Museums in Bath

1. Roman Baths: Considered to be one of the finest and best preserved historic locations in not only Britain but the whole of northern Europe, this Bath museum was set up around 70 AD. It was initially constructed as a sophisticated bathing and socializing complex and today stands as an interactive museum that takes you back to Roman times almost 2000 years ago. Explore the ruins and discover the areas that served as changing rooms and tepid plunge pools.

Location: Roman Baths, The Pump Room, Abbey Church Yard, Bath, BA1 1LZ
Timings: Monday to Sunday: 9 am to 6 pm
Entry fees: £17.50

2. No. 1 Royal Crescent: Catch a glimpse of life as it was lived during the late eighteenth century in Georgian Bath, particularly for the wealthy. Today a Bath Museum, the Royal Crescent and its stately Palladian façade was constructed around the 1770s and was then considered to be a luxury abode meant only for the aristocrat visitors. These guests used to arrive in town mostly to enjoy the social season and take the waters. As you go through each of the rooms, you will get a good sense of the Georgian style and design with authentic paintings, textile, and furniture.

Location: 1 Royal Crescent, Bath, BA1 2LR
Timings: Opening timings vary depending on the season
Entry fees: £13.00

3. Fashion Museum Bath: Located within the state-of-the-art Assembly Rooms, this Bath Museum attracts visitors by the hordes because of the interesting collection of historical as well as contemporary clothes that it houses. Enjoy viewing garments that comprised the height of style and fashion during the 1600s, the Georgian era all the way down to current times and razor-edge designs from the biggest names around the globe. The Fashion Museum also features a shop that puts up for sale a carefully put-together selection of garments, jewelry, fashion accessories, and much more.

Location: Assembly Rooms, Bennett Street, Bath, BA1 2QH
Timings: Monday to Sunday- 10:30 am to 5 pm
Entry fees: £10.00

4. Holburne Museum: Get a taste of the grandeur and opulence that you are going to witness within this Bath Museum as you enter its well manicured gardens. Originally intended to be a hotel, the place has now settled as a restorer of a fine collection of decorative art. One of the most beautiful buildings in Bath, there is much to see within its walls including masterpieces by Gainsborough as well as paintings, porcelain, and sculpture that go back to the eighteenth century.

Location: Great Pulteney Street, Bathwick, Bath, BA2 4DB
Timings: Monday to Saturday- 10:00 am to 5 pm, Sunday- 11 am to 5 pm

5. American Museum and Gardens: This interesting museum promises a fun-filled day for adults and children alike with its various sections including the Mount Vernon Garden, the New American Garden, and the Children’s Garden. The popular Bath Museum is housed in a striking Georgian manor house that immediately transports you to a bygone era and offers spectacular views of Limpley Stoke Valley, on the edge of Bath. Learn a great deal about the history of America depicted through a magnificent collection of decorative arts, folk, and cultural objects.
Location: Claverton Manor, Bath, BA2 7BD

6. The Jane Austen Center: One of the most popular and visited museums in Bath, the Jane Austen Center takes you back to the times when your favorite author penned her world-famous novels. Get a deep insight into the society at large as well as every little detail such as the food and fashion of the times that would have had an impact on Austen’s writings. Enjoy learning a great deal about how the city of Bath had an influence over Austen’s writings especially in her works Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.

Location: 40 Gay Street, Queen Square, Bath, BA1 2NT
Entry fees: £12.00

7. Herschel Museum of Astronomy: Know all there is to know about the illustrious Herschel family that has made some of the most significant contributions to the fields of science and music during their days. This is one of the most interesting tours among all the museums in Bath as they have recently introduced a new audio-visual guide wherein Caroline Herschel herself shows you around her house, showcasing her collections, her children’s achievements, and much more.

Location: Herschel Museum of Astronomy, 19 New King Street, Bath, BA1 2BL
Timings: Monday to Friday- 1 pm to 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday- 11 am to 5 pm
Entry fees: £3.00

8. Sally Lunn's Kitchen Museum: Located in the cellars of Bath’s Oldest House, this micro museum is also one of the most popular museums in Bath. Get a good look at the place where the original Bath bun was first baked and also see Sally Lunn's original kitchen and bakery that goes back to the year 1622. The oven here dates even further back to c.1100. Make your visit memorable by buying a Sally Lunn bun which is beautifully packed in charming boxes for your return journey.

