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Royal Victoria Park Botanic Gardens (also known as Botanic Gardens, Bath)

Pgds 20080112 222144 Victoria Park Botanic Gardens 1
Pgds 20080112 224324 Victoria Park Botanic Gardens 2

Introduction

This record relates to the botanic garden in the Royal Victoria Park, Bath. There is considerable planting with a pond, fed by a spring. There are also serpentine paths and a summerhouse.

Terrain

Slightly sloping.

The site slopes slightly uphill south to north. The whole site is covered in trees and extensive planting, the greatest concentration being around the central area and the pond and stream. The eastern end is less densely planted. There are many paths, some winding, some straight. The site is well-maintained by Bath City Council.

Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts

Access contact details

The botanic gardens are sited in Royal Victoria Park, which is a municipal park for general public use.

Owners

Bath & North East Somerset Council

Riverside, Temple Street, Keynsham, BS31 1LA

Other Websites

History

19th Century

In 1840 a small botanic garden was made in Victoria Park, but was soon abandoned due to lack of support. In 1887 the present Botanic garden was laid out on the site of the earlier one. It was established to receive 2,000 valuable herbaceous and alpine plants from the collection of C.E. Broome. On his death, the plants had been presented to the Victoria Park Committee.

The garden was laid out by John Milburn under the direction of J.W. Morris. John Milburn came especially from Kew to do the work. He later became park superintendent. The aim was to design a picturesque garden as well as one which would house the valuable collection.

The large stones used in the layout came from Mr. Skrine of Claverton Manor. John Milburn was a friend of Canon Ellacombe who contributed plants to the garden. In 1930 the eastern end of the garden was extended.

Associated People
Features & Designations

Designations

  • Conservation Area

  • Reference: Bath

Features

  • Herbaceous Border
  • Rockery
  • Description: The central clump is a rock garden, surrounded by seats.
  • Walk
  • Description: Scented walk.
  • Pond
  • Description: The central features of the garden are a pond and stream.
  • Tree Feature
  • Description: Woodland garden.
  • Sculpture
  • Description: Created from a dead Giant Redwood by Lee Dickson.
  • Summerhouse
  • Description: The summerhouse was originally erected by the Bath Corporation at Wembley for the British Empire Exhibition in 1924. It was re-erected here in 1926 when the botanic garden was extended.
  • Earliest Date:
  • Latest Date:
  • Ornamental Bridge
  • Description: There are two small stone bridges over the stream.
Key Information

Type

Collection

Purpose

Educational

Principal Building

Recreational

Survival

Extant

Hectares

1.2

Open to the public

Yes

References

References

Contributors

  • Myna Trustram

  • Avon Gardens Trust

Related Documents
  • CLS 1/30/171A

    Royal Victoria Park, Bath: A Survey of the Landscape, Summary - Hard copy

    Colvin & Moggridge and Debois Landscape Survey Group - Dec 1992

  • CLS 1/30/171B

    Royal Victoria Park, Bath: A Survey of the Landscape, Summary - Hard copy

    Colvin & Moggridge and Debois Landscape Survey Group - Dec 1992 rev Apr 1993

  • CLS 1/30/169

    Royal Victoria Park: A Survey of the Landscape, Part 1: History, Analysis and Proposals - Hard copy

    Colvin & Moggridge and Debois Landscape Survey Group - 1993

  • CLS 1/30/170

    Royal Victoria Park: Part 2, Volume 1: Frederick Hanham 'A Manual for the Park,' 1857 - Hard copy

    Colvin & Moggridge and Debois Landscape Survey Group - 1993

  • CLS 1/30/170A

    Royal Victoria Park: Part 2, Volume 2: Other Photocopies - Hard copy

    Colvin & Moggridge and Debois Landscape Survey Group - Dec 1992