Prior Park Landscape Garden
Beautiful and intimate 18th-century landscape garden in Bath - reflections restored following a major restoration of the historic dams
Prior Park Landscape Garden
Overview
Beautiful and intimate 18th-century landscape garden in Bath - reflections restored following a major restoration of the historic dams
One of only four Palladian bridges of this design in the world can be crossed at Prior Park, which was created in the 18th century by local entrepreneur Ralph Allen, with advice from 'Capability' Brown and the poet Alexander Pope.
Over the last two years Prior Park Landscape Garden has undergone major restoration on its historic dams. Built in the mid-1700s, both time and the destructive American signal crayfish had taken their toll on these structures and the dams were in need of major and expert attention.
With the construction phase of the project now complete, reflections of the Palladian Bridge can be enjoyed in the middle lake, which has been empty since 2017. During the project the dams were strengthened, the lakes refilled, paths reinstated, and a small cascade rebuilt to work once again – a long-lost original feature.
Set in a sweeping valley above Bath, visitors can enjoy magnificent views and are a stone's throw away from the Bath Skyline - a six-mile circular route encompassing beautiful woodlands and meadows, an Iron Age hill fort, Roman settlements, 18th-century follies and spectacular views.
- Telephone
- 01225833977
- priorpark@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Further reading
- Buy the guidebook
Prior Park Landscape Garden
How to get here
- Address
- Ralph Allen Drive, Bath, Somerset, BA2 5AH
- By cycle
- NCN4, ¾ mile
- Cycle route information
- On foot
- 1 mile uphill (very steep) walk from rear of railway station: cross river, pass Widcombe shopping parade, turn right onto Prior Park Road at White Hart pub, proceed uphill, garden on left. Kennet & Avon Canal path ¾ mile
- By train
- Bath Spa 1 mile
- By road
- No onsite parking. Please note that due to construction work on site, there is currently no accessible parking available. Parking is available in Bath city centre. Please see our 'FAQs' page for more details.
- By bus
- Buses run regularly from the city centre. Catch the no. 2 bus (FirstGroup bus company) from stop BK on Dorchester Street. The bus runs every 30 minutes Mon – Sun. Alight the bus just in front of the Prior Park Landscape Garden entrance gate. You can also catch the red City Sightseeing bus (Skyline route) from various locations in the city centre: Manvers St, Terrace Walk, North Parade and Great Pulteney St. Alight at Stop Q - Prior Park.
Prior Park Landscape Garden
Prices
Prices from March
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £8.80 | £8.00 |
| Child | £4.40 | £4.00 |
| Family | £22.00 | £20.00 |
| 1 adult, 2 children | £13.20 | £12.00 |
What is Gift Aid?
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points.
Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
- Gift Aid Admission
- Standard Admission
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you a clear choice between the Gift Aid Admission prices and the Standard Admission prices at the admission point. It's entirely up to you which ticket you choose.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below:
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
Please note...
Prior Park Landscape Garden
Opening times
Saturday 13 August
- Garden (last entry 4pm) 10:00 - 17:00
- Tea Shed 10:30 - 15:30
Sunday 14 August
- Garden (last entry 4pm) 10:00 - 17:00
- Tea Shed 10:30 - 15:30
Monday 15 August
- Garden (last entry 4pm) 10:00 - 17:00
- Tea Shed Closed
Tuesday 16 August
- Garden (last entry 4pm) 10:00 - 17:00
- Tea Shed Closed
Wednesday 17 August
- Garden (last entry 4pm) 10:00 - 17:00
- Tea Shed 10:30 - 15:30
Thursday 18 August
- Garden (last entry 4pm) 10:00 - 17:00
- Tea Shed 10:30 - 15:30
Friday 19 August
- Garden (last entry 4pm) 10:00 - 17:00
- Tea Shed 10:30 - 15:30
Prior Park Landscape Garden
Contact us
- Telephone
- 01225833977
- priorpark@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Address
- Ralph Allen Drive, Bath, Somerset, BA2 5AH