Explore - Beckford's Tower
Source: https://beckfordstower.org.uk/about/explore
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:14
Explore - Beckford's Tower
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Explore Beckford’s Tower
Climb the spiral staircase; examine the collection; take in the view; walk along “Beckford’s Ride”; explore the Victorian cemetery; descend to the hidden Grotto: there is so much to discover at Beckford’s Tower.
The “Our Tower” project
In 2019 Beckford’s Tower was awarded a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to embark on a major project to conserve the building, adapt it for sustainable energy use, and better tell the complex story of Beckford’s life, relationships and complicity in the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved people.
The “Our Tower’ project has been undertaken in consultation with our
Community Advisory Panel
, our local communities, organisations, residents and academic advisors to encourage multiple voices to be heard. This is an on-going process. The Museum has been designed to enable displays to change easily as new information and understandings emerge. There is still a lot to be discovered and many other voices and perspectives that have not yet been heard.
If you would like to share your thoughts or get involved,
email us
.
If you would like to find out more about the Community Advisory Panel
email us
.
More about the project
Beckford’s Grotto
For the first time in over 100 years, William Beckford’s hidden Grotto tunnel is publicly visible again after we excavated it as part of the
“Our Tower” project
.
The Grotto is a long-lost underground tunnel that William Beckford once used when travelling to and from the Tower. A team of archaeologists and building experts uncovered the original steps and retaining walls, along with various historic objects including clay pipes smoked by the stonemasons who first built the Grotto in the 1820s. The excavation revealed that the Grotto was double the expected size.
Visitors to the Tower can walk down to the Grotto via the newly restored pathway, and enter into this special space.
The team at Wessex Archaeology created
this 3D photogrammetric model of the Grotto tunnel
.
Take a digital tour
Our digital access-all-areas tour makes the Tower accessible for all; now everybody can see inside the Museum and “ascend” the Tower without climbing the staircase, to enjoy the panoramic view of Bath.
The accessible digital tour is available via a handheld device at the Tower. If, for access reasons, you are unable to visit the Tower, we can send you a link to an online version – please contact
[email protected]
to request this.
Plan your visit to Beckford’s Tower and Museum
Opening times, how to get here, accessibility, and everything else you might need to know about visiting Beckford’s Tower and Museum.
Please be aware that the Museum and landscape explores subjects of abuse, enslavement and exploitation
Plan your visit
History
Discover how Beckford used the profits of slavery to build the Tower as an escape from the world
Beckford Tower’s history
Become a member
Love this city? Have your say in its future with a Bath Preservation Trust membership, which includes free entry to our four museums.
Find out more about our memberships
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter
Be the first to hear about our news and events
This site uses cookies to store information on your computer.
Some of these cookies are essential, while others help us to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used.
Skip to main content
Explore Beckford’s Tower
Climb the spiral staircase; examine the collection; take in the view; walk along “Beckford’s Ride”; explore the Victorian cemetery; descend to the hidden Grotto: there is so much to discover at Beckford’s Tower.
The “Our Tower” project
In 2019 Beckford’s Tower was awarded a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to embark on a major project to conserve the building, adapt it for sustainable energy use, and better tell the complex story of Beckford’s life, relationships and complicity in the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved people.
The “Our Tower’ project has been undertaken in consultation with our
Community Advisory Panel
, our local communities, organisations, residents and academic advisors to encourage multiple voices to be heard. This is an on-going process. The Museum has been designed to enable displays to change easily as new information and understandings emerge. There is still a lot to be discovered and many other voices and perspectives that have not yet been heard.
If you would like to share your thoughts or get involved,
email us
.
If you would like to find out more about the Community Advisory Panel
email us
.
More about the project
Beckford’s Grotto
For the first time in over 100 years, William Beckford’s hidden Grotto tunnel is publicly visible again after we excavated it as part of the
“Our Tower” project
.
The Grotto is a long-lost underground tunnel that William Beckford once used when travelling to and from the Tower. A team of archaeologists and building experts uncovered the original steps and retaining walls, along with various historic objects including clay pipes smoked by the stonemasons who first built the Grotto in the 1820s. The excavation revealed that the Grotto was double the expected size.
Visitors to the Tower can walk down to the Grotto via the newly restored pathway, and enter into this special space.
The team at Wessex Archaeology created
this 3D photogrammetric model of the Grotto tunnel
.
Take a digital tour
Our digital access-all-areas tour makes the Tower accessible for all; now everybody can see inside the Museum and “ascend” the Tower without climbing the staircase, to enjoy the panoramic view of Bath.
The accessible digital tour is available via a handheld device at the Tower. If, for access reasons, you are unable to visit the Tower, we can send you a link to an online version – please contact
[email protected]
to request this.
Plan your visit to Beckford’s Tower and Museum
Opening times, how to get here, accessibility, and everything else you might need to know about visiting Beckford’s Tower and Museum.
Please be aware that the Museum and landscape explores subjects of abuse, enslavement and exploitation
Plan your visit
History
Discover how Beckford used the profits of slavery to build the Tower as an escape from the world
Beckford Tower’s history
Become a member
Love this city? Have your say in its future with a Bath Preservation Trust membership, which includes free entry to our four museums.
Find out more about our memberships
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter
Be the first to hear about our news and events
This site uses cookies to store information on your computer.
Some of these cookies are essential, while others help us to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used.