Holburne Museum
Holburne Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
With an impressive collection of fine and decorative art, this newly transformed Museum, with Garden Cafe, is situated in lovely grounds and is set to become Bath's must-see attraction. Open daily, admission £12.50/£7. 10am to 5pm (11am on Sundays)
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- Dan_MarthaMildenhall327 contributionsSmall but AdequateAn interesting, somewhat eclectic, collection created by one man. Items are well displayed, some quite imaginatively, with some interaction using pulled out drawers and magnifying glasses. Worth a visitVisited January 2023Written 16 January 2023
- Janet DMoorhead, Minnesota58 contributionsThe history of the building itself was as interesting as the collections.I spent a lovely couple of hours wandering through the eclectic collections of Sir William Holburne and other donors. Formerly the Sydney Hotel built in 1794, the grandeur of the building befitted the repurposing of it as a museum. The garden cafe and grounds were amazing as well. An oasis of quiet and grace in a busy city.Visited May 2023Written 20 May 2023
- Laura HEl Dorado Hills, California430 contributionsCollection of Fine & Decorative ArtThe Holburne Museum in Bath is a place worth visiting. It houses the private collection of sir William Thomas Holburne. It’s not a huge museum, but it’s packed with decorative and fine art. During our visit, there was also an interesting show of contemporary art. On the beautiful grounds outside of the museum, a chorus of costumed singers preformed under a huge oak tree. It was quite beautiful.Visited May 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 1 July 2023
- StephWest Sussex, United Kingdom352 contributionsA collection of paintings by some talented artistsDecided to visit after it popped up on a ‘things to do in Bath’ article. It houses the private collection of William Holburne. I’d never heard of him so had no idea what I was going to see. The collection of paintings featured show paintings of theatre actors which was great, then a load of men who got their riches from the slave trade…. Which made me feel uncomfortable I’d paid to see that! Not keen on seeing paintings of rich, smug slave traders and their wives who look sad and dead between the eyes! The other collection featured portraits of kings and other senior members of society…. Many of whom took teenage brides…. Another bunch of people I don’t feel the need to celebrate! The artists however, were very talented and some of the pictures even looked 3D they were so real looking!Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 23 July 2023
- M3TravellerManchester, United Kingdom146 contributionsWorth a visit - but smaller than you think !A beautiful building and some great works of art - a few impressive Gainsborough’s were a treat. It’s a little on the smaller side than I thought, but brilliantly laid out and informative signage. The collection of Holbourne himself was very interesting. A must for this who like old masters and curiosities.Visited August 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 August 2023
- Nat M1 contributionWonderful but I used to like it betterThis is a fantastic museum. Just the architecture and the cafe are worth going. But I think I can recall going for free in 2016 and now it has a steep price but the exhibitions are less adventurous or surprising than the used to be. Volunteers and everyone were excellent. When they suggested that I donate part of the price of the ticket, it was not as a gift-aid, so it feels like it has changed since the pandemic for one or other reason. It might be that the times have made it change. Still worth it, though. Just a bit steep and no unexpected wonder.Visited September 2023Travelled with familyWritten 30 September 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
1,218 reviews
Excellent
648
Very good
431
Average
107
Poor
21
Terrible
11
dvdgurr04
Pevensey, UK378 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
I wish I had come here before, when I was at uni in Bath. Apart from the amazing Holburne collection, there was a lovely exhibition by Lucy Rie, the potter. Loved the visit.
Written 10 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nat M
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Family
This is a fantastic museum. Just the architecture and the cafe are worth going. But I think I can recall going for free in 2016 and now it has a steep price but the exhibitions are less adventurous or surprising than the used to be. Volunteers and everyone were excellent. When they suggested that I donate part of the price of the ticket, it was not as a gift-aid, so it feels like it has changed since the pandemic for one or other reason. It might be that the times have made it change. Still worth it, though. Just a bit steep and no unexpected wonder.
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne M
Kemnay, UK179 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Have visited the museum before but this time only popped into the cafe for a coffee and snack. It was inordinately busy and so the service was slow . But when it arrived the coffee was very good and the vegan sausage roll very tasty
Written 6 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M3Traveller
Manchester, UK146 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
A beautiful building and some great works of art - a few impressive Gainsborough’s were a treat. It’s a little on the smaller side than I thought, but brilliantly laid out and informative signage. The collection of Holbourne himself was very interesting. A must for this who like old masters and curiosities.
Written 5 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steph
West Sussex, UK352 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Decided to visit after it popped up on a ‘things to do in Bath’ article.
It houses the private collection of William Holburne. I’d never heard of him so had no idea what I was going to see.
The collection of paintings featured show paintings of theatre actors which was great, then a load of men who got their riches from the slave trade…. Which made me feel uncomfortable I’d paid to see that! Not keen on seeing paintings of rich, smug slave traders and their wives who look sad and dead between the eyes!
