above the door and a 1907 shop front by F.W. Gardiner, similar to that of number 35.

Numbers 37 to 40 are similar in style, with level parapets and cornices, stepping downhill from left to right. Number 37 has plate glass sash windows with splayed jambs, balconettes to the first floor, and a pedimented moulded architrave with a pulvinated frieze over a six-panel door with glazed upper portion. A lead downpipe is visible to the right. Number 38 has plate glass sash windows, lowered sills to the first floor, and painted detailing below the remaining parts of the first floor sill band. A seven-panel door with glazed upper portion is set within a moulded architrave with a dentil cornice and pediment, while two windows are present in plain openings with cornices to the right. Number 39, currently a restaurant, has moulded architraves to the upper floor windows and splayed reveals around an eight-panel door to the left, with a more modern C20 door in the centre. Number 40 has painted splayed reveals to plate glass sash windows, lowered sills to the first floor, and a pedimented doorcase with dentil cornice and pulvinated frieze supported by Ionic pilasters on pedestals to the left.

The rear elevations are not visible. Internal inspection was limited to number 38, documented by Bath Council in the 1980s, which revealed an old kitchen with a Tudor arch recess, an open tread wooden staircase with round tapered newels and a well, and a semi-circular bay to the half landing.

Ground leases were taken by John Wood in 1734, with building leases granted between 1734 and 1738. Number 40 was first assessed for rating in 1736, and all properties were occupied by 1740. Due to the extent of alterations and lack of cohesive architectural style, this section of Gay Street is of a lower group value than other sections.