Two Bath public spaces appeal to me so much on a morning when the sky is almost cobalt blue and there is an early autumn nip in the air.
Today’s route took me first through Sydney Gardens – via the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal.
This former industrial waterway – designed by John Rennie – was cut across this former Georgian pleasure gardens in 1799.
It’s now a popular route into town for walkers and cyclists who will shortly be hearing what decision has been made over how the towpath from Grosvenor Bridge and into the city centre is going to be ‘improved.’
Further down the park – and as part of a general scheme to cut back some of the undergrowth and allow more light in and better internal viewpoints – l have to say l am impressed at the trim being given to growth around the gateway that now separates the Holburne Museum from the rest of the park.
The building was originally built as the Sydney Hotel and – with concerts and it’s now disappeared dining wings – was part of the entertainment on offer to those who paid for admission to the grounds.
Into town and an update on the Saw Close demolition site where a hotel, casino and restaurants are due to be built. The site manager tells me archaeologists are due on site early next month to start an extensive rescue operation before new footings are put in.
They will be concentrating – to begin with – on the remains of a pipe factory – of which two kilns have already been located.
Finally l was crossing part of Royal Victoria Park – laid out by Edward Davis in 1829 – on my way to a friend’s charity coffee morning – and had to get off my bike to capture some of the amazing early autumn light filtering through the trees.
