Bath Abbey will be staying open well past its usual closing time on certain days in August to enable members of the public to explore the Abbey and enjoy the atmosphere after hours.
Every Thursday in August, the Abbey will keep its doors open from 6.30pm-9.30pm. Local residents and visitors to the city will be able to explore the Abbey after it has closed to the public, enjoy a selection of drinks from a pop-up bar and live entertainment by music students from Bath Spa University. There will also be the opportunity to climb the Tower to see the ringing chamber, bells and clock face, and enjoy stunning views of Bath.
With the Abbey’s historic floor now fully restored, the new eco-heating powered by energy from Bath’s hot springs installed and the hoardings inside the Abbey taken down, this is the ideal time to make the most of the Abbey’s beautiful new space.
Tickets will cost £6 per adult and can be pre-booked via Eventbrite or purchased on the door. There will be an additional £10 fee for a Tower Tour (to be purchased on the door).
Canon Guy Bridgewater, Rector of Bath Abbey, said: “There is an extraordinary, ethereal beauty about the Abbey on Summer nights. We are thrilled to be opening late on Thursday evenings, so more and more folk have the chance to enjoy this special place.
“Local residents are warmly welcome to pop in and unwind after work. Visitors too, after a busy day exploring the city, will love the Abbey’s sense of restoring calm and peace. Some may feel inspired to light a candle in prayer, others simply to relax and enjoy the live music and refreshment, and still others to climb to the top of the Abbey Tower and watch the sun set over Bath.
“The Abbey’s awesome fan vaulted ceiling has always had power to take one’s breath away. We are now delighted to open up the whole historic Abbey Church, beautifully lit and restored for a whole new generation to enjoy. I warmly invite you to come and discover this wonderful spiritual heritage at your own pace, and in your own way.”
Visitors can experience the following activities from 6.30pm to 9.30pm at Bath Abbey on Thursday 5, 12, 19 and 26 August:
• Free glass of Prosecco or a non-alcoholic drink
• Special pop-up bar and ale tasting
• Live entertainment by music students from Bath Spa University
• Monuments, Empire & Slavery Exhibition https://www.bathabbey.org/whats-on/memorials-empire-and-slavery-exhibition/2021-05-26/
• Tower Tours (additional £10 per adult)
