Is there an entry fee for the gardens on this walk?

Most stops, including Henrietta Park and the Botanical Gardens, are free to enter. However, Prior Park Landscape Garden is a National Trust property and requires a paid ticket for non-members.

Is this walking tour Bath friendly for dogs?

Yes, most of the outdoor spaces like Henrietta Park and the Botanical Gardens allow dogs on leads. Prior Park also welcomes dogs on short leads, making this a great option for pet owners.

What is the best time to start this self-guided walk?

Starting around 10:00 AM is ideal. This allows you to visit the churches during their typical open hours and ensures you reach Prior Park before it closes in the late afternoon.

Is the route accessible for wheelchairs?

The first five stops are largely accessible, though some paths in the Botanical Gardens may be narrow. Prior Park is very steep and has many steps, making it difficult for wheelchair users.

Can I see Jane Austen sites on this route?

Yes, St Swithin’s Church is a key site where her parents were married and her father is buried. The walk captures the Georgian atmosphere that Austen famously wrote about.

Where is the best place for a break on the route?

The area around the Botanical Gardens in Royal Victoria Park has several cafes and plenty of space for a picnic. Alternatively, Walcot Street near St Swithin's has many independent coffee shops.

Is this a difficult walk?

The difficulty is moderate. While the city center sections are flat, the final leg to Prior Park involves a significant uphill climb, so comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

About This Tour

Beyond the golden limestone of Bath’s famous crescents lies a world of quiet contemplation and natural beauty. This self-guided walk invites you to step away from the bustling shopping streets and discover the 'Secret Gardens and Sacred Spaces' that define the city’s spiritual and horticultural heritage. While many visitors flock to the Roman Baths, this walking route focuses on the tranquil corners where Georgian residents sought solace, from hidden parochial graveyards to expansive botanical collections. You will explore how the city’s identity is deeply intertwined with its green spaces and its historic places of worship, revealing a side of Bath that feels both timeless and intimate. Your journey begins in the serene Henrietta Park, a local favorite known for its vibrant floral displays and memorial gardens. From there, the route winds through the Upper Town, stopping at historic churches like St Mary’s and St Swithin’s, where the architecture reflects the grandeur of Bath’s 18th-century peak. You will also discover a meticulously recreated Georgian Garden, offering a rare glimpse into the private outdoor lives of the city's former elite. The experience culminates in the lush expanse of the Botanical Gardens and the dramatic vistas of Prior Park Landscape Garden, home to one of the world's few Palladian bridges. This neighborhood stroll is perfect for those who appreciate the intersection of history, botany, and architecture. As a self-guided adventure, this route allows you to linger under the canopy of ancient trees or sit in the pews of a historic chapel without the pressure of a group. Whether you are a photography enthusiast looking for the perfect play of light on Bath stone or a nature lover seeking a peaceful escape, this audio walk provides the context and stories to make your exploration truly meaningful. Prepare to see Bath not just as a museum of the past, but as a living landscape of sacred and natural wonders.

Highlights

The peaceful King George V Memorial Garden in Henrietta Park

St Swithin’s Church, the final resting place of Jane Austen’s father

A hidden, authentic recreation of a 1760s Georgian Garden

The diverse plant collections and rock gardens of the Botanical Gardens

The iconic Palladian Bridge and sweeping city views at Prior Park

Tour Stops (6)

Henrietta Park

Welcome to Henrietta Park, a seven-acre oasis opened in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Unlike the more formal Royal Victoria Park, Henrietta Park offers a more intimate atmosphere. As you walk through, look for the King George V Memorial Garden, a 'garden within a garden' enclosed by yew hedges. This space was designed specifically for quiet contemplation, featuring a beautiful pergola and a lily pond. The park is home to several notable specimen trees, including a massive London Plane. It’s the perfect starting point to understand Bath's commitment to public green spaces as a means of improving the well-being of its citizens.

St Mary's Church

Standing at the heart of the Bathwick estate, St Mary’s Church is a striking example of early 19th-century Gothic Revival architecture. Built to serve the growing population across the Pulteney Bridge, its high ceilings and intricate stonework reflect the wealth of the neighborhood during the Regency era. While the exterior is impressive, the church is also known for its 'Great East Window' and its connection to the Pulteney family, who transformed this side of the River Avon. The churchyard and surrounding streets offer a sense of the 'sacred' architecture that provided a spiritual anchor for the city's residents as they moved away from the medieval center.

Saint Swithin's Church

Saint Swithin's in Walcot is one of the most historically significant churches in Bath. This is the only remaining Georgian church in the city, designed by John Palmer in the 1770s. It holds deep literary and personal history; it was here that the famous poet William Christopher Harvey was baptized, and more notably, where Jane Austen’s parents were married in 1764. Her father, the Reverend George Austen, is buried in the churchyard. The interior is light and airy, typical of the Georgian style, and the church has long served the artisans and residents of the Walcot area, standing as a testament to the city's social and religious evolution.

Georgian Garden

Tucked away behind Number 4 The Circus is a hidden gem: a meticulously recreated Georgian Garden. Based on archaeological excavations and 18th-century plans, this garden looks exactly as it would have in the 1760s. During the Georgian era, gardens were often 'outdoor rooms' used for walking and showing off rare plant species. Notice the gravel paths, the classic box hedging, and the period-appropriate plants like hollyhocks and roses. It is a rare opportunity to see the domestic side of Bath life, illustrating how nature was tamed and structured to fit the neoclassical ideals of symmetry and order that define the city's famous architecture.

Botanical Gardens

Located within the northwestern corner of Royal Victoria Park, the Botanical Gardens were established in 1887. This is one of the finest collections of plants on limestone in the UK. As you wander the winding paths, you’ll encounter a diverse range of environments, from the scent-filled rose garden to the atmospheric rock garden with its small pools and streams. The gardens were designed to be educational as well as beautiful, showcasing flora from across the globe. Keep an eye out for the Great Dell, a former stone quarry transformed into a sunken woodland filled with massive conifers and North American trees, providing a dramatic shift in scale and mood.

National Trust - Prior Park Landscape Garden

The final stop on our journey is the magnificent Prior Park Landscape Garden. Set in a sweeping valley overlooking the city, this garden was created by local entrepreneur Ralph Allen with advice from the legendary 'Capability' Brown and poet Alexander Pope. The centerpiece is the Palladian Bridge, one of only four such structures in the world. The garden is a masterpiece of the 'English Landscape' style, designed to look like a natural, idealized painting rather than a structured garden. The steep walk up the slopes is rewarded with one of the most iconic views of Bath, where the sacred spire of the Abbey perfectly aligns with the natural beauty of the valley.

Frequently Asked Questions

The full route is approximately 3.5 miles (5.6 km) long. Depending on your pace and how long you spend at each stop, it typically takes between 2 to 3 hours to complete.