Bath's first walls were built by the Romans, to surround their town (known then as Aquae Sulis), probably in the 3rd century.
The Anglo-Saxons by the 10th century had established Bath as a fortified burh (borough), utilising the existing town walls, and maintaining Bath as a centre of regional power.
Bath, located on the northern edge of the kingdom of Wessex, would have guarded against any attack from neighbouring Mercia, which was held by the Danes for a time.

The height of the walls was increased on the orders of King Stephen during The Anarchy.
Bath's medieval walls included four gates.
The North and South Gates were both decorated with a number of statues, including the legendary King Bladud and Edward III.
The two gates were linked to local churches, St Mary's and St James' respectively.
The North and South Gates were demolished in 1755, and the West Gate was demolished in the 1760s.

During the Second World War bomb damage to Bath revealed parts of the city walls previously lost from view behind other buildings.
The remaining wall circuit is now protected as a Grade II listed building and a scheduled monument.
Only part of one of Bath's medieval gates still survives, the East Gate, located near Pulteney Bridge.

In 1980 a timber barricade was found close to the north city wall.
This may have been erected in the Saxon era to allow repair of the stonework.
A sword from the late tenth or early 11th century was also found, which may date from a skirmish in 1013.
Bath's first walls were built by the Romans, to surround their town (known then as Aquae Sulis), probably in the 3rd century. The Anglo-Saxons by the 10th century had established Bath as a fortified burh (borough), utilising the existing town walls, and maintaining Bath as a centre of regional power. Bath, located on the northern edge of the kingdom of Wessex, would have guarded against any attack from neighbouring Mercia, which was held by the Danes for a time.
The height of the walls was increased on the orders of King Stephen during The Anarchy. Bath's medieval walls included four gates. The North and South Gates were both decorated with a number of statues, including the legendary King Bladud and Edward III. The two gates were linked to local churches, St Mary's and St James' respectively. The North and South Gates were demolished in 1755, and the West Gate was demolished in the 1760s.
During the Second World War bomb damage to Bath revealed parts of the city walls previously lost from view behind other buildings. The remaining wall circuit is now protected as a Grade II listed building and a scheduled monument. Only part of one of Bath's medieval gates still survives, the East Gate, located near Pulteney Bridge.
In 1980 a timber barricade was found close to the north city wall. This may have been erected in the Saxon era to allow repair of the stonework. A sword from the late tenth or early 11th century was also found, which may date from a skirmish in 1013.
Bath city walls