Overview

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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When is it open?

Open 7 days a week, 10am - 5pm.

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How much does it cost?

It's free.

Entry to all City Council Museums is free.

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What can I see there?

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. For more information on all these galleries please click here.

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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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. See the related links below or download the leaflets in pdf format.

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

Level access entrance.

Loop system at Reception.

Lifts to most floors.

Accessible toilet.

Wheelchairs available.

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Where is it?

Bristol's City Museum & Art Gallery,
Queen's Road,
Bristol, BS8 1RL

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.

Map showing location

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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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Getting there

See the Related Links section below for information on how to get to the Museum by car, foot, bike and public transport

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