News, events and schools' information for families across Bath and West Wiltshire

A host of free activities are on offer to celebrate Bath’s Sydney Gardens with something for everyone in the community to enjoy on a community fun day on Sunday 15 September.

A model railway, working forge, live classical music, guided tours and family-friendly creative activities are all included in the Friends of Sydney Gardens Community Day to encourage visitors to the UK’s only surviving Georgian Pleasure Gardens.

The event has been organised by Bath and North East Somerset Council and the Friends of Sydney Gardens to entice more people to explore the gardens, which are undergoing restoration following a £2.7m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Councillor Paul Crossley, cabinet member for Community Services, said, “This event is set to be an enjoyable afternoon that I hope will draw more people to come and see what Sydney Gardens has to offer. The gardens are a lovely haven from the hustle and bustle of our city and I look forward to seeing the community coming together on this special day.”

The event runs from 1pm to 4pm and also includes stalls and activities from Bath Area Play Project, Bath Bees, RSPB and Kennet & Avon Canal. Donkey Rides are being provided over the afternoon by Danny’s Donkeys – a rescue centre for donkeys, and an Avon & Somerset Fire Engine will be on site from 2pm to 3pm.

Leading up to the event, a model railway of the London to Bristol mainline as it passes through Sydney Gardens will be on display at the Holburne Museum on 14 and 15 September. In addition, the Jane Austen 2019 Regency Costumed Promenade will set off from Sydney Gardens on 14 September at 11am.

For more information on the Community Day, go to www.bathnes.gov.uk/sydneygardensactivities

Sydney Gardens first opened in 1795 and were a favourite spot of Jane Austen. The project to restore the gardens will involve extensive heritage and wildlife conservation work, a new café and play area and refurbished tennis courts, a community hall and craft studio created within existing buildings and areas of the park that are currently closed to the public will be reopened.

Regular free activities in the Sydney Gardens:

After School Play

Led by play rangers from Bath Area Play Project with games and fun! Running every Wednesday from 4th September to the 9th October. For children aged 5 years and over. Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult. Meet by the London Plane Tree Trunk on the Lower Lawn. Every Wednesday, 3.30pm-5.30pm

Friends of Sydney Gardens, Volunteer Gardening

Every Second Sunday of the month, 10am til 12 noon. Tools provided – please bring your own gloves if you can. Meet at park entrance behind the Holburne Museum.

Friends of Sydney Gardens, Historic Tours of the Pleasure Gardens

Every Second Sunday of the month 2.30pm to 3.15pm. Meet at park entrance behind the Holburne Museum.

Over the autumn the Sydney Garden Project will be starting a weekly Sydney Gardening Club, holding a dementia-friendly walk and talk, Hidden History talks, learning sessions for local primary schools and a Nature Tots group. We will also be celebrating National Tree Week in November, and hosting an event focusing on Climate Change.

For more information visit www.bathnes.gov.uk/sydneygardensactivities

The project works closely with the Friends of Sydney Gardens, a community group dedicated to supporting the park. To join the Friends visit www.friendsofsydneygardens.org