The Abbey’s floor was collapsing but thanks to the Footprint Project the entire floor has now been repaired and stabilised.
Visiting
Welcome
Every year, we welcome hundreds of thousands of people through our doors. We are the local parish church for some, while others travel from far away. No matter where you come from or how long you stay, you’ll find plenty to see and do here.
Bath Abbey and Discovery Museum Tickets
Tickets can be purchased online or from the Welcome Desk on arrival at the Abbey.
- Adults £9.00
- Students £7.50
- Children (5 -15) £5.00
- Families 10% discount (1 or 2 adults + accompanying children)
- Audio Guide £3.50
There is no charge for Discovery Card holders or BA1 & BA2 residents, with Discovery card or proof of address.
Carers accompanying visitors with a disability are admitted to the Abbey free of charge. Chapels are available for private prayer, please speak to a member of staff for access
Opening Times
- Abbey and Shop Closed for Visiting
- October 19, 2026
10:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Last entry to the Abbey is 30 minutes before the closing time on any given day.
- Jun 01 – Mar 01
| Monday | 10:00 am – 5:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10:00 am – 5:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 10:00 am – 5:30 pm |
| Thursday | 10:00 am – 5:30 pm |
| Friday | 10:00 am – 5:30 pm |
| Saturday | 10:00 am – 6:00 pm |
| Sunday | 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm |
| Monday | 10:00 am – 5:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10:00 am – 5:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 10:00 am – 5:30 pm |
| Thursday | 10:00 am – 5:30 pm |
| Friday | 10:00 am – 5:30 pm |
| Saturday | 10:00 am – 5:30 pm |
| Sunday | 11:00 am – 3:30 pm |
Experience Bath Abbey...
A flying visit…
- Explore with our free leaflet, introducing you to the Abbey’s vast and varied past.
- For a more immersive experience, purchase an audio guide at the start of your visit.
- Look for the window that shows King Edgar, the first king of all England, being crowned on this site in 973.
- Sit inside the Birde Chapel, enjoy the delicate stone carvings, and some quiet reflection.
- Stand in front of the 4,000 pipes that make up our Klais organ.
- Pray or reflect during our hourly prayers, led by our chaplains.
Discover more…
- Uncover deeper stories by joining one of our free guided history tours of the Abbey (subject to availability, and not including the tower.)
- Follow the story of Jesus told across 56 scenes on the Great East Window. Badly damaged during World War II, it was beautifully restored by a father-and-son team in the 1950s.
- Pause to read a few of the poignant wall memorials. Through these, we learn about the lives, loves and beliefs of people from the 1700s and 1800s
- Take the opportunity to pause and reflect in one of our chapels, or pray with one of our chaplains
- Stop and have a chat with one of our volunteers about Abbey life, past and present.
- Pop by the Abbey Shop and pick up a souvenir.
The full experience…
- Immerse yourself in stories of the Abbey’s past in our Discovery Centre, getting up close with key historical pieces discovered during the Footprint Project, items from our archives, watch animations and enjoy interactive games.
- Browse the Abbey Shop and peruse our selection of gifts, cards, children’s toys and books, music and souvenirs. We have an extensive selection of historical and Christian books, and a stunning guidebook to remember your visit.
Things to see and do
There is so much to see and do in the Abbey, but definitely some things that you shouldn’t miss during your visit. Here is a snapshot of the highlights…
Memorials
There are 635 memorials on the Abbey’s walls. Most commemorate people from the 1700s and 1800s. Through the memorials, we learn about their lives, loves, and belief in the Christian hope of resurrection (life after death).
Waller Tomb
Sir William Waller’s memorial to his first wife Jane (d. 1633). William Waller fought for parliament in the English Civil War (1642-51). After the Battle of Lansdown (near Bath) in 1643, Waller’s troops sheltered in the Abbey. We hope you know God’s protection, whatever lies ahead.
Ledgerstones
The Abbey floor is made up of 891 flat grave stones called ledgerstones. As part of the Footprint project all of the ledgerstones have been restored and re-laid thanks to the skill of local craftspeople.
King Edgar Window
This window shows the crowning of Edgar as the first king of all England at the Saxon monastery here in 973. He is known as King Edgar the Peaceful. We invite you to be thankful that we live in a country that is at peace today.
The Great East Window
ompleted in 1873 and repaired after World War II, it tells the story of Jesus in 56 scenes.
Birde’s Chantry Chapel
Built by Prior William Birde (d. 1525) as a place for prayers to be chanted for his soul. It continues to be a place of quiet, reflection, and prayer. We invite you to enter and be still in this holy space.
