Bath city walls

Bath city walls are Roman-era fortifications that encircled the old town and originally measured about 3 meters (10 feet) wide and 6 meters (20 feet) high. They originally had four main gates and you can still see preserved sections at several locations around the city.

The walls were built in the 4th century during Roman rule to defend the settlement. Later they were rebuilt by Anglo-Saxons and reinforced again during King Stephen's reign in the 1100s.

The walls once displayed statues of rulers like King Bladud that linked the fortifications to the city's religious buildings. These decorations showed how important the defenses were to Bath's identity.

You can visit the remaining sections at Upper Borough Walls and near Old Orchard Street. Wear comfortable shoes with good grip since the walking paths around these remains can be uneven.

Archaeological digs beneath the foundations uncovered a timber barricade from the 10th century. This discovery shows the defensive line was rebuilt repeatedly over the centuries to counter different threats.