Well, it certainly makes sense, as far as I am concerned.
For the first time, Bath Stone Museum and the historic Jewish Burial Ground in Combe Down will open for visitors on the same day – Sunday, April 26th. Entrance in both cases is FREE.
This creates a rare chance to explore two remarkable heritage sites in the same area. A short walk apart, each tells a different but connected story about the historic Combe Down quarry landscape.
The museum reveals the industrial story behind the famous Bath stone – the material that built the city and transformed Combe Down into one of the most important quarrying areas in the region.
The Combe Down Heritage Society will also be at the museum, where you can find out about their work to research, preserve and celebrate the heritage of the village.
54a Combe Rd BA2 5HZ – 10:00-15:00
The Burial Ground tells the story of Bath’s small Jewish community in the 18th-20th centuries.
1 Greendown Place BA2 5DD – 10:00-16:00
En route between the two, you could also take the opportunity to drop in to the newly reopened King William pub, which will be open for traditional Sunday lunch that day.
Burial Ground
About 100 people from Bath’s 18th and 19th century Jewish community are thought to be buried in this peaceful, semi-secret place behind high walls. There is a printed guide – or if you bring your smartphone, you can find out about the history of the community and find biographies for the people buried here with our online guide.
The burial ground is located in Combe Down on Bradford Rd by the roundabout entrance to Mulberry Park, 1 Greendown Place, BA2 5DD. Bus no 2 from Bath Railway Station stops close by. Free parking along Bradford Rd. Wheelchairs can come down the steps via a ramp (though the ground is uneven once inside).
Museum of Bath Stone
Bath owes much of its character and architectural harmony to the stone from which it is built, Bath Stone. This material has been exploited since Roman times, but came to its peak in the 18th century. The nearby village of Combe Down was a great source of such stone, which was originally laid down in the Jurassic period in warm tropical shallow seas. The city’s buildings are made of this stone hewn by hand using axes, saws (frigbobs and razzers), picks and candlelight.
The Museum of Bath Stone tells the story of the stone of Combe Down, its geology, archaeology, social history, ecology (with important bat populations) and engineering.
