Prior Park Landscape Gardens

The grand Palladian mansion of Prior Park is one of the landmarks of Bath. Sitting on the green slopes to the south of the city, the house sits above picturesque landscaped grounds, still dotted with interesting historical features. Recently these grounds, incorporating woodland walkways, lakes and superb views of Bath, were opened to the public by the National Trust. The gardens make a pleasant outing from the centre of town, are fascinating to students of garden history, and also lie conveniently close to the National Trust's Skyline Walk, a ramble above the town.

The gardens' history is tied up with the history of Bath. Ralph Allen was an important local figure in the eighteenth century; a businessman and notable philanthropist, reputed to the inspiration for Squire Allworthy in Henry Fielding's Tom Jones. Among his business interests were the stone mines from which the honey-coloured local limestone was extracted. To demonstrate how effectively the Bath stone could be used, Allen built this splendid show-mansion on a hillside overlooking Bath. The gardens of his house were landscaped in a fashionable 'natural' style, with advice from two other eighteenth-century luminaries: Alexander Pope and Capability Brown.

Don't expect flowerbeds at Prior Park; this garden is all landscape and architecture. At the centre of the garden is a shallow green valley, where cows (and occasionally wild deer) graze. The grassy slope drops from the house towards a series of small lakes and a Palladian bridge at the foot of the grounds. The path which circles the gardens winds around the wooded slopes on either side of the valley. Various follies and architectural features have been uncovered during the work to restore the garden, including a grotto and ice-house. The restoration work on the gardens is ongoing, with plans to recreate a wilderness area including a serpentine lake and a temple.

The gardens are closed on Tuesdays. There are steep slopes, so wear sensible shoes. Note that the house is a school and isn't open to the public; the entrance to the landscape gardens is on Ralph Allen Drive, downhill from the Prior Park School entrance.

The garden is a good starting point for joining the 6-mile Bath Skyline Walk (a leaflet can be picked up at the visitor desk). The National Trust organises a calendar of special events at the gardens - see their website for the latest programe.

How to get to Prior Park Gardens

There is no parking at or near Prior Park, and the National Trust are keen to encourage green modes of travel. It is possible to walk to the gardens from the centre of Bath - through Widcombe and straight up Prior Park Road and Ralph Allen's Drive. The walk takes 20-30 minutes, and the hill is steep, so visitors may prefer to use the public bus service. Bus numbers 2 and 4 to Combe Down stop at the entrance to the gardens. In Bath the buses stop in Grand Parade (not Sundays), Dorchester Street (the stop opposite Boots, nearest the traffic lights) and at the beginning of Prior Park Road in Widcombe. Monday - Saturday there is a service every 15 minutes; on Sundays the 2 runs every half hour. Ask the driver or a fellow-passenger where to alight. The open top bus company City Sightseeing run a 'Bath Skyline' route which stops at the gardens.

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