Bath is one of the rare places that contains extant buildings from two of the world’s greatest empires. Sitting right beside the ancient baths built during the height of the Roman empire are prime examples of architectural wonders from the height of the British empire. It’s a collision of history on an unprecedented scale, and of course, history and museums go hand in hand. Below we’re going to take a look at some of the best museums in Bath.
The Roman Baths
The Roman Baths are a World Heritage Site and the most exquisitely preserved Roman baths in existence. The entire complex is a living museum with the hot spring beneath still churning out the same delightfully warm water it did 2,000 years ago. As far as museums in Bath go, it’s #1.
The Jane Austen Centre
Jane Austin is one of the most beloved and important writers of the Georgian era and is widely credited with being one of the first to infuse the novel with a true sense of realism. Between 1801 and 1806 she lived and worked in Bath. The Centre is a testament to her life and career.
The Royal Crescent Museum
No. 1 Royal Crescent was at one time home to the Duke of York, son of King George III. Today it is a museum that perfectly preserves the interior design favoured by the ruling class of the time. Take a stroll back through time when you visit this stunning architectural treasure.
The Herschel Museum of Astronomy
The home where, in 1781, William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus has been transformed into The Herschel Museum of Astronomy. Not only were the Herschels famous for their discoveries but they also significantly advanced the art of telescope design.
Bath Abbey Museum
Bath Abbey was founded in the 7th century and has been added to, redesigned and renovated numerous times since. Today the Bath Abbey Heritage Museum presents more than 1,000 years of Abbey history with many genuine articles from the past on display.
Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House and Museum
If you are on the lookout for more unusual types of museums in Bath, Sally Lunn’s (a renowned eating house and tea shop) is just a 5-minute walk from the Royal Hotel. It is one of the oldest residential buildings in the city and home to a fascinating Georgian kitchen museum. If you decide to go there for a bite to eat or afternoon tea, you will also be able to see the very kitchen where, according to local legend, the world-famous Bath Bunn was created by a Huguenot baker called Sally Lunn.
The Holburne Museum
The Holburne Museum is a Grade I listed building situated in Sydney Pleasure Gardens, across from which is Jane Austen’s Courtyard Apartment. Inside, you can enjoy a fine art and decorative art collection that was largely put together by Sir Thomas William Holburne in the 19th century. Holburne was a lieutenant in the Royal Navy who fought in the Battle of Trafalgar.
Beckford’s Tower and Museum
At this point in time, Beckford’s Tower and Museum is closed to the public whilst undergoing capital works. However, it is still worth visiting Lansdown Hill, where the tower is located, to see this wonderful example of a neoclassical folly. There will also be opportunities for people to join in with the conservation work in the future so you may be lucky enough to see inside too. As one of the quirkiest museums in Bath, we are still happy to recommend a quick trip to Beckford’s Tower if you have the time.
Museum of Bath at Work
In the north of the city, between Morford Street and Belvedere, the Museum of Bath at Work is a fascinating reconstructed Victorian factory. If you would like to see the environment in which fizzy soft drinks were made by 19th-century workers, be sure to visit while you’re here.
Museum of Bath Architecture Although it is closed for critical repairs at the time of writing, we hope the Museum of Bath Architecture, one of the most interesting museums in Bath, will soon be open again. Here you can see scale models of some of the city’s most beautiful buildings.
Make sure your tour of museums in Bath is all it can be by staying at the stunning Royal Hotel in Bath city centre.