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{{Short description|Electoral ward in Bath, United Kingdom}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2025}}
{{infobox UK place
|country = England
| static_image_name = Widcombe Crescent Bath.jpg
| static_image_caption = [[Widcombe Crescent, Bath|Widcombe Crescent]]
|official_name= Widcombe
|coordinates = {{coord|51.376|-2.352|display=inline,title}}
|unitary_england= [[Bath and North East Somerset]]
|lieutenancy_england = [[Somerset]]
|region= South West England
|population=5,770
|population_ref=(2011.Ward)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/widcombe-e05001971#sthash.IO1bR3XB.dpbs|title=Ward population 2011 |accessdate=7 April 2015}}</ref>
|post_town = BATH
|postcode_district = BA2
|postcode_area=BA
|constituency_westminster = [[Bath (UK Parliament constituency)|Bath]]
|dial_code= 01225
|os_grid_reference= ST754642
}}
'''Widcombe''' is a district of [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]], [[England]], immediately south-east of the city centre, across the [[River Avon (Bristol)|River Avon]].

The electoral ward was merged with [[Lyncombe, Bath|Lyncombe]] at the boundary changes effected at the [[2019 Bath and North East Somerset Council election|elections held on 2 May 2019]];<ref>[https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/your-council-and-democracy/elections/district-council-elections Bath and North East Somerset Council] District Council Elections</ref> the two places have historically been connected (refer to the Lyncombe article).

==History==
Widcombe was part of the [[Hundred (county subdivision)|hundred]] of [[Bath Forum (hundred)|Bath Forum]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The History and Antiquities of the County of Somerset|author=Reverend John Collinson |volume=1 |year=1791 |pages=97 |ISBN=978-1-171-40217-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EosgAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA97}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Somerset Hundreds|url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/SOM/Miscellaneous/|publisher=GENUKI|accessdate=9 September 2011}}</ref>

In 1877 Halfpenny Bridge, a pedestrian toll bridge, across the [[River Avon, Bristol|River Avon]] from [[Bath Spa railway station]] to Widcombe collapsed with the loss of about 10 lives amongst a large crowd going to the [[Royal Bath and West Show|Bath and West Agricultural show]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Sly|first=Nicola|title=A grim almanac of Somerset|year=2010|publisher=History Press|location=Stroud|isbn=9780752458144|pages=85–86}}</ref><ref name=bbc-20121112>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-20294135 |title=Kennet and Avon canal's history made into audio story |publisher=BBC |date=12 November 2012 |accessdate=24 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://anengineersaspect.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/fall-of-widcombe-bridge-over-avon-june.html |title=The Fall of the Widcombe Bridge over the Avon -- June 6, 1877 |author=Nanette South Clark |publisher=An Engineer's Aspect |date=17 May 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224172948/http://anengineersaspect.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/fall-of-widcombe-bridge-over-avon-june.html |archivedate=24 February 2015}}</ref>

==Architecture==
'''Widcombe Parade''' is a commercial street lined with a mix of Georgian and Victorian buildings located near the Halfpenny Bridge, with buildings dating back as far as 1750.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Tyte|first1=William|title=History of Lyncombe & Widcombe, with Personal Recollections of the Parish in the Thirties|date=1898|publisher=Bath Chronicle and Bath Pictorial Offices}}</ref> The area has been through many changes over the years, altered to improve traffic movement, removing an entire row of terraced houses at the west end of Widcombe Parade with the development of Rossiter Road as part of the main thoroughfare skirting the city centre of Bath.

[[St Matthew's Church, Widcombe|St. Matthew's Church]], built 1846–1847, with one of the tallest spires in Bath, is positioned to be viewed at the east end of Widcombe Parade.

[[Widcombe Manor House]] is a [[Grade I listed building|grade I listed]] [[manor house]] built in 1656. It is located on Church Street adjacent to [[St Thomas à Becket Church, Widcombe|St Thomas à Beckett Church]].

[[Crowe Hall]] is a [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] house. It is a Grade II [[listed building]],<ref name=nhlecrowehall>{{NHLE|desc=Crowe Hall|num=1395762|accessdate=27 October 2013}}</ref> and the gardens are on the [[Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England]].<ref name=nhlegardens>{{NHLE|desc=Crowe Hall|num=1000548|accessdate=27 October 2013}}</ref> It was built around 1780 for Brigadier Crowe. It has had a succession of owners since who each adapted and renovated the building. A serious fire in 1926 destroyed a lot of the fabric of the building and further restoration was required.<ref name=edwards>{{cite news|last=Edwards|first=Adam|title=Property in Somerset: Crowe Hall for sale|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/westcountryproperty/7420046/Property-in-Somerset-Crowe-Hall-for-sale.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100314110719/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/westcountryproperty/7420046/Property-in-Somerset-Crowe-Hall-for-sale.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 March 2010|accessdate=27 October 2013|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=12 March 2010}}</ref> The house is surrounded by several hectares of sloping gardens, below [[Prior Park]], which are terraced and include a rock garden and [[grotto]].<ref name=nhlegrotto>{{NHLE|desc=Grotto below south terrace at Crowe Hall|num=1405720|accessdate=27 October 2013}}</ref>

[[Widcombe Crescent, Bath|Widcombe Crescent]] is a terrace of 14 [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] houses built in 1808 by [[Thomas Baldwin (architect)|Thomas Baldwin]], and designated a Grade I listed building.<ref>{{cite web |author=Historic England |author-link=Historic England |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=444033 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018034010/http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=444033 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-10-18 |title=Number 1 to 14 (444033) |work=[[Images of England]] }}</ref>

