Images of Holburne Museum
The Holburne Museum, previously known as Holburne of Menstrie Museum and Holburne Museum of Art, is an art museum located at Sydney Pleasure Gardens, in Bath, England. It was the first art museum in the city and houses art and decorative art pieces. The museum was built to house the collection of Sir William Holburne and features works from artists such as Gainsborough, Guardi, Stubbs, Ramsay, and Zoffany.
In addition to its permanent collection, the Holburne Museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, concerts, and creative workshops. It also organizes lectures and cultural events. For those looking to take a break or buy a souvenir, the museum has a bookstore and a café that overlooks the beautiful Sydney Gardens.
The Holburne Museum is housed in the former Sydney Hotel at the end of Great Pulteney Street. This neoclassical building, designed by Thomas Baldwin in 1794, overlooks the Sydney Gardens. The building itself is a piece of art and adds to the overall experience of visiting the museum.
Art & Design Specialized & Alternative Applied art Historic house Person & Artist Contemporary art Modern art Renaissance art & Early modern art
#5 Art & Design in Bath #2 Applied art museums in Bath #6 Historic houses in Bath #2 Person & artist museums in Bath #178 Art & Design in England #51 Applied art museums in England #33 Contemporary art museums in England #30 Modern art museums in England #103 Person & artist museums in England #26 Renaissance art & Early modern art museums in England #176 Applied art museums in Europe #61 Applied art museums in United Kingdom #38 Contemporary art museums in United Kingdom #39 Modern art museums in United Kingdom #125 Person & artist museums in United Kingdom #32 Renaissance art & Early modern art museums in United Kingdom
| Monday | 10:00 – 17:00 |
| Tuesday | 10:00 – 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 10:00 – 17:00 |
| Thursday | 10:00 – 17:00 |
| Friday | 10:00 – 17:00 |
| Saturday | 10:00 – 17:00 |
| Sunday | 11:00 – 17:00 |
Bank Holiday: 11am to 5pm
Closed 24 to 26 December and 1 January.
Great Pulteney Street, Bath
Sep 11, 2025 – Jan 11, 2026
May 23, 2025 – Sep 14, 2025
May 12, 2025 – Oct 19, 2025
Oct 3, 2025 – Jan 11, 2026
Sep 19, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
Jul 11, 2025 – Aug 3, 2025
May 12, 2025 – Aug 31, 2025
Jan 24, 2025 – May 26, 2025
Jan 24, 2025 – May 5, 2025
Holburne Museum has 2 ratings.
The Holburne Museum in Bath, England, is a well-regarded cultural institution that offers visitors a diverse collection of art and artifacts. Located in a beautiful Georgian building with a modern glass extension, the museum itself is an architectural point of interest.
The museum's permanent collection spans several centuries and includes fine and decorative arts, with particular strengths in 18th-century British paintings, porcelain, and silver. Visitors often appreciate the quality and variety of the exhibits, which range from Renaissance treasures to contemporary art installations.
Many reviewers praise the museum's temporary exhibitions, which are frequently described as thoughtfully curated and engaging. These rotating displays help to keep the museum experience fresh and encourage repeat visits.
The Holburne's garden is frequently mentioned as a lovely spot to relax or enjoy a coffee from the on-site café. The café itself receives positive feedback for its pleasant atmosphere and quality offerings.
On the downside, some visitors find the museum relatively small compared to larger city museums, which may impact those expecting a more extensive collection. Additionally, a few reviewers mention that certain areas of the museum can feel a bit cramped during busy periods.
While the entry fee is generally considered reasonable, especially given the quality of the exhibits, some visitors feel it's slightly high for the size of the museum. However, many note that the museum offers good value, particularly for those interested in art and history.
Overall, the Holburne Museum is appreciated for its well-presented collections, interesting temporary exhibitions, and its successful blend of historical and contemporary elements. It provides an enriching cultural experience that reflects Bath's artistic heritage while also embracing modern art forms.
The 2 star is for the behaviour of the staffs at the front desk. We walked in, and an old lady at the reception was like can I help, we said oh we are just wondering if we need tickets to see the museum, as on your website it didn’t mention clearly. She then made me repeat it 2 times as if I wasn’t speaking English and she can’t understand me. I’m fluent in English born and brought up in london, so her judgement and prejudice that was evident on her facial expression and here eyes was racial. Her whole body language was rude and demeaning and her way of asking was what could we be possibly doing here. Even while leaving, walking down the stairs, she was staring at us angrily. We had a lovely time at Bath, everyone seemed friendly and welcoming and the town is beautiful, but the experience at this museum definitely dampened it a bit. I wish we didn’t go in. But we are museum lovers, and it was on our list to visit. The museum itself and the exhibitions were beautiful.
Visited on Feb 23, 2022
This rating is based on the rating of this museum on several other platforms.
Discover museums near Holburne Museum in or around Bath.