Bath has a rich array of museums and galleries, from the famous Roman Baths to the museum of East Asian Art.

Regular art displays are featured at the central Library in The Podium as well as the Holburne Museum of Art which houses a fine collection of 17th and 18th century art including the likes of Gainsborough.

The new and highly publicised Spa Baths are also due to open in 2005, which use the natural thermal waters for which Bath is famous.

List of selected Museums and Galleries:

Victoria Art Gallery, Bridge Street (01225) 477233
The gallery is housed in the Guildhall and boasts work by Gainsborough, Sickert, Turner, Farrington and Barker, as well as hosting regular temporary exhibitions throughout the year. The modern gallery on the ground floor has ever changing, high profile exhibitions featuring various mediums including applied arts, photography and local works.

Holburne Museum of Art, Great Pulteney Street (01225) 466669
The Holburne Museum rose in 1916 from the 18th century building formerly known as the Sydney Hotel, the heart of the Sydney Pleasure Gardens that were visited by Jane Austin who lived in nearby Sydney Place.

Roman Baths Pump Room, Abbey Churchyard (01225) 477785
The Roman bathing establishment with its magnificent Temple and Baths flourished in Aquae Sulis between the first and fifth centuries AD and the extensive remains still flow with natural hot water.

The Jane Austen Centre, 40 Gay Street (01225) 443000
The centre has a permanent exhibition featuring displays of the places from Jane Austen's Bath; her life and family; Georgian Bath; a formal Georgian garden; the settings of her 2 Bath novels; film costumes; a specially made video; a Georgian shop front and lots more.

Museum of Costume and Assembly Rooms, Bennett Street (01225) 477789.
400 years of fashion told through nearly 200 fully dressed figures and 1000 other items. Illustrating changing styles from the late sixteenth century to the present day.

No.1 Royal Crescent, Royal Crescent (01225) 428126
An 18th century townhouse designed by John Wood the younger as part of his masterpiece, the Royal Crescent, now designated a World Heritage Building.

Museum of Bath at work, Julian Road
An interesting insight in to Bath's commercial & industrial heritage. The museum tells a story of the city's social history over the last 200 years.

Museum of East Asian Art, 12 Bennett Street (01225) 464640

Bath Abbey Heritage Vaults, Bath Abbey (01225) 422462
Restored 18th century cellars housing objects from the Abbey's past, some dating form Saxon times.