The Holburne Museum, at the end of Great Pulteney Street in Sydney Gardens, costs £16.50 for a full-price adult ticket, but entry to the Collection galleries is free every Wednesday from 3pm, and always free for under-18s. It houses Sir William Holburne's collection of fine and decorative art in a grand 18th-century building that started life as a hotel, with a striking contemporary extension at the back.
Admission prices
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Full price | £16.50 |
| Concessions (Art Fund, 19-25, NUS) | £8 |
| Universal Credit / Pension Credit | £2 |
| 18 and under | Free |
| Students and staff of University of Bath and Bath Spa University | Free |
| Adult accompanying a disabled visitor | Free |
Tickets are valid for the whole day and aren't timed, and can be bought online in advance or on arrival. Concession tickets need proof of eligibility on collection or entry. There's also a Friends membership from £50 a year, giving unlimited free entry plus other benefits if you're planning more than one or two visits.
Free admission
The one standing free-entry window is every Wednesday from 3pm, when anyone can visit the Collection galleries at no charge, though temporary exhibitions still carry a reduced entry charge of around £7-£8 on those afternoons. If your visit doesn't need to be on a specific day, timing it for a Wednesday afternoon is the straightforward way to see the permanent collection for free.
What's inside
The Holburne's permanent collection spans fine and decorative art collected by Sir William Holburne, including silver, porcelain, maiolica and paintings, in a building that was originally the Sydney Hotel, a grand pleasure-garden hotel at the end of Great Pulteney Street. The museum also runs a programme of temporary exhibitions, which have included major names in modern art, so it's worth checking what's currently showing before you go if a specific exhibition is the draw rather than the permanent collection alone.
Where it is and getting there
The Holburne sits at the far end of Great Pulteney Street, Bath's longest straight Georgian street, making it a natural stop if you're already walking that way from Pulteney Bridge. It backs onto Sydney Gardens, a quieter, less touristy green space than the city centre, which is worth a walk through either before or after the museum. It's a comfortable walk from the city centre and from Bath Spa station, so there's no need to drive specifically for this; see our Bath parking guide if you are bringing a car elsewhere in the city.
Is it worth visiting?
If you've already done the Roman Baths and the big-name Georgian landmarks, the Holburne is a good lower-key next stop: smaller, quieter, and rarely as busy as the city centre's headline sights, with the benefit of a genuinely good collection rather than a token local museum. It suits a visit of an hour or two rather than a half-day, so it pairs naturally with a walk through Sydney Gardens or a wider loop that includes Pulteney Bridge and Great Pulteney Street.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit the Holburne Museum?
Full price is £16.50. Concessions are £8, Universal Credit and Pension Credit holders pay £2, and entry is free for under-18s and for students and staff of the University of Bath and Bath Spa University.
Is the Holburne Museum ever free to enter?
Yes, every Wednesday from 3pm anyone can visit the Collection galleries for free, though temporary exhibitions carry a reduced charge on those afternoons.
Where is the Holburne Museum?
At the end of Great Pulteney Street, backing onto Sydney Gardens, a short walk from Pulteney Bridge and the city centre.
How long do you need at the Holburne Museum?
Most visitors spend an hour or two, making it easy to combine with a walk through Sydney Gardens or along Great Pulteney Street.
Is the Holburne Museum good for a rainy day?
Yes, it's entirely indoors and considerably quieter than the Roman Baths or Bath Abbey, making it a solid option if the weather turns.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
You can book online in advance or buy on arrival, and tickets are valid all day without a fixed entry time.