Historic Beckford’s Grotto Opening Soon

Beckford's Tower and Museum, a historical gem situated in the heart of Bath, is set to reopen on 29 June 2024, unveiling a remarkable discovery that promises to captivate visitors and locals alike.

The public can soon enjoy Beckford’s Tower and museum following an extensive 18-month restoration and conservation project. Other key enhancements to the tower and its landscape include:

• Essential repairs to ensure the building's longevity and provide a safe and comfortable environment for both staff and visitors.
• Provision of roof and vault access for visitors, offering new perspectives and experiences.
• Restoration of access to the grotto, which had been buried for over a century.
• Reconnection of the surrounding landscape, integrating it into the overall visitor experience.
• Restoration of original features wherever feasible, alongside the installation of new elements, such as high-spec display cases, to improve the visibility and security of objects.
• Installation of solar panels and an air source heat pump to promote sustainability.
• Updated interpretation to transparently and sensitively addressing significant topics, such as William Beckford's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, whose profits funded Beckford's Tower.

After over 100 years of being buried and hidden, Beckford's Grotto has been unearthed as part of the capital works project, shedding light on a long-lost underground tunnel that William Beckford once used when traveling to and from the Tower. A dedicated team of archaeologists and building experts uncovered the Beckford’s Grotto original steps, retaining walls, and various historic objects, including clay pipes smoked by the stonemasons who first built the Grotto in the 1820s. Find out more about their excavation here.

The opening of Beckford's Grotto is set to draw local tourism. The allure of exploring the Grotto and delving into its historical significance is expected to interest tourism in the region, offering visitors a new way to immerse themselves in the rich heritage of Bath.

This restoration was made possible through the generous support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England, and a variety of other public and private funders. As Beckford's Tower and Museum prepares to welcome visitors to experience Beckford's Grotto, get tickets ahead of visiting: https://beckfordstower.org.uk/.