Royal Victoria Park
Bath, South West England
Opened by Princess Victoria in 1830, Royal Victoria Park is the largest public park in Bath. Centrally located, this expansive green space boasts numerous amenities, including a bandstand, botanical garden, large playground, and mini golf. Regular events make it a local and visitor favorite for outdoor relaxation and recreation.
The basics
Royal Victoria Park is a great place to take a break from sightseeing or escape the bustle of daily life. Enjoy a picnic with views from the common or explore the flower gardens, botanical gardens, Great Dell Aerial Walkway, and wild meadows. Play mini-golf, cricket, football, or tennis, or let the kids burn off some energy at the large adventure playground with climbing frames, ziplines, and a skateboard area. Catch a concert at the bandstand or watch hot-air balloons take off on summer evenings.
Things to know before you go
- There is no entrance fee to access the park.
- You can grab a snack from the on-site café. Two designated barbecue areas with picnic tables are also available.
- The playground offers an accessible off-ground play platform for children in wheelchairs.
- Paid public toilets are available inside the park.
How to get there
Royal Victoria Park is near central Bath and offers multiple access points for pedestrians; vehicle access is opposite Cow Lane and near the Weston Road exit. On-road pay and display parking is free for one hour, while the closest car park is at Charlotte Street. The park is within easy walking distance of the Bath Bus Station and the Newbridge Park & Ride.
When to get there
The park is open year-round around the clock. Visit in the spring to see blooming flowers in the botanical garden. In the summer, watch hot air balloons take off below Royal Crescent. Stroll around the park in the fall to see colorful foliage. In the winter, go ice skating on the open-air ice rink. The café is open from 8am to 5pm daily.
The architectural beauty of the Royal Crescent
Overlooking Royal Victoria Park at the northern end is the Royal Crescent. Built in the late 18th century, it features a semi-circle of 30 Georgian terrace houses with more than 100 two-story Ionic columns on the façade. A sought-after residential street, Royal Crescent is often a stop on Bath sightseeing tours. One of the houses has been converted into a museum and offers a glimpse into upper-class life in the crescent in the 18th century.
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