Walcot | |
---|---|
Walcot Street | |
Location within Somerset | |
Population | 5,920 (2011; ward)[1] |
OS grid reference | ST753659 |
Unitary authority | |
Ceremonial county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | BATH |
Postcode district | BA1 |
Dialling code | 01225 |
Police | Avon and Somerset |
Fire | Avon |
Ambulance | South Western |
UK Parliament | |
Walcot is a suburb of the city of Bath, in the Bath and North East Somerset district, in the ceremonial county of Somerset, England. It lies to the north-north-east of the city centre, and is an electoral ward of the city.[2]
The Paragon and, continuing out of the city, London Road are part of the A4 road. The other main thoroughfare is Walcot Street, which adjoins the city centre and is well known for its artisan shops.[3][4]
Walcot Street and London Road are believed to be a Roman road, leading north from the Roman town of Aquae Sulis and linking with the Fosse Way. Walcot originally grew as a residential area (a vicus) in the 1st to 3rd centuries, located between the walled town, the Fosse Way and the possible Roman fort sited across the river in the Bathwick area.[5]
The parish church of St Swithin, on The Paragon was built in 1779-90 by John Palmer.[6] The 18th-century poet Christopher Anstey is buried at the church.[7][8] Walcot was the birthplace of Richard Debaufre Guyon, who would become, in succession, an Austrian officer, a Hungarian rebel and an Ottoman Pasha.[9][10]