Bath
Historic science in Bath

Herschel Museum of Astronomy

Step inside the historic Bath townhouse where the planet Uranus was first discovered.

ScienceHistoryLocal heritage

A townhouse museum in the former home of astronomers William and Caroline Herschel, where Uranus was discovered in 1781. Rooms, instruments and the garden workshop setting explain the Herschels' astronomy, telescope making and musical careers.

A townhouse museum in the former home of astronomers William and Caroline Herschel, where Uranus was discovered in 1781.

Herschel Museum of Astronomy
About the Herschel Museum of Astronomy

The Herschel Museum of Astronomy resides in the former Bath townhouse of astronomers William and Caroline Herschel. This museum explores their scientific legacy, showcasing historic instruments and the garden workshop where they discovered Uranus in 1781. Visitors gain a unique perspective on astronomy history while exploring the original rooms and workspaces that shaped the siblings' celebrated careers.

Exterior view of Herschel Museum of Astronomy in Bath.
Herschel Museum of Astronomy opening hours in Bath

Check today’s opening status, weekly schedule, and special date changes for Herschel Museum of Astronomy. Use these opening hours to plan your arrival and avoid closed times in Bath.

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
-
10:00-17:00
10:00-17:00
10:00-17:00
10:00-17:00
10:00-17:00
10:00-17:00
Admission and Ticket Information

The Herschel Museum of Astronomy offers a range of admission options, including standard adult tickets and concessions for students and eligible workers with valid proof. Visitors benefit from a policy where paid tickets function as annual passes for 12 months. Entry is free for children under 18 accompanied by a paying adult, as well as for carers accompanying a visitor.

Adult admission
£12.50
Concession
£11.00

Students, NHS workers, Blue Light card holders and specified benefit recipients with valid proof.

Under 18 with accompanying paying adult
Free
Visitor facilities and amenities at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy

The Herschel Museum of Astronomy provides a variety of amenities to enhance the visitor experience, including family-friendly activity areas, a museum shop, and digital audio guide access. Practical support services such as onsite ticketing, nearby public transport links, and cycle parking are available, alongside seating within the garden. Please note that access to the building and basement facilities is limited due to the historic nature of the townhouse, so visitors should plan accordingly.

Wheelchair access

Limited

Garden bench

Available

Unisex toilet

Limited

Star Vault children's activity area

Available
Family visits at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy

The Herschel Museum of Astronomy provides specific resources for younger visitors, including the Top 10 Treasures trail and the Star Vault activity area featuring Space Lego and crafts. Families can further engage with the exhibits through children's sections of the digital guide. Detailed information on planning a visit is available on the dedicated family-visit page.

Recommended age: Up to age 17

Children enter free with a paying adult and can use the Top 10 Treasures trail, Space Lego, crafts and children's sections of the digital guide.

Why families will enjoy it

  • Top 10 Treasures trail
  • Space Lego and crafts
  • Children's digital guide
  • Herschel telescope workshop

Activities and resources for children

Kids trail

Top 10 Treasures family trail

Up to age 17Free

A free trail directing children to ten highlights in the historic house.

Family program

Star Vault children's activity area

Up to age 17

Star Vault children's activity area is a recurring part of the venue's documented family offer.

Location of the Herschel Museum of Astronomy

The Herschel Museum of Astronomy is situated on New King Street in the Kingsmead area of Bath. Occupying the former townhouse where William and Caroline Herschel once lived and worked, the location offers visitors a chance to explore the historic setting where they conducted their astronomical discoveries. This central site provides an ideal starting point for exploring the cultural history of the city.

© OpenStreetMap contributors

New King Street 19

BA1 2BL Bath

Kingsmead, England, GB

Planning your visit to the Herschel Museum of Astronomy

Visitors should allow 60 to 90 minutes to explore the Herschel Museum of Astronomy in the Kingsmead neighborhood of Bath. Reservations and timed entry are recommended to ensure a smooth arrival, so please verify the current schedule and last admission details before traveling. Remember to bring valid documentation for any applicable concessions to facilitate your entry at the site.

