Magic Roundabout, Parade Gardens, Bath 1975

This authentic 1970s colour photograph captures the celebrated floral carpet bedding display in Parade Gardens, Bath, Somerset. Taken in 1975, the image provides a factual record of the garden’s annual tradition of creating intricate three-dimensional displays based on popular contemporary themes. This specific year featured characters from the beloved children’s television programme “The Magic Roundabout,” including Dougal the dog, Zebedee, and Florence, all meticulously rendered using varied plant species and mosses.

The scene documents the craftsmanship of the Bath Parks Department during the mid-1970s, showcasing the rotating carousel structure and the vibrant “Magic Roundabout” lettering embedded in the floral border. In the background, park visitors can be seen relaxing in traditional striped deckchairs under the shade of mature trees, a hallmark of British summer leisure. As a self-contained archival record, this shot preserves a nostalgic piece of Bath’s horticultural history and the creative public displays that defined Parade Gardens during the 1970s.