Introduction
The Herschel House Museum has a town garden, containing a newly recreated herb garden.
Entrances and Approaches
The main entrance to the property is on the ground floor facing northward on to the New King Street. There is also a basement entrance on the same side, once accessible by steps from the pavement level. The building itself, being an integral part of the terrace, has five storeys including the ground floor and is of 18th century design. There is no garden at the front of the property, but the foreshortened remains of the original garden are still in existence.
In common with many of the houses on the terrace, this building suffered some deterioration after World War 2. However, in subsequent years considerable renovation work has taken place following the acquisition of No. 19 New King Street by the William Herschel Society in 1978.
Much of the interior of the building has been restored in the style of the late 18th century. The ground and first floor are laid out to display a range of astronomical and musical instruments. The basement has been faithfully restored as the kitchen, dining and workshop areas would have been in the period. Efforts have also been made to improve the condition of the garden.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Access contact details
The building is now the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, open between February and December, daily from 1 until 5, except Wednesdays. Visit the Bath Preservation Trust website for more information.
Directions
Visit the Bath Preservation Trust website for more information.
Other Websites
- History
Principal Building
The house is the only building on the site. It was constructed in 1766 as part of a row of terraced properties. It was designed by John Strahan, the architect, around 1760. It was rented by William Herschel and occupied by him and his sister, Caroline, who was also an accomplished astronomer. They were resident until 1782, when they moved to Datchet. William Herschel was married in 1788 and his only son, John, was born in 1792. It was on 13th of March 1781 that William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus. Whilst living in Slough in later years his experiments with light led him to discover infra-red rays.
Although a musician of some repute, it was for his work as a scientist and astronomer that William Herschel became famous. The building houses several examples of his practical skills, with a hand-made lathe and other tools. With these he made some 200 telescopes of various sizes. He was appointed Personal Astronomer to George III in 1782, one year after his discovery of Uranus.
Period
- 18th Century (1701 to 1800)
- Late 18th Century (1767 to 1800)
- Associated People
- Features & Designations
Designations
Conservation Area
- Reference: Bath
The National Heritage List for England: Listed Building
- Reference: Herschel House
- Grade: II
Features
- Terrace (featured building)
- House
- Description: The building houses several examples of William Herschel's practical skills.
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Kitchen Garden
- Description: It is believed that in its early years the herb garden was used to provide some of the herbs in common use at the time. At the time of the last survey (1984) the garden was undergoing restoration. This was due to the efforts of John Mason, a former member of the Herschel Society Committee, and Margaret Hansen of the Department of Pharmacology at Bath University. The restoration was described as careful and sensitive, developing a more formal type of herb garden including a wide range of species suitable for medicinal, culinary and aromatic purposes.
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Key Information
Type
Garden
Purpose
Ornamental
Principal Building
Education
Period
18th Century (1701 to 1800)
Survival
Extant
Hectares
0.1
Open to the public
Yes
- References
Contributors
W.A. Alan Barnard
Avon Gardens Trust