Holburne Museum, Bath

The Holburne Museum of Art, Bath, is a prestigious small museum with a fine collection of paintings and decorative objects.

The building is an elegant 18th-century villa situated at the end of the impressive Grand Parade. It was originally a smart hostelry, the Sydney Hotel. In the adjacent Sydney Pleasure Gardens, smart bucks and beaux would attend balls, concerts and gala events. Jane Austen lived opposite for a while; she enjoyed the gardens and fireworks but wrote somewhat critically of the musical entertainment.

The museum is based around the fine art collection of a nineteenth century connoisseur, Sir William Holburne. It contains a wide range of items, from ancient Roman seals to silver spoons and Old Masters. Portraits on display include works by Zoffany, Gainsborough and Reynolds.

Events at the Holburne Museum

Until the 6th March 2005 the Holburne is hosting an exhibition of works by EH Shepard, the illustrator of AA Milne's Winnie the Pooh books. The show includes some of his earliest sketches, illustrated letters and some unpublished Pooh illustrations.

As well as temporary exhibitions, the museum also organises fundraising events and lectures - a full list can be found on the Museum's website.