Beckford’s Tower and Museum in Bath is reopening this weekend following a £3.9 million refurbishment.
The newly restored tower | Photo © Casper Farrell
It has been paid for by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and other public and private funders.
The project, which began in October 2022, has gone beyond essential repairs to encompass reimagining the museum and creating new interpretation, installing renewable energy sources and fully excavating a 19th century hidden grotto which is opening to visitors for the first time ever.
New museum spaces tell the complex and controversial story of William Beckford’s life and legacy.
His wealth came from his ownership of sugar plantations in Jamaica and the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved people.
This gave him immense privilege and power, which he used to collect and commission precious art and objects, and to create influential buildings and landscapes.
These intertwined themes of wealth and power, exploitation and abuse are addressed in the tower’s new exhibition spaces, developed through extensive consultation with a diverse cross-section of the local community so that new voices are part of the tower’s next chapter.
The uncovered grotto at the Beckford’s Tower site | Photo © Casper Farrell
There are new displays showcasing pieces from Beckford’s varied collections, including furniture, design objects and fine art.
Other key highlights of the project include:
- New step-free accessible interpretation space in the tower’s vault.
- Solar panels and air source heat pumps which have converted a Grade I listed building to renewable energy sources.
- Conservation works to remove the building from the Heritage at Risk register and secure its sustainable future.
- Restoration of lost historic design elements showcasing the work of highly skilled heritage craftspeople.
- Reconnecting of the tower to its surrounding landscape through accessible footpaths and new interpretation.
Patrizia Ribul, director of museums at Bath Preservation Trust, and the lead for the ‘Our Tower’ project, said the team were excited to welcome people back to the tower and show them the culmination of all the work.
She said: “The grotto in particular forms a really intriguing part of the visitor experience, expanding the visitor route far beyond the previous climb up the tower; we really look forward to seeing visitors’ reactions.
“People will be able to book behind-the-scene tours up the architecturally iconic staircase to the tiny golden lantern at the top of the tower, with extraordinary views over Bath.
“We would like to thank The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players, Historic England and all the other generous individuals and group funders who have helped us in supporting this momentous project.
“We would also like to thank our wonderful members for their constant and vital support of the Bath Preservation Trust.”
Amy Frost, senior curator at Bath Preservation Trust, said: “William Beckford’s obsession with collecting objects and building towers was funded by his involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.
“This means that the creation of Beckford’s Tower and the collection within it was all underpinned by the exploitation and suffering of thousands of enslaved people.
“It has been vital that we work with others to tell this story as openly and accurately as possible.
“The end of this project is actually the start of a future programme of changing displays and new research at the museum, ensuring that even more previously untold stories are discovered, and voices that have previously been silenced are heard.
“Collaborating with our local communities and advisors, we have worked together to create an expansive, interesting and inclusive experience; this tower used to be a space reserved only for one privileged man, now we want everyone to feel welcome here.”
Beckford’s Tower reopens on Saturday, 29th June. For details of opening times and tickets visit https://beckfordstower.org.uk/
