250 years of Bath's Urban Treescape

This walk will reveal the history of the City’s trees and green spaces, the ways they have been appreciated, and how the planting or removal of trees in Bath has excited the passions of its citizens.

Walkers will hear new insights from the history of the trees in the Circus, see the locations of Bath’s first street trees and find out about landmark trees, such as those in Abbey Green and Kingsmead Square. Conkers, student protests, chimney sweeps and women carrying concealed billhooks all play a part in the story of Bath’s trees.

Led by Bath’s own urban tree specialists, Hugh Williamson and Fiona Bell, there will be time to learn about the types of tree that have proved popular in Bath’s streets and the mistakes that were made along the way. Participants will gain their own appreciation of how this UNESCO World Heritage city has benefited from its trees through two and half centuries.

The walk starts at Orange Grove, behind the Abbey, and concludes on Royal Avenue. The route is approx. 2 miles and follows pavements and streets around the city centre. There are kerbs, no stairways and one section of grass below Royal Crescent.

Dogs welcome.

Please wear clothing appropriate for the weather.

All proceeds will go to the cost of printing tree trail maps