The world heritage city of Bath in Somerset, England is well-known for its beautiful Abbey and for the natural hot springs housed in the ancient Roman Baths.
Especially now that the public baths have been re-opened to the public (in a brand new building across the road from the Roman ruins… see thermaebathspa.com for more details on that one) and the high street full of fashionable stores and cafes, it can be easy for visitors to see Bath as a rainy day destination. And it is true that the city caters to England’s traditional weather, but that is only half of the personality of the city. The true beauty of Bath does not lie steaming in the natural springs or rest in the reliefs on the façade of the Gothic-style abbey, but is in the parks and outdoor sights. Bath offers some of the best city parks outside of London, and are not to be missed.
The Circus
Just to the northwest of the city centre is the Circus, a perfect circle of Georgian houses constructed out of the startlingly white Somerset stone that cloaks the entire city. Constructed during the 18th century, the circle breaks in 3 places for adjoining roads (so is easy to find) and houses a huge chestnut tree in the centre, under which you can always find residents lazing about on hotter days. The circular architecture is a rare sight (many sights around England such as this were destroyed in the Second World War….much of Bath was also damaged) and is complimented by the semi-circle of houses in the same style just down Brock St. The Royal Crescent has been a symbol of Bath as much as the Circus has, and has the added advantage of looking out over Victoria Park.
Victoria Park
Victoria Park slopes down the valley side towards the centre of town, comprised of many small paths, band stands and a fantastic adventure play area for children. At the top of the 57 acres of gardens is the meadow on front of the Royal Crescent, originally used as a grazing pasture for livestock inside the city walls. Opened in 1830 by the young Queen Victoria, the park has remained a quiet refuge for residents and a place in the centre of the city where people can lie in the grass, walk under trees. There are also cultural events inside the park, including an open-air theatre for plays and musical shows and a variety of sports fields for tennis, bowls, etc. As you carry on walking west through the gardens along the main road that bisects the park, visitors come upon the Bath Botanical Gardens. In the author’s opinion, these are some of the loveliest flower gardens in England not found in National Trust estates. The flowerbeds are meticulously kept, and the variety of pant-life is remarkable for a country that seems to be gray and raining most of the time. In the north section of the Botanical Gardens is the relatively new addition of the Great Dell, a natural depression in the side of the Bath valley that is a peaceful, shadowy refuge of conifers.
Parade Gardens
Walking back through the city centre, just behind the Abbey, are the Parade Gardens, a small walled park along the banks of the River Avon. The park is free for city residents but only a few pounds for visitors. On sunny days the park is speckled with lawn chairs, and families will gather for picnics. On Sundays the bandstand is filled with a local horn band, and the gardens are also a sight for local primary school plays and choral events. Below the noise of the city, the Parade Gardens are one of those rare places in the middle of a city that is almost completely silent. Just up the river is the Pulteney Bridge, an 18th century bridge lined with small shops, comparable to the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. Further on down Great Pulteney St are the Sydney Gardens, an extensive space with a maze and many other entertainments where Georgian families would come to amuse themselves. It is said that Jane Austen (one of the city’s most famous residents) would come down to the Sydney Gardens with her sisters and spend all day playing in the maze. At the gates of the Sydney Gardens is the house of William Holburne, which is now a University Art museum, housing collections from the 18th and 19th century with painters such as Guardi, Turner and Gainsborough present.
Alexandra Park
If you find yourself still searching for that perfect park bench or willow tree, the last large city park can be found at the top of the steep hill behind Bath Spa railway station. Alexandra Park looks over the beautiful Bath valley. On a sunny day, the city literally glows as the sunlight bounces off of the white somerset stone. I may be a little bias having grown up in this area, but I believe it to be one of the most beautiful places in the United Kingdom. The Alexandra Parks are also very large and many hours can be spent wandering around taking in the beautiful hill-top views.
As well as the larger gardens, there are also a high number of smaller gardens and squares tucked away around the city that are just waiting to be discovered. There are also the ever-popular open top buses and the beautiful streets to explore when the sun is shining. So take advantage of the break in the clouds, and discover why England in the sun is one of the most beautiful places I know of.
Top 5 Hotels in Bath, UK
- Hotel Express by Holiday Inn Bath – 2-star Hotel – Double from £ 109
- Hotel Barcelo’ Combe Grove Manor – 4-star Hotel – Double from £ 189
- Queen Charlottes Orangery – Bed & Breakfast – Double from £ 110
- Wentworth House Hotel – 2-star Hotel – Double from £ 75
- Bath Priory Hotel & Restaurant – 4-star Hotel – Double from £ 260
Photo of the Circus, Bath, UK, by Shanathalas
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