Independent housebuilder City & Country has begun construction at the historic Bath Press site, a 5.3-acre redevelopment in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath.
The site, once home to the world-renowned Pitman Press, played a pivotal role in publishing and printing history—including producing bestsellers such as Andrew Morton’s Diana: Her True Story and Margaret Thatcher’s The Downing Street Years. Now, this iconic location is being transformed into a mixed-use residential and commercial hub.
City & Country’s redevelopment will retain and restore elements of the print works’ Classical and Art Deco façade, including its distinctive chimney, a well-known local landmark.
The Bath Press development will blend historic and contemporary architectural styles, featuring:
• Three-storey townhouses inspired by Bath’s Georgian heritage.
• Modern one- to three-bedroom apartments with an industrial aesthetic, paying homage to the site’s printing legacy.
• Landscaped gardens, internal courtyards, roof terraces, and a playground, designed to create a vibrant and attractive community.
• 16,200 square feet of modern office space on the ground floor, fronting Lower Bristol Road.
The first phase will deliver 146 new homes, offering a mix of apartments and townhouses in one of the city’s most sought-after locations.
Situated just 0.7 miles from the historic centre of Bath, the development enjoys strong transport connections. Oldfield Park station is a 10-minute walk away, providing:
• Two-minute transfers to Bath Spa station.
• Direct trains to London Paddington in 1 hour 16 minutes.
• Routes to Bristol Temple Meads, Cardiff, Salisbury, Southampton, Portsmouth, and Brighton.
This prime connectivity makes Bath Press an ideal location for both commuters and those looking for a home in one of the UK’s most culturally rich cities.
Shelley West, Group Sales and Marketing Director at City & Country, highlighted the site’s publishing legacy and the opportunity to revitalise the area: “Pitman Press has a famous history, both for the development of shorthand and for more modern printing—bestsellers Andrew Morton’s Diana: Her True Story and Margaret Thatcher’s The Downing Street Years both rolled off the presses here.
“Now, it is time to turn a new page and transform the area into new homes and businesses that will bring the buzz back. As heritage experts, we are looking forward to incorporating the historic façade into the design, while also creating beautifully finished, comfortable, and spacious homes in this superb city location.”
With its mix of historical preservation, high-quality residential living, and commercial space, Bath Press is set to become one of Bath’s most exciting new developments—offering a rare opportunity to invest in a location that seamlessly blends the past with the future.
