Holburne Museum and Sydney Gardens, Bath, Bath, England

When you visit Bath don’t miss the Holburne Museum and Sydney Gardens. Just a short - and interesting - walk from the city centre, across the Pulteney Bridge and along Great Pulteney Street. Here you’ll find the oldest park in Bath and the city’s first public art gallery, with a fine collection of paintings and other artworks.

The Holburne Museum is housed in the former Sydney Hotel, built in 1799 as an entrance to the newly created Bath Vauxhall Gardens. The hotel was a popular meeting place with a ballroom and restaurant. It hosted magnificent galas, particularly on the King’s birthday and at the time of the Bath Races. The hotel was converted into a private lodging house in 1836.

In 1912 the trustees of the Holburne collection purchased the building and it opened as an art gallery in 1916. A 3-story glass extension was added to the back of the building in 2011. The design of the extension was controversial at the time, although it won architectural awards. For today’s visitors the glass structure affords a view of the gardens while you enjoy a drink or a meal in the museum café.

The museum is based on paintings and other objects belonging to Sir William Holburne, a baronet who died in 1874. These included porcelain, silver and other items that he had inherited, as well as paintings and artefacts he acquired over his lifetime. In 1882 William’s sister Mary bequeathed the entire collection to the people of Bath. Subsequent acquisitions have been in keeping with the original collection, with an emphasis on the 18th and 19th centuries. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).