Beaufort Square
What is it?
Beaufort Square is a square of two-storey cottages laid out
in 1730 to a design of John Strahan. The south side is
formed by the original frontage to the Theatre Royal. In the
centre was a communal garden. It is now a small rectangular lawn,
enclosed with wrought iron railings. The railings are original and
date from 1805; their spear shape commemorating the pikes used
during the battle of Trafalgar in 1805 (see also
Nelson).
It is thought to be named in honour of the Duke of Beaufort, who
lived in nearby Badminton House. However, the carvers who
originally inscribed the street name in the buildings at each end,
used the spelling "Beauford" (with a final 'd'). A 1773 map by R.
Coffin names the square "Beaufort", but the earliest Ordnance
Survey map (1883-6) names it "Beauford". The plaque (below) uses
the earlier name (see
https://maps.nls.uk/).
Where is it in Bath?
Beaufort Square is to the south of
Queen
Square. The plaque is fixed to railings on the north side of
the square. The photograph below shows the location of the plaque
with the Theatre Royal on the left:
The text reads
"Beaufort Square
Architect John Strahan
Erected 1727-36"
Location map of plaque:
(c) 2026
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