Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Abbey's founder, Bishop Oliver King, to pull down an older Norman cathedral on this
site and build the one you see today. When you go inside and see its many ornate
windows, you'll understand why the abbey is called the “Lantern of the West.” For a
bird's-eye view of the city, take the Abbey Tower Tour (45-50 min.), climbing 212
steps to the top of the abbey's vaulted ceiling, the clock face, and belfry (tours usually
run Apr-Oct Mon-Sat 10am-4pm on the hour; Nov-Mar at 11am, noon, and 2pm).
Orange Grove.
&
01225/422462.
www.bathabbey.org. Free admission (suggested donation £2.50).
Tower tours £6 adults, £3 children 5-14. Abbey Apr-Oct Mon-Sat 9am-6pm; Nov-Mar Mon-Sat 9am-
4:30pm; year-round Sun 1-2:30pm and 4:30-5:30pm. Heritage Vaults Mon-Sat 10am-3:30pm (last
admission).
Building of Bath Collection
MUSEUM This is an ideal first stop for any
tour of Bath, providing a deeper understanding of the architecture and construction
of the city. A huge scale model of the city will help you get oriented, and there are
special displays on everything from door and window styles to ancient tools and
Georgian interior design.
The Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel, The Vineyards, The Paragon.
&
01225/333895.
www.bath-
preservation-trust.org.uk. Admission £4 adults, £3.50 students and seniors, £2 children 6-16, £10 family
ticket. Mid-Feb-Nov Sat-Mon 10:30am-5pm. Closed Dec-md-Feb.
Fashion Museum & Assembly Rooms
MUSEUM The grand Assembly
Rooms, designed by the younger John Wood and completed in 1771, once played
host to dances, recitals, and tea parties. Damaged in World War II, the elegant rooms
have been gloriously restored and look much as they did when Jane Austen and
Thomas Gainsborough attended society events here.
Housed in the same building, the
Fashion Museum
offers audiotours through the
history of fashion from the 16th century to the present day. Highlights include a 17th-
century “silver tissue” dress, a whalebone corset, and an original suit from Christian
Dior's legendary “New Look” collection. There's also a special “Corsets and Crinolines”
display, where enthusiastic visitors can try on reproduction period garments.
Bennett St.
&
01225/477789.
www.fashionmuseum.co.uk. Admission (includes audiotour) £7.25 adults,
£6.50 students and seniors, £5.25 children 6-16, £20 family ticket, free for children 5 and younger. Admis-
sion to the Assembly Rooms is an additional £2, free for children 16 and under. Nov-Feb daily 10:30am-
4pm; Mar-Oct daily 10:30am-5pm. Last admission 1 hr. before closing. Closed Dec 25-26.
Holburne Museum
MUSEUM This once stuffy art museum has been utterly
transformed by a stunning redevelopment by top Brit architect Eric Parry. The origi-
nal classical facade has been enhanced by a ceramic and glass extension, with an
interior of bright stylish galleries of decorative and fine arts, including paintings from
Turner and Stubbs, and Gainsborough's famous
Byam Family
.
Great Pulteney St, at Sydney Place.
&
01225/428126.
www.holburne.org. Free admission; temporary
exhibitions £6.50 adults, £5.50 seniors, £3 students and children 6-16, £12 family ticket. Mon-Sat 10am-
5pm, Sun 11am-5pm.
Jane Austen Centre
HISTORIC HOME This small homage to Britain's favor-
ite 19th-century writer occupies a graceful Georgian townhouse on a street where
Ms. Austen once lived (at no. 25). Exhibits and a video convey a sense of what life
was like when Austen lived here, between 1801 and 1806, though there are only
a handful of artifacts on display directly connected to the author. Ladies can also
learn the esoteric skill of using a fan to attract an admirer. The tearoom is also
worth a visit (p. 340).
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