A National Trust English landscape garden above Bath, known for its Palladian bridge and valley views - an easy post-walk visit from the Cotswold Way finish.
Prior Park Landscape Garden occupies a steep combe south of Bath city centre. Laid out in the eighteenth century for Ralph Allen with advice from Alexander Pope and later work associated with Capability Brown, the garden helped define the English landscape style. The best-known feature is the Palladian bridge spanning the lake at the foot of the valley - one of only a handful of this design left in the world - with lawns and woodland rising toward Prior Park College above.
Paths are steep and can be muddy; allow time for the climb back to the entrance. A short walk links the garden to the Bath Skyline circular route if you want a longer outing after finishing the National Trail. The house itself is a school and is not part of the National Trust visit.
For Cotswold Way walkers Prior Park is a natural half-day after the Abbey Churchyard finish (or before you start south to north). Confirm opening hours, tickets, and accessibility on the National Trust Prior Park page before you go. The garden entrance is on Ralph Allen Drive, Bath, BA2 5AH.
Stay in Bath.