Planning your visit to the Herschel Museum of Astronomy

Astronomy History and Scientific Discovery in Bath

The Herschel Museum of Astronomy offers an immersive journey into the lives and work of William and Caroline Herschel within their former Bath townhouse. Visitors explore the very rooms where the duo pioneered telescope making and achieved the historic discovery of Uranus in 1781. The museum experience highlights original instruments and a reconstructed garden workshop, bridging the gap between their musical careers and revolutionary scientific contributions. It provides a unique perspective on the city's intellectual heritage for those interested in the evolution of space exploration.

Interior view of Herschel Museum of Astronomy in Bath.

Historical Context of the Herschel Museum of Astronomy

The Herschel Museum of Astronomy occupies the former residence of William and Caroline Herschel, who lived and worked at 19 New King Street between 1777 and 1782. It was within this house and its garden that William built his own telescopes to conduct significant astronomical observations. Most notably, he identified the planet Uranus from this site in 1781. Today, the *restored townhouse* serves as a museum dedicated to preserving this legacy of scientific discovery.

  • William and Caroline Herschel live here

    1777-1782Cultural significance

    The Herschel siblings lived and worked at 19 New King Street, building telescopes and making astronomical observations.

  • Uranus discovered from the garden

    1781Milestone

    William Herschel observed the object later identified as Uranus using a telescope he built at the house.

  • House opens as an astronomy museum

    1981Opening

    The restored townhouse opened to the public as the Herschel Museum of Astronomy.

Questions about visiting the Herschel Museum of Astronomy

Curious if your four-legged companion can join your celestial journey or how long it takes to explore the home where Uranus was found? From furry friends to discovery times, find answers to these queries and more for your visit to the Herschel Museum of Astronomy.

Herschel Museum of Astronomy opening hours on weekends

On weekends, Herschel Museum of Astronomy is open from 10:00 to 17:00 on both Saturdays and Sundays.

Is Herschel Museum of Astronomy open on Mondays?

No, Herschel Museum of Astronomy is closed on Mondays.

What are the opening hours of Herschel Museum of Astronomy?

Herschel Museum of Astronomy is open from 10:00 to 17:00 Tuesday through Sunday. The museum is closed on Mondays.

What time does Herschel Museum of Astronomy close?

Herschel Museum of Astronomy closes at 17:00 on all operating days from Tuesday to Sunday.

Planning your visit to the Herschel Museum of Astronomy

To make the most of your visit to the Herschel Museum of Astronomy in Bath, plan to spend between 60 and 90 minutes exploring the historic townhouse and its collections. While tickets can be purchased at the door, advance booking is recommended to help manage capacity and ensure smoother entry. The museum is housed in a building spanning three floors, so be aware that stairs are required to access the basement and the first floor. If you are eligible for any concessionary rates, remember to bring valid proof of status to present upon arrival. For those visiting with children, the Star Vault activity area provides additional space, and a digital guide is available to help navigate the galleries.

Visitor experience at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy

The Herschel Museum of Astronomy in Bath offers a thoughtful experience for families, students, and history enthusiasts interested in science and local heritage. While the townhouse setting includes a dedicated children's activity area, visitors should be aware that the historic architecture features stairs between levels and limited wheelchair access. To make the most of the collections and instrument displays, it is helpful to plan for a visit duration of about 60 to 90 minutes. Digital guides are available to assist with your exploration of the former home of William and Caroline Herschel.

Visual tour of the Herschel Museum of Astronomy

Explore the historic interiors of the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, located in the former home of astronomers William and Caroline Herschel in Bath. These images capture the unique atmosphere of their original living quarters, garden workshop, and preserved instrument displays. Discover the authentic setting where groundbreaking scientific discoveries were made.

Interior view of Herschel Museum of Astronomy in Bath.
Representative view of Herschel Museum of Astronomy in Bath.
Exterior view of Herschel Museum of Astronomy in Bath.
Representative view of Herschel Museum of Astronomy in Bath.
Representative view of Herschel Museum of Astronomy in Bath.
Representative view of Herschel Museum of Astronomy in Bath.
Representative view of Herschel Museum of Astronomy in Bath.
Representative view of Herschel Museum of Astronomy in Bath.
Representative view of Herschel Museum of Astronomy in Bath.
Interior view of Herschel Museum of Astronomy in Bath.
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