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Herschel Museum of AstronomyHerschel Museum of Astromomy
Museum closed for filming of a period costume drama on Tuesday 19, Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 November. Also closed for Christmas decorating between Monday 25 and Friday 29 November. We apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment caused.

Get Involved

Get Involved

The Herschel Museum of Astronomy is a registered charity; it is totally independent and receives no funding from either local or central government.  If you would like to make a donation to help us improve the service we offer, or to enhance the collection, please contact us at the address below.  You might wish to help the museum safeguard its future by means of a legacy.

If you want to give a one-time donation, you can fill in our Donation Form and email it to herschel@bptrust.org.uk.

Contact for further information:

Museum Administrator
The Herschel Museum of Astronomy
19 New King Street
Bath
BA1 2BL

Telephone: +44 (0) 1225 446865 or click on Legacy to learn more about helping the museum.

We need your support to strengthen influence in our work. Quite simply, the more members we have, the more weight our views carry.

In addition, membership support is a vital source of income – the scope of BPT’s work can be widened in direct proportion to its financial resources. We also welcome help from our members to assist with the running of our museums and many other areas of BPT’s activities.

You can find out more about our membership here.

We are seeking new part-time volunteers to join our friendly team and to help us maintain the smooth running of our museum! This role will appeal to people interested in the museum and heritage sector, including the history of astronomy, music and Georgian housing.

We are looking for people who can commit to one shift per week/fortnight from either 10am to 1pm, or 1pm to 5pm.

This Front of House role includes till duties with sale of admissions and shop goods, providing a friendly welcome to visitors, offering information on the museum and its collection (training on this will be provided), answering general queries, taking messages, and general supervision of visitors and house with support of staff.

An interest in history, astronomy, arts or historic houses would be beneficial, and an enthusiastic nature and confidence communicating with visitors will also be advantageous.

By way of thank you for your support we will make you a member of the Herschel Society and Bath Preservation trust, which includes invites to annual lectures, outings, coffee mornings, training, astronomy observing sessions and free admission to other BPT museums.

If you would like to volunteer at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, please do get in touch by emailing us at herschel@bptrust.org.uk

If you are might consider leaving a legacy to the museum please download and read our legacy guide.

Bath Preservation Trust is committed to diversifying our audiences and workforce in line with the priorities of our organisation. We actively encourage applications from candidates from groups under-represented in our organisation including; Black and minority ethnic people and Disabled people.

Museum Assistant (Sundays)

Please find further information on our parent organisation’s website.

If you are interested in working in museums we can offer a limited number of work experience placements.

We have placements for young people aged 16-19 to experience working in the heritage sector. We will show you a series of behind-the-scenes glimpses of our museum as a heritage business and visitor attraction.

We will aim to give you a range of different experiences dependent upon our season and calendar as well as your interests.

You will work with our staff in business and events, social media and visitor experience, exhibitions and guiding. You will be able to do some personal research and discuss your future career ideas with staff.

Update – Work Experience applications for 2025 are open. The closing date for applications will be Jan 31st 2025. 

To apply please contact Ellie Giles and include your name, age, school/college and a short statement about why you are interested in a placement with us. Email: egiles@bptrust.org.uk

Please note applications should come directly from the student.