Bath is a green city with plenty of parks and gardens waiting to be explored. In fact, part of the reason that the city was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status is due to the way that the city’s Palladian crescents, terraces and squares spread out over the surrounding green hills.

Where to Stay?

Plenty of Bath’s hotels are set within stunning gardens and grounds. The Bath Priory is a five-star luxury hotel located just a short walk from the city centre, within four acres or mature award-winning gardens featuring a kitchen garden, meadow and lawns.

Image - The Bath Priory

Lucknam Park is set in 500 acres of extensive parkland and was voted #1 Best Destination Spa Report in the World in the 2023 Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards - choose to stay in the grand mansion hotel, or in one of their country cottages on the estate for a more rural getaway. 

Image - Lucknam Park

Or you could travel a little further from Bath and stay at Bowood Hotel which is set within the historic Bowood estate: 100 acres of beautifully landscaped ‘Capability’ Brown parkland featuring a Doric temple, Hermit’s Cave and formal terraces. 

For a self-catered stay, check out Rowley Cottage on the edge of the beautiful Grade I-listed Iford Manor Gardens. As well as your very own south-facing garden, you can explore the main gardens until 4pm each day, even when they're closed to the general public. 

Image - Rowley Cottage at Iford Manor Gardens

Day One

Morning 
Begin your visit to Bath by exploring the city’s green spaces. On a walk around the city’s iconic sights, such as The Circus and Royal Crescent, stop off at the Georgian Garden, located on Gravel Walk, behind 4. The Circus. This eighteenth-century garden has been restored to the original plan of 1760 using plants originally used in gardens of this era.

Before lunch, take a short stroll through Royal Victoria Park, a beautiful expanse of green parkland, spanning 57 acres. Originally an arboretum, it is still home to the beautiful Botanical Gardens and the Great Dell Aerial Walkway. The gardens contain a rock garden and pool, a scented walk and a replica of a Roman temple. You'll also find The Urban Garden, where you can buy a range of stylish plants and gifts for garden and home. They have a beautiful tropical glasshouse bursting with houseplants.

Image - Royal Victoria Park

Afternoon 
Enjoy lunch in the tranquil gardens of The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa or visit The Bath Priory. After lunch, pay a visit to Prior Park Landscape Garden, a beautiful eighteenth-century landscape garden which was created by Ralph Allen with advice from ‘Capability’ Brown and is now managed by the National Trust. Set in a sweeping valley, the garden offers magnificent views of the city and is home to one of only four Palladian bridges in the world.

Image - Prior Park Landscape Garden

Evening 
For a delicious dinner with a stunning view, head to Restaurant Hywel Jones by Lucknam Park. Set in 500 acres of extensive parkland, Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa is a perfect retreat, offering an outstanding spa, a unique equestrian centre, an award-winning gourmet experience, and classically designed gardens. Take in the beauty of Lucknam Park while you enjoy Hywel Jones' Michelin-starred fare.

Image - Hywel Jones at Lucknam Park

Day Two

Morning
Take a morning visit to National Trust gardens close to Bath. Dyrham Park’s gardens are undergoing extensive restoration, drawing on a 1712 engraving of Dyrham Park by Johannes Kip and taking inspiration from Versailles in France and Het Loo in the Netherlands. The Courts Garden in Holt is full of variety and shows the English country style at its best. Walk amongst the herbaceous borders and charming topiary of these peaceful water gardens before taking a stroll through the atmospheric arboretum.

Image - Dyrham Park

Afternoon
Further afield you will find Bowood House and Gardens. Bowood House is set in the middle of ‘Capability’ Brown’s park, and the pleasure grounds contain an outstanding collection of trees and shrubs. Time your visit for one of the monthly Head Gardener Tours around the historic Private Walled Garden, or come during spring when the enchanting Woodland Gardens are open for flowering season. In 2022, that's from 15th April to early June.

Image - Bowood House and Gardens

Evening 

Have a one-of-a-kind foodie experience at the Kitchen Garden Restaurant at THE PIG-near Bath. The Kitchen Garden Restaurant serves uncomplicated and simple British garden food with the emphasis squarely on fresh, clean flavours, to be enjoyed in an authentically reproduced Victorian greenhouse dining room. Their menu changes frequently, ensuring only the highest-quality produce from the Kitchen Garden is served. What can't be grown on-site is sourced within 25 miles of the restaurant.

If you like the idea of savouring a glass of fizz while wandering an idyllic garden, take a look at Iford Manor's event calendar. They run regular evening champagne tours covering the history, design and anecdotes of their romantic, award-winning gardens, led by owner William Cartwright-Hignett. 

Image - Iford Manor Gardens

Explore more of Bath's green spaces: 

• Gardens and outdoor attractions to visit in and around Bath
• Four of the best country walks near Bath