Accessibility Guide for Bath Abbey

Welcome

Bath Abbey is many things to many people. But whether you come here to join a service or a tour, light a candle or listen to music, what unites us all is a sense of wonder. There is so much to discover – please step inside…

With a rich history spanning centuries of change, conflict and reform; with many stories to tell of Kings and Queens, saints and sinners, and of ordinary citizens, there is plenty for visitors to discover.

During your visit you’ll see a huge amount of work is underway to restore and transform the Abbey, this is part of our Footprint project. Some of this work may create additional noise and dust and you will not be able to access all parts of the Abbey.

Level access

The main entrance has level access.

There is level access from the main entrance to:

Main Abbey Welcome Desk Bath Abbey Shop

Hearing

Some staff have disability awareness training.

Visual

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

We have information in large print.

General

Some staff have disability awareness training.

Getting here

Abbey Churchyard

Bath

BA1 1LY

Travel by public transport

You can get to Bath Abbey by bus and train.

There are a number of bus stops around the Abbey which are less than a 0.1 mile walk. Bath Bus Station is located on Southgate Steet (BA1 1TP) and is 0.3 miles, approximately a 5-minute walk, on mostly flat ground to Bath Abbey. The bus stop is 0.3 miles / 0.5 km from Bath Abbey.

The nearest train station is Bath Spa. The train station is 0.4 miles / 0.6 km from Bath Abbey.

For full information on bus routes and stops please visit https://www.travelwest.info.

Bath Spa train station is approximately a 7-minute walk on mostly flat ground to Bath Abbey. The station provides:

- Step free access to all platforms

- Staff help

- A ramp for train access

- Set down/pick up points at the station entrance

- Induction loop

- Accessible toilets

- An accessible booking office counter

- Accessible ticket machines

- Wheelchairs to borrow

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with Abbey Taxis by calling 01225 444444. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

You can get a taxi with V Cars by calling 01225 464646. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Both Abbey Taxis and V Cars require pre booking for wheelchair accessible vehicles.

Parking

The nearest drop-off point is Terrace Walk, BA1 1LN, a 2-minute walk to Bath Abbey. There are coach drop-off points on North Parade Road and Orange Grove.

For information on coach parking please see http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/parking-and-travel/coach-parking.

Bath and North East Somerset Council operate a blue badge scheme and recognise disabled permits issued in other countries.

The nearest parking for disabled badge holders is in York Street or outside the Guildhall, both are approximitely a 1-minute walk to Bath Abbey.

Designated easy access parking bays are also available for disabled badge holders in most city centre car parks. The nearest short stay car park is a 5-minute walk from the Abbey at the Podium in Northgate Street, BA1 5AL, or the Southgate car park in St. James Parade, BA1 1TP.

For more information please visit http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/parking-and-travel/accessible-parking.

Watch the video: Accessible parking in Bath

Arrival

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.

The path is 1360mm wide, or more.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.

The door is 1360mm wide.

The main door is side hung and manual.

The floor surface is uneven flagstones with some metal grilles.

Getting around inside

Visual Impairment - General Information

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

Visitor Experience Staff at Welcome Desk

Ticket/ information desk

Welcome Desk

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The route is 900mm wide, or more.

The door is 1420mm wide, or more.

The desk has a low section.

Things to See and Do

We have display information in: large print.

Main Abbey

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 900mm wide, or more. The door is 1520mm wide.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

Shop

Bath Abbey Shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The route is 900mm wide, or more. The door is 900mm wide.

The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.

Getting around outside

Customer care support

Accessibility equipment

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.

To reserve a wheelchair in advance of your visit please contact our Verger Team on 01225 303328 or email: vergers@bathabbey.org.

If you are having difficulty coping with noise in the Abbey please speak to a member of staff or volunteer who will be able to lend you a pair of ear defenders for your visit.

You can hire mobility equipment from Shop Mobility by calling 01225 481744.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.

We have information in large print.

Large print guides are available from the Welcome Desk.

We welcome assistance dogs.

Bath Abbey is a member of the Bath and North East Somerset Dementia Action Alliance and some staff and volunteers have attended Dementia Friends information sessions.

Our Tower Tours involve climbing 212 steps and are therefore not accessible for wheelchair users. To discuss any other access requirements for a Tower Tour please contact our Visitor Experience Team on 01225 303315 or at towertours@bathabbey.org.

Please let our staff and volunteers know if you require any assistance during your visit or you can contact our Visitor Experience Team on 01225 303315 or at visits@bathabbey.org for support before your visit.