The City of Bath is a World Heritage UNESCO Site and scattered amidst this great city lies a treasure trove of some of England’s finest museums. Each museum uncovers a fascinating story and shares its secrets through world renowned collections of art, archaeology, history, science, and historic houses.

As a museum, we stay connected with other heritage organisations to ensure best practice, share resources, and inspire one another. We also work together to ensure guests to the city of Bath are able to tailor their time with us to their individual interests and passions. Bath’s unique history stretches far across the city, and is intertwined across every suburb, every street, every building, every resident, and every visitor.

The Roman’s fascination with the city prevails as the city welcomes millions of visitors a year from across the globe, each having packed their bags to travel here; to explore these streets and uncover the pleasures of Georgian Bath for themselves. The Museum of Bath Stone wishes to ensure every visitor is able to continue their journey of knowledge following each cultural experience, which is why we have put together a heritage map, marking each museum and its location. In addition, we have specified its collection, not only for the Bath tourist, but for the local resident refreshing their interest and seeing the city through new eyes too.

Museums

click on the titles to see them on the map

1

American Museum and Gardens

01225 460503https://americanmuseum.org/

Claverton Manor, Claverton Down, Claverton, Bath BA2 7BD

Upon the Eastern outskirts of the city lies the only museum of Americana outside of the United States. Set against the backdrop of fine Somerset countryside, a wander through Claverton Manor and its 125 acres of gardens takes the visitor on a journey through America and time. As part of its exclusive collection many folk and decorative arts can be found including textiles, maps, and extraordinary handcrafted items from the past.

2

Beckford’s Tower and Museum

01225 422212https://beckfordstower.org.uk/

Lansdown Road, Bath BA1 9BH

Beckford’s Tower is 120ft high neo-classical design overlooking the city of Bath. The adjoining museum explores the life of this extraordinary man and, those wishing to learn more are invited to visit Beckford’s Tower and Museum; the only museum dedicated to William Beckford in the world.

3

Museum of Bath Architecture

01225 333895https://museumofbatharchitecture.org.uk/

The Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel, The Paragon, The Vineyards, Bath BA1 5NA

Join the Museum of Bath Architecture on a journey into the building of Bath. Visitors here can gain an understanding of how Bath’s aesthetic enabled it to become one of world’s most popular destinations during the Georgian era. Explore Bath’s builders, masons and architects and understand the reasons and inspirations are behind the cityscape as we see it today.

4

Museum of Bath Stone

01225 837 439https://www.museumofbathstone.org/

54a Combe Road, Combe Down, Bath BA2 5HZ

5

Museum of Bath at Work

01225 318348http://www.bath-at-work.org.uk/

Julian Road, Bath BA1 2RH

Gain an understanding into the story of working Bath, the tradesmen and women of the city whose contributions to their industries are celebrated and can be explored through trades no longer present. Peer into the workshops of Victorian workers, and marvel at the diverse collections of tools and machinery displayed across several floors. Ensure a visit to the basement level to view a special exhibit on Bath Stone mining.

6

Museum of East Asian Art

01225 464640https://meaa.org.uk/

12 Bennett Street, Bath BA1 2QJ

Travel across the globe and take in over 7,000 years of East Asian Art at the UK’s only museum dedicated to showcasing treasures from East and South East Asia. A must-see for any art-lover and those appreciative of early craftmanship worldwide.

7

Fashion Museum

01225 477789https://www.fashionmuseum.co.uk/

Assembly Rooms, Bennett Street, Bath BA1 2QH

Located in the Assembly Rooms, another of Bath’s finest buildings, lies a world-class display of textiles, fashion, and costume, transporting the visitor through time. A collection with national significance, this museum remains highly popular among those studying fashion design and yet, also provides a thoroughly enjoyable visit to those with even a remote interest in textiles, and their role in society.

8

Herschel Museum of Astronomy

01225 446865https://herschelmuseum.org.uk/

19 New King Street, Bath BA1 2BL

Connect with the stars and stand where the planet of Uranus was discovered by self-taught pioneer, William Herschel. In making this remarkable achievement, the world as we know it, essentially doubled in size. Learn about the Herschel family of astronomers at William’s former place of residence. The entire building is dressed in period style and will transport the visitor to a different era and period of scientific venture.

