Where to feed the ducks in Bath

Feeding the ducks is one of our favourite things to do on a walk. My kids LOVE it and I can entice them on a walk simply on a promise that there will be ducks to feed. Here’s some places we (almost) always find ducks in and around Bath. I’ve linked the location to the title and included parking, refreshments and toilets where possible.

Royal Victoria Park Duck Pond, Central Bath – There’s a lot of ducks, seagulls and pigeons at the pond in Victoria park. It’s s a handy stop before heading over to the playground or up into the park but I find it can get quite busy and the birds can get quite close which can be a bit intimidating for my little ones. Metered parking on the road, Picnic in the Park cafe and Herberts Cafe nearby and toilets in the playground.

On the Canal near Sydney Gardens – There’s a reed bed on the canal where a few ducks and coots live just past Sydney Gardens, after the long tunnel, (heading towards Bathampton). If you shake a box of feed they’ll appear soon enough. Free, restricted, parking around Sydney Gardens, Holburne cafe and toilets in the park.

On the Canal by The George Inn, at Bathampton – This is a beautiful spot and a good one to combine with a walk along the canal, about 2.5 miles from central Bath. We almost always find a large number of ducks and often a pair of swans who also live and nest here. They’ve had cygnets every year we’ve been in Bath, so depending on the time of year, you’ll see their brood too. The George Inn sells duck and swan food for 50p. There’s a small green with benches which makes an ideal pit stop, the pub for refreshments and toilets or the Cafe on the Barge just after the tunnel. Restricted parking in the pub car park.

Dundas Aqueduct, Monkton Combe – there are usually quite a few ducks at the Brassknocker Basin and if not, they’re usually bobbing around on the canal nearby. If you’re lucky there’s often a swan along this section too, we sometimes see it by the Angelfish Cafe. Brassknocker carpark has metered parking, refreshments and toilets at the Angelfish Cafe. I’ve written about the Dundas Aqueduct in a bit more detail if you fancy a visit.

University of Bath, Coombe Down – There are a lot of ducks, a few small gulls and we’ve also seen a heron at the large pond on the University campus. It’s a beautiful, tranquil spot and especially quiet if you visit at the weekend or during the holidays. The ducks are clearly very much loved with their own dedicated website. There’s free, restricted parking along The Avenue, no toilets or refreshments that I know of. Maybe combine your visit with a trip to the American Museum just down the road.  

By the River at Batheaston – Head down to the river beyond the carpark and there’s usually ducks down by the slipway. Combine with a wander along the river and a picnic in the Riverside and Secret Gardens. Metered parking in the car park, refreshments and toilets at Robbie’s. 

Tithe Barn, Bradford in Avon – This isn’t a regular spot for us but we’ve always seen ducks and sometimes swans down on the slipway beside the bridge and opposite the playground. It’s great to combine with a visit to the swings, a coffee and toilets at The Coffee Barn and a snoop around the shops. We park at Baileys Barn (metered) then a short walk along the canal or there’s parking at the train station.

What to feed ducks?

There’s been some debate about whether to feed ducks and swans bread in recent years. The consensus seems to be that bread lacks nutrition, can stop them foraging for healthier food and it can be bad for their habitat when it’s left to rot. So if you’re heading out to feed the ducks it’s much better to take something more nutritious like

• sweetcorn
• peas
• oats
• seeds
• chopped up lettuce
• rice (cooked or uncooked)
• duck and swan food, from garden centres or online

I went for the easy option and bought a big 5kg bag of Wild Things Duck and Swan Food for about £12, (much to my husbands amusement), because we feed the ducks all the time. We’ve had it for two years, have plenty left and feed the ducks often, so it does last.