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Garden Owners,
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Regards,
Armchair Travel Co Ltd
http://www.armchair-travel.com
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Garden Name: Prior Park Landscape Garden
Last Modified: 19/01/2011
Garden ID: 0283

pic: 0283_PriorPark.jpg

Owner: National Trust
Address:
Ralph Allen Drive
Bath

Postcode: BA2 5AH
County: Somerset

tel: 01225-833422
fax: 01225 833422
website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-priorpark
email: priorpark {at} nationaltrust.org.uk

Features: 
Beautiful and intimate 18th-century landscape garden; Majestic 18th-century garden close to the centre of Bath; Designed with advice from poet Alexander Pope and 'Capability' Brown; Ornamental Palladian bridge, one of only four in the world; Fabulous views of the city with links to the 'Bath Skyline' walk; Convenient public transport links

English Heritage Grade:
I

Opening Times:
1st Jan - 6th Feb; Sat & Sun; 11am - 5.30pm
12th Feb - 30th Oct; daily; 11am - 5.30pm
5th Nov - 31st Dec; Sat & Sun; 11am - 5.30pm
Last admission 1hr before closing. Closed 25. Closes dusk if earlier than 5:30. Closed 25 December.

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
May
October/ November

To see: 
Wild garlic
Autumn colour in the garden + views beyond.

National Collection: 


National Garden Scheme days: Yes
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: 

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments:  

House Open for Viewing: No
Comments: 

Admission Prices:
Gift Aid Admission (Standard Admission prices in brackets): 
Adult £5.80 (£5.25), child £3.25 (£2.95), family £14.80 (£13.45).
£1 off adult admission on production of a valid City Sightseeing or First bus ticket

Parking: No
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Shop: No
Plants for Sale: No
Lunches: No
Teas: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Picnics: Yes
Dogs allowed: No
Only on Lead: No
Events: Yes

Other Facilities:
No car parking on site or nearby, except for three parking bays reserved for disabled visitors. Telephone 01225-833422 for a reservation. Light Refreshments/Teas Feb - Oct, Sat, Sun, BHs, school holidays and special events. Dogs allowed from Nov - Feb only


Designer: 
Description of Garden:
A beautiful and intimate 18th century landscape garden set in a sweeping valley with magnificent views of the city of Bath.

The many interesting features include an extraordinary and beautiful Palladian bridge and three lakes. The tranquil and tree-lined walk around the garden is one mile in length with steep gradients. The Serpentine Lake features a Sham Bridge which gives the appearance to a pool of water of a bridge with stream running beyond. The Wilderness area was developed with the help of Alexander Pope and is currently being restored with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund. This area includes the Serpentine Lake, Gravel Cabinet and Cascade.


History: 
Created by the entrepreneur and philanthropist Ralph Allen, (with advice from the poet Alexander Pope), from about 1734 until his death in 1764, this 28 acre, 18th century landscape garden lies in a dramatic site running down a small steep valley to the very edge of Bath. Capability Brown and others provided designs for the garden which was developed over the next 30 years. The Palladian bridge dates from 1755. Taken on and handsomely restored by the National Trust in 1993, it was owned by the Christian Brothers and Prior Park College, who still occupy the house. A fine example of the English Landscape Movement, it forms part of the World Heritage Site of Bath.

Local Inns: 
Hope & Anchor Inn, Midford
The Horseshoe, Combe Down

Accomodation: 
Menzies Waterside, Widcome
The Ayrlington, Bath
Brocks Guest House, Bath
The County Hotel, Bath

Restaurants: 
The Moody Goose, Bath
Restaurant le Clos, Bath

Village/Town/Sightseeing: 
Bath