Description
Beckford's Tower and Museum is a remarkable landmark that offers some of the most intriguing things to do with kids in Bath. Standing proudly on Lansdown Hill, this unique 120-foot neoclassical monument was built between 1826 and 1827 as a personal study retreat and showcase for the eccentric novelist and collector, William Beckford. Following an extensive £3.9 million refurbishment completed in recent years, the site has been completely transformed to share its complex history with a contemporary audience.
Admission to the museum is reasonably priced, with adult entry costing £10.00, which exceptionally doubles up as a free annual pass valid for 12 months. Even better for families planning a budget-friendly day out, entry for children is completely free of charge. This value makes it a wonderful way to experience local heritage, take in breath-taking scenery, and introduce older kids to historical storytelling without a huge price tag.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids, this historic attraction perfectly blends educational history, architectural wonder, and expansive outdoor areas to explore. Children will love embarking on the dedicated trails and conquering the massive spiral staircase, while parents appreciate the thoughtful modern additions, including interactive digital elements and sensory resources. It provides a deep, multi-perspective window into Bath's Georgian past that is both engaging and thought-provoking.
Features
- Paid
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
Key Features
- Sensory Play & Trails: A specially designed family trail is available to pick up on-site, guiding kids through the museum and its rolling grounds with interactive prompts.
- Interactive Exhibits: Modern digital enhancements, such as 360-degree digital binoculars, allow all visitors to experience the views from the top of the tower interactively.
- Educational Day Out: The museum tells a vital, multi-perspective story, addressing Beckford’s immense wealth and its direct ties to transatlantic sugar plantations and exploitation.
- Renewable Architecture: Thanks to recent heritage conservation works, the Grade I listed building features sustainable solar panels and eco-friendly air-source heat pumps.
Highlights
- The Spiral Staircase and Belvedere: Families can brave the 154-step pink spiral staircase up to the crowing cupola, stepping out into the beautiful Belvedere for panoramic, 360-degree vistas of the rolling hills.
- The Transformed Museum Room: Located on the first floor, this updated exhibition space houses Beckford’s rare collections while explaining his controversial, complex life stories.
- The Oak Coffer Cabinet and Stand: A key highlight of the furniture collection, this stunning historic piece was specifically commissioned by Beckford to furnish his sanctuary tower.
- The Silver Crested Teaspoons: An exhibition display showcasing over 30 silver teaspoons bearing the family crest, serving as a tangible material link to the sugar trade that funded his lifestyle.
- The Hidden Underground Grotto: Wander down through the paddock grounds to discover a mysterious, excavated historical grotto open for families to explore.
- The Victorian Lansdown Cemetery: The atmospheric historic cemetery grounds surrounding the base of the tower, providing an intriguing landscape for a reflective nature walk.
Beyond the Main Attraction: Just a short walk from the tower, families can stop off at the adjacent Hare and Hound pub, a local favorite featuring a family-friendly menu and an expansive beer garden with spectacular countryside views. The site also connects smoothly to the wider Bathscape walking trails, offering longer self-guided scenic routes through the Somerset landscape for an extended afternoon out.
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