About

The Old Theatre Royal is an anonymous building in a quiet cobbled backstreet in the city of Bath, with a unique 265 year history. This was the first Theatre Royal outside of London.  It held many Shakespearean productions and entertained royalty regularly. The theatre then became a Catholic Chapel in the early 1800s. It became home to the Benedictine Mission to Bath and was their principal place of worship. Now, The Old Theatre Royal is home to one of England’s oldest Masonic Lodges. The Masonic Lodge still use the Masonic Hall on a regular basis.

Accessibility Information

Most of The Old Theatre Royal is accessible to disabled people, and those with mobility issues. The venue has an accessible toilet, and a lift to the basement, where the Masonic Museum is housed, as well as to the first floor. 

The guided tour around the building is mostly accessible, other than the stage itself and chapel, which are step-access only. However, both only constitute a minor part of the tours. The venue also features a library on the top floor, which wheelchair users and those with mobility issues are unable to access, as the lift does not go up to the top floor. Unfortunately, the heritage nature of the building prevents the stage, chapel and library from being adapted to improve accessibility. 

There is a wheelchair ramp at the main entrance which can be placed at the front door threshold for wheelchair users. Larger mobility scooters and wheelchairs may have access issues beyond the first room of the museum.

The Old Theatre Royal has no specific provision for neurodiverse visitors, however tours are conducted by a volunteer who can tailor their tour appropriately depending on guests' reactions and behaviour. There are no audio-visual displays with flashing lights or sudden and unexpected noises. When tour group numbers are greater than 15, there is usually more than one guide in attendance, which should be reassuring to neurodiverse visitors and their carers or companions.