The square was originally the junction of a number of routes entering the West Gate of the medieval city.

[6] In September 2018 Bath and North East Somerset Council initiated an informal consultation on a proposal to partially pedestrianise the square.

The house is named after T. Rosewell, who commissioned it from Strahan and whose sign, a rose and a well, can be seen on the baroque facade[8] with the date 1736.

Dr Joseph Butler, the Bishop of Durham and a theologian, apologist, and philosopher died at Rosewell House in 1752.

[1] Originally, Rosewell House was situated at the end of a rank of houses, but the neighbouring 11, 12 and 13 Kingsmead Square were demolished to construct New Street on a diagonal alignment out of the square to provide better access to the new Bath Green Park railway station.