Description
The Herschel Museum of Astronomy is a truly captivating historic attraction that offers one of the most inspiring things to do with kids in Bath. Tucked away on a quiet street in the west of the city, this beautifully preserved Georgian townhouse was the real-life home and workshop of the brilliant brother-and-sister astronomical team, William and Caroline Herschel. It was from the steep garden of this very house on 13 March 1781 that William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus using a home-built telescope, an incredible scientific achievement that instantly doubled the size of the known solar system overnight.
Ticket prices are incredibly competitive for families looking for an affordable day out, with a standard adult ticket costing £12.50. Best of all for parents managing a strict family holiday budget, admission for children and young people under the age of 18 is completely free of charge when accompanied by a paying adult. Even better, your standard entry ticket automatically converts into a free annual pass, allowing your family to return as many times as you like over the next 12 months to see seasonal workshops and events.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids, this unique museum perfectly blends hands-on science history with authentic period charm. Rather than navigating a dry, stuffy gallery, families can follow an entertaining audio tour that vividly describes the daily lives of the Herschels as both boundary-pushing scientists and highly talented professional musicians. It provides a fantastic window into the past that will spark the curiosity of any budding young stargazer or space enthusiast.
Features
- Paid
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
Key Features
- Interactive Exhibits: Families are provided with an excellent audio-visual tour that brings the historic rooms to life, charting the incredible scientific breakthroughs made within the house.
- Sensory Play: The museum offers tactile touch exhibits and specialized sensory materials, allowing children to interact directly with historical models and tools.
- Educational Day Out: Tailored perfectly to curious minds, the site highlights the extraordinary contributions of Caroline Herschel, who became the world's first professional female astronomer.
- Pop Culture Connections: Teenagers and parents will love spotting the elegant terraced exterior, which featured as a filming location in the hit Netflix period drama Bridgerton.
Highlights
- The Replica Uranus Telescope: Stand close to an exact working replica of the magnificent seven-foot focal length telescope William Herschel used to spot Uranus from the back lawn.
- The Basement Workshop: Step inside the gritty ground-floor workspace where William meticulously melted metal to cast his own mirrors and polish high-powered lenses.
- The Historic Music Room: Explore a beautifully decorated space filled with period instruments that honors the Herschels' initial successful careers as classical musicians and teachers in Bath.
- The Walled Georgian Garden: Walk out onto the quiet lawn where the historic discovery took place, meticulously restored using only plant species that would have grown there in the 1780s.
- The Dining Room: A charming period room dressed with authentic 18th-century furniture, showing how a typical middle-class Georgian household would gather.
- Pop-Up Planetarium Shows: Hosted during school half-terms, these popular temporary events feature an inflatable indoor planetarium where families sit under the stars to hear ancient sky legends.
Beyond the Main Attraction: After your museum visit, families can enjoy a scenic walk down toward the sweeping Royal Crescent and the adjacent Royal Victoria Park. This massive green space is an ideal spot for an afternoon out, featuring a brilliant children's adventure playground, an outdoor crazy golf course, and plenty of room for a family picnic. The surrounding city centre streets are also packed with independent bookshops, family-friendly cafes, and artisanal bakeries.
0.32 miles
