Bath Abbey costs £9.00 for an adult, £7.50 for a student and £5.00 for a child (5-15), with a separate tower tour that climbs 212 steps for panoramic views over the city. Entry is free for Discovery Card holders and BA1/BA2 postcode residents, and admission is currently reduced for the summer 2026 VAT period.
Admission prices
- Adult: £9.00 - Student: £7.50 - Child (5-15): £5.00 - Family (1-2 adults + accompanying children): 10% discount - Discovery Card holders / BA1 & BA2 residents: free with card or proof of address - Carers accompanying a disabled visitor: free - Audio guide: £3.50 Tickets can be bought online in advance or from the Welcome Desk on arrival. The Abbey has reduced its admission prices for the summer period between 25 June and 1 September 2026, following a UK government announcement on VAT savings, so prices may return to a higher level after that window - check the Abbey's website for the current rate closer to your visit if you're travelling outside that period.
The tower tour
The tower tour is a separate, fully guided experience that climbs 212 steps to the top of Bath Abbey's tower, taking in the clock face, the bells, and a fan-vaulted ceiling viewed from above before reaching panoramic views over the city. Tours last around 50 minutes and run Monday to Saturday, subject to availability, and the ticket includes entry to the Abbey and Discovery Museum as well as the tour itself. It's not suitable for everyone: children under 5 aren't permitted, those aged 5 to 15 must be accompanied by an adult, and the Abbey advises against the tour for anyone with poor mobility, claustrophobia, vertigo or later-stage pregnancy. Bags aren't allowed up the tower, though lockable hooks are provided in the stairwell. Book through the Abbey's ticket portal, and check current tower tour pricing there, since it wasn't confirmed at the time of writing.
Visiting hours
Bath Abbey is an active working church, so visiting hours vary around services and special events - check the Abbey's website for the current month's variations before you go, especially if you're planning around a specific time of day. If you've only got 15 minutes, the Abbey suggests a quick walk around to light a candle, admire the carved angels, and look up at the original 1500s fan vaulting.
Visiting with children
Families can follow Alex's Abbey Adventure Trail, aimed at children aged 6 to 11, which covers 1,000 years of history including dressing up as King Edgar at his coronation in 973 AD. Younger children visiting can also use an explorer backpack. For more on visiting Bath with kids generally, see our Bath with kids guide.
A short history
The current Abbey building dates mostly from the early 16th century, replacing an earlier Norman cathedral on the same site, and it's best known architecturally for its fan-vaulted ceiling - parts of which date from the 1500s, while other sections weren't completed until the 1860s, so a careful look upward reveals the join between the two periods. It remains an active Church of England parish church today, which is why opening hours flex around services rather than running on a fixed visitor-attraction schedule.
Nearby
Bath Abbey sits right next to the Roman Baths in the historic heart of the city - see our Roman Baths guide if you're combining the two, which most visitors do. It's also a short walk from Pulteney Bridge; our Pulteney Bridge guide covers that stop, and our Bath in one day guide shows how to fit both into a single-day itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bath Abbey free to enter?
No, standard admission is £9.00 for an adult, though it's free for Discovery Card holders and BA1/BA2 postcode residents with proof of address, and for carers accompanying a disabled visitor.
How many steps are in the Bath Abbey tower tour?
212 steps, climbed as part of a fully guided tour lasting around 50 minutes.
Is the tower tour suitable for young children?
Children under 5 aren't permitted on the tower tour, and those aged 5 to 15 must be accompanied by an adult. The Abbey also advises against it for anyone with poor mobility, claustrophobia or vertigo.
Do BA1 and BA2 residents get free entry?
Yes, residents of the BA1 and BA2 postcode areas are admitted free with proof of address, as are Discovery Card holders.
What does the audio guide cost?
£3.50, available alongside your admission ticket.
What days does the tower tour run?
Monday to Saturday, subject to availability. It doesn't run on Sundays.
How old is Bath Abbey?
The current building dates mostly from the early 16th century, replacing an earlier Norman cathedral on the same site, though parts of the famous fan-vaulted ceiling weren't completed until the 1860s.