Herschel Museum of Astronomy, Bath: Hours, Prices and Tips

The Herschel Museum of Astronomy is a small Georgian house on New King Street where William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus in 1781, using a telescope he built himself. It's open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm (last entry 4pm), and adult admission is £12.50, which also acts as a free annual pass for return visits within 12 months.

What the Herschel Museum is

Number 19 New King Street was the home of William Herschel, a professional musician who spent his evenings grinding his own telescope mirrors and mapping the sky from the garden. On the night of 13 March 1781, observing from that garden, he identified what he first thought was a comet and turned out to be a new planet, Uranus, the first planet discovered in recorded history rather than known since antiquity. The house has been preserved much as it would have been, including the workshop where Herschel and his sister Caroline, herself a notable astronomer, built their instruments.

It's a small museum, not a sprawling one, which is part of the appeal: you're walking through the actual rooms where a genuinely significant scientific discovery took place, rather than a purpose-built exhibit about it elsewhere.

Hours and admission

The museum runs on a seasonal calendar and is currently open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm. It's closed on Mondays, except during local school holidays and bank holidays, and closed on 25 and 26 December.

Every standard ticket doubles as an annual pass, so you can return for free within 12 months of your first visit. Bath Discovery Card holders get 25% off with the current discount code, and concessions are available for students, NHS staff, Blue Light card holders, and those on Universal Credit, pension credit or job seekers allowance with valid ID.

Getting there

The museum is at 19 New King Street, Bath, BA1 2BL, in the Georgian streets just south of the city centre, an easy walk from the Roman Baths or Bath Spa station. There's no dedicated museum car park, so if you're driving in, see our Bath parking guide for your best options nearby.

How long to allow

Most visitors spend 45 minutes to an hour here, which fits neatly alongside a bigger day out. It pairs well with The Circus and Royal Crescent round the corner, or with a wider look at things to do in Bath if you're planning several stops.

Is it worth it?

For anyone with a passing interest in science history, yes. The story of Herschel finding Uranus from an ordinary Bath back garden, with equipment he built himself, is a genuinely good one, and kids tend to respond well to it precisely because it's a small, human-scale story rather than an abstract one. If you're choosing between several of Bath's smaller museums on a tight schedule, the Herschel Museum rewards visitors who like a specific, well-told story more than it does anyone after a huge collection to wander through.

FAQs

How much does it cost to visit the Herschel Museum?

Adult admission is £12.50 and concessions are £11. Under-18s are free with a paying adult, and every ticket includes free return visits for 12 months.

What are the Herschel Museum's opening hours?

Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm. It's closed Mondays, except during school holidays and bank holidays, and closed 25 and 26 December.

What did William Herschel discover there?

He discovered the planet Uranus on 13 March 1781, observing from the garden of the house using a telescope he built himself.

How long should I spend at the Herschel Museum?

Around 45 minutes to an hour is typical for the house and its exhibits.

Is there a discount for Bath Discovery Card holders?

Yes, Discovery Card holders currently get 25% off with the relevant discount code at checkout.

Is the Herschel Museum near the Roman Baths?

Yes, it's an easy walk from the Roman Baths and city centre, on New King Street in the Georgian part of the city south of Queen Square.