Bailey Park, the main public open space in Abergavenny, is notable for being a late-Victorian park which survives in its entirety and which makes an important contribution to the townscape of Abergavenny. The park was laid out for the town by the prominent local ironmaster, Crawshay Bailey, in 1884 and was intended for public access from the outset. From 1890 the park passed out of the Crawshay Bailey Estate and into local authority ownership and management. The park has both ornamental and sporting components.

The imposing main entrance, through wrought-iron gates with adjacent lodge, lies towards the south end of the east side, set back from the B4521 Hereford Road. The park is rectangular and lies on ground sloping gently to the south. The central part is largely open, taken up by sports pitches and a bowling green. Around the perimeter are trees (both deciduous and coniferous), paths and small areas of garden.
To the north a small area of the park extends westwards and is laid out as a formal garden, with island beds and a few specimen trees, enclosed by iron railings and hedges, and flanked along the south side by a wide tarmac path edged with stones. To the north of the garden is a small compartment with derelict glasshouses beyond which is a small, disused and derelict concrete-walled lido (1939) with changing rooms and café.
The north side of the park is laid out with a belt of mainly evergreen planting along the boundary and two bowling greens: one in use and the other disused with a disused pavilion on its north side. Nearby are derelict toilets.

Sources:
Cadw 2007: Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest, additional and revised entries part 1 (ref: PGW(Gt)60(MON).

RCAHMW, 8 July 2022