Alice Park

Alice Park is a municipal park in Lambridge, beside Larkhall, on the eastern side of Bath in Somerset, England. It covers about eight acres of landscaped grounds and has served local people for close to a century as a place for sport, play and community life. It suits families and anyone who wants to see an everyday, less touristy side of the city.

How did Alice Park come about?

The park was given to the city in 1938 by Herbert Montgomery MacVicar, who lived at The Elms on London Road. He created it as a memorial to his late wife, and it carries her name. The Bath in Time archive holds photographs from that period, including the new tennis courts in May 1938.

In 2016 the Alice Park Trust was set up to oversee how the park is run.

Is there anything of architectural interest?

Two park keepers' houses stand at the park. They were built between 1937 and 1940 to a design by Geoffrey Jellicoe, the noted British landscape architect, and both are Grade II listed. For fans of twentieth-century design, they are the park's most interesting feature.

What can you do here?

The grounds include:

• a children's play area,
• six tennis courts,
• a boules piste,
• cycle paths,
• a wildlife conservation area,
• a community garden.

Sports and fitness groups use the park often. There is also a children's nursery on site, and Alice Park Café, which stays open all year and is fully licensed.

Is it easy to visit?

According to Visit Bath, the park has free on-site parking and toilets, and dogs are welcome. It is listed as accessible to wheelchair users, with facilities for disabled visitors.

How do you get there?

The area is served by the number 6 and 7 buses, which are reported to run about every 30 minutes. Check current timetables before you travel, as services can change.

Frequently asked questions

Is Alice Park free to enter? Yes. It is a public park, given to the city for local people. Only certain extras, such as court use, may carry a charge.

Can I bring my dog? Yes, dogs are welcome.

Is there a cafe? Yes, Alice Park Café operates in the park throughout the year.

Is it good for children? Yes. There is a play area, open space to run around, and a nursery next door.

Are there events in the park? Alice Park takes part in the annual Larkhall Festival, held in the neighbourhood since 2009. Its main venue is the New Oriel Hall, but other local places, the park among them, join in.

Who is it for?

Alice Park is not among the headline sights of Bath, but it is worth a visit if you are staying on the east side of the city, travelling with children, or interested in the work of Geoffrey Jellicoe. A quiet walk, a coffee at the park cafe and a game of boules make a relaxed break from sightseeing in the centre, which is not far away.