Editor Pick
Prior Park Landscape Gardens (NT)
- June 18, 2007
- Rated 3 of 5 by
barbara from Atlanta, Georgia
I have been to Bath many times, yet I had never managed to make it to Prior Park. When a friend of mine who collects pictures of covered bridges was in England, however, I had to put this on our itinerary. I knew she'd like to see the beautiful Palladian Bridge, one of only four in the world.
How do you get there?
If we had used the red City Sight seeing Bus Tour, we could have taken the skyline bus straight to the park's entrance. Instead, we thought we'd walk. This isn't a problem if you're in good shape, but it is a steep climb. If you'd prefer, there is a regular city bus stop nearby, or a cab costs about 5 pounds from the bus station. Walking back down the hill is a piece of cake when you're ready to go back into town. There is no parking for cars barring a couple of handicapped spaces that need to be pre-booked if you have a disabled person in your company.
So what do you see in the park?
There is a lovely walk-a-bout for you to take that offers fabulous views of Bath. Ralph Allen, one of the city's major figures, commissioned the park's creation in the 18th century. While we didn't have any literature about the park to read while we were visiting, we were told by a city resident we passed along the way that the house made of Bath stone perched high up in the park used to belong to Ralph Allen and was later a school before a fire destroyed part of it.
Kids will like walking here, looking at the cows grazing on the hillside, and exploring the paths that curve through the trees.
We took several pictures on the Palladian Bridge, which you can walk over, as you could not ask for a lovelier backdrop, on a nice day, it's a photographer's dream.
Cost?
I am a member of the National Trust, which is an organization that maintains some heritage sites throughout England. Therefore, admission for me was free. If you are just visiting, however, there is a charge to enter the park which must be considered. Adults are 4.50, and children are 2.50. A family ticket can be had for 11.50 (all pounds sterling.) In truth, I think these fees are a bit high for a hike, however lovely, but they do guarantee a reprieve from the often swamped tourist areas in Bath. Also, if you're one of those people who visits covered bridges wherever you can find them - or who enjoys places of supreme natural beauty where you can simply wile away some time with a camera or just walking in the sunshine - you'll enjoy this park. I'm sure the next time I'm in Bath, I'll visit it again.
Opening hours?
The park is opened from 11am to 5:30pm every day 2 Feb-30 Nov EXCEPT on Tuesdays when it is closed. Hours are from 11am to dusk weekends ONLY (Fri, Sat, Sun) from 1 Dec-28 Jan.
From journal Boys in Bath