Bath Abbey

Begun in 1499, Bath Abbey is the last of the great medieval churches of England. The West Front is unique as it depicts the dream that inspired the Abbey's founder, Bishop Oliver King, to pull down the ruined Norman cathedral and raise the present building on its foundations.

Over the past twelve and a half centuries, three different churches have occupied the site of today’s Abbey: An Anglo-Saxon Abbey Church dating from 757, pulled down by the Norman conquerors of England soon after 1066. A massive Norman cathedral begun about 1090. It was larger than the monastery could afford to maintain and by the end of the 15th century was in ruins. The present Abbey church founded in 1499, ruined after the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539 by order of Henry VIII.

Worship has taken place on the site of today's Abbey for over one thousand years and continues to this day with services taking place throughout the entire week.

Bath Abbey's tower is open for guided tours everyday except Sunday. You can climb the 212 steps to the top of the tower and enjoy a panoramic and unrivalled view of the city. Visitors can see the 10 bells and hear how the tower was built. You can also sit inside the Abbey's clockface. Tours run every hour Monday to Saturday. Tickets, priced £5, are now on sale from the Bath Abbey Shop.

For arranging group bookings please contact Dawn Farmer, Visitors Officer, on +44 (0) 1225 303310. The Abbey welcomes all visitors and invites a donation of £2.50 per adult. We rely on the generosity of our visitors and our congregation to fund the ministry and mission of the Abbey.

Opening Times

2008 Opening 1 Nov 2008 - 31 Mar 2009

* Opening times vary during the year due to services, events and concerts. The Abbey is closed Christmas Day and Good Friday, but open for services - visitors are most welcome to attend. The Abbey is open Easter Saturday and Easter Monday, 09:00 to 18:00.

Events

Tickets Information

Road Directions

Leave the M4 at junction 18 and take the A46 towards Bath. Join the A4 signposted Bath. For a day visit to the city it is recommended to use the park and ride facilities or Charlotte Street car park.

Public Transport Directions

The Bath Spa railway station is less than 10 minutes walk away in Manvers Street. Coaches can drop off and collect from Orange Grove and park during the day at the Riverside Coach and Lorry Park off of Green Park Road, about a 10 minute walk away.

 Facilities

• Gift Shop

Provider Preferences

• In town/city centre
• Indoor Attraction
• No Smoking Attraction
• Of historic, literary or architectural interest

Accessibility

• Accessible to Wheelchair Users
• Facilities for Hearing Impaired Visitors
• Facilities for the Disabled
• Guide Dogs Permitted
• On Bus Route
• Toilets for Disabled Visitors

Parking & Transport

• Coach Parking

Payment Methods

• Approx length of visit - 30 minutes - 1 hour
• Booking essential
• Euros accepted
• Groups Accepted
• Max group size - 100
• Min group size - 10
• TIC Staff Admitted Free

Establishment Features

• Event Venue
• Printed Material in Foreign Languages

Specialist Features

• Marketed towards families

Printed Material in Foreign Languages

• Dutch printed material
• French printed material
• German printed material
• Italian printed material
• Japanese printed material
• Spanish printed material

Tours and Demonstrations

• Educational Visits Accepted
• Guided Tours Available for Groups
• Guided Tours Available for Individuals