If you’re visiting our gorgeous city, one of the best ways to get to know us is by visiting some of our excellent museums and learning how the city was established. If you’re looking for the best museums in Bristol to get your culture fix, we’ve put together a list so you can pick what interests you. We have everything from art, science and history and everything in between. Best of all, our aparthotel in Bristol is in an ideal location to walk to the best of Bristol’s museums and galleries.
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
One of the biggest and best cultural institutions in the city, the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery is a great place to get lost in an exhibition or to spend a rainy afternoon. They have something for everyone in this family-friendly museum, from Ancient Egypt to Modern Art. They have a fascinating natural history collection including the Bristol Dinosaur, a beautifully preserved Gypsy caravan and an ingenious flying machine. The art gallery is a mix of traditional and contemporary pieces. They often have events suitable for both adults and kids so have a look at their website and time your visit well.
The Red Lodge Museum
While the Bristol Museum is interesting in its own way, sometimes you like something a little less formal and a little more fun. The Red Lodge Museum, hidden behind its iconic red door, was once a royal party house in the 16th Century, and then a Victorian reform school for girls. The lodge has been transformed over time and now holds over 400 years of history in the museum where you feel you have left the modern world behind. The architecture and décor alone are worth the visit and inside you’ll get a fascinating insight into life in the 17 and 18th Centuries. The multiple rooms are filled with artefacts and art that reflect the former residents. It’s a guaranteed afternoon of discovery for all ages.
We the Curious
If you’re wondering what’s inside the curiously named ‘We the Curious’, you’re not alone. Inside the huge glass building with the colourful windows and the iconic shiny ball outside, you’ll find a fun and interactive science museum that makes learning feel like play. Its picturesque harbourside location is just one of the many things about the centre that you’ll love. If you are travelling with children, or just find ‘normal’ museums boring, We the Curious is the place for you. There are many interactive exhibits with plenty of hands-on activities, live shows and a Planetarium, We the Curious is one of the UK’s biggest and most exciting interactive science museums and is fun for visitors of all ages.
SS Great Britain
SS Great Britain is a former passenger steamship which was the longest ship of its kind in the world from 1845 to 1854. Today the iconic steamship is a floating museum, dedicated to the inventions of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Take a guided tour to explore the cabins, the dockyard, go below deck, meet the Victorian characters, climb the rigging and see the engine come to life. You’ll also gain insight into the life and works of Brunel himself. It’s about 20-minutes door to door from our holiday apartments in Bristol’s Cabot Circus and its worth the trip. Book your tickets in advance online for special offers and group rates.
M Shed
A relative newcomer on the Bristol museum scene, M Shed has grown steadily in popularity since it opened in 2011. Located in the middle of the up-and-coming Wapping Wharf area, M Shed is a museum all about Bristol. It’s more like a social history of the city than the more serious approach taken by our bigger museums. You can explore the city through it’s its places, its people and their stories. The museum is dedicated to Bristol’s past, present and future – including its role in the slave trade. When you’ve learned and explored as much as you want to, drop in to the glass-fronted café for some stunning views across the waterfront.
If you’d like to base yourself in the perfect location to explore our museums, shopping and the best culture and nightlife, book your stay in PREMIER SUITES Serviced apartments in Bristol’s Cabot Circus. We offer space, facilities and value for money that you won’t find in a traditional hotel stay. Book on our official website to guarantee our best available rates.
