Bristol Museum & Art Gallery sits on Queens Road in Clifton, near the university, in an Edwardian Baroque building with three floors of collections. You can move from Egyptian and Assyrian antiquities to dinosaur fossils, South West wildlife, Chinese ceramics and paintings spanning several centuries. Look for Alfred the gorilla, Doris the Pliosaurus and the Bristol Boxkite suspended in the entrance hall. Entry is free, and the café gives you a place to pause between galleries. With plenty to explore, it works well as a rainy-day stop or a longer visit.
Three floors of art, nature and history
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery brings collections from art, archaeology and natural history together in its building on Queens Road, Clifton. The displays range from ancient objects and geological specimens to paintings and local history. Three floors give you room to follow your interests, whether that means looking closely at fossils or moving through the art galleries.
The museum’s story began in 1823. It moved into its present building in 1905. The Edwardian Baroque exterior leads into a grand entrance hall, where a Bristol Boxkite aircraft display hangs overhead. The building itself is part of the visit, with high ceilings and broad staircases connecting the galleries.
Egyptian antiquities and the natural world
On the ground floor, displays cover ancient Egypt and Assyria, as well as archaeological finds from Bristol and elsewhere. Egyptian mummies are among the objects visitors can see. The collections bring together material from different civilisations, so you can explore antiquities alongside objects connected to the city and region.
Natural history takes in the story of the Earth, local geology and wildlife from the South West, as well as dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals. Doris the Pliosaurus is a notable fossil display. Alfred, a gorilla once kept at Bristol Zoo, is also part of the museum’s natural history collection. The Bristol Dinosaur and other dinosaur remains add to the prehistoric displays.
Paintings, ceramics and works by local artists
The art collection spans historic and modern work, with paintings from Britain and Europe alongside art from further afield. Chinese ceramics, pottery, glassware and silver broaden the galleries beyond paintings. Works by local artists sit alongside pieces by internationally known names.
Banksy’s Paint Pot Angel is on display. It is associated with the artist’s exhibition at the museum, and gives visitors a chance to see a work linked to Bristol’s contemporary art scene. Temporary exhibitions and events also add to the permanent collections, so check the museum’s programme if you have a particular exhibition in mind.
A visit with children
Curiosity is a play area on the ground floor for children under seven. Its activities include puppets, games, stories and hands-on play, with a padded space for babies who are crawling. The museum’s dinosaur, animal and Egyptian displays give families more to explore across the galleries.
The museum has a café for a break during your visit, along with toilets, lockers, baby-changing facilities and a baby-feeding room. A picnic room is available on weekends and outside school term times. The building has wheelchair-accessible entrances, seating and toilets.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is Bristol Museum & Art Gallery free to enter?
Entry to the museum is free. The supplied information notes that some exhibitions or events may have a separate fee, so check before visiting if you have one in mind.
How long should I spend at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery?
Plan for around two to three hours to explore the three floors. You may want longer if you intend to take in several galleries or stop at the café.
What are the highlights at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery?
Look for the Egyptian and Assyrian displays, dinosaur fossils including Doris the Pliosaurus, Alfred the gorilla, the Bristol Boxkite and Banksy’s Paint Pot Angel.
Is Bristol Museum & Art Gallery suitable for children?
Yes. The collections include dinosaurs and wildlife, and Curiosity is an interactive play area for children under seven.
