Parade Gardens

Parade Gardens delivers Bath's postcard shot: Pulteney Bridge framed by riverside lawns and seasonal flower beds. You're paying £1.50 in summer (free October to March) for manicured gardens that sit directly below the famous bridge, with the River Avon flowing past weeping willows and well-maintained borders. The terraced layout gives you multiple angles of the bridge, plus decent spots to sit and watch river traffic.

The gardens feel pleasantly compact rather than grand. You'll find yourself on gravel paths winding between rose beds and herbaceous borders, with plenty of benches facing the water. In summer, hired deckchairs (£3 for two hours) dot the main lawn area. The atmosphere stays relaxed even when busy: families picnic, couples pose for photos, and regulars read newspapers by the riverside. The sound of the weir creates constant background noise.

Most guides oversell this as essential Bath viewing, but it's really about that one bridge perspective. The gardens themselves are pleasant but unremarkable: standard municipal planting that looks best May through September. Winter visits make more sense financially (free entry, same views), though you'll miss the flower displays. Skip the expensive deckchairs unless you're planning to stay over an hour.