The Holburne Museum

The Holburne Museum closed its doors to the public in July 2008, as it takes the first steps on the road of a major development project, scheduled for completion in Spring 2011.


The development will see the Museum completely refurbished and more space provided for every aspect of its activity through its extension, designed by Eric Parry, opening onto Sydney Gardens.


The Museum was founded to display the personal collection of Sir William Holburne, a sailor who grew up in Bath and spent his long retirement here. Widely known for his silver and Old Master paintings, Sir William also collected porcelain, glass, furniture, portrait minatures and Italian bronzes such as the famous 'Kneeling Venus' once owned by Louis XIV. Since Sir William's time the collection has been greatly expanded and now includes landscapes by Guardi and Turner and outstanding portraits by Stubbs, Ramsay, Raeburn, Zoffany and Bath's own artists Thomas Gainsborough, William Hoare and the Barkers of Bath.


During the Museum's re-development, items from its collections will be lent to other venues in Bath and nationally. A travelling collection will also be available to schools and community groups whilst the Gardener's Lodge will remain open for its wide range of school and family workshops.


In November 2009, The Holburne acquired for its Collection a superb portrait 'The Pitt Family of Encombe' painted by Bath’s foremost painter at the time, William Hoare. The portrait will join old favourites by Gainsborough, Ramsay and Stubbs in the Museum’s spectacular collection of eighteenth-century British portraits.


The planned re-opening of the Museum to the public is Spring 2011.