25/05/2026
Festival Tour, Exhibition, Venues, Ticket Information, Places to stay
____________________________________________
Thursday 16th July 2026
11.00am
Tour of the Abbey Church
(The Basilica of Saint Gregory the Great)
__________________________________________
Downside Abbey is one of England’s great neo-Gothic churches with the works of several distinguished architects including Thomas Garner, Sir Ninian Comper,
Sir Giles Glibert Scott, contributing to its beauty and originality.
The tour will highlight many of the architectural features of this magnificent church, including the exquisite Lady Chapel
(Please note, access to the Lady Chapel is via a small flight of steps)
Tickets: £5.00 plus booking fee
www.ticketsource.com/downside-abbey-festival
*Please note, tickets need to be purchased in advance for this event.
___________________________________________________________________
Exhibition
‘Everyday Lives’
Middle Sacristy – Downside Abbey
10.00am – 4.00pm (free admission)
A fascinating historical glimpse of some of the people who worked at Downside as domestic servants and estate workers from 1814 until the 1920s. The exhibition will also feature various aspects of the lives of villagers which were affected by the presence of the monastic community in the village.
______________________________
Festival Booking Information
Tickets for the events at Downside Abbey may be purchased at:
www.ticketsource.com/downside-abbey-festival
Tickets for ‘Music at Mells’ (19th July) may be purchased at:
www.ticketsource.com/micc/music-at-mells/e-ovgpkv
__________________________________________________________
Venues
Downside Abbey
(The Basilica of Saint Gregory the Great)
Stratton-on-the-Fosse
Bath, BA3 4RH
www.downsideabbey.co.uk
Please use the following email address for all Festival enquiries:
[email protected]
By Car
We’re situated on the A367 Fosse Way, a short journey from the A37 or A361. We are accessible via the A303, M4 and M5.
By Rail
The nearest railway stations are Bath Spa (30 mins), Castle Cary (40 mins) and Frome (20 mins).
By Plane
The nearest airports are Bristol (45 mins), Cardiff (90 mins) and London Heathrow (2 hours)
_______________________________________________________________________
Saint Andrew’s Church,
New Street
Mells,
Frome, BA11 3PW
www.musicincountrychurches.co.uk
______________________________________
Information for places to stay in the locality of Downside:
Larger Hotels:
Babington House, Mells 01373 812266
Charlton House Hotel, Shepton Mallet 01749 342008
Travelodge Babbington 08719 846220
Travelodge Bath City Centre 08719 846523
Small Hotels & Inns:
The Redan Inn, Chilcompton 01761 258560
Holcombe Inn, Holcombe 01761 232478
Oakhill Inn, Oakhill 01749 840442
Talbot Inn, Mells 01373 812254
Vobster Inn, Lower Vobster 01373 812920
Bed & Breakfast in Private Houses:
Wheelbrook Mill, Laverton, Bath BA2 7QY 01373 831313 or email
Flint House, Holcombe 01761 232419 07723 031378
Whitfield Cottages, nr Stratton on the Fosse 01761 414419
Mrs Mellotte, Oval House, Stratton on the Fosse 01761 232183
The Old Parsonage, Farrington Gurney 01761 453553
Mr & Mrs H Pountney, Melon Cottage,
nr Kilmersdon 01761 435090
The Manor House, West Compton, nr Shepton Mallet 01749 890582
AirBnB:
Lower Beeches / Upper Beeches, Oakhill, BA3 5AS 7970541875 / 07973687523
Restaurants:
Babington House, Mells 01373 812266
Charlton House, Shepton Mallet 01749 342008
Grange Restaurant, Whatley 01373 836522
Holcombe Inn, Holcombe 01761 232478
Oakhill Inn, Oakhill 08721 077077
Talbot Inn, Mells 01373 812254
Vobster Inn, Lower Vobster 01373 812920
The Holy Cow, Chilcompton 01761 410497
The Redan Inn, Chilcompton 01761 258560
