Victoria Art Gallery
Bath, South West England
Housed in an elegant 19th-century building that was originally a library, Bath's Victoria Art Gallery showcases a stellar collection of paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and ceramics, dating from the 15th century until modern times. Highlights include a Tudor portrait of Henry VIII and the Lichfield Clock, an intricate musical clock.
The basics
Victoria Art Gallery is next to another key Bath attraction, Pulteney Bridge, which is a stop on most city sightseeing tours and hop-on hop-off bus routes. Many Bath day tours from London allow free time to wander Bath independently, making it easy to drop in and see the gallery’s permanent collection at your leisure. Tours from London often include a visit to Stonehenge, too. The gallery is great for families, with plenty of kid-friendly activities and events—check the website's calendar for an up-to-date calendar.
Things to know before you go
- Admission to the permanent collection is free, but you’ll need tickets to see temporary exhibits, which can be purchased online.
- Photography (without flash) is allowed in the permanent collection area, but you're not usually allowed to take photos of temporary exhibits.
- The gallery is accessible for travelers using wheelchairs, with an accessible entry on Bridge Street and an elevator connecting the lower and upper floors. A loaner wheelchair is also available.
How to get there
Victoria Art Gallery is located on Bridge Street right by Pulteney Bridge, about a 5-minute walk from the Roman Baths. It’s a 10-minute walk from Bath Spa railway station, which connects to Bristol and London stations. Most hop-on hop-off bus routes in Bath stop right by the museum.
When to get there
Victoria Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday year-round and is closed on Mondays and some public holidays. Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to get fewer crowds than the rest of the week, while Saturday is typically the busiest day. Details about special exhibits and events are available on the gallery’s website.
Pulteney Bridge
Just across from the Victoria Art Gallery, Pulteney Bridge is one of Bath's most-photographed attractions and a popular stop on Bath tours. This 18th-century Palladian-style bridge crosses the River Avon and sits atop three stone arches that add to its photogenic appeal. The bridge has shops built into it at street level on both sides, which is atypical for bridges, particularly of that era.
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