Bath Museums - Exclusive Discount!
Many visitors to Bath are familiar with the city's famous attractions such as the Roman Baths Museum, the beautiful Bath Abbey and the Thermae Bath Spa. There are however many other things to see and do in the city including a number of lesser-known museums.
I am delighted to announce that the Bath Preservation Trust which manages a number of museums in Bath is offering guests of Bath Insider Tours a 10% discount on online bookings at 3 of their museums: the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, the No.1 Royal Crescent Museum and the Beckford's Tower and Museum. This offer is valid for visits up to January 2027. To use this offer please enter the discount code INSIDER2026 at the checkout on the museums website. Please continue reading to find out more about these museums!
Herschel Museum of Astronomy
If you have an interest in astronomy then this small museum is definitely worth a visit whilst you are in Bath. The museum is located in the house that William Herschel lived in when he discovered Uranus from his garden using a telescope he had built. You can see a replica of the telescope on display! William Herschel lived in Bath for 15 years. He originally made his income from music which is why he came to Bath but astronomy was his real passion. William, his sister Caroline and later his son, John, made a massive impact on astronomy with numerous discoveries and achievements. Uranus is just a small part of the story! When you arrive at the museum be sure to ask the reception staff for an overview on the Herschel family and the museum. You can then wander through the rooms of the house at your own leisure. The house itself is a great example of a Georgian townhouse that would have been used as homes by the middle-class during the 18th Century such as well to do artisans and tradesmen. During your visit I recommend using the free Bloomberg Connects guide (a free arts & cultural app) which can be accessed via your phone at the museum (ask the staff for the QR code). The guide will give you more information on the exhibits in the rooms (and can provide this information in different languages). A typical visit to the museum last around 30 - 45 minutes. The museum is closed on Mondays (except school holidays and public holidays) and is closed through most of January.
It is possible to arrange a private tour of the museum during opening hours and outside of the public opening hours and sometimes this can also be arranged with an astronomy demonstration in the garden (e.g. star-gazing) so if this is of interest please contact the museum in advance. Once a month the museum normally hosts a star-gazing or solar-gazing event so be sure to check their website for details. Please click here for the museum website.
No.1 Royal Crescent Museum
If you have an interest in what a wealthy Georgian house was like in 18th Century Bath then this museum could be perfect for you!
The museum is located on the magnificent Royal Crescent. Its external façade is now a popular photo-spot for Bridgerton fans - a popular series on Netflix (the exterior was used as the house of the Featherington family). Inside, the museum gives visitors a good insight into the house of a wealthy family during the Georgian times. A marked trail takes you through the different rooms where you can learn about how the rooms were used. Again I recommend using the complimentary Bloomberg Connects guide which gives you lots of information on the house and on some of the features in each of the room which you would otherwise miss (be sure to access this at the start of your visit). In each room there is also an audio commentary from a fictional family to give you a taste of what Georgian life was like for people back then - be sure to listen out for these! The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and events so please check their website for the latest information.
The museum is closed on Mondays (except school holidays and public holidays) and is closed throughout most of January. Visitor numbers are controlled to provide the best experience so if your time in Bath is limited I recommend booking your preferred time slot in advance. Private tours of the museum are also available outside of the public opening hours and can be tailored towards certain interests so please contact the museum in advance if this is of interest (advance booking is essential).
Please click here to access the museum website.
Beckford's Tower and Museum
Located on the edge of Bath, the Beckford Tower was built in the 1820s by William Beckford as a place for him to retreat to from society and as a place to house his collection of art, furniture and books. The collection was said to be one of the greatest collections in Georgian England!
Today visitors can explore two small rooms to see objects from Beckford's collection and get an insight into William Beckford. The story behind his life and his immense wealth which came from the transatlantic slave trade is both fascinating and controversial so be sure to ask staff to tell you about it. During your visit you can climb the tower (127 steps from the museum floor) for scenic views of the surrounding landscape (most of the views are of the surrounding countryside, there is just a partial view of Bath). Visits typically take between 20 and 30 minutes You may also like to explore the old parish cemetery next to the tower. At the time of writing the museum is also offering special lantern tours which gives access to the very top of the tower - spaces are limited so advance booking is strongly recommended.
The museum is only open on weekends and Bank Holiday Mondays. It is a long walk (uphill!) from the centre of Bath to the museum - approx. 1 hour depending on your speed. The museum
website has a good map to show you a walking route - I recommend taking the detour to see Lansdown Crescent (where William Beckford lived) - the street is a beautiful piece of architecture often missed by tourists. At the end of your visit, there is a pub nearby (the Hare and Hounds) with great views of the surrounding countryside which you could enjoy over a refreshing drink (and food)! If you are not keen on walking - the tower is accessible by public bus and taxi. I recently walked to the museum and then got the bus back into the centre of Bath.
Please click here to access the museum website.
For more ideas on things to see and do in Bath please do not hesitate to contact me!
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