Bath Attractions and Entertainment

You will find a wealth of fascinating and enjoyable tourist attractions in Bath and the surrounding area, from local exhibitions, galleries, historic buildings and monuments and there’s also plenty on offer for the kids.

1. Bath Museums
2. Entertainment and the Arts
3. Outdoor Attractions and Activities for the Kids
4. Historic Buildings and Monuments
5. Other Historic Buildings and Monuments in the Bath area
6. Other Historic Buildings

Bath Museums

The city of Bath has much heritage to boast of and can be found in one of the many local museums. Whether it is the life of Jane Austen, the historic Roman Baths or the very place from where astronomer William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus. The museums include:

• The Bath Aqua Theatre of Glass:
  A working museum, exhibiting antique and modern examples of stained glass, see the glass artists at work and even see a live glassblowing.
• Museum of East Asian Art:
  Contains art treasures dating back over five thousand years, a must-see for all those passionate about the history of art.
• Bath Postal Museum:
  Visit where the world’s very first stamp, the Penny Black was posted, and trace back the 4000 year story of communication.
• American Museum:
  This museum at Claverton Manor shows how American’s lived in the 17th – 19th centuries.
• Museum of Costume:
  The finest museum of fashionably garments in the world, the story of the last 400 years of fashion is brought alive.
• The Holburne Museum of Art:
  Houses a collection of 17th and 18th century art, including work by the artist Gainsborough.
• Sally Lunn’s House:
  The oldest house in Bath. The museum also plays home to the Sally Lunn Bun, made, even today, to a secret recipe.
• Jane Austen Centre:
  The museum is situated near to where Jane Austen once lived. Find out how life in Bath inspired Jane to set several of her books in the area, as well the history and story of her life.
• Roman Baths Museum:
  Discover the history of the famous Roman Baths and retrace the steps of the Romans and find out how the Bath and the Grand Pump Room came into being.
• Bath Abbey Heritage Vaults:
  Step back in time and learn about the Saxon invasion – the vaults recreate 1600 years of history.
• Building of Bath Museum:
  This museum has an exhaustive account of the city of Bath and is located in the Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel on the Paragon.
• Museum of Bath at Work:
  A museum telling the story of how businesses in the area powered the Bath economy.
• Radstock Museum:
  Telling the story of the miners of the North Somerset Coalfield which provided the fuel for the Bath area.

Entertainment and the Arts

The quasi-bohemian culture of Bath obviously paves the way for a plethora of artistic experiences in the city, from galleries and museums to the theatre and cinema. Bath has an abundance of each, and you’ll find something different to do every day of your visit. The Art and Entertainment attracts on offer include:

• The Theatre Royal:
  Well known as one of Britain’s most beautiful and oldest theatres, it shows fine productions of opera, dance, comedy and theatre; you may also have the opportunity to catch a one-off or Sunday performance during your stay in Bath – these often feature throughout the year.
• Cinemas:
  The ABC, Robins and Little Theatre Cinemas show new releases and classic throughout the year.
• The Victoria Art Gallery:
  Housed in the historic Guildhall, the gallery plays host to the work of Gainsborough and Turner among others, as well as high profile temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
• The Hotbath Gallery:
  Part of the City of Bath College, this gallery is a great opportunity for students to showcase their work.
• Library Gallery:
  Holds regular exhibitions throughout the year in the Podium.
• Private Galleries:
  Find listed a selection of galleries in the city, where local and national art can be viewed and purchased:
  
  
  • Adam Gallery, John Street
    
  • Anthony Hepworth Fine Art, Cavendish Road
    
  • Atrium Gallery, The Podium
    
  • Beaux Arts, York Street
    
  • Hitchcock's, Chapel Row, Queen Sq
    
  • Hotbath Gallery, City of Bath College
    
  • Kelston Fine Arts, College Road
    
  • Peter Hayes Contemporary Ceramics, 2 Cleveland Bridge
    
  • Porter Design, Shires Yard, Milsom Street
    
  • Rooksmoor Gallery, Brock Street
    
  • Russell Rare Prints, Margarets Buildings
    
  • Six Chapel Row, Chapel Row
    
  • St James's Gallery, Margarets Buildings
    
  • The Rostra Gallery, George Street
    

Outdoor Attractions and Activities for the Kids

The City of Bath has plenty to keep the kids amused as well, from the safari parks and animal centres to country parks and adventure playgrounds, these include:

• Avon Valley Country Park
• Avon Valley Railway
• Kennet & Avon Canal
• Bowood House - Adventure Playground
• Longleat House and Safari Park
• Bristol Zoo
• Horse World
• Brokerswood Country Park and Woodland Railway
• Cheddar Caves and Gorge
• Chew Valley Lake

Historic Buildings and Monuments

Bath’s architecture, in particular its Georgian examples are among the best in the world, from the Abbey to the magnificent 18th century Guildhall, Bath will amaze and the skyline of buildings will set the scene for your visit.

It’s most notable architectural examples include:

• The Royal Crescent:
  A sight synonymous with Bath, John Wood the Younger’s 1767 sweep of houses gives a glimpse of the era, giving an insight into the lives of the wealthy residents of the 18th century. The museum at No. 1 has been restored in period style by the Bath Preservation Trust and is op-en to the public.
• The Pump Room:
  Thomas’ Baldwin’s creation is open to the public to sample the waters of the King’s Spring, as well as listen to music from the Pump Room Trio.
• Circus:
  This creation, designed by John Wood the Elder but completed by his son, shows three styles of classical architecture, Doric, Ionic and Corinthian, made up of three crescents each with thirty-three houses.
• Guildhall:
  Thomas Balwin’s 18th century design stands opposite the Abbey and was built as a Town Hall and a place of entertainment. It still houses today’s Bath council and has many fine paintings and artifacts on display.
• Bath Abbey:
  The venue for the Bath festival, what better place to enjoy recitals from choirs and organists than the 500-year old building built on a Saxon monastery where the first King of Bath was crowned. The Abbey also houses beneath it, the Heritage Vaults Museum telling the story of Christianity in Bath over the last 1600 years – this site is well worth a visit.

Other Historic Buildings and Monuments in the Bath area

• White Horse, Westbury:
  Visit one of Wiltshire’s famous white horses carved from chalk into the landscape.
• Sham Castle:
  Built by Sanderson Mill in 1762 this castellated structure sits on Bath’s eastern city slopes.
• Beckford’s Tower:
  Built at Landsdown, the views from this newly renovated tower are spectacular and now houses a museum.
• Farliegh Hungerford Castle:
  This is an English Heritage property sat in the Frome Valley close to Bath. Regular military re-enactments can be seen during the summer months.

Other Historic Buildings and Monuments in the Bath area

Bath is well renowned for its wealth of fine gardens and landscaping spectacles, with contributions from the likes of Ralph Allen and Capability Brown. These are spectacular horticultural sites and hold something for everyone, the whole year round – although, of course, they are truly breathtaking during the summer months. The gardens in and around the Bath are include:

• Botanical Gardens
• Sydney Gardens
• Georgian Gardens
• Parade Gardens
• Henrietta Park
• Garden for the Blind
• Alexandra Park
• Prior Park Landscape Park
• Rocks East Woodland
• Westonbirt Arboretum
• Dyrham Park
• Stourhead Garden and House
• Peto Garden at Iford Manor
• Stourhead Garden and House