Parks and the outdoors in Bath

Parks and the outdoors in Bath

1. See

   American Museum and Gardens

   The only museum of Americana outside of the United States. A little way outside of Bath in Claverton (accessible by bus), but well-worth a visit. The gardens in particular are of note, being designed by the celebrated landscape architects Oehme van Sweden. There are also extensive map and quilt collections and a programme of changing exhibitions.

   Closed Jan to mid-Mar·Adult House, Gardens and Exhibition Ticket £15.50

2. Do

   Bath Rugby Club

   Professional Rugby Union club (15 a side) playing in the Gallagher Premiership, England's top tier. Atmospheric city-centre ground on the banks of the River Avon right by Pultney Bridge. Games roughly every other weekend from October–May. Ticket prices for games run between £15-35 depending on seating/standing location. If you're visiting on a weekend, watching a match is very much recommended.

3. See

   Building of Bath Museum

   One of the most fascinating museums in Bath. It gives an excellent history of the development of the Georgian city, illustrated with cut-away wooden models which give a better insight than any book into the construction and structure of Georgian houses and their furnishings. It also houses a unique collection of 18th-century builder's tools. No queues, off the tourist track - but only a 7-minute walk from the Roman Baths and set in a wonderful Georgian area of the city.

4. See

   Claverton Pumping Station

   This was built in 1813: the River Avon powers a 24 ft (7 m) breastshot water wheel, which lifts water 48 ft (15 m) into the canal. It fell into disuse in 1952 but was restored in the 1970s.

5. See

   Georgian garden

   Dating back to 1761, this small garden has been through multiple transformations over the years. It has now been restored to a Georgian style (c. 1770–1836), with gravel, a stone path, and simple topiaries, and is open to the public. If you're near the Royal Crescent, the garden is worth a visit to step back into the Georgian era for a few minutes.

   9AM–5PM daily·Free

6. See

   Great Pulteney Street

   Quintessential Georgian street on the other side of Pulteney Bridge. Film location for 2005's Vanity Fair (the Reese Witherspoon version). Made for casual strolling past the Laura Place fountain, down to the Holburne Museum, around Sydney Gardens, then back up Great Pulteney Street. Below Great Pulteney Street is the Recreation Ground, home of the Bath rugby union club.

7. See

   Herschel Museum of Astronomy

   An excellent museum if you are interested in the history of science and astronomy music and culture at the time when Bath was at the height of fashion; it is also a perfectly restored Georgian townhouse of the type lived in by people of 'the middling sort' and the Georgian garden is delightful. William Herschel lived here with his sister Caroline, and it was here that he discovered the planet Uranus using what was then the world's most powerful telescope that he had made himself in his workshop. The museum has a gallery for temporary exhibitions.

   Adult £5, concessions available

8. Eat

   La Baguette

   A popular sandwich shop on Stall Street, a minute walk from the Abbey. Sandwiches are handmade using crunchy baguettes usually for cheaper than a convenience store sandwich.

9. Drink

   Lambrettas

   Parade Park

   Scooter-themed pub along North Parade (near train station and Parade Gardens).

10. Do

    Lansdown Cricket Club

    Former early 1970s home of Viv Richards, Lansdown Cricket Club is an equally attractive ground at the upper end of Bath. Located at Combe Park, next to the Royal United Hospital (near Weston village). Bus number 14 runs to Weston from Bath town centre).

11. Drink

    Locksbrook Inn

    Charming old pub by the river locks, gets great reviews for its Sunday lunch. Dog-friendly.

    Daily 8:30AM-11PM

12. See

    Parade Gardens

    In the heart of town overlooking the river, this is where the locals come to laze away the afternoon. Small entrance charge for visitors but free to residents. This park normally has a topical floral display and has a bandstand for music in the summer months.

13. See

    Royal Crescent

    A magnificent semi-elliptical crescent of houses designed by John Wood and completed in 1774. This was the first of Bath's eight crescents, and its shape remains unique. You can visit one of the houses which has been redecorated to resemble what it would have been like at the end of the 18th century. But you don't need to go in to admire the exterior and its view over Bath. There is also a large semi-circular lawn out the front owned by the Royal Crescent residents. It is separated from Victoria Park by a ha-ha (a recessed landscape design element that creates a vertical barrier while preserving an uninterrupted view of the landscape beyond).

14. See

    Royal Victoria Park

    Bath's largest park in front of the Royal Crescent. Ideal for ball games or feeding the ducks. The in the north-western corner of the park make for a pleasant wander.

    Open now · open 24 hours·Free

15. Drink

    The Bell

    The heartbeat of Bath's bohemian quarter. With a superb array of real ale, regular live music and a great atmosphere. A large pub garden at the rear.

16. Drink

    The Boater

    A large beer garden by the river, which is popular with university students as soon as the sun comes out. Nice in the summer evenings.

17. Drink

    The Cross Guns Inn

    Good food and grassy terraces leading down to the river - and overlooked by an aqueduct. Superb in the summer. You can get a train as there is a small station just two minutes walk away, get a taxi or take a very scenic walk along the River Avon (about 8 miles from Bath city centre or 2 miles from the station at Bradford on Avon).

18. Drink

    The Ram

    Offers a handful of local ales and ciders. Just to the south of the centre of Bath on Widcombe highstreet, a short walk from the train station.

19. Drink

    The Rising Sun Inn

    Just across the river from the centre, this pub's only stand-out feature is the traditional skittles alley at the back of the pub.

20. Drink

    The Wheatsheaf

    The Wheatsheaf was built in 1576. It became a pub in the 18th century and with its wooden beams and roaring log fire, has retained all its original charm. Good food, large gardens, take a taxi.

21. Do Not mapped

    Bath City Football Club

    City play soccer way down in the minor leagues, at Twerton Park, capacity 8840.

22. Do Not mapped

    Bath Cricket Club

    Nestled in the 'bowl' beside the River Avon, the Bath Cricket Club has an imperious setting. The church on South Parade offers a picture perfect background. Located on North Parade, five minutes walk from the train station. Bath Cricket Club are one of the stronger regional league sides.

23. Do Not mapped

    Mayor of Bath Honorary Guide tour

    A fantastic for a free, pleasant two-hour walk around the famous Georgian city of Bath with the Mayor of Bath's Corps of Honorary Guides. This has been going since the 1930s, and visits many famous historic and architectural places within the city, delivered by enthusiastic Bathonians.

    Every day of the week

24. Do Not mapped

    Tracey Park Golf Club

    Appealing 27-hole parkland course between Bath and Wick (Bristol). The Crown course is superior to the Cromwell course, which has some newish holes. Nice clubhouse.

25. See

    Sydney Gardens

    A free park that Jane Austen used to visit.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Bath (CC BY-SA 4.0).