Abbey House

Abbey House is a house built between 1758 and 1760, likely designed by Thomas Jelly for the Duke of Kingston’s Estate. It is a building of group value. The construction used Bath limestone ashlar, painted on the ground floor, and a Welsh slate roof. The house follows an L-shaped plan, with windows on the west and south sides. A top-lit stair hall was presumably located in the blind corner at the rear.

The main south elevation has three storeys and an attic, over a cellar, and features five windows. The central entrance has a six-panel door with a rectangular light above, set within plain or chamfered reveals. This is flanked by two six/six sash windows, all sharing a continuous timber lintel. A platband sits above the ground floor. The first-floor windows are six/nine sashes with dropped sills and wrought iron balconettes. The second floor also has six/six sashes with balconettes. A modillion cornice runs along the building, topped by a parapet, and a mansard roof with three flat-topped dormers, each with a six/six sash. The parapet breaks in front of an ashlar stack with decorative pots.

The west elevation, facing Abbey Street, has three bays, but only two contain windows. These are six/six sash windows, with dropped sills on the ground floor. A central, blind window recess is present on the ground floor, and right-hand recesses exist on the other floors. The ground floor window is slightly out of alignment with those above. A cornice and parapet, with two breaks, front a large, double dormer with a six/six sash and slated cheeks.

The interior, which has not been inspected, is reported to have a staircase with twisted balusters. Abbey House was part of the Duke of Kingston's Estate, which involved the demolition of an earlier house (also called Abbey House) and the construction of the Kingston Baths (demolished circa 1887). The Bath Journal of 13 March 1758 recorded the laying of the first stone for the Duke’s buildings in Abbey Green.