Step back in time on Reader Club trip to American Museum & Gardens

Readers may be surprised at how much there is to see and do at this wonderful attraction just outside Bath. 

Whether you fancy delving into intriguing American stories or being inspired by textiles, decorative and design, the American Museum & Gardens makes for a great group trip - and we plan to show you why on 20th May during a Reader Club familiarisation day we’re really looking forward to.

The details…

• Date: Wednesday 20th May, 2026
• 10am-10.30am: arrival at the Ticket Office Pavilion – you’ll be brought to the Deli for breakfast pastries and tea/coffee.
• 11am: museum tours.
• Midday: free time to explore.
• 1pm: the Deli team will host the group for Afternoon Tea.
• 2pm: tours of the garden.
• 2.45pm: free time to explore.
• 3.30-4.15pm: a 45-minute Curious About Quilts session in the Stables.
• 4.15-5pm: free time to visit the gardens and exhibition (other parts of the site will be closed by this time) or depart at leisure.

Applications are now open to GTOs and coach tour operators. The deadline for applications is Monday 16th March. 

Click here to apply

Opened in 1961, the aim of the museum was to showcase American decorative arts and dispel stereotypes of American culture and is said to be the only museum of its kind outside the USA.

Exciting milestones

2026 is a big year for the American Museum & Gardens; it will be celebrating its 65th anniversary, as well as 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Together, we will be able to see new America 250 displays which form part of a special exhibition and trail looking at this fascinating time in US and UK history - and it will feature a full-scale replica of the declaration itself.

A treasure trove of objects

There are more than 12,000 items housed at the museum, including outstanding examples of decorative arts, quilts and American folk art. It is also home to Dallas Pratt’s map collection, said to be one of the great collections of Renaissance maps in the world.

Stepping inside the museum itself immerses you in history with many of the 15 period rooms featuring authentic historic panelling and fittings shipped directly from the United States. An example is the New Orleans Bedroom which showcases original furniture from a Louisana plantation house on the eve of the American Civil War.

The museum is perhaps best known for its unrivalled collection of more than 250 quilts, ranging from the 18th to mid 20th centuries, said to be among the finest in Europe. There are always more than 50 different quilts on view in the textile room and throughout the museum.

During our visit we will sample a Curious About Quilts session, available for groups to book, which is a great opportunity to view some of the quilts up close and learn more about the history of quilt making in America.

Rolling gardens to explore

Located on a hilltop overlooking the Limpley Stoke Valley, part of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Grade II-listed gardens are set in 125 acres of rolling green landscape.

Groups can wander around the New American Garden which was renovated in 2018 by US garden designers Oehme, van Sweden and boasts a profusion of colour, texture and movement throughout the year. The Mount Vernon Garden is a reproduction of the 18th century Upper Garden at George Washington’s estate in Virginia and features a white picket fence, shield shape and historic seed hut.

Click here to apply

How Reader Club works

Our trips and tours provide group travel organisers with the chance to familiarise themselves with venues, attractions and destinations they feel may be of interest and suitable for their group. It’s a ‘try before you buy’ scenario, but please only join us if this is a viable option for your group.