Bath Jewish Burial Ground restoration celebrates city’s hidden history

A historic Jewish burial ground in Combe Down is being brought back to life following a restoration project spanning two decades.

Established in 1812, the Bath Jewish Burial Ground is the only surviving physical site associated with the city’s 19th-century Jewish community and provides a fascinating glimpse into a lesser-known part of Bath’s history.

For many years the site was overgrown and largely hidden from view, but grants, donations and the dedication of volunteers have enabled an extensive restoration which is now nearing completion.

Research by the Friends of the Bath Jewish Burial Ground has identified around 80 men, women and children buried at the site, including watchmakers, merchants, jewellers, tailors and other members of Bath’s Jewish community.

The organisation has researched the lives of those buried there, allowing visitors to discover the stories behind the graves and learn more about the contribution Jewish residents made to life in Bath.

Bath MP Wera Hobhouse recently visited the burial ground, meeting trustees and volunteers and hearing about the work undertaken to preserve the site.

Christina Hilsenrath, Chair of Trustees of the Friends of the Bath Jewish Burial Ground, said the organisation is committed both to maintaining the burial ground and researching and sharing the history of Bath’s Jewish community.

“By recognising Jewish history as part of Bath’s shared story, we hope this space will foster understanding and connection, and that the Burial Ground will be absorbed into the heritage of which the city is justly proud,” she said.

A small visitor centre has also been created at the site, using photographs, archive material and other information to explore Jewish life in Bath, the city’s synagogues and the history of the burial ground itself.

The Friends of the Bath Jewish Burial Ground have also been shortlisted in Findmypast’s Everyday History Heroes 2026, a national initiative celebrating people and organisations working to preserve and share local history.

The burial ground opens to the public on selected open days throughout the year, offering visitors the opportunity to discover a part of Bath’s heritage that remained largely hidden for generations.