A Local Guide to Oldfield Park
Situated just to the south of the city centre, Oldfield Park is a residential area within the historic city of Bath, home to a bustling high street, lush green spaces, and its very own railway station.
A Brief History of Oldfield Park
‘Oldfield Park’ comes from the road names of what are today known as Upper and Lower Oldfield Park. The suburb first came about during the late 18th century, when the city of Bath was undergoing its transformation from a simple spa town to a more industrial area. The lower southern slopes of the city that had, up until this point, been taken up by farm fields were gradually shifted into residential spaces, with Oldfield Park and the surrounding outskirts of the centre freshly covered with exquisite detached and semi-detached buildings.
The suburb reportedly became a popular place for local clerks at the time to find convenient residence. Today, Oldfield Park attracts a diverse variety of residents, and is widely popular with local students of the city’s two universities, Bath Spa University and the University of Bath.
Location of Oldfield Park
Oldfield Park sits on the southern fringes of the city centre, and is often cited as Bath’s most well-connected community. A popular residential area, Oldfield Park has well-respected primary and secondary schools within walking distance, as well as the beating heart of the city centre just a short stroll away.
The popular residential area also has its very own railway station, Oldfield Park Station, that goes through Bath Spa city centre and beyond, as well as several bus routes that stop in and around the suburb.
Sights to See
Oldfield Park is home to several beautiful natural spaces. Brickfield Park, a vast, open field that sits near Bath’s large countryside, offers stunning views of the city’s rolling hills, and is a popular spot for dog-walkers and joggers to take in the sights or meet for picnics.
The Two Tunnels Greenway sit nearby, starting from East Twerton, following all the way up the disused railway trackbed of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway, and eventually out into Oldfield Park and the Devonshire Tunnel. It is Europe’s longest traffic-free tunnel at 1672 metres, making for a wonderful route to cycle or walk through.
There is also Linear Park, a winding ribbon of countryside that rests within the area, originally a part of the Somerset and Dorset railway line which ran from Bath’s Green Park Station to Bournemouth before it closed down in 1966. Today, the tranquil green space is a wonderful spot to stroll through on the weekend and admire the many indigenous plants.
Things to Do
At the heart of Oldfield Park sits the area that really brings the close-knit community together – Moorland Road, the suburb’s very own bustling high street. A truly traditional village high street, Moorland Road is home to a butcher, greengrocer, fishmonger, bank, and Post Office, as well as several independent shops and quirky vegan cafes that stretch along the busy road.
The award-winning Oyster Shell fish and chip shop, sister business to the Scallop Shell, is always overflowing with customers out the door, while Magu Diner, a gourmet burger bar, also sits nearby, an independent restaurant where delicious burgers are homemade from locally sourced ingredients, as well as BYOB curry house Panahar and the Moorfields gastropub.
If you’re planning on relocating to Oldfield Park and wanting to find out more about the area, the East Twerton & Oldfield Park Local History Group meet every Thursday evening to honour their shared passion for preserving the rich history of the suburb.
