Physical Influences
Geology
7.18.1
The majority of the area is of the lower and middle Jurassic period
marked by limestone over clay which as in other similar places has
given rise to landslips.
Landform and Drainage Pattern
7.18.2
The landform slopes steeply towards the north and west. The face of
the valley side is undulating and irregular.
7.18.3
Cold springs at Prior Park to the south of Widcombe feed Widcombe
Brook which joins Lyn Brook before entering the River Avon. A
series of springs around Oakwood, Bathwick Hill form Smallcombe
Brook draining Smallcombe valley and running into the Kennet and
Avon Canal at Abbey View Lock. A further series of cold springs on
Bathampton Down originally flowed down into the River Avon but were
conduited to reservoirs in the late C18 and early C19.
Land Use and Buildings
Land Use
7.18.4
The main land uses throughout the area are agricultural and amenity
landscapes. There are also important clusters of residential areas
including Macaulay Buildings, Lyncombe Vale, Perrymead, Entry Hill,
Wellsway and Bloomfield Road. The east part of this area includes
Prior Park school.
Building Form and Age
7.18.5
The building form and age in the area is very variable. Macaulay
Buildings are early C19 paired villas; the monumental Prior Park is
an early C18 mansion; Perrymead has early and mid C19 detached
villas as well as mid C20 houses. Entry Hill has early C19 villas,
mid C19 terraces and early and mid C20 houses; while Bloomfield
Road has mid and late C20 houses, the early C19 Bloomfield Crescent
and late C18 houses.
Heights
7.18.6
Late C18 and C19 houses are usually two storey terraces. There are
examples of early C19 three storey terraces.
Materials and Architectural Details
7.18.7
The majority of the area's buildings are built of natural Bath
stone ashlar and natural slate roofs. Postwar C20 housing to the
west of the area is principally built of reconstituted Bath stone
with concrete tile roofs.
Streets and Civic Spaces
Street Pattern
7.18.8
The organic street pattern of the area reflects its topography,
watercourses and incremental development. There are five busy
hill-climbing roads: Widcombe Hill, Ralph Allen Drive, Entry Hill,
Wellsway and Bloomfield Road.
Density and Degree of Enclosure
7.18.9
The area has an overall low density although the lower area of
Bloomfield centred on St Luke’s Church has a much higher density of
housing.
Vitality and Tranquillity
7.18.10
Other than the five busy roads the tranquillity of the area is
surprising considering its proximity to the city centre.
Materials and Boundary Treatment
7.18.11
Macaulay Buildings step down the road with small front gardens that
are bounded by low stone walls and railings. This contrasts
strongly with the well treed landscape of Rainbow Wood Farm. This
in turn is enclosed by a stone wall.
Influence of Vegetation and Open Space
7.18.12
Within the area there is great contrast between the major green
spaces. Several of these have outstanding historic significance.
The woodland and the many mature parkland, roadside and garden
trees are a feature that is appreciated across the whole city as
both a skyline and setting.
7.18.13
Entry Hill is the heart of what must have been an important
historic landscape set with picturesque buildings. Edward
Davis’s 1830s Entry Hill development is on its southern edge.
Both the landscape and buildings are worthy of further study.
7.18.14
Bloomfield Road is bounded by detached modern houses on previously
undeveloped farmland. It has characteristic green space each side
of the ribbon development with views to Stirtingale farmland and
the city and hills beyond.
Features, Landmarks and Views
7.18.15
The most famous feature of the area is undoubtedly the spectacular
landscape setting of Prior Park, its mansion and the Palladian
Bridge. The inspired location of Prior Park and the north facing
hill of this area give spectacular views to the city and in return
there are many from the city that include this majestic composition
and its setting. Together with the eye-catcher of the mediaeval
tower of St Thomas a Becket’s Church, and Widcombe Manor, Widcombe
is the crowning jewel of all of Bath’s historic landscapes.
7.18.16
The 1844 Abbey Cemetery was one of the first cemeteries in the
country. There are magnificent views from it over the city and the
tower and spire of its cemetery chapel is an important landmark on
the southern hillside when viewed from many areas of the city.
7.18.17
Bloomfield Crescent is an important feature seen in many views
looking south from the central area.
Cultural Influences
Historic Uses
7.18.18
The transformation of the historic landscape from the mediaeval
Prior’s Park to Ralph Allen’s C18 estate to the mid C19 Abbey and
Perrymead cemeteries gives this landscape great importance, a
timeless quality and a great feeling of continuity.
