WT10 - WALK: The Story of Bath's Botanical Gardens

Bath's Royal Victoria Park and Botanical Gardens were created not just as places for relaxation, but for the ‘instruction and elevation of the city's operatives'. This walk will reveal the history of the park and gardens, with a particular focus on the trees planted by the Victorians and still to be seen today. 

We will hear from the benefactors and civic-minded citizens who created these spaces, such as Lady Lushington and Captain Mainwairing, and from the expert plantsmen who established 'a variety of very rare trees second only to Kew'. We'll visit the Jubilee Oak, learn the history of the Great Dell and understand how the gardens were expanded from their original layout to include the pond and pavilion. 

Knowing where the gardens have come from, we'll also consider the challenges they face in the 21st century.

The walk is led by members of Bath Urban Treescape, who are working with Bath and North East Somerset Council to re-label the trees in the gardens for a new generation. They will combine storytelling with a close look at some of the beautiful and rare trees.  Participants will gain a new and deeper appreciation of one of Bath's hidden gems and be encouraged to explore it further themselves.