Recommendations

Museums and galleries for a perfect bank holiday weekend

A young woman kneels on the pavement, pointing at vibrant orange, yellow and pink flowers.
Visitors at the Horniman Museum and Gardens

Spend time with loved ones, experience something new and take a culture trip this bank holiday weekend. Here’s a museum of every shape and size to inspire you.

Ah, bank holidays. Warmer weather, extended weekends and... more time to visit museums! What better time to be with loved ones and make memories together?

Whether you’re a fan of contemporary art galleries, historic houses or expansive outdoor spaces, here are some great places where you can gather friends and family together and experience something new. Explore works of art, pop into lovely cafés and shops or wander outside – there’s something for everyone.

Check out these places for a bank holiday weekend to remember, and don’t forget you’ll get fantastic benefits when visiting with a National Art Pass or Teacher Art Pass.

Find museums, galleries and historic houses to visit with an Art Pass this bank holiday weekend

01
An arial view of a house and grounds, surrounding river and trees, with a beach in the distance
Holkham Hall exterior

Holkham Hall

Historic houses are an excellent option for a day out with family or friends, and Holkham Hall is the crème de la crème. With expansive grounds to explore, it’s also the perfect spot for a picnic if the weather’s nice – you’ll be joined by the herds of deer who also the roam the estate. The lovely Holkham beach is just a five-minute walk away. And if it rains, why not pop inside the house to explore beautifully decorated interiors?

02
Opulently decorated round, high-ceilinged room in red, blue, pink and gold with central chandelier
The Royal Pavilion interior image (Saloon)

The Royal Pavilion

Brighton has always been a bank holiday hotspot, and the crown jewel of its buildings has to be the mesmerising Royal Pavilion. The interiors are pure opulence and extravagance, made up of a series of lavish rooms inspired by Chinese and Indian design. There’s something to draw the eye for everyone here, plus it’s just a short walk from the pier when you’re ready to retire to the beach for a punnet of chips.

03
A merchant sailing vessel with exposed masts, placed on land above a glass building.
Cutty Sark exterior. Port broadside & port 3/4 view during the day.

Cutty Sark

Fancy spending your bank holiday on a boat? Board the Cutty Sark and discover what life was like on one of Britain’s most iconic sailing ships. Steer the mighty Victorian wheel and visit the lavish Captain’s Cabin – and there are plenty more surprises to explore below deck. Children and adults will both have plenty to do here and you can combine your trip with a visit to some of the other places in the Royal Museums Greenwich family, such as the Royal Observatory.

Please note: step-free access to the ship is currently affected by lift maintenance. Contact the venue directly ahead of your visit if you have any questions.

04
The V&A Dundee in the evening, concrete blocks lit and reflecting in the surrounding pool
V&A Dundee, illuminated exterior at night,

V&A Dundee

Located on the Dundee waterfront, the Scottish arm of the V&A family is dedicated to design. Explore designs from artists around the world, plus the best of Scottish creativity. Children are very welcome here and there’s plenty for adults too, with a lovely café, museum shop and striking contemporary exhibitions including Photo City: How Images Shape the Urban World.

05
A family with five children walk down a recreated Victorian street.
Family walking along Canal Street at Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge

Blists Hill Victorian Town

Go back in time to the 19th and early 20th centuries for a bank holiday with a difference. This open-air museum recreates the sights, smells and sounds of Victorian Shropshire – visit historic shops and cottages, taste authentic food and sweets or join craftspeople demonstrating their trades in a beautifully recreated town. Why not dress the whole family up for a Victorian portrait or try traditional fish and chips with friends?

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A colourful circular tiled pool in the foreground, ornamental gardens and stately house in the background
Joana Vasconcelos, Gateway, 2019.

Jupiter Artland

For more frolicking in the outdoors, Jupiter Artland is a fantastic option for spending the bank holiday getting back to nature and exploring incredible works of art. This sculpture park is filled with striking works by the likes of Barbara Hepworth, Damien Hirst and Ai Weiwei, all against a stunning green backdrop – and you can even pre-book a bathing session in artist Joana Vasconcelos' swimming pool artwork.

07
A large oak tree leans to the right next to a round blue out house. The London city skyline is in the distance.
Horniman Gardens – oak tree

Horniman Museum and Gardens

This museum is tucked away in the leafy streets of Forest Hill, an oasis of calm away from the hustle and bustle of London life. The gardens are the perfect place to meet a friend for coffee or take little ones to run around – and there's also a Butterfly House, Aquarium and Animal Walk to explore. Inside there are a number of fascinating exhibits, while temporary exhibition The Robot Zoo is not to be missed.

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World Museum

World Museum

Liverpool's World Museum is jam-packed with fascinating objects from all over the globe. Whether you want to explore their exhibitions, marvel at the solar system in the planetarium, or immerse yourself in the deep blue of their aquarium, there is truly something for everyone.