Before you see any art you will be struck by the beauty of the building that houses the Victoria Art Gallery. Visit the two lower galleries, both hosting exhibits from guest contemporary artists. Shows change every 6 to 12 weeks. See the displays in the small lower gallery and the full exhibits in the large lower gallery.
Head up the ornate staircase to find the rotunda, a circular hall. Relax with a cup of tea or coffee in the seating area. Look up to the ceiling, a paneled dome decorated with golden signs of the zodiac. You’ll also see six Bassae columns made of Devonshire marble and a number of marble sculptures, all original features from the building’s 1897 construction.
From here visit the small upper gallery, which houses the museum’s collection of decorative art. More than 400 Georgian drinking glasses are displayed here, as well as Bohemian glass and British porcelain.
Find the main body of the collection in the large upper gallery. Works here span hundreds of years, from the 15th century through to the moderns. The gallery displays the work of over 2,000 artists, including Thomas Gainsborough, Johann Zoffany and Thomas Lawrence. See landscape paintings of local attractions such as Pulteney Bridge and Royal Crescent and the works of famous Georgian caricaturists, including Gillray, Rowlandson, Darly and Nixon.
The Victoria Art Gallery is located in the center of Bath, which has good train and bus links. Park nearby at The Podium or the Sports and Leisure Centre if the limited street parking is full. Entry to the museum is free, but access to the guest exhibits in the large lower gallery incurs a small charge. The museum is closed on Mondays and bank holidays and opening hours can vary.
