Bath Abbey

History

Bath AbbeyBath Abbey stands at the heart of the city of Bath. During the past twelve and a half centuries, three different churches have occupied this site:

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.

It was restored and has been supported ever since by successive
generations of those whose church it has been and by other benefactors. The Bath Abbey 2000 campaign of restoration and conservation has continued that tradition. Bath Abbey is now an active parish church in the Church of England. In 1999 it celebrated its five hundredth anniversary.

 

Architecture

The Abbey has splendid fan vaulting, stained glass windows and
embroidery which visitors can enjoy viewing.

Attractions

Located within the Abbey is the Shop which sells Bath Abbey gifts; Christian literature along with CD’s including the Bath Abbey choir.

Whilst at the Abbey why not visit the Heritage Vaults Museum which has been fully accredited by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council under their scheme to promote national standards in museums. The Museum is open to visitors Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00, with last entrance at 15:30. To arrange a group visit to the Heritage Museum please contact Linda Jones on 01225 422 462.

Local Interest

The Roman Baths
The Guildhall
Victoria Art Gallery
The Royal Crescent
The Jane Austen Museum
The American Museum
The Holburne Museum of Art