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Museums and galleries in Bristol

10 museums and galleries in Bristol, from the big collections to small independent spaces.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Museums and galleries in Bristol

  1. See

    Arnolfini Gallery

    A modern art gallery, shortlisted for Museum of the Year 2016.

    Tue-Sun 11AM-6PM (open to 8PM on Wed)free

  2. See

    Blaise Castle Estate

    of park and woodland on the northern fringes, with a folly, the gorge of the River Trym and a small museum in Blaise House.

  3. Drink

    Boswell's

    A café in The Galleries, similar to Starbucks, offering a large variety of coffee, tea and hot chocolate flavors. Comfortable seating with power sockets and internet access, this is an excellent venue for travellers to recharge laptop and phone batteries.

  4. See

    Bristol Museum and Art Gallery

    Bristol's major museum and art gallery houses an outstanding and diverse range of objects, from sea dinosaurs to magnificent art. A visit to the region's largest museum and art gallery is guaranteed to inspire! A range of subjects can be found. From Archaeology to History and Art. It also has a cafe.

    Daily 10AM–5PMfree

  5. See

    Brunel's SS Great Britain

    The world's first iron hulled, screw propeller-driven, steam-powered passenger liner, built by Brunel in 1843 and now preserved in a dry-dock alongside the floating harbour. Winner of the Gulbenkian Prize for Museum of the Year 2006 — the biggest arts prize in the UK. The "Being Brunel" exhibition alongside opened in 2018 and is included in the ticket price.

    Open Tue-Sun from 10AM. Closing times: 4PM (Nov 4 to Feb 13) 5PM (Feb 14 to Nov 3). Last entry one hour before closingAdult £22; Student £18.50; child (16 and under) £14.50; child (3 and under) free. Various family tickets available, 10% cheaper when booking online at least a day in advance

  6. Drink

    The Coronation Tap

    A small West-Country cider house in Clifton, famous for its Exhibition cider - sweet, innocent looking but lethal. Gets rammed at weekends.

  7. See

    The Georgian House

    Built for merchant and plantation owner John Pinney in 1790, also the former home of Pero Jones, a slave brought to Bristol from Nevis, by Pinney. It is displayed as it might have looked in the 18th century and provides an insight into life above and below stairs. Free. The book Pero, the Life of a Slave in Eighteenth-Century Bristol (C Eickelmann and D Small) is for sale at the museum.

    Apr-Dec: Sat-Tue 11AM–4PMfree

  8. See

    We The Curious

    formerly @Bristol

    Science-themed interactive museum opened in 2017, with as stated goal to make science accessible to all. It features numerous labs for engineering (including robotics) and life sciences, a makerspace with 3D printers, and a planetarium.

    Tue — Sun 10AM-5PM; Mondays during school holidaysAdult (16+) £22.50/£20.40 with/without Gift Aid; child (2-15) £15.30/£13.90; free entry for the youngest; all tickets cheaper after 3PM

  9. Do Not mapped

    Upfest

    Europe's largest free street art festival, 17 days in late May, early June. Worth exploring the murals visible all year. Maps of murals available on webpage. Also has a gallery at 198 North Street, BS3 1JF, open Tu-Sa 10AM-5.30PM Su 10AM-3PM.

  10. See

    M Shed Museum

    History of Bristol

    Tue-Sun 10AM-5PMFree entrance

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Bristol (CC BY-SA 4.0).