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.