Museums, galleries and libraries
Immerse yourself in other worlds and cultures, become an expert for a day on the Egyptians or vintage aeroplanes, and stare amazed at art exhibitions the world comes to see. Museums and art galleries in England take you to faraway places. You get to peek into distant lives by travelling just a few footsteps. At the last count there were around 1,600 museums in England, catering to almost every interest you can imagine. Many of them are housed in buildings as impressive as the collections within.
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Experience life at sea aboard Brunel’s ss Great Britain
One of the world's most important ships brought to life for modern-day visitors.
Location: Bristol
Rainy Day Activities: See famous works in the Royal Albert Memorial Museum
With numerous famous artworks and historical artefacts on display, the award-winning Royal Albert Memorial Museum is a must-see indoor attraction in the heart of Exeter.
Location: Exeter, Devon
Kingston Lacy: an Italian palace in Dorset
Home to a rather fabulous collection that includes pieces by Rubens, Van Duyck, Titian.
Location: Poole, Dorset
Explore the resting place of the last of Henry VIII’s six wives
Sudeley Castle’s magnificent gardens are world-renowned, providing variety and colour from spring through to autumn and the grounds are the final resting place of Katherine Parr.
Location: Winchcombe, Gloucestershire
Visit the world’s best collection of tanks
Heroes big or small can find fun at The Tank Museum.
Location: Wareham, Dorset
Get to the heart of the crafty Cotswolds
Allow yourself to be dazzled – and perhaps, learn to dazzle yourself – at a place where art comes to life.
Location: Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Rainy Day Activities: Beware the animal mummies at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
From Egyptian relics and biplanes, to works of art and stuffed deer, there’s something to excite everyone at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.
Location: Bristol
Explore the rooms and grounds of Snowshill Manor
From suits of Samurai armour to antique bicycles of all shapes and sizes, there are about 22,000 reasons to take a nose round Snowshill Manor.
Location: Snowshill, Gloucestershire
Explore the Barbara Hepworth Museum
Whether you’re a garden lover, art aficionado or simply a St Ives devotee you can’t fail to fall for the magic of the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden.
Location: St Ives, Cornwall
Retrace the Cotswolds’ Arts and Crafts movement
Explore William Morris's Cotswolds as you relive the area's arts and crafts movement in Chipping Campden and Broadway.
Location: Chipping Campden & Broadway, Gloucestershire
Rainy Day Activities: Discover Bath’s 13 marvellous museums
Discover the incredible and diverse collection of museums, galleries and exhibitions, all within a short stroll of one another, on a rainy day in Bath.
Location: Bath, Somerset
Enjoy panoramic views on the Bath Skyline Walk
Enjoy a family break in Bath with some outdoor fun at Bath Skyline’s woodland play area before enjoying sweeping views across the city.
Location: Bath, Somerset
Discover new worlds on The Matthew
A replica of John Cabot's ship that discovered America in 1497, The Matthew sailed the Atlantic in 1997 and now offers trips around the harbour.
Location: Bristol
Discover Salcombe’s rich maritime and WWII history
From its rich maritime and wartime history to Otto Overbeck’s ‘electrical rejuvenator’, Salcombe is filled with historic gems.
Location: Salcombe, Devon
Step aboard a supersonic Concorde at Aerospace Bristol
Visit the true home of the Concorde at Aerospace Bristol, which tells the story of Bristol’s amazing aviation achievements.
Location: Bristol