Prior Park, Bath, England

Site is open to the public. Opening may be limited, please check Visitor Information for any restrictions.

Brief description of site

Prior Park is a landscaped pleasure grounds and park, laid out from 1734 on by Ralph Allen with advice from Pope to 1743. There are terraced balustraded steps by Goodridge, dating from 1834. These replaced terraces by Allen and Pope. Other features include a Palladian bridge, two gate lodges and a grotto.

Brief history of site

Prior Park originated as part of a deer park owned by the Bishop of Bath and Wells. After the Dissolution in 1534-9, the park and other priory lands were subdivided between several owners and continued in agricultural use for the next two hundred years. In 1726 Ralph Allen purchased part of an estate including the priory lands. In 1728 he purchased further lands including the Prior's park. Later that year he commissioned designs for a new house from John Wood the Elder. Between 1734 and about 1740, with advice from Alexander Pope as well as Wood, Allen developed a formal landscape north of and below the house and a rococo wilderness to the north-west.

Location information:

OS Landranger Map Sheet Number:	172	Grid Ref:	ST760633
Latitude:	51.36825	Longitude:	-2.346142

Key information:

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