1-17, RABY PLACE

Raby Place comprises seventeen consecutive terrace houses stepped uphill from west to east, built between 1823 and 1825 by John Pinch the Elder. The terrace represents one of the latest Georgian urban set-pieces in Bath, with characteristic upswept parapets that exploit the steeply sloping site to dramatic effect, similar to Sydney Place and Cavendish Place.

The houses are constructed of limestone ashlar with double pitched slate roofs and moulded stacks set to party walls. Each building rises four storeys with attics and basement, presenting a two-window front elevation. A coped parapet and second floor cornice sweep upward in steps, articulated by pilasters. The ground floor features banded rustication, while the first floor carries cornices on consoles. Windows throughout are predominantly six-pane over six-pane sashes, with three-pane over three-pane sashes to the attics. Doors are positioned to the right of each front with circular central panels and overlights; some retain original lean-to hoods with fretted edges.

Individual variations are evident across the terrace. Number 1, at the western lower end, has a blind return elevation facing the church with empty window surrounds to each floor, a cast iron trellised balcony on brackets to the first floor with a 20th-century canopy, and a sunblind box to the ground floor. Numbers 2 through 7 feature various combinations of plate glass sash windows, sunblind boxes, and doors with hoods. Number 8 has lowered sills to its attic windows, sliding louvred shutters throughout, and a cast iron first floor balcony, though recently inserted plastic windows are present to the second floor. Numbers 9 and 10 retain cast iron balconies to the first floor. Numbers 12 through 14 have cast iron first floor balconies with 20th-century canopies and sunblind boxes. Number 17, notably lacking an attic storey, has balconettes to the first floor.

The Bath Preservation Trust survey reports largely intact interiors in Numbers 1, 3 and 5. These contain cantilevered stone stairs with mahogany handrails, Greek Revival-influenced decorative details in plasterwork and joinery, and doorcases with anthemion decoration to the corners. Chimney pieces throughout consist of veined grey or black marble in various designs.

Pinch's drawings for the terrace, submitted to the Bathwick Estate Office, are principally dated 1822–1823, though the design for numbers 15–18 dates to 1818, indicating the overall conception was developed somewhat earlier. The row was originally known as Church Street, as evidenced by incised masonry. The terrace has undergone 20th-century alterations including replacement sash windows with plate glass and the addition of canopies and sunblind boxes.