The Museum of Bath at Work
The Museum of Bath at Work
4.5
About
The Museum of Bath at Work is the city’s local history museum telling the tale of 2000 years of the city’s development. It features displays on Bath Stone, Bath Chairs and Bath Buns, and all other ways in which Bath people have earned a living since Roman times. Exhibitions include a complete reconstruction of a Victorian engineering and soft drinks making factory, an Edwardian ironmonger, a cabinet maker’s workshop, a Bath Stone mine and the famous Horstmann car of 1914. A lively programme of temporary exhibitions, events and activities run throughout the year. We have a separate wheelchair entrance that gives access to about ninety percent of the museum, but ring beforehand to learn where it is. The museum receives no income from central, regional or local government, and is a charity set up as an Educational Trust. It has one paid employee supported by an enthusiastic team of museum friends and volunteers.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
180 reviews
Excellent
107
Very good
56
Average
10
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6
Terrible
1
Thomas B
7 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
We waited for 45 minutes this morning for the museum to open, as it was meant to open at 10:30. We gave up and left at 11:15, as no one had opened up. This is despite their website stating that they were open today. Do not bother going here, as they might be closed.
Written 29 August 2021
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.
Sorry you were unable to come in. A volunteer who was due to open the museum, that morning was taken unwell and decided to self isolate, without informing us - until lunchtime! As soon as we'd realized, we made other arrangements and reopened. As a small museum reliant on one member of staff and volunteers we depend upon being told if there are any upsets. In this case we were told too late, I am afraid. Sorry again that your time was wasted.
Written 4 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ShantySpoon
Didcot, UK33 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
This museum offers an alternative view of Bath, focusing on the efforts of the working class in building the city, rather than its Georgian architects and residents. The main floor displays the machinery and tools of J B Bowler's, a manufactory and later mineral water/soda company that operated from the 18th century through to the 60's. Other galleries include a focus on Bath stone and other industries in the city's history.
The collection is used to recreate the offices, workshops and bottling plant as it would have been, immersing you in working life! It definitely made me appreciate my lunchtime can of cola!
The museum also offers a unique "Adopt a Bottle" scheme, in case you think that adopting animals in zoos is getting too cliché. Adopted bottles are displayed with dedications on a custom chandelier on the upper floor.
All together, well worth a visit to see beyond the Regency frocks and petticoats.
The collection is used to recreate the offices, workshops and bottling plant as it would have been, immersing you in working life! It definitely made me appreciate my lunchtime can of cola!
The museum also offers a unique "Adopt a Bottle" scheme, in case you think that adopting animals in zoos is getting too cliché. Adopted bottles are displayed with dedications on a custom chandelier on the upper floor.
All together, well worth a visit to see beyond the Regency frocks and petticoats.
Written 29 November 2021
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.
Elina M
Sweden2 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
An interesting building, a former real tennis hall. Unfortunately, the museum itself was a disappointment. It was full of old tools a bit haphazardly placed. The audio guide helped understanding the industrial history but more should be done to make the museum more appealing.
Written 1 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.
Katie G
8 contributions
Aug 2021
My partner and I stumbled upon the museum and headed in as he has a love of all things mechanical and engineering. The two men behind the counter were extremely knowledgeable and offered to explain anything in more detail that we found fascinating. The museum clearly doesn't get the exposure or donations it deserves. A hidden gem.
Written 20 August 2021
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.
Jacqueline B
Bedford, UK954 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
Lovely little interesting museum very near the fashion museum.
Audio guide explaining all that you are looking at all about Mr Bowler who was a real entrapanure until 1969 when he closed his business and everything was moved to thid site.
Not really much advertising but if you are in the area well worth another few steps to visit, and the entry price is very reasonable.
Audio guide explaining all that you are looking at all about Mr Bowler who was a real entrapanure until 1969 when he closed his business and everything was moved to thid site.
Not really much advertising but if you are in the area well worth another few steps to visit, and the entry price is very reasonable.
Written 5 October 2021
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.
TerrythePotter
London147 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
The museum is sited on one of the hills on which Bath is built. In some places the roads are steep. It is also not that far from the Fashion Museum which is also well worth a visit.
The building itself appears to be built of something more akin to granite than Bath stone (then again it just be dirty) and looks quite plain and industrial. Its style fools you. The building in fact once house a real tennis court, the game once played by Henry VIII,but not here (there is the clue : Real = Royal ).
The main entrance door is plain and that leads into an iron mongers shop, or should I say a reconstruction of the shop that once operated in Bath. This is the actual shop; the counter, the shelves and the original merchandise that was in situ when the shop was closed back in 1969.
The shop is an example of the types of shops that were around when Georgian city of Bath was under construction. As shops like this provided the fixtures and fitting to the builders of those house, from door handles to finger door plates.
The major difference between this shop and many others was that the shop owner also owned a factory that produced those fixtures. That factory and its offices have also been reconstructed (including antiquated invoices) within the building. The "factory" has the original lathes, drills and saws all powered by giant leather belts. The factory also had a small foundry and this has also been reconstructed.
