Bath regularly wins accolades for its leafiness and green feeling.  The latest is Time Out’s survey of thousands of people that puts Bath top in the world! For the past decade Bathscape has been on a mission to tell people all about the city’s green spaces.  So Bathscape’s team have put together their favourite green places and reflect on why it’s right for Bath to come out top.

City and country are more closely connected in Bath than perhaps any other British city. The surrounding hills not only provide a spectacular backdrop to this most compact of cities but also allow unparalleled opportunity for access and enjoyment. Within fifteen minutes it is possible to walk from urban centre to wildflower rich valley, while a half hour in almost any direction will lead you to walks amongst open fields and wooded slopes that are recognisable from Georgian times. Looking back to the city, the iconic views underline the interplay between the rural and urban landscape and their collective value.

Meadows with added views

Nothing beats walking up to Bathwick Fields in June.  The meadows are full of wildflowers and butterflies, and a very short climb up from the canal will reward you with a view back to the city.  National Trust has a great walking route you can follow from the city centre. If you’ve got time, add in the whole Bath Skyline Walk and Smallcombe Vale and Cemetery.

Another beautiful green space near a classic view is Alexandra Park (as enjoyed by Catherine Morland in Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey) and Lyncombe Hill Fields.  A bigger climb with steps will take you up to Bath’s Viewpoint at the top of Beechen Cliff in Alexandra Park.  After enjoying the view, you can take the woodland path back down again, or come down via Lyncombe Hill Fields and admire the amazing work the volunteers have done to make this area nature rich. This route plan will help you find your way up and down from the railway and bus station.

Image - Bath Skyline Walk - credit Bathscape

Beautiful formal parks

Now free to visit, Parade Gardens overlooks the river and Pulteney Bridge and Weir.  It has some wonderful trees and you might spot an otter in the river. But if you want somewhere just as close to the city centre, but quieter, then try Henrietta Park, it has some phenomenal trees and a peaceful garden. 

Then on to Sydney Gardens, a historic park with an exciting new play area. Find it behind the Holburne Museum. A real oasis for nature in the city centre can also be found in St Mary’s Churchyard, a short walk from Henrietta Park.

Image - Sydney Gardens

Water

The Kennet & Avon Canal and the River Avon cut through the city centre.  Take a stroll along the Canal out as far as Bathampton. Or drop down to the river where it passes through Kensington Meadows. If you go just before dusk in the summer you might be lucky enough to see beavers. 

For a longer walk that take in the waterways of Bath, the Blue Lines City Circular will help you explore the river and canal.

Image - Kennet and Avon Canal in Bath - credit Korey Watson

Trees

Trees are an essential feature of the design of Bath, and more important than ever. Whether that’s the tree covered slopes you can see from the city centre, or the iconic London Plane in Abbey Green. 

A great way to explore the trees download one of the walking trails from Bath Urban Treescape - the Bathscape website also tells you where you can pick up physical maps of their 15 trails.

Image - London Plane in Abbey Green

Further afield

Away from the city centre, you can take a hike to some extra special places: Bath City Farm, Browne’s Folly Nature Reserve, Bathampton Meadows, Beckford’s Tower, Little Solsbury Hill, Prospect Stile, South Stoke village, Charlcombe Community Nature Reserve, Kelston Roundhill and Englishcombe (a short walk from Twerton). They are all walks you can do in a day from central Bath. 

Or really push yourself for the classic 20 mile Circuit of Bath path and see all the views in a day or over a weekend - Bathscape’s range of hiking trails will help you.

Image - Bath Skyline Walk in spring - credit Bathscape

Read more:

Walking in Bath

Where to go for a spring walk in Bath

Four country walks near Bath

Six of the best country pub walks near Bath