City Guide

Museums, art galleries and exhibitions in Bristol

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
© Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

Looking for art galleries in Bristol? The art and architecture of Bristol reflect its eventful history as a thriving port city.

See everything from country houses like Tyntesfield to ambitious contemporary art at the Arnolfini, to the Martin Parr Foundation or the RWA. Bristol museums and galleries have something for everyone to enjoy.

Start planning the perfect day in Bristol by finding the right art gallery or museum for you.

Must-see Bristol museums

Places to visit in Bristol with your National Art Pass
Museum

The Stradling Collection

Bristol
South West
50% off entry
Museum

Arnolfini

Art Fund Museum of the Year
Find out more
2016 finalist
Bristol
South West
Museum

Glenside Hospital Museum

Bristol
South West
2-for-1 entry
Museum

Dyrham Park

Near Bath
South West
Free entry
Museum

Blaise Museum

Bristol
South West
10% off in shop
Museum

John Wesley’s New Room

Bristol
South West
50% off entry
Museum

Tyntesfield

Bristol
South West
Free entry
Museum

M Shed

Bristol
South West
10% off in shop
See all museums
Answering The Call
Glenside Hospital Museum

Popular Bristol exhibitions

Visit these exhibitions in Bristol with your National Art Pass

Exhibition

Answering The Call: NHS Common...

17 April - 14 December 2024
Glenside Hospital Museum
Bristol
Last chance
2-for-1 entry
Exhibition

The Christmas Collection

23 November - 21 December 2024
The Stradling Collection
Bristol
Opening soon
Exhibition

RWA 171 Annual Open Exhibition

14 September 2024 - 5 January 2025
RWA (Royal West of England Academy)
Bristol
50% off exhibitions
See all exhibitions

Upcoming events

Make, play and learn at events in Bristol
Special Event

Lunchtime Carols

11 December 2024
Gather for traditional Christmas carols with a special performance from John Wesley's New...
John Wesley’s New Room
Bristol
Special Event

Carols by Candlelight

11 December 2024
An evening of traditional Christmas carols in the atmospheric candlelit surround of 18th c...
John Wesley’s New Room
Bristol
Family

Museum of mental health treatm...

30 September - 14 December 2024
Destigmatising mental illness and learning difficulties, bringing attention to wellbeing a...
Glenside Hospital Museum
Bristol
See all events

Get inspired

Recommendations for your next day out
Recommendations

Five of the best gallery bars

From cocktails to craft beers to a bite to eat. We take a look at some of the best places to refresh yourself after drinking in all that art.
Read More
7 Nov 2016
Recommendations

gal-dem's picks: Unmissable exhibitions to see this Black History Month

From archival films to activists reimagined, here’s a nationwide guide for art, film and fashion-related shows to indulge in this October and...
Read More
20 Oct 2022
Recommendations

See the world in focus: five must-see photography collections

Take a closer look at our top photography collections across the UK.
Read More
20 Jun 2024
Adam Buxton at the Courtauld Gallery in London
Recommendations

Adam Buxton shares museum and gallery wish list

Comedian and podcaster Adam Buxton picks five UK museums and galleries he's keen to visit with his National Art Pass.
Read More
10 Jun 2018
Podcast

Caleb Azumah Nelson at Bristol...

21 Oct 2021
Writer and photographer Caleb Azumah Nelson visits Bristol Museum & Art Gallery with h...
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Bristol
Listen now
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The more you see, the more we do.

The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.

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