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Bath Grounds by drone

Ashby Bath Grounds

Ashby’s historic Bath Grounds is an area of parkland close to the town centre. The grounds are used everyday by residents and visitors who come to enjoy this beautiful communal space.  As of 4pm on Tuesday 1st August 2023, the Town Council and the people of Ashby and Blackfordby now own the Bath Grounds.

There are many benches located around the grounds to sit on and relax or reflect. There are also an increasing number of memorial benches. These are available to purchase via the Memorial Bench Application Request. The grounds are also used for events such as the popular ‘Jim’s Tractor Run’ and ‘Ashby Sport Fun Day‘.

The Bath Grounds benefits from support from volunteer groups including the Friends of Ashby Bath Grounds, who were instrumental in the implementation of the all-weather Heritage Trail – scroll down for details. Ashby Litter Picking Group regularly visit the grounds to help keep it tidy and litter free.

The Town Council remains committed to maintaining the Bath Grounds in line with the Green Flag Scheme.

The Bath Grounds Advisory Group assist in maintaining and improving the Bath Grounds as well as supporting the Town Council in its retention of the Green Flag award. The group conducted a survey in 2022 aimed to help them shape the future of the grounds.

The Bath Grounds is home to Ashby Hastings Cricket Club  & Ashby Bowls Club who have both been playing on the grounds for over 100 years.

Map of Bath grounds

This map shows the access points to the Bath Grounds. Red is pedestrian, Blue is vehicular.

Bath Grounds Entrances

The Bath Grounds Heritage Trail and Guide

The Bath Grounds Heritage Trail comprises a series of heritage interpretation boards, numbered waymarkers and community created mosaics installed on a circular route around the Grounds

You can download the Heritage Trail Guide and print it out at home. It includes a map of the Trail, gives a taster of the information on the interpretation boards and provides useful information on how to find the Bath Grounds, the Friends of Ashby Bath Grounds and this Heritage Lottery Funded Project.

Ashby Bath Grounds Heritage Trail Guide

Native spring bulbs

To encourage biodiversity, many native spring bulbs were planted in the Winter of 2022.  Look out for native daffodils, tulips and fritillary popping up each Spring. We hope you enjoy these Spring flowers and would ask if you do have a four legged friend with you to try and keep them away from the areas to the right of the Prior Park entrance and the bowls club. Many thanks, Ashby de la Zouch Town Council.

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Spring and Summer Meadows

To encourage biodiversity, two sections of the Bath Grounds have been converted to ‘Spring’ and ‘Summer’ meadows. This means that the ‘Spring’ meadow will not be mown until July and the ‘Summer’ meadow will remain un-mown until late August. These sections should encourage seeds to grow and ripen over time. Some of the seed will be taken by sparrows, goldfinch and other seed eating birds, thereby encouraging diversity.

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Fruit trees

Following recommendations to improve biodiversity, six fruit trees have been planted along the Heritage Trail. The trees, including, damson, apple, cherry, pear and plum, will attract birds and insects as they grow and fruit.

1. Malus Evereste 2. Damson 3. 'katy' Apple Tree 4. Cherry Tree 5. Pear Tree 6. Plum Tree

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Bath Grounds Play Trail

In summer 2022 a survey was conducted for users of the Bath Grounds. One of the key questions was ‘How can the Bath Grounds be improved?’ One of the most popular answers was to install play or gym equipment for children. The Bath Grounds Advisory Group selected a play trail to meet this need and to ensure that it blended in with the lovely grounds. The play trail has been funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.