Queen Square, Bath

Queen Square, Bath

In 1799, the Austen family visited Bath so that Jane's brother, Edward, could "take the cure" at the healing baths. During this visit, the Austens stayed at No. 13 Queen Square. Jane wrote to her sister Cassandra that they were "exceedingly pleased with the house; the rooms are quite as large as we expected."

However, in Persausion, Louisa Musgrove said, "I hope we shall be in Bath in the winter; but remember, papa, if we do go, we must be in a good situation: none of your Queen Squares for us!" This quote shows that Queen Square was fashionable and new in the 1730s. But by the time Persausion was published in 1817, Queen Square was not up to the latest and most fashionable standards.

John Wood, the Elder, developed Queen Square. It was named for Queen Caroline and intended to appear like a palace with wings. He designed the facade in Palladian style. Queen Square was his first speculative build in Bath. Wood leased the land, designed the frontage, divided the ground, and then sub-let to other builders. These builders would then build individual homes behind the facades.

The square's center obelisk was erected in 1738 by Beau Nash and is dedicated to Frederick, Prince of Wales. Queen Square quickly became popular, and its success allowed John Wood, the Elder, to continue his rebuilding of Bath.

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Queen Square on Map

Sight Name: Queen Square
Sight Location: Bath, England (See walking tours in Bath)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Bath, England

Create Your Own Walk in Bath

Create Your Own Walk in Bath

Creating your own self-guided walk in Bath is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Jane Austen Walking Tour

Jane Austen Walking Tour

Jane Austen, 1775-1817, was a renowned British author. Her groundbreaking novels offer a witty and humorous look at Regency-era life. Austen's six novels have since inspired many popular TV adaptations and films.

Jane Austen lived in Bath from 1801 to 1806. Two of her novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, were set in this beautiful Georgian city. While interiors have certainly been...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Historical Homes Walking Tour

Historical Homes Walking Tour

Apart from its Roman thermae, the city of Bath is renowned for its prominent residents who used to live here a long time ago. Their former dwellings – historical monuments in their own right – now offer a captivating glimpse into the city's glorious past.

Among the most famous of them, undoubtedly, is the Jane Austen Centre. This charming Georgian townhouse provides a fascinating look...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Bath Introduction Walking Tour

Bath Introduction Walking Tour

The only English city designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, Bath is a gorgeous city packed with history. Artifacts have been found from the Bronze and Iron Age in the surrounding hills. The Romans were the first to build around the remarkable hot mineral springs at the beginning of the first century. They constructed a temple and baths here, and since then, people have flocked to Bath for its...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Georgian Architecture Walking Tour

Georgian Architecture Walking Tour

Another prominent attraction of Bath is its wonderful Georgian architecture. Many a street and square here are richly adorned with distinctively stylish buildings. In large part, the city owes it to two architects – father and son: John Wood, the Elder, and John Wood, the Younger. Constructed mostly from Bath Stone, a creamy limestone obtained in Combe Down and Bathampton Down Miles, these...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles