There’s no shortage of fun things to do in Bath. Between great food, cool boutique shops, and Bridgerton-style buildings, it didn’t necessarily need a newly-restored 100-year-old tower to put it on the map, but that certainly won’t hurt its rep.
Beckford’s Tower, a 10-minute drive from central Bath, was built in the 19th century for the wealthy William Beckford to house items that he had collected over his life. Now it is a museum and, after a refurbishment, it will finally confront Beckford’s links to the slave trade.
The tower’s £3.9 million makeover went towards waterproofing the exterior, creating new exhibition spaces which will explore the complex life of William Beckford, and opening up the underground ‘grotto’ beneath the tower. Having a secluded tower and an underground lair in 1827 might make Will the world’s first supervillain, which only adds to the mystique of it all.
The opening of the subterranean hideout is an especially exciting development, as it hasn’t ever been open to the public before. Director of museums at the Bath preservation trust Patrizia Ribul told the BBC that ‘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’.
If you fancy checking out the grotto, or any part of the cache/turned museum, entry is £7 for adults of £6 for concessions. You can only visit on weekends and bank holidays between 10.30am and 3pm, and you need to book ahead of time, which you can do here.
On the hunt for some great museums?
Look no further. Once you’ve summited Beckford Tower and are looking for another museum to explore, head to one of Time Out’s top 20 in the country, or for something a bit different try out one of these cool immersive museums. We also have a list of the best weird yet wonderful museums in London.
Did you see that you can now stay in this luxe ‘House of the Dragon’ location?
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