Bath Abbey has been recognised as a 2020 Travellers’ Choice award-winner by popular travel website Tripadvisor. Based on a full year of Tripadvisor reviews, prior to any changes caused by the pandemic, award winners are known for consistently receiving great visitor feedback, placing them in the top 10% of Tripadvisor registered attractions around the globe.
Sarah Fielding, Bath Abbey’s Head of Visitor Experience, said: “It’s been really encouraging that we’re continuing to get such positive feedback from visitors and most importantly, that they feel we are providing a safe environment without compromising the spiritual feeling of the Abbey.
As always, it is our staff and volunteers who are having the biggest impact on providing such a positive and reassuring experience for visitors. I am incredibly grateful to our chaplains, staff and volunteers for coming back with such positivity, flexibility and patience, and without whom we would not be able to safely open the doors.”
Recent comments have emphasised the friendly staff and volunteers, and how the renovation work taking place doesn’t detract from the visitor’s enjoyment:
A visitor from Merseyside left a review that read: “Calm & peaceful historic building, in the centre of Bath. Renovations going on, at present, but they don’t detract from the quality of the visit. Staffed by sociable, interesting & helpful volunteers, it seems a pity that not every visitor can find it in them to make a voluntary contribution to the maintenance of the Abbey. Anyway, it’s a must see building for anyone visiting Bath.”
A family from Ashford wrote: “I love a church that moves with the times and this church seems to be doing just that! There is a lot of work going on at the moment, but there are viewing windows to check it out and information boards explaining. The building is lovely and my daughter had great fun using the child’s trail to spot different features and look closely at it all. Most importantly, at the moment, we LOVED the Black Lives Matter prayer station. A lovely idea, showing how Bath and the C of E (and all normal people!) support the movement for equal treatment of everyone regardless of their colour/race.”
A visitor from Birmingham wrote: “We got here early on a Monday and didn’t have to queue but noticed later in the day a longer queue formed. There are restoration works underway of the floor which you can see though clear panels, but you can still tour and admire the Abbey. Staff friendly and helpful and even provided a mask as we had lost one on the way round the town. You are asked for a donation fiver per adult which we happily paid but it is just a donation.”
“Winners of the 2020 Travellers’ Choice Awards should be proud of this distinguished recognition,” said Kanika Soni, Chief Commercial Officer at Tripadvisor. “Although it’s been a challenging year for travel and hospitality, we want to celebrate our partners’ achievements. Award winners are beloved for their exceptional service and quality. Not only are these winners well deserving, they are also a great source of inspiration for visitors around the world begins to venture out again.”
To see the most recent Tripdadvisor reviews visit Bath Abbey’s Tripadvisor page.
