A botanical walkway featuring 44 archways with more than 40,000 wisteria vines has been unveiled in Bath this morning at SouthGate, transforming St Lawrence Street North and St Lawrence Street South into a floral spectacle.

The purple and cream flower canopy follows SouthGate’s iconic umbrella street which was one of the UK's most photographed and viewed high street art installations.

The display, with matching floral phone boxes and hanging baskets, will be on show throughout the summer until September.

The walkway is the perfect backdrop for the centre’s Bath Festival events this weekend.

SouthGate will play host to Party in the City, The Bath Festival’s evening of free music in more than 30 venues across the city, with musical performances from Savvy Soul, Jasper Storey, Isobel Holly and Giovanni L’Immigrato.

Guy Henderson, centre manager of SouthGate, said: “We’re confident that our wisteria walkways will be a real spectacle over the summer for both locals and tourists.

“We want to be one of the most instagrammable destinations this summer, so shoppers should definitely have their smartphones to hand!”

David James, chief executive of Visit Bath said: “SouthGate’s art installations make such a welcome addition to the city, bringing vibrancy to the streets each summer. Bath is a city renowned for its rich history and heritage, but we are also a city bursting with creativity, contemporary culture and a sense of fun.

For more details for the Party In The City visit https://bathfestivals.org.uk/the-bath-festival/party-in-the-city/