Queen Square, Bath

In 1799, the Austen family visited Bath so that Jane's brother, Edward, could "take the cure" at the healing baths. During this visit, the Austens stayed at No. 13 Queen Square. Jane wrote to her sister Cassandra that they were "exceedingly pleased with the house; the rooms are quite as large as we expected."

However, in Persausion, Louisa Musgrove said, "I hope we shall be in Bath in the winter; but remember, papa, if we do go, we must be in a good situation: none of your Queen Squares for us!" This quote shows that Queen Square was fashionable and new in the 1730s. But by the time Persausion was published in 1817, Queen Square was not up to the latest and most fashionable standards.

John Wood, the Elder, developed Queen Square. It was named for Queen Caroline and intended to appear like a palace with wings. He designed the facade in Palladian style. Queen Square was his first speculative build in Bath. Wood leased the land, designed the frontage, divided the ground, and then sub-let to other builders. These builders would then build individual homes behind the facades.

The square's center obelisk was erected in 1738 by Beau Nash and is dedicated to Frederick, Prince of Wales. Queen Square quickly became popular, and its success allowed John Wood, the Elder, to continue his rebuilding of Bath.