==Canal==
Widcombe is where the [[Kennet and Avon Canal]] meets the River Avon. [[Bath Locks]] are a series of [[Canal lock|locks]], just south of [[Pulteney Bridge]], which climb through Widcombe. Alongside the bottom lock<ref>{{cite web |author=Historic England |author-link=Historic England |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=442708 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019202752/http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=442708 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-10-19 |title=Bath Bottom Lock (442708) |work=[[Images of England]] }}</ref> is a side pond and pumping station which pumps water up the locks to replace that used each time the lock is opened.<ref>{{cite web |author=Historic England |author-link=Historic England |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=442710 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021231713/http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=442710 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-10-21 |title=former engine house (442710) |work=[[Images of England]] }}</ref> The next stage of Bath Deep Lock is numbered 8/9 as two locks were combined when the canal was restored in May, 1976. A road bridge carrying the [[A36 road|A36]], constructed while the canal was in a state of disrepair passes over the original site of the lower lock.<ref>{{cite web |author=Historic England |author-link=Historic England |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=442716 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116175605/http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=442716 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-11-16 |title=Second Lock (442716) |work=[[Images of England]] }}</ref> The new chamber has a depth of 19 ft 5ins, making it Britain's second deepest canal lock.<ref>{{cite web|title=Deepest Canal Locks in England |work=Pennine Waterways |url=http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/locks.htm |accessdate=2 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012153244/http://penninewaterways.co.uk/locks.htm |archivedate=12 October 2007 }}</ref> Just above the 'deep lock' is an area of water enabling the lock to refill and above this is Wash House Lock (number 10),<ref>{{cite web |author=Historic England |author-link=Historic England |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=442711 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013163820/http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=442711 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-10-13 |title=Wash House Lock (442711) |work=[[Images of England]] }}</ref> and soon after by Abbey View Lock (number 11), a grade II [[listed building]]<ref>{{cite web |author=Historic England |author-link=Historic England |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=442714 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010051344/http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=442714 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-10-10 |title=Abbey View Lock (442714) |work=[[Images of England]] }}</ref> by which there is another pumping station and in quick succession Pulteney Lock (12) and Bath top Lock (13).<ref>{{cite web |author=Historic England |author-link=Historic England |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=442717 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071202013750/http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=442717 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-12-02 |title=Top Lock (442717) |work=[[Images of England]] }}</ref> Above the top lock the canal passes through Sydney Gardens where it passes through [[Sydney Gardens Tunnels|two tunnels]]<ref>{{cite web |author=Historic England |author-link=Historic England |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=442754 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127212234/http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=442754 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-11-27 |title=Tunnel under Beckford Road (442754) |work=[[Images of England]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Historic England |author-link=Historic England |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=442751 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013163701/http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=442751 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-10-13 |title=Tunnel under Cleveland House and Sydney Road (442751) |work=[[Images of England]] }}</ref> and under two cast iron footbridges dating from 1800. Cleveland Tunnel is 173 feet long and runs under Cleveland House, the former headquarters of the [[Kennet and Avon Canal Company]]. This is now a grade II* listed building.<ref>{{cite web |author=Historic England |author-link=Historic England |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=443799 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012232130/http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=443799 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-10-12 |title=Cleveland House (443799) |work=[[Images of England]] }}</ref> Many of the bridges over the canal are also listed buildings.<ref>{{cite web |author=Historic England |author-link=Historic England |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=442749 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116175133/http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=442749 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-11-16 |title=Footbridge Adjoining Top Lock (442749) |work=[[Images of England]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Historic England |author-link=Historic England |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=442712 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118211846/http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=442712 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-11-18 |title=Footbridge adjoining Wash House Lock (442712) |work=[[Images of England]] }}</ref><ref name="Footbridge over Canal">{{cite web |author=Historic England |author-link=Historic England |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=442752 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014180935/http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=442752 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-10-14 |title=Footbridge over Canal (442752) |work=[[Images of England]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Historic England |author-link=Historic England |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=444245 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022002952/http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=444245 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-10-22 |title=Canal Bridge (444245) |work=[[Images of England]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Historic England |author-link=Historic England |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=442753 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022003021/http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=442753 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-10-22 |title=Bridge over Canal (442753) |work=[[Images of England]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Historic England |author-link=Historic England |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=442713 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071122020509/http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=442713 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-11-22 |title=Canal Bridge (Pulteney Gardens) (442713) |work=[[Images of England]] }}</ref>

==Southcot==
Southcot Burial Ground is a small former cemetery, now owned by the [[Bath Preservation Trust]], who manage it for its wildlife and heritage.<ref>[http://www.bath-preservation-trust.org.uk/event/heritage-open-day-at-southcot-burial-ground Bath Preservation Trust] Heritage open day at Southcot Burial Ground]</ref>

==Geography==
{{Geographic Location
|title = '''Neighbouring Districts'''
|Northwest = [[Bath, Somerset|Bath City Centre]]
|North = [[Bathwick]]
|Northeast = [[Bathampton|Bathhampton (parish)]]
|West = [[Oldfield Park]]
|Centre = Widcombe
|East = [[Claverton Down]]
|Southwest = [[Bear Flat]]
|South = [[Perrymead, Bath|Perrymead]]
|Southeast = [[Combe Down]]
}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Bath}}

[[Category:Areas of Bath, Somerset]]
[[Category:Electoral wards in Bath and North East Somerset]]

Widcombe, Bath - Revision history

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