Here is a bit of Bath that most tourists never see. Under this highly carved archway there was a Victorian butcher's shop. A lot of films are made using this place as a location. Part of the deal is that the companies pay to have these retro lamp posts put up in place of the obviously modern ones. Look at the bloody awful position they put this one in - right in the middle of the timpanum.
The decorative detail is very extravagant. Not something you see much of today.
Every morning, the great sides of meat would be hung up outside on these wrought iron racks. Also something you don't see much of today. I wonder what became of all those butcher's hooks.
Leading off it behind St. James's Square is a little backwater called St. James's Place. There's another retro lamp post. Lots of scaffold up right now.
This is the only detached house in the Place. It used to be let out to scruffy students, but now they would not be able to afford it.
To the side of it is this bent old Georgian shopfront, now a private house. In Dickens's time it was The Old Curiosity Shop - one of two he modelled his story on when he stayed in Bath. The other is in London.
Ok. that's it. You have been a wonderful audience. Enjoy the rest of your day.
I know what you are thinking. You have already been on this tour, but you liked it so much you decided to do it again.
ReplyDeleteYou make me feel old. I remember butchers' shops very like the one in your photograph - I must have just caught the end of them. We certainly had one in Lincoln and I can see all the 'sides' of meat hanging outside and all the offal on show.
ReplyDeleteI too remember meat hanging outside butchers - I think. Maybe I was dreaming.
DeleteIt is really interesting. I think I've said before that we stayed one night in Bath and went up the hill to see teh grand terrace and some houses then departed because I had hit quantum Touristiness and threw a sad. So its fun to see the details of it.
ReplyDeleteI think I know what you mean. Is throwing a sad a Canadian thing to do?
DeleteThank you for the little tour of Bath. I have only been once and do not remember any detail so good. I vividly remember the hills and the long climb up to the B&B though.
ReplyDeleteI remember carcasses hanging in butcher shops not so long ago. Some EU law said they had to be removed I expect as they are not seen now.
I came from Cambridge to Bath so the hills were a bit of a shock. The EU laws needlessly destroyed many small abattoirs so it wouldn't surprise me.
DeleteMakes me homesick ;) Pottering around Bath in the spring, wandering down into town before the tourists hit. Does Bath still have the noisy French students in spring?
ReplyDeleteDid you live here? Yes, the French kids are the first to arrive followed by the Spanish.
DeleteAlmost 30 years...
DeleteDid we ever meet?!
DeleteP.S. I have been trying to find a way of following your ancient stones blog, but cannot. Any advice?
DeleteIn my native Surrey village, the butcher usually had Game Birds hanging outside, but I don't remember whole carcasses.
ReplyDeleteI think feathers and fur might still be allowed but aren't seen for fear of offending the veggies.
DeleteOoooo , I love a bit of old architecture and the history that runs along with it ....... I’m sure I’ve lived before !!! Isn’t that detached house a beauty and I love the old butchers shop. You are very lucky, living in such a wonderful city Tom. XXXX
ReplyDeleteThe butcher is now a laundrette. Yes I'm pretty lucky to live here.
DeleteThanks for the tour. They are always interesting. I haven't been there for awhile but hope to get back next year.
ReplyDeleteLook me up.
DeleteWonderful to see Bath. The meat shop is gorgeous. As long as there wasn't a huge, long horse's leg hanging, I would be okay. A launderette is sad. The Old Curiosity Shop sounds like my kind of haunt.
ReplyDeleteI use that launderette. I am sad. Sometimes I cannot see much difference between horse's legs and any other legs, but I am always open to new experiences.
DeleteFirst-timer here. If I never make it to Bath, then at least I saw these photos.
ReplyDelete