Bath city walls, Medieval defensive walls in Bath, England
Bath city walls are the remains of a Roman fortification that once encircled the old town of Bath in southwest England. The walls were built with stone, had four main gates and several towers, and surviving sections can still be seen at different points around the city center.
The walls were built by the Romans in the 4th century to defend the settlement around the sacred hot springs. After Roman rule ended, they were taken over by Anglo-Saxons and later reinforced during the reign of King Stephen in the 12th century.
A section near the city center carries the name Upper Borough Walls, which hints at how the fortification once marked a clear civic boundary. Walking along it today, you can see how the old stonework sits embedded between modern buildings and busy streets.
The most accessible sections are along Upper Borough Walls and near Old Orchard Street, which you can reach on foot while walking through the city center. The ground around the remains can be uneven, so sturdy footwear is a good idea.
Excavations beneath the foundations revealed a timber barricade dating to the 10th century, showing that the defensive line was rebuilt using more temporary materials between the major stone phases. This wooden structure was likely put up in response to Viking raids on the region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
