20th Century Bath

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Bath during World War II

Part of the Admiralty was moved to Bath in 1939, occupying the Empire Hotel and various other sites, including Foxhill. Their arrival increased the population by several thousand and put a severe strain on Bath's accommodation.

On 25th and 26th April 1942, Bath was bombed in the Baedeker Raids  The German Foreign Office had decided to bomb cities that were marked with three stars in the Baedeker travel guides. Much of the southern part of the City was destroyed and there were 1272 people killed or injured. More than 19000 buildings were damaged or destroyed, prompting a large-scale rebuilding project after the war ended in 1945.

Post-War Bath

During the 1960’s and 1970’s, Councillors and City planners redesigned the south of the City. Artisan cottages and Georgian terraces were demolished and replaced by blocks of flats, car parks and shopping centres. Although these were thought to be progressive, they were out of sympathy with the style of the Georgian City. Plans for further redevelopment are under discussion.

In 1964, Bath City Council granted the use of 106 acres of land at the top of Claverton Down to create a University. The new University received its Charter and formally opened in 1966. Today, the University of Bath is among the top ten universities in the country. It has a student population of over 8,000 and is one of the largest employers in the City.

The Ebb and Flow of the Waters

In 1978, amoebic contamination found in the Spa water resulted in the death of a young girl and the closure of the Baths and pumps. Excavation began into the Roman reservoir in 1979 and in 1983, a new hole was bored to supply pure spa water in Stall Street. The Spa Water in the Pump Room was re-opened by Earl Spencer two years later.

The City was made World Heritage Site in 1988. The World Heritage Symbol consists of a circle representing the earth, joined to a square representing man and woman interacting with nature. This large symbol made of brass is set into the roadway at the junction of Stall Street and Bath Street.