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. Two of the houses offer 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 that are a favourite place for dog-walkers, bird-watchers, kite-flyers and, after snow, tobogganers.

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. This year, in December, our third arts and crafts exhibition was held displaying work by people who live along, and near, the road.

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.


Click this link to see Zuleika Henry's photographs of recent Sydney Buildings social events.
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