Prior Park Landscape Garden in Bath set to undergo £2.2 million restoration

A £2.2 million restoration project to safeguard the future of the lakes in the much-loved Georgian landscape at Prior Park in Bath is being planned by the local National Trust team.

Photo courtesy of Visit Bath

The National Trust has cared for Prior Park for 25 years, and from next year will undertake major repairs to the 18th-century dams, which are being damaged by invasive crayfish.

As an independent conservation charity, the National Trust has £2.1 million in place for the restoration and as part of the 25th anniversary year, they are launching a public appeal to raise the final £100,000 needed to ensure that all aspects of the work can start early in 2019.

Tom Boden, Prior Park General Manager, said: “You never tire of the view down through the park’s secluded valley into the heart of Bath. Prior Park is greatly admired for its rare Palladian Bridge and lakes, along with the peace and tranquillity it offers.

“In 1996 we first opened the park to visitors and it’s vital that this treasured landscape is there for future generations to enjoy.”

In the mid-1700s, the garden was the grand vision of Ralph Allen. He rose to become one of the wealthiest men in the country, and created the landscape garden and mansion with views over Bath.

His Palladian bridge is one of only four built to this design in the world, and the three Georgian dams created the lakes that make the garden so memorable.

But time takes its toll, and it is the dams that now need major and expert attention. Working down the garden from the bridge, the middle dam needs the most restoration.

The middle lake has already been emptied to take the load off the dam and to allow it to be fully restored and then the middle path reopened, having been closed for safety for a number of years.

A small cascade – one of Allen’s original features – will also be reinstated here, and the lower dam is to be strengthened.

Prior Park is a haven for wildlife, but one particular animal is proving less than welcome. Invasive signal crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus, have all but eradicated the native white-clawed crayfish.

Larger, aggressive and fertile, signal crayfish are burrowing into the banks of the lakes and dams and opening up holes. Those involved say there’s no successful non-chemical method of control, and chemical control would harm the natural environment and any remaining native species.

Expert engineers, ecologists and architects have come up with a cunning new plan, the new design for the middle dam will be reinforced to prevent the crayfish burrowing in.

Alice Palfrey, Prior Park Head Gardener, sees the garden through all its seasons. She said: “Prior Park is a special place for so many people – a real oasis of calm on the edge of a bustling city. And not just for people, but for nature too – from butterflies and wildflowers to kingfishers and swans.

“It’s great to see visitors relaxing by the lakes, and taking in the view. The garden will remain open during the restoration, so as well as enjoying it in all seasons, you can follow the work in progress.”

You can donate to the Prior Park Dams appeal here.