Learn more about the history and heritage of Sydney Gardens
Sydney Gardens, a Grade II listed park dating from 1795, is the only remaining Georgian pleasure garden in the UK. Historically a draw to fashionable society, early patrons included Jane Austen, who lived for several years in adjoining Sydney Place.
This peaceful location contains a variety of open and more intimate spaces, including parkland, woodland, pretty waterside walks, tennis courts and a neoclassical loggia and Temple of Minerva. A series of stately walkways and white Chinoiserie bridges frame elegant vistas across the gently sloping site, to the city centre, and the countryside beyond.
Sydney Gardens are a short walk from the city centre, approached via the magnificent Great Pulteney Street, and adjoining the Holburne Museum.
Find out about the Pleasure Gardens in the past.
You can read more about the history of Sydney Gardens on Wikipedia, on the Historic England website and find out about Jane Austen’s fondness for the gardens on the Jane Austen Centre website.
Visit our Medium blog site to read a collection of short articles, in-depth reads and memories detailing the history of the Gardens.
Admission and opening times
Sydney Gardens is open throughout the year. There is no charge for admission.
Facilities and features
- Activity trails for children
- Benches and seating
- Children's play area
- Changing Places toilet
- Community pavilion
- Community gardening spaces
- Flowerbeds
- Kennet and Avon Canal access
- Lawns
- Petanque court
- Public toilet (20p charge)
- Public disability-compliant unisex toilet (20p charge)
- Changing place facility
- Restored Georgian buildings
- Sports area: Basketball, panna football, table tennis
- Tennis courts
- Trails
- Trainspotting
Book a tennis or petanque court
Tennis courts
The two tennis courts at the top of the park are open for play, but you will need to make a booking through our online system.
The booking cost for a tennis court is £6 per hour for Pay and Play.
You can also buy a Family Membership, which us available for £40 per year, or £30 for Concessions.
Petanque court
The new petanque court is near the Bathwick Street entrance. Anyone can turn up and play and use of the court is free.
If your club wants to hold an event or tournament, you will need to reserve it through the outdoor events process. You will be charged the standard booking fee for hiring Boules Terrains (as per Queens Square, for example).
When a booked event is on, the area will be only available for use by the hirer.
View children's play area equipment and facilities
- Adult flat swing
- Basketball hoops (3 pairs)
- Embankment slides
- Inclusive roundabout
- Giant climbing unit (logs and nets)
- Panna football
- Seating
- Sham Castle climber
- Swings
- Water play feature (summer season only)
Site access
Site access details
Pedestrian Access
Via Main entrance from Bathwick Street, through the Holburne Museum, from Sydney Road, Warminster Road and via the Canal Path.
You can walk to Sydney Gardens from the city centre in 10 to 15 minutes along Great Pulteney Street.
You can cycle to Sydney Gardens from the city centre along Great Pulteney Street in a few minutes. There 3 cycle racks: at the Bathwick Street entrance, by the public toilet and in the Play Area.
Disabled Access
Sydney Gardens is fully accessible.
Parking
The closest car park is Manvers Street Car Park
On-street parking is available at Walcot Street
Free parking is available around the edge of the park on Sydney Road. Some bays are restricted to 2 hours, some are 4 hours, between 8am and 6pm).
The Holburne have a small car park for Museum Visitors off Sydney Place (cash ticket).
Public Transport
- Good Public Transport Links from Bath Bus Station to Bathwick Hill. Routes: 11, 94, D1. Stops: Holburne Museum, Forester Road, Darlington Road.
- Approximately a 15 minute walk from Bath Bus Station and Bath Train Station.