Due to a systems changeover, we are not accepting new Discovery Card applications or renewals during the month of April.
Existing Discovery Card holders can continue to use their cards as normal. In addition, the Roman Baths and the Victoria Art Gallery will allow eligible residents to visit without a valid Discovery Card, provided they present photo ID and proof of residency. A list of acceptable documents can be found here.
We have recommended that our partners follow the same approach; however, residents should check with individual partners before visiting.
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If you live within Bath and North East Somerset, you can get a Residents' Discovery Card, which entitles you to exclusive offers and discounts in the area.
You can apply for your Residents' Discovery Card online by following the application process on this page.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must live in Bath and North East Somerset, and belong to one of the following groups:
- Adults (18+) who pay Council Tax to Bath & North East Somerset Council, or can provide another proof of residency
- Children aged 14 or over
- Students in full-time education on a course which lasts for one year or more
You'll need to prove you're eligible by providing some basic identification and proof of residency. Please use the list of acceptable documents below to help you.
View full terms and conditions for Residents' Discovery Cards.
Apply for a Discovery Card
Applying for a Residents' Discovery Card is simple, but you will need to know a few things before you start.
Before you apply
As part of the application process, you will need to:
- Decide whether you'd like a physical or digital Discovery Card
- Book an appointment to collect and activate your card before you use it for the first time
- Make sure you've got appropriate documents or identification to bring to your appointment
- Be prepared to have your photo taken at your appointment
Expand the headings below for more information:
Choose either a digital eCard (to be displayed on your mobile device) or a physical card (made from recyclable plastic). Digital eCards can be used with Apple Wallet or with a chosen third party application for Android, such as Pass2u.
During the application process, we will ask you to book an appointment to collect and activate your card.
We recommend that you apply for and activate your Residents' Discovery Card before the day you plan to use it for the first time.
It may be possible to book an activation appointment on the day of your planned visit, but this is not guaranteed.
Available locations
You can select any of the following locations to have your photo taken and card validated. You cannot use your card until it has been activated.
Bath:
- Bath Housing, Welfare & Advice Service (previously known as the Bath One Stop Shop, Manvers Street)
- The Roman Baths
- Victoria Art Gallery
Keynsham:
Midsomer Norton:
During the application process, we will ask you to pick your preferred ID and a proof of residency document from the list below.
You must show these in person when you come in to validate and collect your card, documents can be in digital or paper format.
You also need an email address so you can receive an order confirmation email which will include the details of your booked card collection and validation appointment. If you don't have an email address, we will use a council email address in order to process your application.
ID documents and proof of residency
Providing identification
Choose your preferred form ID and proof of residency from the following options:
Adult
- Photo driving licences (ID only)
- Passport
- Expired Discovery Card
- Bath & North East Somerset Diamond Travel Card
- A signed credit or debit card
Child (14 to 17)
- Photo driving licences (ID only)
- Passport
- Expired Discovery Card
- Current B&NES Diamond Travel Card
- Student card
- Birth Certificate
Students
- Photo driving licences (ID only)
- Passport
- Expired Discovery Card
- Bath & North East Somerset Diamond Travel Card
- A signed credit or debit card
- Photo Student ID
Providing proof of residency
The following documents will be accepted as a proof of residency:
Adults
- B&NES council tax bill (personal, from the last 12 months)
- Recent bill with address on it (from the last 3 months)
- Bank or mobile phone statement (from the last 3 months)
- Bath & North East Somerset Diamond Travel Card
- Correspondence from Revenues & Benefits, HMG, HMRC, NHS (from the last 3 months)
- Recent payslip with address (from the last 3 months)
- Signed rental contract (signed within the last 3 months)
- Letter from refuge centre e.g. Julian House
Child (14 to 17)
- B&NES council tax bill (personal/parent’s name if living at home, from the last 12 months)
- Recent utility / other bill with address (child’s name/ parent’s name if living at home, from the last 3 months)
- Bank or mobile phone statement (personal/ parent’s name if living at home, from the last 3 months)
- Bath & North East Somerset Diamond Travel Card
- Correspondence from Revenues & Benefits section, HMG, HMRC, NHS (from the last 3 months)
- Recent payslip with address (from the last 3 months)
- Letter from college or school confirming address and length of course (from the last 3 months)
Students
- B&NES council tax bill (personal, from the last 12 months)
- Recent utility or other bill (with name and address, from the last 3 months)
- Bank or mobile phone statement (with name and address, from the last 3 months)
- Bath & North East Somerset Diamond Travel Card
- Correspondence from Revenues & Benefits section, HMG, HMRC or NHS (from the last 3 months)
- Recent payslip with address (from the last 3 months)
- Signed rental contract (signed within the last 3 months)
- Letter from college confirming B&NES home address and length of course (from the last 3 months)