If there’s one Bristol park that truly deserves the description of ‘hidden gem’, it’s Royal Fort.
Tucked away a short walk from Park Street and Whiteladies Road, the parkland and Georgian house at Royal Fort is part of the University of Bristol but open to the public, although many people still don’t know it’s there.
With sweeping lawns, wildlife ponds, sculptures and landscaped flower gardens, Royal Fort is simply one of the most beautiful and timeless parks in the city.
Steeped in history, many of the buildings there are now used by the university but when the sun shines, there is no better place in Bristol to enjoy a picnic or sunbathe.
Here are 12 photos of Royal Fort gardens, still one of Bristol’s best-kept secrets.
5. Gates
The main entrance to Royal Fort gardens is on Tyndall Road, close to the University of Bristol. | Mark Taylor
6. Mirror image
The ‘Follow Me’ sculpture in the gardens was designed by Danish artist Jeppe Hein and is a mirrored labyrinth that uses reflection and illusion. | Mark Taylor
7. Statue
This statue celebrates the life of Henrietta Lacks (1920-1951), an African-American woman whose cancer cells are the source of the HeLa cell line, one of the most important cell lines used in medical research today. | Mark Taylor
8. Historic
The Georgian house and grounds were purchased by Henry Herbert Wills in 1916 and donated to the University of Bristol. | Mark Taylor