Museums in Bristol

M Shed Museum

Princes Wharf, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RN

A museum that challenges traditional ideas. Situated on the Harbourside, this timeless and industrial building tells the story of the city of Bristol. Exploring everything from the prehistoric times to the 21st Century with both thought provoking and fun recollections gathered by historians giving you the perspective of what it really was like to live in Bristol over certain time periods.

There are a number of rooms and exhibitions that visitors can explore for free with historical walks of the old city, behind the scenes tours of the city’s maritime past and immersive art exhibitions such as ‘Building a Martian House’. Visit the Bristol Places gallery to learn about the cities past and the events that led to its modern-day values and communities. Highlights include Bristol’s very own dinosaur (Thecodontosaurus to be precise), exhibits on WW2 preparations and the evolution of Bristol’s suburbs. Make sure to stroll around outside afterwards and marvel at the cranes (one of which was a treehouse home!), the expansive water and the nearby shopping and coffee magnet Wapping Wharf.

The Georgian House Museum

7 Great George Street, Bristol, BS1 5RR

Bristol’s history is sadly one that is linked to the slave industry & the accompanying international trade of crops such as sugar. The Georgian House Museum shows us what a rich merchants house would have been like back in 1790 with all members of the households’ lifestyles covered. Across 11 rooms, you can navigate hidden staircases, a cold-water plunge pool and a luxurious dining room. Guaranteed to leave an impression and make you thankful for the luxuries of modern life.

Entry is free however booking a slot beforehand is highly advised. You can do that here.

Bristol Museum and Art Gallery

Queens Road, West End, Bristol, BS8 1RL

Deep in student territory and situated on ‘The Triangle’ is the magnificent Bristol Museum & Art Gallery. With three cavernous floors and halls of galleries that cover many-many topics including - the last billion years of the Earth, Somerset’s natural resources and Egyptian mummies. A visit will offer you as peaceful retreat from the busy streets outside. Make sure to take a trip up the epic Cabot Tower in the nearby Brandon Hill Park.

Current exhibitions include Miniature Masterpieces from Japan, a virtual reality experience exploring the Oracle of Zeus and William Hogarth’s Altarpiece.

Being in the city centre, the museum tends to get very busy quite quickly and we highly recommend you book a slot. You can do that here.

Blaise Castle House Museum

Explore centuries of style, play, and domestic life at Blaise Castle House Museum, where Victorian toilets, vintage toys, and 18th-century elegance take center stage.

The Red Lodge Museum

The Red Lodge Museum is Bristol’s best-kept secret. Behind its iconic red door, this Elizabethan marvel reveals tales of Tudor grandeur and Victorian reform, all within a setting so authentic, you'll feel like you've stepped into a time machine. Whether you're marveling at the opulent Great Oak Room or pondering the past in the tranquil knot garden, this "royal party house" turned museum is a must-visit treasure trove of Bristol's bygone eras.

SS Great Britain

Step aboard the SS Great Britain Museum and embark on a voyage through time, where Bristol's most famous steamship offers a deep dive into maritime history and Victorian innovation. Designed by the legendary Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the SS Great Britain was the world’s first great ocean liner, setting sail in 1843 as the largest ship on the seas. Today, she’s Bristol’s No.1 visitor attraction, and it’s easy to see why.

Explore the ship from bow to stern, experiencing the sights, sounds, and even smells of Victorian life at sea. Go ‘underwater’ in the Dry Dock to marvel at the original iron hull that revolutionised shipbuilding, or stroll through the Dockyard Museum to learn about Brunel’s genius and the ship’s storied past.

We The Curious

Prepare to have your curiosity well and truly piqued at We The Curious, Bristol’s hub of hands-on discovery! This award-winning science centre invites visitors of all ages to dive into a world where questions lead the way. With over 200 interactive exhibits, you'll be whisked through cosmic rays, walk through a tornado, and even encase yourself in a giant bubble—who said science can't be fun?

One of the standout attractions is the UK’s first 3D Planetarium, where you can embark on a celestial journey from the comfort of your seat. Prepare to be starstruck as the Live Science Team takes you on a visually stunning tour of the universe that’s out of this world!

Aerospace Bristol

This museum takes you on an exhilarating journey through the history of aviation, starting from the earliest days of flight to the cutting-edge technology of today. The star of the show? Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, the last supersonic jet ever to grace the skies. You can step aboard this iconic bird, stroll through the passenger cabin, and even peek into the cockpit to see where pilots once defied gravity at twice the speed of sound.