The upcoming wedding of model Holly Ramsay and Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty has ignited public criticism after it emerged the historic Bath Abbey will be closed to tourists for the entire day of their ceremony.
Venue Closure Sparks Public Discontent
The couple, who are set to marry on Saturday, December 27th, have secured an all-day booking at the iconic abbey. This means the building will be inaccessible to the public, with a notice on its website confirming: ‘Please note the Abbey is closed today. There are no services or visiting times scheduled.’
While their ceremony is believed to last only 90 minutes, the exclusive booking prevents visitors from entering the historic site for the whole day. One local resident expressed frustration, stating it seemed ‘rather selfish to be hiring the Abbey for the whole day when your wedding service only lasts for an hour and a half or so.’
To marry at Bath Abbey, couples must have a ‘qualifying connection’, such as being parishioners or having an established link to the church. The nature of Holly, 25, and Adam’s, 30, connection remains unclear. The standard hire cost is approximately £2,500, but the pair are thought to have paid thousands more for exclusivity and security to prevent onlookers from taking photos.
Guest List Drama and Family Feuds
The wedding, to which around 200 guests are invited, is shrouded in personal drama. High-profile attendees include Sir David and Victoria Beckham, close family friends. However, their eldest son, Brooklyn Beckham, has declined his invitation, reportedly due to an ongoing feud with his parents, which has upset Holly and her parents, Gordon and Tana Ramsay.
More notably, Adam Peaty’s mother, Caroline, will be absent amid reports of a months-long family rift. The situation was compounded in November when Adam’s brother, James, 34, was arrested ‘on suspicion of harassment’ following the swimmer’s stag do in Budapest. He was released on conditional bail.
Adam addressed the family tensions in a public statement in mid-November, citing an ongoing police investigation. ‘Bethany, Holly and myself cannot go into detail given an ongoing police investigation into serious matters,’ he said, asking for understanding. His sister, Bethany, remains close to the couple and will be a bridesmaid.
A Romance Blossoming from Friendship
Adam Peaty, the Strictly 2021 contestant and father to a five-year-old son from a previous relationship, began dating Holly Ramsay after a two-year friendship. They went public with their romance in June 2023. Adam proposed in September 2024, with Holly sharing the news on Instagram to her 400,000 followers, writing: ‘I am marrying my best friend.’
When approached for comment by The Sun, a spokesperson for Adam Peaty simply stated: ‘It’s a private, family wedding.’ Bath Abbey has also been contacted for comment regarding the closure and booking policy.
