There are 58 houses in Sydney Buildings, including two that have been subdivided into apartments (five in all) and one that is part of an old malthouse. The other part, and an old coalhouse, are now offices for three firms of architects and planning consultants. One of the houses offers bed-and-breakfast accommodation.

Spanning almost two centuries the houses show an interesting diversity of size and appearance. All have splendid views of the city and its beautiful Abbey. The lower-numbered ones back directly onto the Kennet and Avon Canal. Further up the road they look out over meadows and woods belonging to the National Trust.

Most of the residents belong to the Sydney Buildings Householders' Association (SBHA), which was set up in 1970 to protect and promote their interests. The SBHA organizes social events and is active on local and civic issues. Regular events are a summer garden party and a Christmas drinks party. Earlier this year we celebrated the Royal Wedding with a very successful street party.

The summer party this year was held on July 3rd in one of our beautiful gardens.

There is magnificent walking country all around Bath, and Sydney Buildings gives easy access to some of the best of it. Just across the road there is National Trust farmland reaching up to Claverton Down and the Bath University campus. Up there you'll find the splendid Bath Skyline Walk - six miles of way-marked trails through meadows and woods rich in wildlife and rare plants.

Across the canal the old towpath is a boon to walkers and cyclists. You can follow it down into the city, or into the country towards lovely destinations such as Bathampton and Bradford-on-Avon. If you're lucky you'll see a kingfisher, heron or water-vole as well as ducks, swans and moorhens.


Find Zuleika Henry's photographs of the road, past and present, and our social events on her Pictorial History blog accessed from the CONTACTS page.


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