Herschel Museum of Astronomy, Bath

Herschel Museum of Astronomy, Bath

The Herschel Museum of Astronomy is housed in a restored Georgian townhouse that was home to astronomer William Herschel, who discovered Uranus using a 7' reflecting telescope built in the attached workshop here in March 1781.

The Herschel Museum of Astronomy is housed in a restored Georgian townhouse that was home to astronomer William Herschel, who discovered Uranus using a 7' reflecting telescope built in the attached workshop here in March 1781. The workshop where Herschel experimented and built lenses has been preserved. The full-sized brass and rosewood replica of Herschel’s telescope is on display in the Reception Room on the ground floor. Also in the house are a period kitchen with cast iron range, music room with a pedal harp from 1795, and the Caroline Lucretia Gallery which displays temporary exhibitions. The garden where Herschel made his monumental discovery is laid out as typical of a Georgian town-house, with cypress trees, quinces, and medicinal and culinary plants.