Designs on Sydney Gardens

People can have their say on plans to secure a £2.7 million Heritage Lottery Fund to improve one of Britain’s best remaining Georgian Pleasure Gardens.

sydney gardens
Winter sunshine in Sydney Gardens

Bath & North East Somerset Council is bidding for the lottery money to invest in Sydney Gardens, first opened in 1795 and a favourite spot of Jane Austen.

The Sydney Gardens Parks for People Project has already secured £270k from the Heritage Lottery and is now preparing a round-two bid which will provide funds to improve the historic park.

If successful, money will be used to restore historic buildings, invest in landscaping works, renovate the play area and create new gardens, alongside a programme of events and activities.

The project will celebrate the fascinating history of the gardens, with its Cosmorama, Labyrinth, Merlins Swing, concerts, public breakfasts, galas and illuminations.

Councillor Paul Myers (Conservative Midsomer Norton Redfield) Cabinet Member for Economic and Community Regeneration, said: “We are holding a public consultation about proposed improvements. We want people to come along and enjoy this special place then look at the design plans and have a say in the future of Sydney Gardens.”

People can drop into the consultation on Saturday 25 November from 11.30am – 4.30pm in the Gardener’s Lodge. The gardens are a short walk from the town centre behind the Holburne Museum, on Sydney Road.

The consultation is also online from November 25 via the Sydney Gardens website. The links are here:

Facebook: @SydneyGardensBath

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BathnesParks

http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/sport-leisure-and-parks/parks-opening-times-and-locations/sydney-gardens