Bath and Wells Tour 2026

Phoenix Singers Tour to Wells and Bath 2026

On 10th April fifty choir members, sixteen partners/friends, our Musical Director James Llewelyn Jones and pianist Sara Wilander set off on a three day tour staying for two nights at the fabulous Swan Hotel in Wells which overlooks Wells Cathedral.

The tour began on the Friday with a recital in Bath Abbey which drew a large and appreciative audience who gathered to listen as our voices filled the space beneath the spectacular fan-vaulted ceiling and Sara played some wonderful solo pieces on the Abbey’s glorious Steinway grand piano   This was followed by free time to explore Bath Abbey and Bath itself before moving on to our accommodation in Wells. The tour dinner took place that evening at the Swan Hotel and a very convivial time was had by all whilst being served a three course meal in the hotel’s Ivory Suite.

Saturday morning was free to enjoy exploring Wells and several of the group took the opportunity to visit Wells Cathedral and the adjacent Bishop’s Palace. Apart from one heavy downpour the sun shone and it was a joy to sit sipping coffee whilst watching the bustle of the Saturday street market and hearing the Town Crier in action.

Wells’ parish church of St Cuthbert was a superb venue for our early-evening concert. The church is one of the medieval glories of Wells with a stunning 16th century painted ceiling and wonderful acoustics. Following a warm welcome from the churchwardens we were treated to tea and delicious home-baked cakes before the start of our concert. We were fortunate that St Cuthbert’s Director of Music offered to play the organ accompaniment to our opening piece, Vivaldi’s Gloria and to accompany the audience hymn, Jerusalem.  Sara played some captivating piano solo pieces including Clair du Lune and Rachmaninov Prelude in C# minor which were received with great enthusiasm and contributed to a very well received and successful concert.

St Cuthbert’s currently has an appeal to raise funds to renovate the church lighting with traditionally-styled fittings and they were delighted that our concert retiring collection raised £539 which was donated to this fund.

Following a second hearty breakfast at the Swan Hotel on the Sunday morning we departed Wells with most of the tour participants travelling on to Gloucester to explore the Quays area and several opting to also visit the magnificent cathedral. This was followed by an excellent Sunday lunch at Dr Foster on the dockside before leaving for home.

Our thanks go to James and Sara for helping to make the tour so enjoyable and successful; to our concert manager Caroline and our publicity manager Sally.

We look forward to confirming the destination for the 2027 Phoenix Singers' tour.                                                                         

   Sue Alger, Phoenix Singers’ Tour Manager