Recently, our team went to visit Bath Abbey, an iconic piece of history and a true gem of the city.
Located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath, the Abbey is an awe-inspiring example of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. With its soaring stone arches, beautiful stained glass windows, and centuries of history dating back to the 15th century, the Abbey draws visitors from all over the world.
It has witnessed over 1,000 years of history, from its origins as a Saxon monastery to the stunning rebuild we see today, completed in the 16th century.
As part of our ongoing mission to showcase accessible spaces, we tested the newly installed Changing Places facility within the Abbey’s visitor centre, making sure it met the real-world needs of visitors like Leo and his carer Jess.
Their feedback was crucial in helping us fine-tune the space for maximum accessibility.
Engineering a Bespoke Installation
Bath Abbey is not only a stunning heritage site but also a venue with high visitor traffic. Making it accessible meant addressing several challenges due to the building’s historic nature.
The Changing Places facility needed to be carefully integrated into a stone-arched room, requiring custom engineering solutions to preserve the building’s architectural integrity.
Every part of the installation, from the ceiling track hoist to the wash basin, was designed to ensure comfort and safety while allowing for a seamless, accessible experience.
The Changing Places facility includes:
- Astor Mona Height Adjustable Changing Table – Providing secure and comfortable support for users with complex needs.
- Astor OT200 Ceiling Track Hoist – Installed with specialist fixings to ensure smooth transfers while maintaining the Abbey’s historic structure.
- Astor Aquba Height Adjustable Wash Basin – Designed to accommodate users seated or standing, ensuring flexibility for all.
- HEWI Accessories – Durable, easy to use, and compliant with accessibility guidelines, perfect for users with varying mobility needs.
A Visit to Test Accessibility Features
Our visit to Bath Abbey wasn’t just about showcasing the installation—it was about real-world testing. Leo and Jess played a central role in helping us experience the facility through their eyes, offering invaluable feedback on the accessibility features.
Leo’s unique perspective as someone with complex disabilities ensured that we could assess the functionality of the space from a user-centred standpoint, and Jess’s insights were key in ensuring the facility met practical needs for caregivers.
“It is amazing to see curves in Bath Abbey!” – Leo
A Historic Venue with a Modern Focus on Accessibility
Bath Abbey isn’t just a historical monument; it’s also a place of worship, a community hub, and a major tourist destination. It attracts over 300,000 visitors each year, many of whom are looking to engage with the Abbey’s centuries-old heritage, including its tower tours and historical exhibitions.
By introducing accessible facilities, the Abbey is ensuring that all visitors, regardless of their physical abilities, can enjoy its beauty, history, and unique features.
The Changing Places facility is located within the Abbey’s visitor centre, a modern space that complements the Abbey’s historic beauty while providing a variety of amenities for all visitors. The venue is also home to accessible routes, ramps, and lifts, ensuring that everyone can navigate the space comfortably.
With this installation, the Abbey goes above and beyond basic accessibility, providing facilities that cater to those with more complex mobility and care needs.
We were pleased to be featured in a past edition of Premier Construction Magazine for our involvement in the accessibility upgrades at Bath Abbey.
As part of this project, we collaborated closely with the project team to navigate the challenges of installing modern facilities within the constraints of a historic, listed building. Our team’s expertise was key in ensuring that the design not only met the necessary accessibility requirements but also preserved the architectural integrity of the Abbey.
Read more here.
Visit
We encourage you to visit Bath Abbey and experience its rich history and accessibility features for yourself.
