Bath Quaker Burial Ground / Garden
Quaker Burial Ground, Clarendon Road, Widcombe, Bath, Somerset, BA2 4NJ
Come and see our delightful Burial Ground, a walled garden tucked away in a part of Widcombe you may not have visited before. There are lots of trees, shrubs, roses and herbs and there are benches to sit on. We have a shelter in case of rain showers. Enjoy the views across the valley. The garden is not usually open to the public except by arrangement so this is a great opportunity to see it. There will be local Quakers here all day able to explain about the garden and about Quakerism if you are interested.
2024 is the 400th anniversary of the birth of George Fox. Along with Margaret Fell he is considered the founder of the Religious Society of Friends, who later were given the nick name 'Quakers' because they shook or 'quaked' with religious fervour. Early meetings were often banned and Quakers imprisoned, because of the 'dangerous' idea that all could have direct connection with God without the need for intermediaries (priests) between. Quakers have a long history of challenging the accepted norms of Church and State where these contradicted deep held beliefs about Peace, Truth and Equality. Quakers have, for example, been conscientious objectors in war time, refusing to kill, but many worked in ambulance teams to bring wounded from the battlefield. Quakers in the 19th Century campaigned against slavery and for improving the living conditions of prisoners. Women Quakers have always been equal. Modern Quakers in Bath are involved in Peace Vigils & Climate Change Action.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 07 September:
- 10:00 to 16:30
Location & directions
Quaker Burial Ground, Clarendon Road, Widcombe, Bath, Somerset, BA2 4NJ
- Directions:
- Entrance is a double wooden door just after the corner. Both the lower road ((Clarendon Rd) & upper road (Widcombe Crescent) are narrow but the upper is narrower. The linking road is quite steep. Wider vehicles such as a mini-bus should avoid entering both roads. Parking is very limited on Clarendon Road, and always full on Widcombe Crescent. It is often possible to park on nearby roads such as Prior Park Road and then approach via a steep pathway and steps (Widcombe Rise, opposite Forefield Rise) that take you up to Clarendon Road. The Burial Ground is a 15 minute walk from Bath Spa Train & Bus Stations, and nearby large city centre car parks, via a footbridge at the back of the train station, passing through the pretty Widcombe 'village' centre (Claverton Street), where there are tea shops and pubs to be found. The Garden Centre on Prior Park Road also has a good cafe.
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Part of the garden is wheelchair accessible as there is a flat pathway from the entrance to our new 'shelter' area, from which you can see the rest of the garden, but as the entrance to the site from the road is on a slope it is preferable to have a helper on hand. Most of the garden is on a slope and 'paths' are cut through the grass for access, walking with care, but these are not wheelchair accessible. There is a composting toilet on site for emergency use and there is cold running water but the toilet shed has a step and is not wheelchair accessible, unfortunately.
