3 min readExperience the best of Bristol and Bath's art scene, and minimise your carbon footprint at the same time.
For these journeys you can take a return train between Bath Spa and Bristol or purchase a Freedom Travelpass for West of England for unlimited train and bus travel within Bristol, Bath, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Starting in Bristol, Where the Wall Street Art Tours run guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays across the city centre. Bus number 8 runs from Temple Meads station to College Green where the tour starts. On this two-hour tour, an expert guide will walk and talk you through some of Bristol’s most remarkable street art, including murals by Bristol’s own Banksy.
Image - Where the Wall
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery houses three floors of artefacts, artworks and curiosities from the local area and around the world. On the ground floor there’s also a gallery of changing exhibitions, plus the Bristol Boxkite suspended over the entrance hall. Bus numbers 1, 2, 4, 8, 9 and 72 all pass the museum, which is open Tuesdays to Sundays, 10am to 5pm.
The Royal West of England Academy (RWA), Bristol’s first art gallery, is just five minutes’ walk from Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. The Grade II listed building provides an elegant environment for appreciating visual arts, with a stylish cafe and regular events programme.
Image - RWA Bristol
Spike Island is a gallery spaces showing contemporary art from around the world, with a community of artists and creative businesses using the studio spaces, which provides a real energy. Emmeline community café bar is a light and lively place for refreshment too. The M2 bus runs from Temple Meads station and stops just outside the gallery, which is open Wednesdays to Sundays, from midday until 5pm during exhibitions.
Image - Spike Island
Arnolfini is Bristol’s International Centre for Contemporary Arts which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2021. Approximately a 20-minute walk from Temple Meads, its eclectic programme can include everything from photography shows and life drawing workshops, to silent film screenings, music, dance, and so much more. Arnolfini is open Tuesdays to Sundays, 11am to 6pm.
Image - Arnolfini
Once you're done exploring the arty offerings in Bristol, head to Bristol Temple Meads station to board a train to Bath Spa, just over ten minutes away.
Start at The Holburne Museum, where you can view the art collection of Sir William Holburne. You may also recognise the facade as Lady Danbury's House from Netflix's Bridgerton series.. There’s much to admire, from paintings to porcelain, silver, and sculptures. Behind the museum, you'll find the scenic Sydney Gardens and Kennet and Avon Canal to explore.
Image - Holburne Museum
It’s around ten minutes on foot to Victoria Art Gallery in the centre of Bath. In the beautiful Victorian Upper Gallery, you can browse the permanent collection including oil paintings by Gainsborough, whose portrait studio was in Bath for some years. The lower galleries host changing exhibitions.
Image - Victoria Art Gallery
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