The Upper Gallery Reopens – Just in Time for Our 125th Birthday!

We’re thrilled to welcome you back to our beautifully restored Upper Gallery – free to enter and brimming with some of the finest works in our collection.

Following an extensive conservation project, the Upper Gallery at Victoria Art Gallery has reopened just in time for our 125th anniversary. To mark the occasion, we’re inviting you to a celebratory weekend filled with talks, hands-on activities, and even a royal guest...

Celebrate With Us This Weekend

Join us on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 May for a weekend of art, stories, and celebration. Discover a refreshed gallery space, reunite with iconic artworks, and explore new spaces designed to inspire creativity and connection.

Volunteer-Led Talks – Friday 2 May, FREE

Meet our volunteers to discover some of our most intriguing artworks:

11am - ‘Henry VIII': Image and Reality

12pm - ‘The Small Harbour Scene’ by Paul Klee - a Child's Play?

1pm - ‘Echoes of Ancient Rome’: A Glimpse into Campo Vaccino

2pm - ‘Anything can happen at Backgammon’ Backgammon Players

3pm - ‘The Dressmakers’ by William Roberts: Exploring Cubism and Vorticism

Meet Queen Victoria – Saturday 3 May, 10:30am-1pm, FREE

Her Majesty will be making a very special appearance to cut the ribbon and officially reopen the gallery. Join us for a moment of pageantry and fun!

Let’s Celebrate! Family Craft Activity – Saturday 3 May, 10:30am–2pm, FREE

Create your own royal portrait using collage in this hands-on family workshop.

Explore The Upper Gallery

Discover Iconic Artworks in a Fresh Light

Step into the transformed Upper Gallery and experience a renewed space filled with light, colour, and stories. Reunite with masterworks by Thomas Gainsborough, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Klee, and Grayson Perry. See our much-loved portrait of Henry VIII after Holbein, now expertly conserved and returned to pride of place.

New for Families: The Art Explorers Area

Little artists and curious minds can enjoy our new Art Explorers family area, designed to encourage discovery and play in the gallery setting.

Visit The Modelling Room

Be among the first to explore The Modelling Room – our brand-new learning and engagement studio that will host creative activities and community events throughout the year.

Conserving the Upper Gallery

This conservation project focused on repairing the historic roof and ceiling of our Grade II* listed building. The Upper Gallery was closed while essential works were carried out, representing a major investment by Bath & North East Somerset Council in one of the city’s most important cultural spaces. Our collection was carefully stored during the project, and has now been thoughtfully rehung – including new additions on public display for the first time.

Explore Bath's world heritage

Other things to do in Bath

The Upper Gallery Reopens – Just in Time for Our 125th Birthday!

We’re thrilled to welcome you back to our beautifully restored Upper Gallery – free to enter and brimming with some of the finest works in our collection.

Following an extensive conservation project, the Upper Gallery at Victoria Art Gallery has reopened just in time for our 125th anniversary. To mark the occasion, we’re inviting you to a celebratory weekend filled with talks, hands-on activities, and even a royal guest...

Volunteer-Led Talks – Friday 2 May, FREE

Meet Queen Victoria – Saturday 3 May, 10:30am-1pm, FREE

Let’s Celebrate! Family Craft Activity – Saturday 3 May, 10:30am–2pm, FREE

Explore The Upper Gallery

Discover Iconic Artworks in a Fresh Light

New for Families: The Art Explorers Area

Visit The Modelling Room

Conserving the Upper Gallery

Explore Bath's world heritage

Explore Bath's world heritage

Other things to do in Bath

The Upper Gallery Reopens – Just in Time for Our 125th Birthday!

We’re thrilled to welcome you back to our beautifully restored Upper Gallery – free to enter and brimming with some of the finest works in our collection.

Following an extensive conservation project, the Upper Gallery at Victoria Art Gallery has reopened just in time for our 125th anniversary. To mark the occasion, we’re inviting you to a celebratory weekend filled with talks, hands-on activities, and even a royal guest...

Explore The Upper Gallery

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