Prior Park Landscape Garden is an 18th-century National Trust garden on a hillside above Bath, and the thing to know before you go is that there's no car park: you walk, cycle, or catch the bus up. Adult admission is £12.00 without Gift Aid or £13.20 with it, and the steep, mile-long walk up from the station is part of the experience rather than a minor inconvenience.
What's there
The garden was designed in the 1730s and 40s for Ralph Allen, the Bath stone magnate, and its centrepiece is a Palladian Bridge, one of only four like it anywhere in the world, crossing a lake at the bottom of a sweeping valley. From the top of the garden you get a wide view down over Bath itself, which is the other reason people make the walk. There's a tea cabin near the entrance, and dogs are allowed on short leads (cattle graze the fields in spring and autumn, so leads matter).
Prices
| Ticket | With Gift Aid | Without Gift Aid |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | £13.20 | £12.00 |
| Child (5-17) | £6.60 | £6.00 |
| Family (2 adults, up to 3 children) | £33.00 | £30.00 |
| 1 adult, up to 3 children | £19.80 | £18.00 |
Under 5s are free, and National Trust members get in free with their membership card. No pre-booking is required, you just pay or show your card on arrival.
Getting there without a car
There genuinely is no visitor car park at Prior Park, and the postcode will send satnavs to the wrong place, so don't plan to drive and park on site. The walk up from Bath Spa station is about a mile via the main entrance route (steep, uphill from the rear of the station, via Widcombe and Prior Park Road) or a shorter but still uphill 0.8 miles to the lower entrance. If you'd rather not walk uphill, the number 2 bus runs from Dorchester Street in the city centre roughly every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 20 on Sundays, dropping you right by the entrance gate.
If you're driving to Bath
Use one of the city's park and ride sites or a central car park, then walk or bus up from there, since there's nowhere to leave a car at Prior Park itself. Limited accessible parking is available by prior arrangement, call ahead if you need it.
Is it worth the walk
Yes, if you enjoy gardens, a proper view, and don't mind a steep climb. It's a different kind of Bath sight to the Roman Baths or the Abbey, quieter and more of a countryside outing than a city visit, so it suits a slower half-day rather than a quick stop between other things.
Planning your visit
Pair it with a walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath, which starts from a similar part of the city, or fold it into a longer stay using our day trips from Bath guide. If you're relying on public transport for your whole visit, see getting around Bath without a car for the wider picture.
Frequently asked questions
Is there parking at Prior Park Landscape Garden?
No, there's no visitor car park on site. You need to walk, cycle, or take the number 2 bus from the city centre. Satnavs will direct you to the wrong spot if you try to drive there.
How much does it cost to visit Prior Park?
£12.00 for an adult without Gift Aid, or £13.20 with it. Children are £6.00 to £6.60, and under 5s are free. National Trust members enter free.
How far is the walk from Bath Spa station?
About a mile to the main entrance, steep uphill for most of the route, or roughly 0.8 miles to the lower entrance, which is slightly less steep.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
No, pre-booking isn't required. You pay or show your membership card on arrival.
Are dogs allowed at Prior Park?
Yes, on short leads. Cattle graze parts of the site in spring and autumn, so keeping dogs close is important during those periods.
Is Prior Park suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs?
Not easily. The paths are generally steep and uneven, and the National Trust notes the site is largely unsuitable for wheelchairs and mobility vehicles, though limited accessible parking can be arranged by calling ahead.