Keynsham Abbey Open Day

Keynsham Abbey is open to the public who can explore the remains. Understand the layout of the medieval abbey and see examples of the stonemason's art. Explore the medieval herb and flower gardens. Interpretation boards and volunteers are on hand to answer questions.

On Saturday 12 September reenactor and historian, Ian Morgan, will be present, in the guise of a Saxon, to talk about life in Anglo-Saxon Keynsham and Saltford. He will show how people lived in the early medieval period and talk about the death of Heahmund, a warrior bishop, who died in battle with the Vikings and who was buried in Keynsham.

On Saturday 19 September local historian, Elaine Cook, will give a talk on the history of Keynsham Abbey, its construction in the 12th century, the burial there of Jasper Tudor, uncle to Henry VII, and the Abbey's dissolution by Henry VIII.

Younger visitors (ages 3-10) can follow the "Monks' Trail" to learn more about living in a medieval Abbey. The Abbey gardens have been created using herbs and flowers available in the medieval period. Learn about the plants and their uses in medieval life and how, today, they help our insects. See a 1:300 scale model showing the Abbey as it was. Can you identify whether floor tiles are Roman, medieval or modern? We challenge you to identify the date of Keynsham tiles.

Timings

Saturday 12 September:

Abbey is open between 1400 and 1700. A Saxon reenactor will be present throughout.

Saturday 19 September:

Abbey is open between 1400 and 1700. There will be a talk on the Norman Abbey at 1430.

Location & directions

Keynsham Abbey Remains, Keynsham Memorial Park, Abbey Park, Keynsham, Somerset, BS31 2BT

Directions:

Keynsham Abbey is located just inside Keynsham Memorial Park at the Railway Station entrance. When walking from Station Road turn into Abbey Park (a private road, the entrance to which is marked by two pillars) and walk to the end of it. This will bring you to the entrance to Keynsham Memorial Park and Keynsham Abbey is immediately on your right. Please note access is on foot only. There is no vehicular access via Abbey Park.

Contact on day:

Elaine Cook

Telephone number:

+447753987401

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

The ground is uneven and can be slippery. There are occasional steps and trip hazards. There are no paths and the grass can be slippery. Public toilets are approximately 600m from the site and there is a charge for entry to them. Abbey Park is a private road and there is no vehicular access or parking for the public.

Additional information

The Abbey remains are partially accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs and prams, but there are small slopes and narrow openings which prevent full access.

Max number of people:

50

Estimated duration:

3 hour(s) 0 minute(s)

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