Royal Victoria Park

A Rainy Stroll in a Lovely Park

In September, we were staying in Bath for a memorial for a dear friend. We started out for a stroll into town, from the Bath Priory Hotel, and set our course through Royal Victoria Park, on the edge of downtown Bath.

Though the morning was gloomy, with rain from time to time, the stroll through Royal Victoria Park was well worth bringing out our umbrellas - in September, it was lovely, with plantings everywhere, and expanses of green lawn.

Because of the weather, and wanting to get to the city center, before the heavier rains came, we just walked pretty much through the center of the park, and did not have the leisure to explore to both sides of Marlbourough Lane, but will next visit.

Even if Royal Victoria Park had not been pretty much on a straight line from our hotel, I would still have deviated, just to stroll this lovely place.

Having walked around the Famous Royal Crescent we were making our way back to the City along Malborough Buildings. At the intersection with Royal Avenue there were the grand gates, on both sides of the road, leading the Park

This is a sprawling 57 acre Park and just a short walkable distance from the City. It was opened in 1830 by the 11 year old Princess Victoria, and was named in her honour

We entered via the gate on the right hand side which has the Victoria Obelisk just inside. Keep an eye out for the beautiful gate lodge house near the gate and obelisk

We walked as far as the Childrens play park and Herberts Cafe and then around part of the Lake

As well as a wide variety of flowers, plants shrubs and bushes, lots of trees were around the acres of green space in the Park.There were large stone urns dotted about aswell as statues.

We across to the other section of the Park which is home to the Victorian Bandstand.

We exited the Park via Queens Gate, with the 2 lions statues on either side,  on to Royal Avenue.

Was surprised to see that it was possible to drive into the Park and park up along the road.

This is supposed to be a favourite garden off the Pultney Bridge and market that was a favourite ramble of Jane Austen. The garden is marvellously sculpted and maintained. I respect great gardens. They show a lot of effort and imagination have gone on behind the scenes.

Queen Victoria visited Bath only once in her lifetime. It was in 1830 when she was only 11 years old. The interesting tale goes like this while she was here one of the snobbish denizens, of this fashion-conscious town, commented on her thick ankles. This crude comment traveled back to her ears, so she never returned here as her vanity was deeply stuck. Her sole visit to Bath was to inaugurate the Royal Victorian Park, which is a 15 acre of immaculately maintained space for public use. I loved the elegant structures in it. It has several statues, an obelisk and the botanical garden in it. It faces the elegant Royal Crescent. I could not stop envying the residents of the posh townhouses, because they have such a magnificent view of this park.

We were looking for somewhere new to go for a family day out and had seen this park mentioned on Facebook.

The park itself its huge with plenty of choice for children, the park is well maintained and clean. When visiting their was a steam fair and bouncy castles which really added to the day.

The cafe in the main park was excellent with really reasonably price food and drinks.

The gardens, lakes and views were incredible. Its such a lovely place to wander around and there is always something to see. Parking was also really cheap.

The glorious weather was a bonus but even without that the park is amazing.
Tremendous trees and flowers to walk through and an amazing park for the kids.
The covid restrictions were well thought through and we felt safe and comfortable as the kids played.

This is a large park with ponds and views down to the centre. Popular with children because of the ponds and also for the large playground at the southern end. There is parking with a paid permit. We walked through the park and then crossed the main road to the south to reach the walkway along the River Avon to make our way back towards the centre. We emerged after a very easy walk at Green Park station, which now houses collectibles.

This was a pretty park, even in February. We saw it as part of our walking tour. Our guide told us all about the history of the park and the reason why Queen Victoria refused to return to Bath after visiting it.

The park grounds are well kept and there was good signage to help navigate the area. The Pub in the Park sounded like a good time but with three kids, we were headed to the playground! Amazing slides, zip lines, plenty to climb on and sand. On this day there was even a bounce house and carousel to tempt the children to beg you to pull out your wallet. There’s a cafe here and toilets that cost 20p to enter. The toilets were recently cleaned when we went and they were complete with changing tabledon’t forget to push the “lock” button once inside though!

Fantastic example of a Victorian Era park. This has a sense of prestige and age about it. Huge expanses of green are perfect for picnics or kids playing, lots of oaths to walk dogs or go rambling, a wide variety of trees which change colour wuth the seasons. Even a lake with ducks and geese serenely swimming.

Check out the botanical gardens too for some unusual plants that you wouldn't usually see in the UK. It's a great place to sit and think.

It's just outside the main walking street and it's nearby Royal Cresent and Circus which are other popular spots

Victoria Park is a lesser visited spot but well worth your time.