Museum of Bath at Work

Camden Works
Julian Road
Bath
Somerset
BA1 2RH
England

Website

www.bath-at-work.org.uk

Telephone

01225 318348

Fax

01225 318348

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.
Food icon Shop icon Study area icon Visual disability facilities icon Wheelchair access icon

This is the fascinating story of a local family firm. Mr Jonathan Burdett Bowler started his business in Bath in 1872 He described his trade as Engineer, Brass Founder, Gas-fitter, Lock Smith & Bell hanger. He made and repaired soda water machinery and also ran a fizzy drinks factory making such sumptuous concoctions as Orange Champagne, Hot Tom, Bath Punch and Cherry Ciderette. When Mr Bowler's grandson retired in 1969 the business closed. But remarkably it had survived up until then with its original antiquated machinery, Victorian gas light, and nothing remotely useful.

Here at the Museum of Bath at Work, Mr Bowler's factory has been saved and lovingly recreated, an intriguing corner of the city's industrial past. Wander through the rooms past the shop counter; through the Dickensian office, to the foundry, the machine shop, the carbonating plant and recall the atmosphere of a bygone age, when Mr Bowler or one of his large family would have tackled any job great or small - repairing a beer engine here, mending a pony harness there, casting a replacement part for a newfangled motor car, making gas-lit illuminations for Queen Victoria's Jubilee and, of course, putting the fizz into a myriad sparkling bottles of pop.

You'll also find reconstructions of a Bath Stone quarry face and a local cabinet-making workshop, both important aspects of the city's history. Upstairs is a cafe and shop where you can buy gifts, books and postcards. A visit to the Museum of Bath at Work gives you a chance to learn about working Bath in Victorian times, a story far removed from the elegance and gossip of the pump room. There is something here for all the family, for young and old, for visitor and resident alike.

Venue Type:

Museum

 Opening hours

1 April - 31 October: 7 days a week.
1 November - 31 March: Weekends only.

Opens at: 10:30 am
Last Admission: 4:00 pm

Groups by appointment all year round.

 Admission charges

Adult: £4.00 Concessions: £3.00
Bath & North East Somerset Residents: £2.00
Family: £10.00 (2 Adults 2 Children)
Groups: (Over 10): £2.00

 General services and facilities
  • Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
  • Foreign language leaflet or brochure available
  • Pre-booking service for groups
  • Restaurant
  • Shop
 Disability access
  • Braille information and/or interpretation
  • Events/teaching/resources for people with disabilities
  • Wheelchair access to some public areas
 Schools services and facilities
  • Direct teaching services for schools
  • Member of staff available with responsibility for education
  • Primary school education service available
  • Secondary school education service available
  • Education facilities available
 Research and adult learning
  • Academic publications and resources available
  • Loan service
  • Study facilities
 Commercial and hire services
  • Facilities for private functions and events
  • Meeting room available

Camden Works
Julian Road
Bath
Somerset
BA1 2RH
England

Website

www.bath-at-work.org.uk

Telephone

01225 318348

Fax

01225 318348

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.

Collection details

Archives, Land Transport, Social History

Collections services

  • General guide to collections available
  • Object identification and/or written enquiry service
  • Public access available to collections information
  • Specialist publications on collections available
  • Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)

Camden Works
Julian Road
Bath
Somerset
BA1 2RH
England

Website

www.bath-at-work.org.uk

Telephone

01225 318348

Fax

01225 318348

All information is supplied by the venues or providers themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.
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