Bath Abbey, from top to bottom!
Impossible to ignore Bath Abbey, so central is it to this lovely city. Coming out of the Roman Baths, I knew that I would have to take a quick look inside. How glad I am that I did. The delicate laciness of those celestial arches, like a cobwebby entrance to heaven.
As I admired the stained glass windows, a sign caught my eye. Tower Tours. I can never pass up the opportunity to climb a tower. A bird’s eye view of Bath beckons, in the hands of a cheerfully smiling guide, who climbs these stairs numerous times a day. A narrow circular stone stairwell leads upwards. Up 50 steps and through a door. A slim strip between the turrets and the sloping roof gives a first glimpse of the rooftops of Bath.
Then into a surprisingly large space where the bell ringers perform, And an array of bells, mostly obsolete but fascinating.
Up here it all feels melodramatic. We squeeze into a narrow space behind the clock face, and are encouraged to peep through a tiny hole in the floor. The stomach churning view all the way down to the aisle below is to enable the bells to be rung at a precise stage in a procession.
The tower is home to a ring of ten bells, dating back as far as 1700, and ordered from highest to lowest, anticlockwise around the ringing chamber. Bath is a noted centre of change ringing in the West Country.
Did you spot the rooftop open air pool of the new thermal spa? A nice place for a healthy cocktail? And then it’s back down to earth again, a tired but happy 212 steps and 161 feet later.
I can highly recommend it, but not for anyone with a fear of confined spaces or heights. The Abbey website will give you all the details, including a virtual tour of the tower. This concludes my visit to Bath.
Yet again I have far exceeded my six words, but lovely Debbie is very forgiving. I hope you’ll share yours. Happy Saturday!
restlessjo 
That was a quick look?!!😀 I think I could spend a day in this cathedral, I’m already overawed by it from your description and glorious photos! I love all the bells and interesting to read about change ringing. Did you get to hear them whilst in Bath? Hopefully not standing too close! Have a great weekend, Jo – I’ll pop over for your next Six (++) word Saturday…this just couldn’t be shorter!😀❤️
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I wondered why the tower was done as a tour, Annika, but there was a safety aspect and the guide was full of information. Sitting behind the clock face was like being on a movie set. Yes, I did hear the bells, distantly 🙂 🙂
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A fantastic gallery Jo! So much detail in every shot. The one of the rooftops is just glorious. I am a tower over cave person too 🙂
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Yes always a tower Madhu! I’m a sucker for stairs. I should have great legs after all these years but they’re getting weary. This was worth it though. Thank you xx
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Danke für die grossartiken informativen Bilder. Ernst
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I’m so envious that you went inside. I will have to try for a third time. The views up there are wonderful.
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Third time lucky! And you can try the thermal spa 🙂 🙂
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From memory, it’s very expensive. It was newly opened when I was there in 2006 and it was very flash.
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Bath’s a place with a bit of money about, that’s for sure! 🙂
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That’s evident in the beautiful buildings.
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I’ve never been up . . . . must have missed the sign when I was there. Definitely have to explore next time in Bath thanks for the tip 🙂
PS You know you are amazing don’t you, just so impressed by how much you squeeze in to a day.
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Thank you very much! Not amazing so much as plain nosy. I hate to miss anything 🙂 🙂
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hee hee . . . .maybe but I’m going to stick with amazing 😀
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🙂 🙂
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What a gorgeous church and your photos as always are magnificent Jo. It is hard to do anything in six words! 🙂
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Us wordy people do struggle, Nicole 🙂 🙂 Thanks, darlin.
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