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Garden · Bath, Inglaterra
Prior Park Landscape Garden
The 18th-century landscape garden on a hillside south of Bath, created by Ralph Allen with advice from Alexander Pope and Capability Brown, with the Ponte Palladiana over the lakes and a view of the city. From the National Trust.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Prior Park Landscape Garden
Prior Park Landscape Garden occupies a valley on the hillside south of Bath, overlooking the city's roofs and hills. It was created in the 18th century by Ralph Allen, a businessman who made his fortune from the postal service and the quarries that supplied Bath stone, and who built the Palladian mansion Prior Park above, now a school. The poet Alexander Pope and landscape architect Lancelot Capability Brown helped design the garden.
The path descends through the valley between lawns and woods to three terraced lakes. Over the middle lake stands the Ponte Palladiana, dating from 1755, covered and with columns — one of only four bridges of this type in the world; from it you get the view of the valley with the city in the background. There is also a grotto, a waterfall and a winding path through the woods, the Wilderness, restored by the National Trust.
The garden is steep, with uphill and downhill sections across lawns and trails that become muddy in rain; wear suitable footwear. There is no visitor parking, and access is on foot, by bus or by taxi.
The garden is part of the Bath Skyline, a circular trail of about 10 km through the hills surrounding the city, with fields, woods and viewpoints.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 to 1.5 hours for the full loop to the lakes and the bridge.
Best time
From spring to autumn, on dry days; in October the trees change colour. After rain, the path becomes slippery. Check opening days on the National Trust website, which may reduce them in winter.
How to get there
It is on Ralph Allen Drive, about 2 km from Bath city centre. By bus, local routes run from the centre and stop near the entrance. On foot, it's about 30 minutes from Bath Spa station, a steep uphill walk. There is no visitor parking.
Tip
Go by bus and return on foot, downhill, to the centre, passing through Widcombe. The best photo is of the Ponte Palladiana with the city in the background, taken from the top of the lawn.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Prior Park Landscape Garden
What is special about Prior Park?
The Ponte Palladiana of 1755, one of only four of its kind in the world, and the view of the valley with Bath in the background.
Can you walk from the centre of Bath?
Yes, about 30 minutes, but with a steep uphill. Many people go by bus and return on foot, downhill.
Is the garden accessible?
It is steep, with lawns and trails that become slippery in rain. Wear sturdy footwear.