The Footprint Project which began in 2005 grew out of the need to re-level the
Abbey floor which had become uneven due to collapsing voids underneath where up
to 8000 burials had taken place in previous centuries. After an initial investigation in
2013 it was decided to lift and relay the stone floor slabs, excavate and fill the voids
and take the opportunity to install a new revolutionary underfloor heating system and
upgrade the lighting to low-energy LED to further reduce the Abbey’s energy
footprint.
The £19.4 million project also included linking the Abbey underground to the nearby
Abbey Chambers and Kingston Buildings to create a new Song School, Learning
space and other facilities.
The Abbey contains over 1500 memorials including 891 ledger stones on the floor
and 617 wall mounted tablets – only Westminster Abbey has more! Most of the
ledger stones have been recorded, repaired and re-laid with the inscribed family
names’ history researched.
The tour will be lead by Jeremy Key-Pugh, a former teacher at Kingswood School, a
keen historian with a particular interest in the history of the Abbey and is also a Lay
Dean at the Abbey. If time permits there might be a Powerpoint presentation of the archaeology of the Abbey.
To make a booking CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS
If you wish to pay by cheque please download the booking form: BACASExcursions2022BookingForm.pdf and post to the Treasurer.
Meeting Place and Time
Meet outside the Abbey Great West Door at 2.30pm on Thursday 25th August.
No special clothing or footwear required.
The tour will take 1.5 – 2 hours and the nearest parking is Manvers Street CP
(small,longstay) or Southgate Centre CP (large, longstay) or Avon Street CP (large
longstay), Bath Sports Centre (4hr max.) all of which incur charges. Long-stay street
parking is non existent.Consider using public transport – i.e. Bath Spa Railway Station, P&R buses, or normal service buses.
Remember that you are responsible for your own safety and by joining this BACAS excursion you do so at your own risk.
Maximum Participants = 20
Cost : BACAS members – £7 and Non members – £10.