About

19 New King Street was home to the astronomer and musician William Herschel and his sister Caroline, and is dedicated to their achievements in music and astronomy.

New to the Museum in 2023 is Caroline Herschel’s Memoir Manuscript, acquired with the help of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other supporters. Read Caroline’s innermost thoughts, written in her own hand. 

An audio tour is available for adult visitors bringing the house to life with stories about how the Herschel family lived and worked in Bath, exploring their contributions to science and music during their time at 19 New King Street. There is also an audio-visual guide for children – meet Caroline Herschel as she takes you around her home and helps you explore the home and collections, encouraging you to make your own discoveries. 

Occasional astronomy sessions take place outside the Herschels' workshop, in the charming eighteenth-century formal garden, where, with a telescope of his own construction, Herschel discovered the planet Uranus from 1781. A specially-commissioned stonework marks the place where William made his discovery from. 

Visit the website for event dates, opening times and to purchase tickets.

For all group and school bookings, please contact the museum. 

Accessibility Information

A disabled parking space is situated outside the museum in New King Street.

An audio tour is available for visitors who are blind or partially sighted, accompanied by a book of tactile images.

A virtual tour is available to visitors with mobility problems on the ground floor; it is also possible to see Constructing the Heavens on a screen in the reception area.

Tactile plans of the museum and garden are available with raised lettering and Braille.

Replicas of objects such as Herschel’s polishing machine situated in the workshop are designed to be handled.

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