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Here it is said Pope spent many an hour amidst the sylvan 
surroundings of this secluded spot, but ‘“ Pope’s Lane” ougth 
not to be confounded with ‘‘ Pope’s Walk ” which was within 
the park’s precincts, and from the middle gate to the mansion, 
where his grotto still remains and where his dog’s grave used 
to be shown. 
Prior PARK AVENUE. 
This is a very charming ascent to Combe Down, probably 
the shortest, and though steep it is well capable for vehicular 
traffic. 
The shade of the large forest trees and the hedges with 
their rich undergrowth, the pretty peeps into Prior Park, and 
access to Widcombe Hill, and the fine views of the City, all 
conduce to make Prior Park Avenue a beautiful walk or drive 
to or from Combe Down. 
Probably some path existed here in Norman times. John de 
Villula, Abbot and Bishop of Bath, is said to have purchased 
the Manor of Widcombe from King Rufus, and to have laid 
out two parks, one of which he bestowed on the Priors of the 
Abbey and the other on the Bishopric. He appears to have 
built a Priory and Chapel on the Abbey portion near the ponds, 
and it is supposed by some that he built a Grange for the 
Bishopric, where the Prior Park Farm now stands, on the 
side of the road opposite the chief entrance gate to Prior 
Park. 
Ralph Allen took away the ancient architecture from the 
Norman Priory, already alluded to, and placed it in anew 
dwelling-house which he erected for his steward, about 1750, 
now called “ The Priory,” which, having been enlarged by 
former tenants, is now sublet to Major Hopwood. Allen also 
built Prior Park Farm on the opposite side of the avenue, 
facing the chief entrance to Prior Park, probably, as has been 
said, on the site of the Bishop’s grange. A portion of the 
ancient Priory may still be seen in a dilapidated state, and 
some of the ruined stones of the ancient chapel are to be 
found under the wooded surroundings of the Palladian Bridge. 
The Abbey Cemetery was laid out in 1843, being a gift 
to the Abbey by the Hon. Rev. W. J. Brodrick, Rector of 
Bath, and afterwards Lord Midleton. Here the remains of 
the famous Beckford rested for a time till they were removed 
by his daughter, the Duchess of Hamilton, to Lansdown 
Cemetery. Roman coffins and coins were found some 30 years 
