Why go

In a modest Georgian terraced house on New King Street, a musician named William Herschel built his own telescopes and, in 1781, discovered the planet Uranus, the first planet found since ancient times. He lived and worked here with his sister Caroline, who became a pioneering astronomer in her own right. The house is now a museum run by Bath Preservation Trust, the same charity behind No. 1 Royal Crescent. It is small, quiet and personal, and a good counterpoint to the grand set pieces of Georgian Bath, showing a household where music and science filled the rooms.

What to see

  • The house. Restored Georgian rooms show how the Herschels lived, with furniture and objects of the period.
  • Telescopes and instruments. Displays on how William made his own telescopes, grinding mirrors in the house.
  • Caroline Herschel’s story. Her work as an astronomer, including discovering comets, is a central part of the museum.
  • Music. William was a professional musician in Bath before astronomy took over, and the museum reflects both sides of his life.
  • The garden. Behind the house, where the Herschels observed the night sky.
  • Exhibitions. Bath Preservation Trust runs temporary exhibitions here; in 2026 these have included shows on light and photography.

Plan your visit

The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm, until 3 January 2027. It opens on Mondays only during local school holidays and on bank holidays, and is closed on 25 and 26 December. It also closes occasionally for school visits and group bookings, so check the website or call before you go.

Adult tickets are £12.50 and concessions £11, for students, NHS workers, Blue Light card holders and people receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance. Under-18s with an adult and carers go free. Your ticket doubles as an annual pass, so keep the receipt for free return visits within 12 months. Discovery Card holders get 25% off with code DISCOVERY26, and Art Fund members 50% off with code ARTFUND26; bring your card on the day.

Tickets are sold on the door, but booking online avoids disappointment. Allow about an hour.

Getting there

New King Street runs west from Queen Square, about 15 minutes’ walk from Bath Spa station and the bus station, and a few minutes from the Theatre Royal. The nearest larger car park is Charlotte Street.

Bath Preservation Trust museums

The Trust also runs No. 1 Royal Crescent, Beckford’s Tower and the Museum of Bath Architecture. Herschel tickets, like those at No. 1, work as annual passes at that museum.

Why it suits a wet day

Bath’s big sights are busy, and many of its best experiences are outdoors. The Herschel Museum is indoors, rarely crowded and close to the centre, so it works well on a rainy afternoon. Children often enjoy it more than they expect, and under-18s go free with an adult, which makes it good value for families.

Nearby

Queen Square and the Jane Austen Centre on Gay Street are a few minutes east. The Royal Crescent and Royal Victoria Park are ten minutes north-west.