General Wade's House

General Wade's House is a Georgian residential building in Abbey Church Yard featuring a symmetrical facade with five fluted Ionic pilasters spanning two floors and matching sash windows. The ground floor operates as a National Trust shop open to visitors, while the upper levels are managed as residential space by the Landmark Trust.

The building was constructed around 1700 and named after General George Wade, who represented Bath as a Member of Parliament from 1722 to 1747. A significant renovation in the early 1800s introduced a Regency-style shopfront with decorative details that replaced the original entrance.

The design reflects classical tastes popular among Georgian-era residents who favored harmony and refined decoration. Walking past, you notice how the building's proportions and details show the architectural preferences that shaped Bath's appearance during that period.

The ground floor operates as a National Trust shop where you can enter freely and see part of the interior layout. The upper floors are private residential spaces, so you cannot visit those levels but can appreciate the full exterior from the street.

The building combines two distinct architectural periods in one facade, with the original Georgian design updated by a Regency-style shopfront added during renovation. This layering of styles shows how a single building adapted to changing tastes and commercial needs over time.