We are lucky enough to have a wealth of greenspace in Bath & North East Somerset. From parks to nature reserves, riverside paths to woodlands all these places provide homes for nature and spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Greenspace maps have been created for Bath, Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Westfield in the Somer Valley. We hope to produce similar maps for other areas in due course.
Our landscape city
Bath is a landscape city, surrounded by hills and valleys that come right into the city centre, making it easy to get out and explore. Bath & North East Somerset Council is the lead partner in the Bathscape Landscape Partnership Scheme, a National Lottery funded scheme which seeks to restore and enhance the countryside in and around Bath, and help ensure it is appreciated and actively enjoyed by more people.
Our map shows just how green our city is, and how easy it is to find a green space within walking distance. The team behind the map came together to show the many greenspaces there are to enjoy. And, of course, we couldn’t fit them all on the map!
View a map of our landscape city
Somer Valley
Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Westfield nestle in the hills of the Somer Valley. There are a wide variety of greenspaces to discover and many of them are connected by cycle or footpath.
Somer Valley Rediscovered is a partnership project between Bath & North East Somerset Council, Wessex Water and Natural England. It aims to improve greenspace and biodiversity in the Somer Valley and to enable communities to actively enjoy their local greenspaces, with all the mental and physical health benefits that spending time in nature brings.
This greenspace map is a collaboration between:
- Somer Valley Rediscovered
- Midsomer Norton Town Council
- Radstock Town Council
- Westfield Parish Council
- B&NES Public Health Team
- B&NES Parks Department
View the Somer Valley greenspace map
Work on your wellbeing
We all know that the great outdoors benefits our physical health, but we are also becoming more aware that spending time in parks, gardens, woodlands and other greenspaces can improve our mental health and wellbeing too. It can help reduce stress, anxiety and even soften symptoms of depression.
It is recommended that we carry out about 150 minutes of physical activity each week, but there’s also significant evidence that exposure to nature for at least 120 minutes each week can help maintain positive mental health.
Social prescribing is the process of connecting an individual with a link worker who will help people to access community based activities, related to their health and wellbeing needs. Green social prescribing links people to nature-based activities and includes outdoor exercise, community gardening and food growing projects, conservation volunteering, green gyms, and arts and cultural activities which take place outdoors. To find out more contact your local GP practice or visit the DHI Social Prescribing webpage.
Find our greenspaces
Find greenspaces, parks, gardens, woodlands and countryside to explore and enjoy in Bath and North East Somerset.
- Bathscape
- B&NES Parks
- Cotswold National Landscape
- Mendip Hills AONB
- Avon Wildlife Trust
- National Trust
- Bath Audio Walking Tours
- River & Canal Walks
- Bristol & Bath Railway Path
- River Avon Trail
- Two Tunnels Greenway
- Limestone Link
- Colliers Way
- Somersetshire Coal Canal
- Radstock Heritage Trails
- Westfield Heritage Trails
- MSN Town Park
You can get involved in any of the following ways
You can get involved in any of the following ways:
- Volunteer for Bathscape – they need walk leaders and nature champions to help with outdoor work and help develop new walking routes
- Volunteer in the Somer Valley. Contact Emma, Volunteer Coordinator, about opportunities with Somer Valley Rediscovered by emailing somervalleyrediscovered@bathnes.gov.uk or calling 01225 477 593
- Volunteer for our parks team or other park groups (you can also support the Parks Foundation)
- Find out generally how how you can get involved, by emailing parks@bathnes.gov.uk or calling 01225 396 386. Alternatively, call Bathscape on 01225 477 265.