Museums in and near Bath

Bath has wonderful museums to support its position as one of England’s heritage cities. Bath’s most famous museum is the Roman Baths, an ancient temple and bathing complex at the healing hot springs. If you’re interested in clothes through the ages, don’t miss Bath’s Fashion Museum, a collection of outfits both old and modern.

Bath Postal Museum

Bath Postal Museum’s archives hold a vast and electronic range collections which are rarely seen by the public. Included in our archive are many historic and unique artefacts that provide us with information for the museum, and exhibitions. ... more

History will no longer seem a dusty textbook subject when you walk into England's amazing museums, which vividly bring the past to life.

England has a long and rich heritage dating back to at least 6500 BC, and the small island nation has been profoundly influential on world history. The country's museums showcase this fascinating past, from the ancient to contemporary, and also display rare and significant artefacts from all corners of the world.

Travel far back into prehistory by visiting the unique Stonehenge near Salisbury. A World Heritage Site, Stonehenge is a circular group of stones, whose origin and purpose is mystical and unclear. Some have speculated that it was a temple made for the worship of ancient earth deities, or that it was an astronomical observatory for marking significant events on the prehistoric calendar, or burial site.

All we know is that Stonehenge must have been constructed for a special purpose, as it would have taken the ancients a great deal of effort to construct the enduring monument. Visit the site for yourself, and experience the mystery and power of these ancient bluestones.

Fast forward to the time of the Romans in Britain as you take a trip to the Roman baths at the historical city of Bath. The Romans, who made Britain an outpost of their empire in 43AD, built a superb temple and bathing complex around Britain's only hot spring. The natural hot water still flows today: visitors can see the water's source and you can follow in the footsteps of the Romans as you walk over the ancient stone pavements.

England's heritage as a major industrial and naval power has meant that its wealthy citizens have been able to acquire extensive and eclectic collections of precious things from all over the world.

A museum that boasts exhibitions of art and antiquities ranging over centuries and continents, is the Fitzwilliam in Cambridge. Highlights of the museum's exhaustive collection include include wonderful paintings from the 14th century to contemporary times, sculpture, furniture, armour, pottery and glass, oriental art, illuminated manuscripts, coins and medals and antiquities from Egypt, Greece, Rome and Cyprus.

If you'd like to see objects ranging from samurai swords to Kylie Minogue's latest outfit, head to the V&A Musuem in London. You can admire ceramics, furniture, fashion, glass, jewellery, metalwork, photographs, sculpture, textiles and paintings. The most fascinating and exquisitely designed objects are all showcased in the magnificent Victorian building, and you'll find it hard to leave its eclectic galleries.

Don't be deceived by the name of the British Museum: this great museum is not only focused on British history, but is in fact a world museum, housing objects from all over the globe. You'll find some of the world's most incredible artifacts here, including the Rosetta Stone and an amazing collection of Egyptian mummies. You can spend hours gazing at the world's most precious antiquities, as the British Museum houses approximately 7 million objects.

Museums are not only about human history: some of the best museums in England look at natural history. They display and explain the earth's most amazing animals, plants and geographical formations and are often some of the most interactive and spectacular museums.

At the Natural History Museum in London, visitors can see exciting exhibits about dinosaurs, mammals, volcanoes and precious treasures of the earth. The museum is a must for anyone interested in the wonders of the natural world, and will especially appeal to children. Where else can you come face-to-face with a life-size Tyrannosaurus Rex, or view a massive blue whale from above and below?

The Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences in Cambridge will also delight curious-minded children and adults alike, as its extensive collection includes dinosaurs, totem poles and much more.

Not all the museums have to do with the distant past, either; many tell the story of famous people from the twentieth century.

In Madame Tussauds in London you can curtsy to the Queen, have a picture taken with your favourite actors, and check out the world's best top pop stars. Of course, these figures are all made of wax, but they're so realistic, you'll have difficulty distinguishing the models from the real tourists walking around.

If you're a fan of the most famous British band ever, head to The Beatles Story in Liverpool, which tells the story of four Liverpool lads who became the world's greatest pop group. The museum takes the visitor on a fascinating and atmospheric journey into the life, times, culture and music of the Fab Four.

No matter what your interests, whether they are in natural history, ancient artefacts or contemporary culture, England's museums will not fail to captivate you.