Bath Preservation Trust acquires historic K6 phone box

Bath Preservation Trust (BPT) has bought itself an early Christmas present: a Grade II–listed K6 telephone box on Queen’s Parade Place in Bath. Acquired for just £1, BPT will repair and restore the phone box which is a well-loved feature close to Gravel Walk.

Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935, the iconic cast-iron structure has been largely out of use since mobile phones became commonplace. The phone box is situated at the southern steps leading to Gravel Walk – a regency promenade route made famous by Jane Austen’s inclusion of it in a key scene in her novel Persuasion. BPT plans to repaint, re-wax and re-glaze the phone box and install new display panels highlighting the history of Gravel Walk, giving it a refreshed purpose.

Alex Sherman, CEO of Bath Preservation Trust, said: “BPT is well known for its care and conservation of the double-inscribed World Heritage site of Bath and particularly its listed buildings. This beautiful and classic piece of Britain’s streetscape is an important feature in the city but one which is in desperate need of love and attention. We are looking forward to seeing the phone box fully conserved with fresh paint and new glass and giving it a new lease of life, to help people understand more about Bath’s unique heritage.

“The K6 telephone box is our first non-Georgian built structure and is 108 years younger than our next youngest building, Beckford’s Tower. We are very proud to be looking after such an important piece of 20th century design.”

Bath Preservation Trust owns and operates four museums in Bath: No. 1 Royal Crescent, the Museum of Bath Architecture (currently closed), the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, and Beckford’s Tower. Based within historic buildings, these museums highlight the social, scientific, architectural and historic importance of the city, whilst providing places for learning, engagement, and connection with local heritage.

The Historic England entry for the Phone Box can be found here: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1394584?section=official-list-entry