A promenade in Bath

It’s like stepping into a Jane Austen novel or perhaps the world of Bridgerton.  You can’t help but think of those who have walked these same paths before you.

Our walk starts at Bath Spa station. If you’re visiting for the day – getting a train is a great option as parking can be challenging at times. The bus station is also here – another great option for getting into the centre. From here we’re headed up into the shopping district, weaving our way through on to Stall Street. Here we come to the Roman Baths – they’re worth a visit if you have time.

We continue straight on, onto Union Street before we eventually get onto Milsom Street. Here the road gently rises up. At the end of the road we turn left onto George Street and then turn right onto Gay Street which leads us straight into The Circus.

Designed by John Wood the elder, The Circus is a historic ring of townhouses that were built between 1754 and 1768 and have a lawn in the middle with some wonderful mature trees. You can’t help but wonder at the stories these trees could tell from their days here. Our walk takes us the long way around The Circus (but you could take the shorter route if you prefer) – we exit along Brock Street and continue straight along until we get to another significant row of houses – The Royal Crescent.

Following in his fathers footsteps, John Wood the younger was also an architect and designed this row of 30 terraced houses in a sweeping crescent with views out across Bath. They were built from 1767 to 1774 and are now Grade I listed buildings. You can’t help but be impressed with the scale of them as you walk around the crescent.

At the far end we’re turning left and heading down the hill until we see the entrance to Royal Victoria Park on our right – this is where we are heading next. Opened in 1830 by the then 11 year old Princess Victoria, this was the first park to bear her name and covers an area of 57 acres. It’s very easy to forget here that you’re in the heart of a bustling tourist hot spot like Bath.

We follow the main path down towards the lake, veering off to the right to follow the path around its edge. On the opposite side of the road there is a children’s play area with a cafe and public toilets should you need them (you have to pay to use the toilets – pay by card only).

As we approach the end of the park, we follow the road around to the right. Ahead of us we see the entrance to the Botanical Gardens. This is a beautiful oasis within the park. Whilst our route only takes in a section of the gardens, feel free to explore all of the paths across the 9 acres.

We dip out of the Botanical Gardens briefly to visit The Great Dell. This is a sunken wooded glade with two notable monuments. The first we see on our left as we enter – the Shakespeare Monument. The second we see as we work our way around this space, heading in a counterclockwise direction – it’s the Colossal Head of Jupiter Zeus. There are also some tall redwoods here – take a moment to hug one. You won’t regret it!

When we get back into the Botanical Garden again we go past the Temple of Minerva (now used as a venue for small wedding ceremonies) and follow the path round towards the Peace Pillar with the words “May peace prevail on earth” etched on. From here we see a gate leading back into the main park which we take and then follow the track across the grass back towards the gate where we came in.

From here you have a choice. As you reach the crossroads with Marlborough Lane you can either go straight across onto Royal Avenue or turn left, head back up the hill and then follow the path on your right (signposted Cotswold Way) that takes you across the lawn in front of the Royal Crescent. Here you get great views of the full terrace. At the far end of the Crescent – we meet a footpath coming in from the left that creates a crossroads. For a step-free route, turn right here (as per the shown route) and then turn left to join Royal Avenue. Or you can continue straight on – both will bring us to the same place – the Bath War Memorial.

A short stroll from here and we find ourselves in Queen Square with its Obelisk in the middle. At the opposite side of the square, to our left, on Gay Street is the Jane Austen Centre – the perfect place to discover more about one of the greatest British female authors. We are headed south from here, turning left onto Wood Street, taking a right at the end onto John Street and then straight on to Trim Bridge. We then turn left onto Upper Borough Walls and follow this straight across until it meets Northgate Street where we turn right and head onto High Street.

Ahead of us you can’t help but notice Bath Abbey. Its full name is the Abbey Church of St Peter and St Paul and was a former Benedictine Monastery. First founded in the 7th century, organised in the 10th it was rebuilt in the 12th and 16th centuries. The interior is particularly noted for the fan vaulted ceilings.

From the Abbey we head south onto Pierrepont Street which takes us straight back to Bath Spa Station where we began.

Access TOG Verdict:
With much of the centre pedestrianised, Bath is a beautiful city to explore in a wheelchair – but be aware that there are hills!

The only part of this walk that isn’t suitable for wheelchair users is The Great Dell as there are steps on the trail. If you choose to explore some of the other paths within the Botanical Gardens you will find some are also not suitable for wheelchairs – however these are the smaller ones rather than the main paths.