Bristol's City Museum and Art Gallery

Visiting Bristol's City Museum & Art Gallery

Address
Queen's Road
Bristol
BS8 1RL 

Map showing location

We are situated in between the very tall H H Wills memorial building (University of Bristol) and Browns restaurant at the top of Park Street.

Opening hours
Open Daily, 10am-5pm [Last entry 4pm]

Banksy versus Bristol Museum - Queuing Information 

 When necessary we will be operating a queuing system.Currently last entry to the museum is 4pm - queuing times are currently up to an hour, so we recommend joining the queue by 3pm. Please note that we will not be taking advance bookings for visitors or issuing timed tickets.

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Introduction

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 you!

The City Museum & Art Gallery is situated in an Edwardian Baroque building in Queen's Road, next to the Wills University building. Inside you will see collections of regional, national and international importance. It is one of the few museums to have been awarded designated status by the Government - the mark of an outstanding museum.

With a changing and dynamic temporary exhibition programme, this complements the museum's vast and assorted permanent collections.

The ground floor front and rear halls are available to hire for corporate and private events, for more information visit the Venue hire page.

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Current Exhibition

Banksy Versus Bristol Museum
13 June - 31 August
FREE EXHIBITION
Open Daily 10am- 5pm

Bristol's City Museum & Art Gallery is proud to present a unique collaboration between the city's foremost cultural institution and one of the region's most infamous artists.

Banksy has gained notoriety in recent years by using stencils to paint images on a diverse array of outdoor locations. This is the first exhibition in a three storey Edwardian museum. 

Throughout the summer, visitors will find some unusual specimens amongst the museum's permanent collection -  a stonehenge made from portable toilets greets visitors on arrival, a burnt out ice cream van now replaces the enquiries desk and the life size historic biplane suspended from the ceiling now provides refuge for a Guantanamo bay escapee. Banksy has filled the museum with his own wry take on classical art.

Currently last entry to the museum is 4pm - queuing times are currently up to an hour, so we recommend joining the queue by 3pm. Please note that we will not be taking advance bookings or issuing timed tickets.

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Permanent displays

On the ground floor you can visit Egypt; British Birds and Mammals - complete with a freshwater aquarium containing fish typical of the region; Small World - 0-5 year play area; the touring exhibition on at that time; the café and the museum shop.

On the middle floors expect to be greeted by sensational sea dragons; maps of Bristol; magical minerals and fantastic fossils; more British wildlife and world wildlife galleries; dinosaurs and the much loved gypsy caravan.

On the top floors step into the realm of amazing art in stunning galleries, see Old Masters; French School painters; a collection of British art; modern art and the Bristol School of Art. Leading off these galleries you can wind your way around the sparkling silver gallery; Chinese glass gallery; Eastern art and cermaics and porcelain. Download our information leaflet and floor plan in the related links section.

Make sure you look up, down and around on your visit..there's plenty more to see on the walls, ceilings, plinths and in display cases. From the Thornbury Coin Hoard to the evidence of shrapnel damage to the rear hall during World War II.

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Family Friendly areas

Small World
Our most popular family area in the museum. Small World is a play and learn area for 0–5 year olds, complete with real museum objects, costumes to dress up in, books and beanbags. For more information Click here 

Dinosaur Resource Area

Create and draw your own favourite dinosaurs or fossils and explore online information about those amazing creatures!

Eastern Art Resource Area

Create some beautiful rubbings using moulds of traditional eastern designs in a stunning gallery full of tales from the East. How many dragons can you spot?

World Wildlife Resource Area

Draw your favourite animals, listen to different animal noises from all over the world and explore online wildlife information.

Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times in all of our family resource areas.

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Family Trails

Our bright and colourful self-led trails are perfect for all your family to enjoy on your visit. Hunt around the British birds and mammals and art galleries following the trails along the way.
Enjoy watching your little ones learn in a fun way – without them even realising!

Seagulls and Seashells for 3–6 years
Down by the Seaside for 7 years +
Sailing on the Avon for 3–5 years
Life along the Avon for 6+ years

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Events, activites and relaxation!

The City Museum & Art Gallery organises a great events programme including; workshops, children's holiday activities, family fun days, summer walks, arts and crafts sessions and winter lectures. Click on the exhibitions and events pages for more details.

The museum café provides a range of refreshments in a warm freindly atmosphere and stylish surroundings. Pop in for a coffee, a slice of delicious chocolate cake, read the papers or meet your friends there for a catch up.
Pop into the museum shop before you leave to get yourself a piece of award-winning merchandise, including reproduction prints from the art gallery's collections, greetings cards, a wide range of books for all ages and interests, unusual gifts and Bristol-branded gifts to name just a few. To view the stock and for more information, visit the Shop page.

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Access information & Facilities

We have a level access entrance and a lift to some floors, but not to the art galleries or first floor balcony displays (we are working on this). Wheelchairs are available. There is a Loop system at Reception.

Access: Please note that the lift providing access from the museum entrance to the ground floor is currently out of use, an engineer has been called and we hope to have it back up and running again as soon as possible. . We apologise for any inconvenience caused. There is an alternative accessible entrance on University Road, please ring the bell for assistance.  If you have any queries, please contact the museum reception desk on 0117 922 3571. . We have lifts inside to some floors, but not to the art galleries or first floor balconys displays (we are working on this).  Wheelchairs are available.  There is a Loop system at Reception.

Faciliites: baby change; toilets; wheelchairs; Loop system at reception, café and shop (see below) 

Café:  fresh, homemade, fair-trade and organic food.  Children’s menu and highchairs available.

Shop:  Bristol Blue Glass, jewellery, toys, books, postcards and much more.  Find pocket money treats or great gifts.

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Contact details

Tel: 0117 922 3571

Fax: 0117 922 2047

Minicom: 0117 922 3573

Email: general.museum@bristol.gov.uk

Web: www.bristol.gov.uk/museums

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How to find us

The Museum is located on Queens Road and the postcode is BS8 IRL.  
Map of location

By Car: The Museum is approximately 2 miles from the M32. Use the Google Map below to find directions. You can park in any of the city car parks but the closest two are West End and Trenchard Street Car Parks both about 5 minutes walk away. Use the Car Park Finder to check for their locations and facilities.

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