If you only have an hour and want to see something in Bath that isn't Georgian or Roman, the Museum of East Asian Art on Bennett Street is it. Adult admission is £7.50, it's open Tuesday to Saturday from 10.30am to 5pm (closed Monday and Sunday), and most visitors get round the collection comfortably in 45 to 75 minutes.
What it actually is
The Museum of East Asian Art, usually shortened to MEAA, is an independent charity in a converted Georgian townhouse at 12 Bennett Street, a two-minute walk from the Circus and right by the Assembly Rooms building. It was founded in 1993 by the collector Brian McElney OBE and holds around 2,000 objects spanning roughly 7,000 years of art and history from China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia: Neolithic pottery, Imperial Chinese ceramics, jade, lacquerware and bamboo carving among them.
It's a small museum by design. There's no attempt to compete on scale with a national collection, and that's part of the appeal: everything on show has been chosen carefully rather than crammed in, and you can see the whole thing without museum fatigue setting in.
Hours and admission
| Opening hours | Tuesday to Saturday, 10.30am to 5pm |
| Closed | Monday, Sunday |
| Last admission | 4.15pm |
| Adult | £7.50 |
| Senior | £6.50 |
| Student (with ID) | £3.75 |
| Under 18 | Free |
| B&NES Discovery Card / Season Ticket | £3.75 |
| Art Fund National Art Pass | £3.75 |
| Friends of MEAA | Free |
These are the museum's own published rates. Confirm on the day if you're relying on a discount, since ID or proof is usually asked for at the desk. The museum occasionally has to close at short notice due to staffing, so it's worth checking the website before you set off, especially if you're making a special trip.
If you have a Tootbus sightseeing ticket, you get 10% off museum admission, and vice versa, showing your MEAA ticket gets 10% off a Tootbus tour.
What's on and what to expect
Alongside the permanent collection, MEAA runs a changing programme of temporary exhibitions and events, including Japanese tea ceremonies, Lunar New Year celebrations and family trail days. Check the "what's on" page before visiting if the temporary show is a big part of your interest, since it changes through the year. There's also a Discovery Room aimed at explaining the stories and symbolism behind specific objects in the collection, which is a good stop if you want more context than the standard object labels give.
The building is a converted townhouse, so galleries are spread across several floors connected by a lift (73cm wide, 110cm deep) as well as stairs. Display cases on the stairwells themselves aren't reachable by lift, though large-print text and images of those objects are available on the accessible floors if you ask at the front desk. Folding stools and cushions are available in the galleries if you want to sit and look properly rather than keep moving. Accessible toilets, including a gender-neutral option and baby changing, are in the basement. There's no on-site parking, but there's on-street parking and pay car parks within a short walk.
How it compares to Bath's other small museums
Bath has several museums this size within a few minutes' walk of each other, and MEAA is a genuinely different kind of stop from the Georgian-history-heavy options nearby.
| Museum | Focus | Adult admission | Distance from MEAA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Museum of East Asian Art | East and Southeast Asian art, 5,000 BC to present | £7.50 | — |
| Herschel Museum of Astronomy | Home of the astronomer who discovered Uranus | £12.50 | About 10-minute walk |
| No.1 Royal Crescent | Furnished Georgian townhouse | Paid, check current admission | About 5-minute walk |
| Museum of Bath Architecture | Georgian architectural history | Currently closed for refurbishment | Same street |
Our full roundup of Bath's other museums covers the Georgian-focused options in more depth if you're building a museum-heavy day.
Is it worth it?
If you have a specific interest in East Asian art or ceramics, yes, without much hesitation, it's a well-curated collection with an unusual focus for a city this size. If you're a general visitor with limited time and haven't been before, it's still a solid choice for a wet afternoon or a break between the Circus and the Royal Crescent, since it sits right on that route. It won't be the single thing that defines your trip to Bath the way the Roman Baths might, but as a 45-minute add-on to a Georgian architecture walk, it earns its place.
Getting there
MEAA is at 12 Bennett Street, a short walk from both the Circus and the Assembly Rooms building. It's about a 15 to 20 minute walk from Bath Spa station, or a shorter walk if you're already in the upper town area near the Circus and Royal Crescent. See our guide to the Circus and Royal Crescent if you're planning to combine the two, and our rainy day guide if you're looking for other indoor options nearby.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Museum of East Asian Art in Bath still open?
Yes. It's open Tuesday to Saturday, 10.30am to 5pm, and closed Monday and Sunday. It occasionally closes at short notice due to staffing, so check the website if you're making a special trip.
How much does it cost to visit?
Adult admission is £7.50, seniors £6.50, students with ID £3.75, and under 18s go free. Discounts also apply for Art Fund National Art Pass holders and B&NES Discovery Card holders.
How long do you need for a visit?
Most visitors take between 45 minutes and an hour and a half, depending on how much time you spend with the temporary exhibition and Discovery Room.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
The shop, galleries and toilets are reachable by a lift, though display cases on the stairwells are stairs-only. Large-print versions of that text are available on the accessible floors on request.
Is there parking at the museum?
No on-site parking, but there's on-street parking and pay car parks within a short walking distance.
Can I combine this with other nearby attractions?
Yes. It's a short walk from the Circus, the Royal Crescent, No.1 Royal Crescent and the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, making it easy to build into a Georgian-architecture-focused day.