The other collection featured portraits of kings and other senior members of society…. Many of whom took teenage brides…. Another bunch of people I don’t feel the need to celebrate!
The artists however, were very talented and some of the pictures even looked 3D they were so real looking!
It houses the private collection of William Holburne. I’d never heard of him so had no idea what I was going to see.
The collection of paintings featured show paintings of theatre actors which was great, then a load of men who got their riches from the slave trade…. Which made me feel uncomfortable I’d paid to see that! Not keen on seeing paintings of rich, smug slave traders and their wives who look sad and dead between the eyes!
The other collection featured portraits of kings and other senior members of society…. Many of whom took teenage brides…. Another bunch of people I don’t feel the need to celebrate!
The artists however, were very talented and some of the pictures even looked 3D they were so real looking!
Written 23 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura H
El Dorado Hills, CA430 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
The Holburne Museum in Bath is a place worth visiting. It houses the private collection of sir William Thomas Holburne. It’s not a huge museum, but it’s packed with decorative and fine art. During our visit, there was also an interesting show of contemporary art. On the beautiful grounds outside of the museum, a chorus of costumed singers preformed under a huge oak tree. It was quite beautiful.
Written 1 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzanne T
21 contributions
Jun 2023
Excellent and worth the trip - this is a museum at the end of Great Pulteney Street in Sydney Gardens. Holburne was a really rich guy - sorry family wealth from slave labor in the Caribbean - and he collected so many lovely and interesting items. We were here for the Marriage Portraits exhibit which was excellent.
Main museum has some significant works including Gainsborough and Bruegel.
We are so glad we took Walking Tour guide's recommendation to come visit.
Main museum has some significant works including Gainsborough and Bruegel.
We are so glad we took Walking Tour guide's recommendation to come visit.
Written 21 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alanthenomad
Pershore, UK15 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
A walk around Sydney Gardens followed by a visit to the cafe of this museum is a lovely combination. Very relaxing venue with some nice exhibits too.
Written 12 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
helen5634
Greater London, UK6 contributions
May 2023
The gardens are beautiful and peaceful, did not go in the museum just walked around the gardens. I will visit the museum the next time I am in Bath,
Written 3 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janet D
Moorhead, MN58 contributions
May 2023
I spent a lovely couple of hours wandering through the eclectic collections of Sir William Holburne and other donors. Formerly the Sydney Hotel built in 1794, the grandeur of the building befitted the repurposing of it as a museum. The garden cafe and grounds were amazing as well. An oasis of quiet and grace in a busy city.
Written 20 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeremy K
Barfrestone, UK
Is the cafe dog friendly?
Esmeralda Gutierrez Tennant
Bristol, UK7 contributions
Yes it is!
Joanne J
Wrexham County, UK1 contribution
Hi how much is entry please and do carers go in for free ?
The Holburne website says to catch a no. 4 bus from station, but this doesn’t correspond with any bus maps I look at. I want to visit in the morning, setting out early, phone lines are now closed and with mobility issues, the bus is a must. I’d be grateful for confirmation of the bus number/ route from the station - if you can help, thank you so much!
il0vemarrakech
Warrington, UK170 contributions
Can you visit the coffee shop without paying £12.50 entry fee
George9977
12 contributions
Yes, just go straight to the coffee shop.
Veronica T
Winscombe52 contributions
Is there disabled parking close by, please?
Veronica T
Winscombe52 contributions
Thank you
Is it open on a Sunday
Patricia H
Romford, UK60 contributions
It looks as though your question has been answered. We are only ever in Bath from Monday to Friday (never at the weekend)
Louise T
Salisbury, UK121 contributions
Hi iis this near the railway station please?
Courtenay R
Cheshire, UK155 contributions
Quite near - about a mile. Not a difficult walk and there's plenty to see along the way. Or you can take one of the University buses (during term time) from the bus station, near the railway station, as far as St Mary's Church (Bathwick Hill) and then it's only a few more minutes' walk to the museum.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Holburne Museum
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Holburne Museum:
- City Sightseeing Bath Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour (From £22.90)
- Bridgerton Tour and Bath City Highlights with Music (From £16.29)
- Headphoned Tour: Discover Bath & Bridgerton with Music (From £16.29)
- Bath Self-Guided Private Tour (From £9.15)
- BATH: 2-Hour Bath Walking Tour of Bridgerton Filming Locations (From £20.36)
- Hotels near Holburne Museum:
- (0.12 mi) No.3 Powlett Road
- (0.13 mi) Dukes Bath
- (0.08 mi) Queen Charlotte's Orangery
- (0.16 mi) Number 3, Herschel Place
- (0.15 mi) The Bird, Bath
- Restaurants near Holburne Museum:
- (0.01 mi) Garden Cafe
- (0.08 mi) The Pulteney Arms
- (0.05 mi) Roasted Lemon Cafe
- (0.08 mi) The Crown Inn
- (0.11 mi) Dr. Al Forno