9

The Holburne Museum

01225 388569https://www.holburne.org/

Great Pulteney Street, Bathwick, Bath BA2 4DB

Enjoy intimate encounters with treasure collected from across the continent by William Holburne in the 18th and 19th centuries. Bath’s oldest public gallery showcases a diverse and exquisite collection of needlework, ivory carvings, portrait miniatures, bronze sculptures, and more, as well as oil paintings created by distinguished artists Gainsborough, Zoffany and many more.

10

The Jane Austen Centre

01225 443000https://janeausten.co.uk/

40 Gay Street, Bath BA1 2NT

Step inside Jane Austen’s world with the Jane Austen Centre and experience regency times first-hand. Characters in period dress awaits guests, as does an authentic cream team in the Regency Café.

11

Bath Medical Museum

07961 296776https://bathmedicalmuseum.org/

The Pulteney Practice, 35 Great Pulteney Street, Bath BA2 4BY

Visit the Bath Medical Museum to explore early medicine in Bath, its significance, and its history. The museum showcases artefacts and photographs dating back to 1740. A regular and rich programme of workshops, demonstrations and lectures compliment their unique collection.

12

Bath Postal Museum

01225 460333https://bathpostalmuseum.org.uk/

27 Northgate Street, Bath BA1 1AJ

Continue the story of postal pioneer, Ralph Allen and learn about his days as postmaster with the Bath Postal Museum. Understand how postal services in Bath shaped the wider world and how ‘builder of Bath’ Ralph Allen played a significant role in its development.

13

The Roman Baths

01225 477785https://www.romanbaths.co.uk/

Abbey Churchyard, Bath BA1 1LZ

A favourite on the UK tourist’s itinerary and frequented for over 2,000 years, The Roman Baths is home to England’s only natural hot spring. Explore Bath as ‘Aquae Sulis’ and admire the remarkable collection of Roman artefacts, relating to possibly the largest and best-preserved Roman bath outside of Rome.

14

No.1 Royal Crescent

01225 428126https://no1royalcrescent.org.uk/

1 Royal Crescent, Bath BA1 2LR

Breathe in the atmosphere and décor of fashionable Georgian Bath in the Royal Crescent’s earliest house, No.1. The Royal Crescent’s grand exterior reveals some of the finest architecture in Bath; and is possibly the most iconic Bath Stone building in the city. Minute attention to detail would deceive the visitor into believing they are experiencing life under the reign of George III.

15

Victoria Art Gallery

01225 477233https://www.victoriagal.org.uk/

Bridge Street, Bath BA2 4AT

Over 1,500 items of historical decorative arts await the visitor at this free-to-enter Bath museum. Visitors can marvel at artist’s interpretations of the city spanning over several hundred years. From Gainsborough to Zoffany, and a frequent turnover of temporary exhibitions, a visit to Victoria Art Gallery is a must.

16

Saltford Brass Mill Project

07823 321768https://brassmill.com/

The Shallows, Saltford, Bristol BS31 3EY

The story of this area’s industrial heritage continues at Saltford Brass Mill. A Scheduled Monument with original structures in place for guests to explore, the Brass Mill is a must for industry enthusiasts and those wishing to learn more of Bristol’s former metal production.

17

Somerset Coalfield Life at Radstock Museum

01761 437722http://radstockmuseum.co.uk/

Waterloo Road, Radstock, BA3 3EP

Step inside a Victorian world and follow in the footsteps of Somerset coal miners. Take a stroll and see what life was like at the turn of the century. Explore the printer’s workshop, visit the local Co-operative shop, peek inside the miner’s cottage, and admire the gentlemen’s tools at the blacksmith’s forge. View relics from the Somerset and Dorset Railway, Somerset Coal Canal and even, catch a glimpse into the coal mines thousands of feet below the earth’s surface.

18

Bradford-on-Avon Museum

01225 863280http://www.bradfordonavonmuseum.co.uk

Bridge Street, Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1BY

Continue your exploration of natural history, geology, and local industry with this vibrant free-to-enter museum in the bordering county of Wiltshire. Follow the demand for Bath Stone during the 18th and 19th centuries into the Cotswold Hills and discover some of Wiltshire’s best kept secrets.