Fan Vaulted Ceiling
Created in the 1500s by the king’s master masons, the stone vaults form beautiful fan shapes to draw us up to God. The Nave ceiling is a copy made in the 1860s, can you spot any differences?
West Window
Completed in 1894, the window tells the stories of the first five books of the Bible. The panels in the bottom left show God’s Creation of Eve and Noah’s Ark. We invite you to be thankful for the beauty of creation today.
The West Front
Represents the dream of Bishop Oliver King that led him to replace the ruined Norman Cathedral with the present Abbey in 1499. Towards the top of the window is a carved dove, representing God’s Holy Spirit.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Facilities at Bath Abbey
For more information, please enquire at the Welcome Desk when you arrive for your visit.
- Guided tours – Abbey floor, Tower Tours (non-accessible), Audio Guides
- Family friendly – ask for a free trail or a Sensory Explorer backpack upon arrival
- Discovery Centre – Bath Abbey’s museum, accessible by lift
- Abbey Shop
- Toilets, including a level-access accessible toilet and a Changing Places Toilet accessible by lift
- Assistance dogs only
- Prayer Chapels
- Hourly Prayers
- Chaplains
- Stewards
For more information about our accessibility, please click here.
Suitcases are not allowed inside the Abbey, and there are no storage facilities available. We recommend leaving your bag at your hotel, or to use the storage facilities available by Bath Spa station.
How to Find Us
Bath Abbey is situated in the centre of Bath, and is accessible via a number of modes of transport. We recommend using public transport, or making use of the Park and Ride car parks, since the city centre roads and carparks can get very busy.
Transport Options:
The main station for the city is called Bath Spa. There are frequent high-speed connections from London Paddington. For a slower service that is likely to be cheaper, try travelling from London Waterloo.
Major cities such as Birmingham and Manchester have frequent services via Bristol. The south coast ports of Southampton and Portsmouth have direct services by train.
Bath Abbey is less than ten minutes walk from the station.
There are coach dropping-off points on North Parade Road and Orange Grove. For details of coach parking, please click here.
Bath is well suited to pedestrians and most hotels and guest houses are within easy reach of the city centre.
Did you know?
There is a plaque signalling end of the Cotswold Way, a popular English National Trail, situated by the Abbey’s west doors. We regularly welcome people who have walked from the start of the trail at Chipping Camden.
From the M4 – Leave the M4 at Junction 18 and take the A46 towards Bath.
From Bristol – Take the A4 into Bath.
From Salisbury – Take the A36 into Bath.
From the South West – The straightforward route would be via the M5 and M4 approaching Bath from the north and using the Lansdown Park and Ride.
Parking
The nearest short stay car park is a five-minute walk away at the Podium in Northgate Street, BA1 5AL, or the Southgate Car Park in St. James Parade, BA1 1TP. For details of disabled parking, please see the Bath and North East Somerset Council website.
Alternatively, Bath offers four Park & Ride services. There are services from three sites Monday to Friday and four sites on Saturdays. Regular bus services run into the city at least every 15 minutes. All buses are wheelchair and pushchair friendly.
Blue Badge and Accessible Parking
Bath and North East Somerset Council operate a blue badge scheme and recognise permits issued in other countries.
Access for Blue Badge holders driving into the security zone (City Centre) is via Cheap Street. Blue Badge holders wishing to arrive via taxis or carer’s vehicles, can find more details here: www.bathnes.gov.uk/bathcitycentreaccess
Designated accessible parking bays are available in most city centre car parks. The nearest short stay car park is a five-minute walk away at the Podium in Northgate Street, BA1 5AL, or the Southgate car park in St. James Parade, BA1 1TP.
There is a cycle rack to park bikes located to the east of the Abbey at Orange Grove.
Clean air zone
Clean air zones are being introduced across England – please check the rules for Bath and North East Somerset on the Council website.
Group Visits
We require groups of 10+ to book in advance, to ensure you get the most out of your visit.
Memorials
Search our database and discover the people behind our 1500 memorials.
History
Unearth the history of this sacred place, and learn about the history of the people who made the Abbey what it is today.
Learning
Bring history to life with a tailored lesson, workshop or tour for your class or school.
What’s On
Events, exhibitions and concerts at Bath Abbey.
Services
Whether you’re a local, student, or visitor to the city, you’re very welcome to worship with us.
Accessibility
Find out about how we cater for visitors with accessibility needs.
Commitment to racial justice
Find out more about Bath Abbey’s commitment to racial justice.