Date published: 2026-06-04 | Category: Bathscape, Climate Emergency, Ecological Emergency Action Plan
The Bathscape Landscape Partnership Scheme, led by Bath & North East Somerset Council has demonstrated how working together with organisations, communities and landowners can deliver lasting benefits for nature, wildlife and people.
Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and supported by a wide network of partners, including National Trust, Bath Preservation Trust, University of Bath and Bath Spa University, the scheme has transformed how the city’s surrounding hills, green spaces and heritage are managed and enjoyed.
Since starting operations in 2018, the scheme has run 25 interconnected projects — a diverse programme of conservation, engagement, learning, wellbeing and access initiatives designed to reconnect people with the landscape and ensure it is better managed for the future.
A programme of free and inclusive events and nature-based activities together with supporting community participation in environmental action has helped to tackle inequalities and supported wellbeing. More than 24,000 people have taken part in activities, including 4,250 walkers during the seven walking festivals, while more than 1,000 volunteers have contributed around 3,000 days of their time.
Investing in restoring habitats and improving how the landscape is managed by supporting better stewardship has helped to strengthen biodiversity and resilience to climate change and will deliver long-term environmental benefits. In total, 1,040 people have been given the skills to understand, help care for and share Bath’s special landscape.
Councillor Sarah Warren, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Bath and North East Somerset, said: “Bathscape is a fantastic achievement and shows what can be done when organisations, communities and landowners work together with a shared vision. The landscape that surrounds Bath is fundamental to the city’s identity and by taking a joined-up preventative approach we are not only helping to protect nature but ensuring its benefits are shared more fairly across our communities. This scheme leaves a strong legacy of collaboration, skills and community involvement with everyone continuing to work together to care for the area’s unique natural setting for the long term.”
Bathscape successfully attracted £2.2 million of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the World Heritage Enhancement Fund, Network Rail, Bath & North East Somerset Council and partner organisations.
The programme has helped to establish Bath more clearly as a ‘landscape city’ where the historic built environment and surrounding hills and valleys are understood as one interconnected heritage with the result that the concept of ‘Bathscape’ is now embedded in local planning and strategy, reflecting a stronger recognition of the importance of the landscape in shaping the city’s identity, wellbeing and future resilience.
ENDS