Locals are being invited to put on their hard hats and join an experienced guide for a very special behind the scenes tour of Bath Abbey’s once-in-a-lifetime Footprint project next month.
Visitors will see how a team of engineers, conservationists and builders work alongside staff and volunteers to save the historic floor from collapse.
Tours will run at various times from Thursday 13th to Saturday 15th September and will be free during Heritage Open Days.
As protective clothing and footwear will be provided and must be worn throughout the tour, booking is essential on 01225 422462 or via emailing [email protected].
The East End of the Abbey building is currently closed off to the public as essential work takes place to repair the historic church floor.
This work is being carried out as part of the Abbey’s Heritage Lottery funded Footprint project to secure this historic church and improve its hospitality, worship and service to the city.
In addition to floor repairs, work includes installing a new eco-friendly heating system using Bath’s famous hot springs, and creating new spaces and facilities for all to use.
Ollie Taylor, Head of Interpretation, Learning and Engagement, said: “The Abbey floor is unique; it is made up of 891 memorial stones, more than any other church in the country, but there’s no getting away from the fact that it is collapsing.
“The focus of our Heritage Open Days tours will be the restoration of the Abbey floor, which is a major conservation project in its own right. All the stones will be lifted from the floor, the surface beneath repaired, and the stones relayed.
“From 13 to 15 September, as part of Heritage Open Days, visitors will get to take a sneak peek behind the hoardings inside Bath Abbey at where the floor is being repaired and the memorial stones are being conserved.
“It is a rare chance to visit parts of the Abbey that are now off limits to the public, and discover just why there are so many stones, why the floor is collapsing, and the complex work carried out to repair the floor as part of Footprint, as well as some of the things the team of archaeologists have found out along the way.”
As the Footprint building work and floor repairs progress from the East end of the Abbey to the nave and other areas, there are plans to offer visitors behind-the-scenes tours more regularly.
There are still spaces available for the Heritage Open Day tours on Thursday 13th September, 2pm and 3.30pm; Friday 14th September 10am, 11.30am, 2pm and 3.30pm and Saturday 15th September at 10am, 11.30am, 2pm and 3.30pm.
Visitors are asked to wear socks on the day and to give their UK shoe size on booking.
As the Abbey’s Heritage Open Days tours go into areas where building and conservation work is taking place, tours are suitable only for those over 16 years of age. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Book your place before 5th September, 12pm, by contacting the Bath Abbey Office on 01225 422462 or [email protected].