Astronomers in Britain have until very recently found it hard to obtain observing time on large optical telescopes. The success of observational X-ray and radio astronomy has revealed an urgent need for first-class telescopes on excellent sites. That need is now being met in Australia and at the new observatory on the island of La Palma, where the Royal Greenwich Observatory is providing three telescopes for the Science Research Council. The largest of these, 4.2m in diameter, is to be named the William Herschel Telescope in commemoration of the great telescope builder and observer.