Location: Sally Lunn's House, 4 North Parade Passage, BATH, Bath, BA1 1NX
Timings: Monday to Saturday- 10 am to 6 pm, Sunday- 11 am to 6 pm

9. Museum of East Asian Art: Situated in a well-restored beautiful Georgian building, this Bath museum is the only museum in the entire country that is completely dedicated to the culture and heritage of the Orient and South East Asia. The museum features over 2,000 objects that showcase the workmanship and artistry of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and South East Asian artists across almost 7,000 years. The museum also hosts a range of exhibitions throughout the year and the museum shop offers unique gift items that originate from Eastern and South East Asian countries.

Location: 12 Bennett Street, Bath, BA1 2QJ
Timings: Wednesday to Friday- 11:00 am to 4:30 pm, Saturday - 10 am to 4:30 pm
Entry fees: £5.00

10. The Museum of Bath at Work: This iconic Bath museum retells the city’s story of 2000 years and the way it has developed and grown. The displays here include Bath Chairs, Bath Buns, Bath Stone, and any other merchandise that the local residents have made use of to earn a living ever since the Roman era. There are other interesting displays here such as Victorian engineering works, a cabinet maker's workshop, an ironmonger's shop, and a 1914 Horstmann car, among several others.

Location: Julian Road, Bath, BA1 2RH
Timings: Monday to Sunday- 10:30 am to 5:00 pm

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1. Haynes Motor Museum: This is one of the most popular museums in Bath among families that takes you through an interesting journey- the invention of the motor car. The multi-award winning museum is also home to the largest collection of cars and motorbikes in the entire UK.

2. Beckford's Tower & Museum: Take a guided tour for the entire family through this beautiful neoclassical tower that was originally built for William Beckford in 1827. The most prominent feature at this Bath museum is its spiral staircase that leads you to the Belvedere and some of the most breathtaking views around.

3. Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein: This unique museum is a great place to visit with the entire family where you can witness the beginnings of the world famous character- Frankenstein. Experience the chills as you witness unusual artifacts complete with ominous soundtracks and special effects that recreate the scenes as described by Shelly.

4. Sally Lunn's Kitchen Museum: Located in the cellar of the city’s oldest house, this interesting museum takes you to Sally Lunn's original kitchen and bakery as well as her thousand-year old oven. See the place where the first famous Bath buns originated and pack some from the eatery upstairs to take back home.

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1. American Museum and Gardens: Surrounded by several acres of rolling gardens and grounds, this is the only Bath museum dedicated to American folk and decorative art outside the United States. The different rooms in the museum give you an insight into the way of life of American families who lived almost three centuries ago.

2. Sally Lunn's Kitchen Museum: This is a great blend of museum and eatery at Bath where you can witness the place that dished out the very first Bath buns. The micro museum is tucked away in the cellar of one of the oldest houses in Bath and features a thousand-year-old oven.

3. Museum of Bath Architecture: Visit this stately building in Bath that traces the rich architectural history of the city. You will be able to see the way classical design shaped the idea behind the buildings here right from the cellars to the rafters.

4. Holburne Museum: This is among the most famous museums in Bath that exhibits two entire floors of fine art displays, gems, portraits, and embroidery. You can also witness the works of the owner and founder of the building here, Sir Thomas William Holburne.

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The Roman Baths are considered to be by far the best Bath museum and are also among the most visited heritage attractions in the entire country. The site dates back to 70 AD when it was built as a bathing and socializing site complete with changing rooms and plunge pools.

There are about forty museums in Bath, each of which is unique in its own way and has something interesting to offer. The Royal Baths, Jane Austen Center, Herschel Museum of Astronomy, Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House and Museum are some of the most popular museums in Bath.

The best time of the year to visit Bath is from around the beginning of June to the end of September. The temperature during this time remains quite warm and pleasant which is ideal for touring around the city and sightseeing. You might experience an occasional rain as well during this time.

Bath is famous all across the word for its spectacular architecture and Roman remains. The city boasts about forty museums each of which is unique in its offering and attraction. It is also well known for its quality theaters, art galleries, as well as shopping and dining scene.