Unlocking Bath’s Heritage

With the easing of lockdown restrictions visitors will soon be able to again explore and engage with the fascinating stories and histories of the No.1 Royal Crescent, Herschel Museum of Astronomy, Beckford’s Tower and Museum of Bath Architecture.

Herschel Museum of Astronomy – open from 19 May, Wednesday – Sunday weekly

Standing in his garden in 19 New King Street on the night of 13 March 1781, using a homemade telescope, amateur astronomer William Herschel observed the first planet to be identified since the days of the Ancient Greeks. He initially called his discovery ‘Georgium Sidus’ (George’s Star) after King George III before it was renamed ‘Uranus’ after the Greek God of the sky, Ouranos.  

With the museum reopening, you too can once again stand on the very spot where the known universe doubled in size, when Herschel looked further into space than anyone else had done before, and explore the Bath home where this extraordinary family lived.

Born in Hanover in 1738, Herschel came to England to work as a musician and settled in Bath, where he was joined by his brother, Alexander, and sister, Caroline. It was here that he developed a passion for astronomy, with Caroline assisting him by taking notes and making calculations (she too was an outstanding astronomer in her own right, discovering comets and becoming the first female astronomer to receive a salary). Alexander, a talented mechanic, helped by making eye pieces for the telescopes.

Wander through the Herschel home and look through replicas of the telescopes they invented and used, see the music room where William tutored his students and the workshop, where you can still see the furnace and smelting oven used to make the telescopic lenses. In her diary, Caroline Herschel records an incident where her brothers attempted to pour 538 pounds of speculum metal into a mould made from horse dung, a method of casting still used today to make church bells. Flagstones shattered by this molten spillage are still visible.

Caroline’s presence is drawn out through the collections in the house, such as her portrait and visitor book.  The book is a vellum-bound volume that was compiled by her and is written in her own hand, listing over a hundred names of people who came to look through William’s telescopes during their time at Observatory House.  Scientists, writers, artists, politicians and foreign royalty all feature, including Lord Byron, Joseph Haydn, and Fanny Burney.  A digital copy of the book is available for visitors in the Reception Room.

A brand-new audio tour is now available for adult visitors that brings 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 in 19 New King Street. Also new for 2021 is an audio-visual guide for children - meet Caroline Herschel as she takes you around her home and helps you to explore the home and collections, encouraging you to make your own discoveries. 

Beckford’s Tower – open by appointment from 17 May

Situated a little over a mile from the heart of Bath, William Beckford’s 120-foot neo-Classical Tower offers spectacular views across the surrounding countryside and of the city itself. Built in the mid-1820s as a retreat from the hubbub of Bath, the Tower housed Beckford’s library and impressive art collection. Each morning, he would ride up to it from his home in Lansdown Crescent, accompanied by his pack of spaniels. 

From 17 May, you can book a guided tour or self-led visit and follow in William’s footsteps, following Beckford’s Ride up to the Tower, which is now home to a museum displaying original furniture that has been found and brought back to the Tower, alongside paintings, prints and objects, illustrating his controversial life as a writer, collector, social exile and slave owner.

Visitors can also climb the spiral staircase to the beautiful Belvedere and experience the spectacular, panoramic views.

Museum of Bath Architecture – open by appointment from 17 May

For a city synonymous with the Georgian era and its beautiful buildings, the Museum of Bath Architecture is a great place to learn more about its honey-coloured houses, sweeping crescents and elegant streets. The Museum also gives visitors insights into Bath’s Roman history and its transformation from a small, walled medieval town into a UNESCO World Heritage destination. 

Using maps, designs, drawings, videos, paintings and tools, including a 1:500 scale model of Bath which gives a miniature, birds-eye-view of the whole city, you can discover Bath’s famous architectural treasures including the iconic Royal Crescent and The Circus, before seeing them for real just a short walk away.

No.1 Royal Crescent – opens Wednesday 2 June

One of Bath’s most famous and instantly recognisable locations – if not its most prestigious address – when it reopens, No.1 Royal Crescent will feature a remarkable new immersive experience, which will allow visitors to see life as it was lived in Georgian Bath during the late 1700s.

Using an exciting and innovative mix of actors, digital projections and sound, the house literally comes to life as you wander through the dining room, parlour and gentleman’s retreat before climbing the grand staircase to explore the withdrawing room and lady’s chamber and on the top floor, the Gentleman’s Bedroom with its exquisite views across the Royal Crescent.

Life below stairs is also revealed, with new displays to be enjoyed in the servants’ hall, housekeeper’s room, kitchen and scullery.

Bath Preservation Trust’s Director of Museums, Claire Dixon, said: “After such a long time closed, it is so exciting to be able to welcome visitors back to our museums. Each one represents an important time in Bath’s history and bears testimony to the astonishing people who came to live in this beautiful and significant part of the world.”

“To ensure visitor safety we have implemented some new changes, such as pre-booked timed tickets only, rule of 6 people or two households per time slot and offering exclusive guided tours on selected days. Each of our museums will be rigorously cleaned throughout the day, paying particular attention to bannisters, door handles, light switches and so on. Georgian Bath was founded on being a popular tourist destination and with this in mind, the entire team here is doing its utmost to ensure that today’s visitors are every bit as welcome and guaranteed of a memorable experience in 2021, as they were in the 18^th and 19th centuries.”

For details on opening days and times, ticket prices, becoming a Member, guided tours and visitor safety procedures visit www.bath-preservation-trust.org.uk / Twitter @BathPresTrust / Facebook /@bathprestrust / Instagram @bath_preservation_trust