Venue

Pilgrims and visitors have been made welcome at Bath Abbey for hundreds of years. As one of the most visited places in the South West, we welcome over 420,000 people through our doors each year, but are fully aware that every visitor comes with their own expectations, beliefs and purpose.

Whether it's to admire our magnificent architecture, to enjoy our wonderful choral music or for a quiet moment of contemplation, we invite you to come and experience the Abbey's special environment for yourself.

The wild Pennine moorlands are of international importance for their populations of breeding birds and mosaic of habitats.

Sites of particular interest include Mam Tor, with spectacular views, landslip and prehistoric settlement, the famous Snake Pass and Alport Castles in Alport Valley. Kinder Scout, where the Mass Trespass of 1932 took place, is the highest point in the Peak District and is the location for a lot of our current conservation work in the Dark Peak.

Ludshott Common covers 285 ha (705 acres) and is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA) because of its wildlife.

For centuries, it was used by local commoners whose ancient rights allowed them to graze their cattle, sheep, ponies and pigs. Some commoners collected heather, gorse, wood and bracken for fuel, winter fodder and animal bedding. These activities led to the open heathland you can see here today.

There's something for everyone at Parke, found on the outskirts of the small market town of Bovey Tracey, gateway to mystical Dartmoor. You can walk from the town (about one mile) or stop off as you drive to the open moor, where the next stop is the rugged crag of Haytor.

This compact estate was once the home of a wealthy local family and probably enabled them to be self-sufficient for all their day-to-day needs with