Prior Park Landscape Garden

Prior Park is a garden on a hillside overlooking Bath with winding paths, water features, and a Palladian bridge spanning a lake. The 28-acre property includes different areas with temples, open meadows, and tree clusters that work together to create a balanced garden layout.

The garden was created in the mid-1700s when European gardens were shifting from strict geometric designs to more naturalistic landscapes. This shift in style influenced how gardens were designed in the following decades across the continent.

The garden shows a love of nature through its curved paths and carefully placed trees that guide your eye across the landscape. Classical buildings like the bridge feel like natural parts of the scenery rather than added structures.

The garden sits on a hillside, so wear comfortable shoes and allow time to explore the different sections at your own pace. A tea cabin near the lower entrance offers refreshments and a place to rest between walks.

The bridge is one of only four Palladian structures of this type still standing in the world and shows a rare architectural form. Visitors often miss how seamlessly it fits into the natural landscape despite being a substantial building.

Location: Bath and North East Somerset

Inception: 18 century

Founders: Ralph Allen

Architects: Alexander Pope, Lancelot Brown

Website: https://nationaltrust.org.uk/prior-park-landscape-garden

GPS coordinates: 51.36720,-2.34374

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:57