Spring events at the Roman Baths and Victoria Art Gallery

From family friendly activities to special after-hours opening, there’s lots to keep visitors of all ages entertained at the Roman Baths and Victoria Art Gallery this spring.

Families can search for crowns suitable for a Roman Emperor at the Roman Baths, or make nature-themed collages and follow the Mr Frog activity trail at the Victoria Art Gallery. The Roman Baths will stay open until 8pm over the Easter weekend so that visitors can enjoy a drink beside the atmospheric Great Bath, and there’s also a chance to tour the new Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre.

Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “We look forward to seeing the museums buzzing with visitors and local families over Easter. The Victoria Art Gallery activities are completely free; admission to the Roman Baths is free for local residents with a Discovery Card, and you can book your free tickets online in advance.”

A Royal Roman Quest at the Roman Baths

Families are invited to enjoy a spring trail with a regal theme at the Roman Baths, from 1 April to 31 May.

The whole family can get involved in searching for a new crown for the Roman Emperor; for younger visitors, crowns will be hidden for them to spot as they explore the ancient site, while older kids will be encouraged to look out for headwear suitable for an Emperor within the collection, from wigs to laurel wreaths.

Children will love chatting to the costumed characters beside the Great Bath, and listening to the children’s audioguide narrated by author Michael Rosen.

The ‘Royal Roman Quest’ trail is included in Roman Baths admission. Discounted family tickets available. Free for Bath and North East Somerset residents with a Discovery Card. Book online at www.romanbaths.co.uk.

Free Tours of the Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre

As part of the National Lottery’s Thanks to You Week, National Lottery ticket holders can join a guided tour of the new, state-of-the-art Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre, which was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The tour includes a chance to try some of the activities that children take part in during school visits, including excavating and identifying replica artefacts in the Investigation Zone.

Tours take place at 3pm (sold out) and 4pm on Monday 20 March and are free to National Lottery Players. Proof of purchase of a National Lottery game can be either a hard copy or digital ticket. Advance booking is essential at www.romanbaths.co.uk/event/free-tour-roman-baths-clore-learning-centre.

Easter Lates at the Roman Baths

The Roman Baths will stay open until 8pm (last admission 7pm) from Friday 7 to Monday 10 April, so that visitors can soak up the atmosphere around the torchlit Great Bath.
There will be a pop-up bar from 12 noon to 7.30pm each day selling Champagne, sparkling wine, hot chocolate and a selection of soft drinks. The museum will stay open late so that visitors can look around the fascinating displays about life in Roman Bath, long after the usual closing time.

Book online at www.romanbaths.co.uk. Entry is free for Bath and North East Somerset residents with a Discovery Card.

The Wild Escape at Victoria Art Gallery

The Victoria Art Gallery is taking part in The Wild Escape, a nationwide project that invites children to find nature in museums. Over the Easter holidays, there will be free drop-in craft sessions for families, where kids can make colourful fish and pond collages, including:

• Fishy Fun - Tuesday 4 to Thursday 6 April, 10:30am to 12:30pm. 
• Fantastic Frogs - Tuesday 11 to Friday 14 April, 10:30am to 12:30pm

There will also be a ‘Mr Frog and Friends’ activity trail around the Gallery, and special displays of sculpture, ceramics, paintings and drawings that celebrate nature, drawn from the Gallery’s collections.

The Victoria Art Gallery activities and trail are free for everyone and advance booking is not required. For more details, visit www.victoriagal.org.uk.