Bath Abbey History, Travel Information, Hotels, Facts And More
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PERSONAL INFORMATION
NAME
Bath Abbey
COUNTRY
United Kingdom
ADDRESS
Bath BA1 1LT, United Kingdom
BATH ABBEY PICTURE
More Information
About Bath Abbey
Bath Abbey is noted to be the last standing Gothic Church in England. It is an Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Founded in the 7th century, the abbey is built with Bath stone. It has also served as a Benedictine Priory in the past in Bath, Somerset, England. Though the initial foundation of the parochial church was put-in in the 7th century, its restoration took place in the 12th and 16th centuries. Sir George Gilbert Scott was the mind behind its architecture, showing one of the best gothic architecture in the world.
How To Reach Bath Abbey
Constructed right in the center of the city, The abby is easily accessible through various modes of transport. Read along to know How to Reach The Bath Abby
:
By air
If someone wishes to visit the attraction from other countries, they can book their tickets to the nearest airport, that is Bristol Airport.
By bus or coach
Regular bus service is offered by National Express. It is available from London Victoria, Heathrow, and Gatwick airports. The bus drops off the passengers at the nearest bus stop which is situated at a distance of a 5-minute walk from the attraction.
By train
People can opt for rail service to get to the parish church. The visitors can book their tickets to the nearest train station Bath Spa, which is situated at a distance of 1.2 KM. The tourist attraction is less than a ten-minute walk from the station. Another nearby station is Oldfield Park, at a distance of 3.6 KM.
By Car
If a tourist is traveling from a distance the fastest road is likely to be via the M5 and M4.
On foot
The way to the church is easily attainable to pedestrians. Many of the hotels and guest houses are within easy reach. One can approach the gate of the Bath via the Abbey Church Yard, BA1 1LZ.
Some Lesser Known Facts About Bath Abbey
- With a seating capacity of 1200 people, the church welcomes hundreds of people every year.
- There is a heritage museum in the cellars.
- The building of the Abby has been constructed in cruciform. There are 212 steps to the top of the tower.
- On the site of this Abbey, there was a Christian worship place, which was functional for 1200 years. The Abbey still operates as a living church today with services taking place throughout the week, including five services on Sundays.
- The Abbey is noted to be the most comprehensive work of Perpendicular Gothic structure in the West Country.
- The Abbey has also offered the facility of the cathedral of a bishop for some time.
- The abbey's magnificent ceiling is deemed as one of the finest models of fan vaulting in the country. The stone vaulting at the east end has its roots from the early 1500s and was developed by master architects Robert and William Vertue.
- The attraction consists of 1,508 memorials in total. Out of them, 617 are on the walls and 891 on the floor. It is 2nd more wall tablets than Bath Abbey. The abbey is seen as the second most popular abbey to have the most wall tablets after Westminster Abbey.
- The first king of all England, King Edgar was crowned on the site in 973 and his coronation service set the precedent for the coronation ceremonies of all future kings and queens of England and Great Britain.
- Three distinctive churches have held the site of today's Abbey since 757 AD. An Anglo-Saxon monastery was constructed initially however it was pulled down by the Normans. Norman cathedral's building work was started around 1090 but by the late 15th century the building was turned into ruins. The present abbey was build afterward.
- Construction of the abbey was commenced around 1499 and took nearly 120 years to finish. The construction was finished in 1616.
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