The American Museum sits on top of the Claverton hillside enjoying spectacular views across the Limpley Stoke Valley and River Avon. The gardens are exquisite, there’s plenty for the children to explore and, of course, the folk and decorative arts of America to see. It’s very easy to spend a few hours winding through the site, mooching about the museum before enjoying a spot of lunch on the sun terrace with one of the best views in Bath.
We’re frequent visitors to The American Museum, especially during the week with the children and can be found wandering the gardens or playing around the site. The kids particularly love the big wooden play structure, eagle look out and amphitheatre. We’ll then have a coffee and snack at the cafe before heading down to explore the orchard, pond and tiny house.
Explore with the Children – Taking inspiration from nature, the landscape, and Native American culture, the museum has created a variety of things for the kids to do around the site:
- Amphitheatre to roll down
- Large wooden play structure, button tree swing and slide
- Circle of stones
- Eagle viewing tower
- Apple orchard, tiny house and pond
- Seasonal treasure trails
- Education programme
Garden Cafe – offers a range of refreshments and tasty lunch options.
Gallery shop – a lovely shop with a curated collection of art, publications and gifts.
Exhibitions & events – Each year, special temporary exhibitions are on display in the Exhibition Gallery, and throughout the year there are a range of events planned, including traditional American music concerts, kids’ activities, and Living History events.
THE GARDENS
The gardens of the museum are some of my favourite in Bath. I’m always impressed by the sheer height of the flowers and love the espalier trees in the walled garden. Highlights include:
- Old Italianate style manorial pleasure gardens including the grotto, the balustrade and curtain walling and ornamental stone work.
- The planting follows the free-form style made famous by the firm’s founders, Wolfgang Oehme and James van Sweden.
- There’s a replica of George Washington’s garden at Mount Vernon
- A Lewis and Clark trail
- An arboretum and woodland trails
WHY IS THERE AN AMERICAN MUSEUM IN THE UK?
The Museums’ founders, Dallas Pratt and John Judkyn, wanted to show the achievements of Americans in the decorative arts and to promote Anglo-American understanding. They had a summer house in the Bath area, so when Claverton Manor came on the market in 1958 the decision was made to transform it into the American Museum in Britain. We opened our doors for the first time on 1 July 1961.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- The gardens and children’s play area are open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am until 5pm. Gardens only adults £7.50, over 5’s £5. See here for full list of prices and opening times
- Parking on site, free
- Toilets
- Accessible – A full access guide can be found here.
- Buggy friendly around most of the site
- Dogs on leads are welcome.
