The Old Watch House and Roman Bath in Strand Lane

The Old Watch House and Roman Bath in Strand Lane, by Michael Trapp

The Old Watch House and Roman Bath in Strand Lane, by Michael Trapp

The so-called ‘Roman’ bath, though not the buildings over it, dates from the early seventeenth century. The Watch House (the white building with the balcony) once belonging to St Clement Danes, looks early nineteenth century in its present form, but there are documents to show that there was a building of this shape (projecting over the Lane) already in 1724, and a St Clement Danes Watch House on the Lane already in 1607.

The patch of brickwork at bottom left, directly under the Watch House outer wall, is seventeenth century and the last bit of the old Somerset House still visible above ground level.

The Watch House balcony

The Watch House balcony by Michael Trapp

Michael Trapp

Michael Trapp

Michael’s research interests stretch from Greek literature under the Roman Empire to the history of the KCL Strand Campus, with special reference to statues, fountains, the remains of the old Somerset House, and all things to do with Strand Lane.

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