Experts in Conservation, Botany, Ecology and Human Physiology will guide you around the campus, highlighting the many forms of wildlife present and the conservation efforts in place to protect several endangered species, including great crested newts and lesser horseshoe bats. You will also spend some time looking at how our interaction with nature can improve our mental and physical health.
Bath Spa university’s Newton Park campus can trace its origins back to the 14th Century. It was originally laid out on land containing the keep and gateway of St Loe’s Castle, a fortified medieval manor house. In the 18th Century Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown was commissioned to improve the grounds and most of what can be seen today is a result of his vision.
Much of the walk will take place around the upper lake. This lake is encircled by a gravel walkway and is ornamented with specimen trees and shrubs, a Garden Temple, boathouse, walled Italian garden, gatehouse and the Castle Keep where this walk will begin and end.
This 1.5 mile walk will take 2 hours. It’s on mainly paved pathways, with some grassy paths and some steeper sections. There are regular benches and resting points throughout
It’s accessible by public transport from city centre and some limited parking on site. There are toilets and other facilities on the campus.
The walk leaders are Dr Matt Baker and colleagues
Start/finish: Newton St Loe Campus – Castle Keep What3words for meeting point: comedians.taxi.flown
This walk is suitable for powered wheelchairs/mobility scooters (there are some steep uphills). No dogs on this walk please, but there’s a dog-friendly version on Friday.
Booking is essential, you can book your free place here – Book Newton Park Mon.