The owner of the shop and factory for some reason diversified into the production of fizzy-pop and that factory has also been reconstructed.
Other manufacturers have also been described within the museum from trades such as carpentry and car manufacturing.
This museum is a gem.
The building itself appears to be built of something more akin to granite than Bath stone (then again it just be dirty) and looks quite plain and industrial. Its style fools you. The building in fact once house a real tennis court, the game once played by Henry VIII,but not here (there is the clue : Real = Royal ).
The main entrance door is plain and that leads into an iron mongers shop, or should I say a reconstruction of the shop that once operated in Bath. This is the actual shop; the counter, the shelves and the original merchandise that was in situ when the shop was closed back in 1969.
The shop is an example of the types of shops that were around when Georgian city of Bath was under construction. As shops like this provided the fixtures and fitting to the builders of those house, from door handles to finger door plates.
The major difference between this shop and many others was that the shop owner also owned a factory that produced those fixtures. That factory and its offices have also been reconstructed (including antiquated invoices) within the building. The "factory" has the original lathes, drills and saws all powered by giant leather belts. The factory also had a small foundry and this has also been reconstructed.
The owner of the shop and factory for some reason diversified into the production of fizzy-pop and that factory has also been reconstructed.
Other manufacturers have also been described within the museum from trades such as carpentry and car manufacturing.
This museum is a gem.
Written 6 June 2016
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.
jessiethecat
Bath UK41 contributions
As a Bath resident, I may be biased - but I also know my local museums. Many of them are very good - but this one is excellent. It is easy to think of Bath itself as a museum, with tourism its only industry. This museum proves that to be wrong. The working lives of Bathonians through the ages are represented here, and represented in a way that makes the subject entertaining and full of interest.
How many people know that a local company not only invented timer switches but also made cars? That company was Horstmann's - and the museum recently organised a rally in Royal Victoria Park where there were several Horstmann cars, including one which had raced at Brooklands. Stone quarrying, engineering, coal mining, printing, cabinet-making - the story of all of these industries is told here. But at the heart of the museum is the Bowler collection - the artefacts from a remarkable shop and light engineering firm that turned its hand to mineral water making. If you've ever wondered what codswallop and twaddle were all about - you'll find out here!
This museum is not to be missed. Just five minutes walk from the Assembly Rooms, it's well worth the trip.
How many people know that a local company not only invented timer switches but also made cars? That company was Horstmann's - and the museum recently organised a rally in Royal Victoria Park where there were several Horstmann cars, including one which had raced at Brooklands. Stone quarrying, engineering, coal mining, printing, cabinet-making - the story of all of these industries is told here. But at the heart of the museum is the Bowler collection - the artefacts from a remarkable shop and light engineering firm that turned its hand to mineral water making. If you've ever wondered what codswallop and twaddle were all about - you'll find out here!
This museum is not to be missed. Just five minutes walk from the Assembly Rooms, it's well worth the trip.
Written 29 July 2008
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.
Aspry W
Brooklyn22 contributions
Sept 2011 • Couples
We arrived about 15 minutes early and just sat outside in the chill. An older gentleman arriving for work saw us and kindly just let us in. We were charmed immediately.
"This museum was established in 1978 to present the commercial development of Bath over the last 2000 years and includes displays on four floors. The main exhibit is the reconstruction of an engineering and mineral water making business set up by Victorian entrepreneur Jonathan Bowler in 1864." ~ Wikipedia
It began with a little talk with the curator at the very old front desk. They hit you over the head with history right off the bat as the entrance looks like it came right out of the 1800's. There are timeless artifacts everywhere. It's an onslaught on the senses and the pictures very well take themselves.
Different levels tell different stories and the sights are mostly at arm's length - but I don't advise you to try and touch them. This is valuable stuff here.
Not much more to say here. I'll upload some photos and you can have a look.
"This museum was established in 1978 to present the commercial development of Bath over the last 2000 years and includes displays on four floors. The main exhibit is the reconstruction of an engineering and mineral water making business set up by Victorian entrepreneur Jonathan Bowler in 1864." ~ Wikipedia
It began with a little talk with the curator at the very old front desk. They hit you over the head with history right off the bat as the entrance looks like it came right out of the 1800's. There are timeless artifacts everywhere. It's an onslaught on the senses and the pictures very well take themselves.
Different levels tell different stories and the sights are mostly at arm's length - but I don't advise you to try and touch them. This is valuable stuff here.
Not much more to say here. I'll upload some photos and you can have a look.
Written 9 November 2011
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.
GSS40
Berkshire, UK15 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
The main exhibition relates to an old Bath company which closed in the late 1960s having been set-up in Victorian times - quite fascinating to see the old manufacturing items and hear about processes from by-gone days. Worth a visit!
Written 9 March 2016
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.
Clive M
Southend-on-Sea, UK28 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
A glimpse of how our recent ancestors lived & worked and the rise and fall of one family firm - this was a fascinating glimpse at a bygone age. The volunteers were friendly and helpful & many of the exhibits could be handled. The entrance charge was small and worth every penny. Not to be missed!
Written 12 September 2015
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.
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