Victoria Art Gallery records highest visitor numbers since the Pandemic
Bath’s Victoria Art Gallery has welcomed more than 66,000 visitors between April and December 2025 - its highest number since before the pandemic. The milestone comes at the end of a celebratory 125th anniversary year, marked by the reopening of the Upper Gallery following major restoration works funded by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The free‑to‑visit Upper Gallery reopened in May after essential repairs to its historic roof. Since then, it has exceeded visitor targets every month, reflecting the community’s enthusiasm for the return of this beautifully restored space and the renewed prominence of the Gallery within the city’s cultural offer.
2025 also featured a vibrant programme of paid exhibitions that proved hugely popular. The summer show, The Lost Spells: Listening to a Landscape of Voices, drew families and art lovers alike with Jackie Morris’s enchanting illustrations and Robert Macfarlane’s evocative words celebrating the natural world. The annual Bath Society of Artists Open Exhibition also returned, continuing its long tradition of showcasing local talent and achieving its highest visitor numbers since before the pandemic.
Another highlight of the year was the launch of The Modelling Room, a new dedicated space for learning and creative activities. Funded almost entirely by the Friends of the Victoria Art Gallery and a generous individual donor, the room has opened up new opportunities for workshops, school visits and hands‑on art experiences, helping the Gallery reach even more people.
Councillor Paul Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic & Cultural Sustainable Development, said:
“It’s wonderful to see so many people returning to the Victoria Art Gallery during such a special anniversary year. The success of the reopened Upper Gallery, along with an inspiring programme of exhibitions and the launch of The Modelling Room, shows just how much this gallery means to our community. Bath & North East Somerset Council is committed to supporting culture and creativity, and the Gallery offers a space where people can be inspired, learn something new, or simply enjoy a few peaceful moments surrounded by art.”
Together, these developments made 2025 a standout year for the Gallery, strengthening its role as a vibrant and accessible cultural hub for Bath and beyond.
