Royal Victoria Park is a lovely expanse of lush parkland spanning 57 acres (23 hectares). Overlooked by the famous Royal Crescent, the park is home to gorgeous flower displays, children’s play areas and numerous other recreation zones. Go for a stroll in the garden, enjoy a picnic while watching hot air balloon launches or watch a performance on the bandstand.
The park was established in 1829 as an arboretum, designed to help promote Bath as a tourist destination. It’s named after Queen Victoria, who opened the park as a princess at the age of 11. Look for an obelisk dedicated to Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert.
Bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawns below the Royal Crescent, where you’ll often see balloon launches taking place. Head to the east end of the park to try out the bowling green or join a game of tennis on the park’s courts.
Walk through the beautiful botanical gardens found at the north end of the park, which were added in 1887. Spanning 9 acres (3.6 hectares), the gardens are home to one of the region’s finest collections of trees, flowers, shrubs and other plant life.
At the western end of the gardens, you’ll see an extensive children’s play area. The area includes a sand pit, slides, climbing frames, a zip-line and swings. Pay the small fee for the bouncy castle and roundabout or check out the excellent skatepark.
Stop by the park’s old-fashioned bandstand to see if any performances are taking place. During the summer, brass bands regularly perform on Sundays.
Some of the liveliest times to visit the park are during the numerous events and festivals that are hosted here throughout the year. Time your visit to coincide with the spectacular Bath Spring Flower Show in May or arrive in the colder months to skate on the ice rink.
Royal Victoria Park is open daily and admission is free. To get there, walk northwest from the city centre. A small car park is offered on-site, along with additional parking on nearby Charlotte Street.
