Museums in City Centre (Bath)

Sally Lunn's Museum

Sally Lunn's House is the oldest known house in Bath. The present timber-framed building dates from 1492 and Roman and Medieval remains have been found below the cellar floor. Sally Lunn, a young French girl, did not arrive until 1680. She brought with her a recipe for a sweet, brioche-style bread, which has become known as the 'Sally Lunn Bun'. After Sally's death, the recipe appeared to be lost forever until renovations in 1937 uncovered a copy of the secret recipe in a panel above the fireplace. The museum beneath the tearooms offers visitors a fascinating glimpse of history. Adjacent is a cellar containing stalagmites and stalactites. Entrance to the museum is just 30p.

Bath Abbey Heritage Vaults Museum

Located underground on the southeast side of the Abbey, the Bath Abbey Heritage Vaults Museum are built over a medieval monks' cloister. The museum provides a concise but complete history of the religious and civil influences on the Abbey. Stonework and artifacts from Anglo-Saxon and Medieval periods are preserved for viewing, as well as a skeleton of a woman found buried with the monks. Other visual and audio exhibits complete your tour through over one thousand years of history on the site. A gift shop is located in the Abbey itself, offering merchandise, such as cards, Christian books, music and jewelery.

Atrium Gallery

Chock full of colourful, vibrant art works, with a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, this is a gallery with something for everyone. There is a huge stock of open and limited edition prints and posters with styles, subject matter and prices to suit all pockets. The gallery also has a unique and growing collection of images and maps of Bath, both contemporary and antique. Especially attractive and exclusive to the Atrium is the limited edition print of a panoramic view of Bath by local artist, Peter Brown. Pictures and prints are sold both framed and unframed, framing being done by the Framing Workshop in Walcot Street, sister business to the Atrium.

The Herschel Museum of Astronomy

The home of the astronomer, William Herschel who was famous for his refinements in the making of telescopes. These endeavors led him to the discovery of the planet Uranus, from the garden behind the house, in 1781. This Georgian House has been refurbished to show how it might have looked when William and his sister lived in it. In the lobby, a replica of Herschel's seven-foot telescope and a model of his massive forty-foot telescope give indications of his pioneering spirit in the sciences. The parlor is decorated with reproduction 18th century wallpaper, and has period furniture on display. The china used by John Herschel (William's son) is also displayed. Temporary exhibitions feature regularly.

Beaux Arts Gallery

Showing contemporary fine and applied arts including painting, collage, sculpture and ceramics, concentrating on 20th century British artists, Beaux Arts have a programme of eight annual exhibitions. Amongst the established artists are such luminaries as Frank Auerbach, Michael Ayrton, Barbara Hepworth, and John Piper to name but a few. The St Ives Group are also well represented with works by Terry Frost, Roger Hilton, Bryan Pearce and William Scott. There are brilliant works by modern ceramicists such as Michael Cardew, Bernard Leach, Lucie Rie and a selection of younger artists. The gallery is situated in a listed Georgian building near the Abbey.

St James Gallery

Situated in an area dominated by some of the finest Georgian architecture in Britain, this gallery has an international reputation for contemporary ceramics, paintings and jewellery in a location to match; St Margarets Buildings is a pedestrian area nestling neatly between The Circus and the Royal Crescent. The ceramics in particular are much sought after, and on close examination it is easy to see why. Each piece is individual and has a certain je ne sais quoi that screams quality. Prices reflect this, but browsing costs nothing.

Hotbath Gallery

Opened in 1994, Hotbath Gallery displays contemporary visual arts, and is designed to accommodate a variety of exhibition formats including painting, sculpture, applied arts, crafts and design. The gallery mounts between twelve and fifteen exhibitions a year, encompassing student shows and recent work by artists of international stature as well as aspiring local artists. Situated in an elegant, early 19th century building, whose original features have been retained and restored, the gallery comprises three interlinked spaces and boasts an exciting, contemporary atmosphere and the chance to see fresh work by potentially great artists of the future. A cafe, art books and artists' materials shop and full disabled access throughout are in the works.

Porter Design

The main outlet for prints outside of London, Porter Design in Shires Yard has a fantastic stock of historic and modern prints, and as the sales lady says, 'the most gorgeous things in Bath!'. Starting out as a distributor of 18th and 19th Century French architecture, Porter now produces their own range of paper and card products with art themes. This is also a rare outlet for artists of various media, including ceramics and Kenneth Tuner glass.

Rooksmoor Gallery

An independent gallery, known for the alternative art exhibitions that it hosts, Rooksmoor Gallery has recently shifted to George Street to join its sister, the Rostra Gallery. Between both galleries, visitors can enjoy an eclectic exhibition of sculpture, paintings, ceramics and other forms of contemporary art. The entire purpose of the gallery is to provide upcoming artists a chance to display their work, without compromising on ideas. It is also the sole supplier of limited edition prints of several noted contemporary artists. Definitely worth a visit for all those who are artistically inclined.

Edgar Modern

Edgar Modern is a must-visit for all fans of contemporary art. Some of the best artists of Britain have exhibited their creations here. Relatively new among the galleries of Bath, it has nevertheless emerged as a haven for artists and art-lovers. The gallery chiefly exhibits modern art throughout the year. Occasionally, it focuses on one new artist with a solo exhibition of his works. Because of this, it has achieved a reputation for introducing fresh works of art, which is highly appreciated in the artistically inclined city of Bath.