Holburne Museum

The museum underwent a major renovation between 2008 and 2011 and during this time a modern annexe, designed by Eric Parry, was added to the rear of the Grade I listed building.

The Holburne has been used as a film set and has appeared in Vanity Fair (2004), The Duchess (2008) and the Netflix series Bridgerton (2020–21), where it stood in as Lady Danbury’s townhouse.

What to see at the Holburne Museum

The Holburne Museum of Art was originally built to showcase Sir Thomas William Holburne’s personal collection of over 4,000 objects with a focus on fine and decorative arts. The collection has been expanded over the years to encompass around 10,000 objects.

The museum now features works by prominent artists such as Thomas Gainsborough, Francesco Guardi, Allan Ramsay, George Stubbs and Johan Zoffany.

Temporary exhibitions at The Holburne Museum

In addition to its permanent collections, The Holburne Museum hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions. Current and planned exhibitions include:

Mr Doodle! Museum Mayhem
Mr Doodle! Museum Mayhem (3 May–1 September 2024) is the inaugural UK museum exhibition of artist and internet sensation, Mr Doodle. Also known as Sam Cox, Mr Doodle showcases his innate passion for doodling, captivating global audiences with his distinctive artistic style. Characterised by black ink on a white canvas, his graphic creations feature quirky creatures and anthropomorphic figures, reflecting his “Obsessive Compulsive Doodling” technique. The exhibition will centre around Mr Doodle’s sketchbooks, transforming the Holburne Museum and extending into the city of Bath.

Henry Moore in Miniature
Henry Moore in Miniature is a comprehensive exhibition (3 May–8 September 2024) surveying Henry Moore’s smaller sculptures, all under 30cm in size. Spanning Moore’s career from the 1920s to the 1980s, the showcase features works representing each decade of his artistic journey. Moore’s practice, rooted in small-scale techniques like carving, casting, and modelling, is highlighted through over 60 hand-sized pieces, including maquettes of renowned public sculptures and newly discovered works such as an early lead cast of Mother & Child. Presented in collaboration with the Henry Moore Foundation, this exhibition offers a unique insight into Moore’s artistic evolution.

Visiting the Holburne Museum

The Holburne Museum is at the northeastern end of Great Pulteney Street near the Sydney Gardens. The city centre is around a 10-minute walk from here.

At £11, admission to the Holburn Museum is fairly expensive for a museum in a small city, although admission to exhibitions is half price if you have a valid National Art Pass.

The museum is fully wheelchair accessible.

The museum’s Garden Cafe has a lovely setting facing the Sydney Gardens and the museum also has its own on-site gift shop.

Allow around two hours for your visit.