Abbey Gardens Bath
Parade Gardens is a grade II listed park. Originally known as St James's Park, it was laid out in 1709 to accompany assembly rooms for spa visitors. The flower bed displays in Parade Gardens are among the finest in the country, and the annual 3-dimensional carpet bedding in the summer always features a unique concept.
In 2013, Bath was a Gold award winner in the RHS Britain in Bloom. The Parade Gardens is a grade II listed park in Bath, Somerset, England. [1] The gardens are situated to the south of the Empire Hotel, Bath and 250 yards to the east of Bath Abbey.
[1] There is a small fee to enter Parade Gardens, [2] while residents with a Discovery Card have free access. [3] There is also a cafe on site. Please note that Bath & North East Somerset Council is trialling free entry to Parade Gardens from 1 April 2025 - 31 December 2025, following a successful pilot in October 2024.
Parade Gardens occupies a triangular site bounded to the south by North Parade, to the north-east by the River Avon, and to the west by Pierrepont Street and Grand Parade. Bath's Parade Gardens have "magnificent views" of Pulteney Weir and Bath Abbey. Parade Gardens are situated c 250m east of Bath Abbey, while Orange Grove is situated immediately north-east of the Abbey.
Parade Gardens, which comprises an area of c 1.25ha, occupies an approximately triangular site bounded to the south by North Parade, to the north. Uncover hidden gardens in Bath, from peaceful retreats to lush landscapes, perfect for nature lovers and tranquility seekers. Bath has many beautiful green spaces incorporated within its Georgian architecture but this park along the Avon River is the prettiest setting.
Part of that is its location along the River but part of it being in the city center surrounded by many of the great sights of Bath, like Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge and the rugby stadium. Parade Gardens in Bath, close to the Empire Hotel, the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey, are a Grade II listed park. They lie on the west bank of the River Avon across from Bath rugby club's the Recreation Ground, just south of Pulteney Bridge and Pulteney Weir.
The gardens cover two. Parade Gardens is the well-manicured waterside park, positioned where the River Avon meets the infamous Pulteney Bridge and the Pulteney Weir. You'll need to pay £1.50 admission at the entrance to the ramp down to the gardens (unless you are a Bath resident, in which case your Discovery Card will get you free admission) but, with it's cafe and plenty of shaded seating, it's the perfect place.
There is so much to see and do in the Abbey, but definitely some things that you shouldn't miss during your visit. Here is a snapshot of the highlights Footprint: The Abbey's floor was collapsing but thanks to the Footprint.