Batheaston Villa And Attached Wall

This is a large house, dating to the early 18th century, with alterations made in the early and late 19th century. It faces north-west. The house is built of squared limestone ashlar with freestone dressings, and has a hipped slate roof with moulded stacks, one axial and to the centres of the returns. Late 19th-century dormers are also present. The plan is double depth, with two 19th-century wings to the left.

The exterior is two storeys with attics, featuring a symmetrical five-window range to the main block, with the central three bays stepped slightly forward. A plinth, cornice, and parapet are visible, and the parapet is swept up to meet chamfered and banded quoins. Six/six pane sash windows with crown glass are set within moulded architraves; those on the first floor have thick glazing bars. A late 19th-century mullioned and transomed window with leaded lights occupies the ground floor on the left side of the front elevation. A fine prostyle porch is positioned at the front, with an entablature supported by paired Ionic columns to the front, single Ionic pilasters to the rear, and a 18th-century moulded architrave framing a late 19th-century studded door. The right return features a two-window range, including a plate glass window on the first floor left and a fixed six-pane window to the right. The ground floor on this return has a coved niche containing a draped statue of a female figure, flanked by a six/six pane sash window to the left and a full-height nine/nine pane sash to the right. The rear elevation, originally similar to the front, now incorporates a large, centrally-stepped out semicircular bay dating to the early 19th century. This bay has a castellated parapet, three French windows on the first floor that open onto a balcony, and a nine/nine pane sash window below. The balcony has cast iron supports, anthemion panels, and a wrought iron trellis, likely with lead details, and is supported by timber columns with carved Corinthian capitals. A late 19th-century mullioned and transomed window is located to the right (rear of the front left).

The interior is reputed to be fine, with early 18th-century full-height panelling, dado, and six-panel doors on the ground floor, and panelled shutters to all windows. The Bath Preservation Trust recorded an oak staircase with barley sugar rails, square fluted newels, and a veneered hand rail.

A rubble stone wall, ranging in height from 1.5 to 4 metres, extends westward for approximately 150 metres.

Historically, the house was the location of fortnightly poetical contests hosted by Sir John and Lady Miller between 1769 and 1776, attended by figures such as Garrick and Anstey. The house is mentioned in Walpole’s letters.