Museum of Bath Architecture
Bath, South West England
One of Bath’s most charming museums, the Museum of Bath Architecture traces the city’s built history, from the medieval era to the modern day. UNESCO-listed Bath is celebrated for its Georgian architecture, and the museum’s collections provide an ideal primer for exploring, showcasing everything from paintings and artifacts to a 1:500 scale model of the city.
The basics
Perfect for history buffs, the Museum of Bath Architecture offers an accessible introduction to the city’s rich, UNESCO-listed architectural heritage. The attractions begin even before entering the building, as the museum is housed within the Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel, built more than 250 years ago and notable for its Gothic revival design.
Once inside, you’ll learn about hundreds of years of Bath’s history. Highlights of the collection include everything from historic surveyor’s tools and stonework to hand-modeled plaster and paintings; it also hosts temporary exhibitions. The museum is easy to visit independently, thanks to its location in central Bath, and is an ideal complement to an architectural walking tour of the city.
Things to know before you go
- Tickets can be purchased upon arrival; admission is free for visitors 18 and under.
- All adult ticket purchases include a free return pass that can be used through the end of the year.
- There is level access to the chapel and its main exhibition hall, making it accessible for disabled visitors; however, there are no wheelchair-accessible bathrooms on-site.
How to get there
The Museum of Bath Architecture is located at The Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel, The Paragon, The Vineyards, Bath BA1 5NA. It’s about a 20-minute walk from Bath Spa Railway Station (the city’s major transit hub), and a number of local bus lines stop nearby. Taxis and rideshare services offer another way to get there.
When to get there
The museum is open seasonally from March through December. It’s open Wednesday–Saturday, from mid-morning to late afternoon, and you can see it in about 1 hour or less. The museum also hosts a range of talks and workshops, so it’s worth checking the schedule before you visit.
The Royal Crescent
One of Bath’s most notable architectural sights is the Royal Crescent: a crescent-shaped, Georgian terrace that has become an icon of the city (and which even made a starring appearance in Bridgerton). It’s conveniently located just a few minutes from the Museum of Bath Architecture, making it easy to visit afterwards.
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