We invite you to take a relaxing self-guided walking tour around the picturesque grounds of this historic hospital, along with a visit to explore our fascinating museum of mental health in Bristol
At Glenside Hospital Museum we have just launched some fantastic new walking trails available exclusively on the Bloomberg Connects app. We invite you to download the app and join us to enjoy these self-guided tours.
- The outside tour (approx. 30 minutes walking, 16 stops)
This may be undertaken at any time but is ideal when paired with a visit to Glenside Hospital Museum (open twice weekly Weds 10am-1pm, Sat 10am-4pm). A self-guided walk around the grounds of the historic Glenside Hospital, the tour includes built features of the hospital and some of the specimens trees on the grounds. You will notice that a number of these features were aimed at making life more health or interesting for the patients.
The hospital had extensive grounds from the beginning as it was thought that fresh air, green space and exercise were helpful for mental problems. The patients were taken for compulsary walks around the grounds, which were planted up to be engaging and imoroving, with up to 70 species of trees. Many species are still growing around the buildings today, and some of them are included in the tour.
- A tour of the Museum in 20 objects (approx. 45 minutes)
This a self-guided indoor trail within our museum so please visit during our opening hours (twice weekly, Weds 10am-1pm, Sat 10am-4pm).
We've chosen 20 objects to give you the highlights of the stories in our museum.
For a quick visit, follow the points around the building to find the mental health hospital, the WWI Beaufort War Hospital, and Stoke Park, the learning difficulties hospital.
For a longer more thorough look around, allow yourself to be engaged by all the fascinating items you will glimpse in the cases you pass.
General visiting information
Glenside Hospital Museum is based within the1881 asylum church, with beautiful stained glass windows and set within the walled landscaped grounds of Bristol's purpose built asylum all designed to give hope and cure.
Unlock the history of mental health care through an exploration of our psychiatric hospital collection. Gain a glimpse of life in Bristol Mental Hospital through the beautiful Denis Reed documentary drawings of patients. Find the key a patient made which unlocked all the doors.
We have frequent art exhibtions, which are all included in your standard ticket price, so please check our social media channels for the latest offerings.
Opening hours
Glenside Hospital Museum is open Wednesday mornings 10am-1pm and Saturdays 10am-4pm.
Book tickets online £5 per ticket (annual pass, allowing unlimited repeat visits for 12 months). Under 18s enjoy free entry with a parent/guardian.
Average visiting time in the museum is 1-2 hours, but please stay as long as you like during our opening hours, and allow extra time if undertaking the outdoor walking tour.
- Stop off for tea & cake, Saturdays only (booking required)
If you'd like to enjoy a cup of tea and cake, we have an experience which is new for 2025:
"Tea in the Turret" takes you on an adventure up a secret spiral staircase and into the hidden balcony area, giving an aerial view of our museum. This experience also includes a visit to the main body of the museum, including exhibitions.
Saturdays only, until the end of Sept 2025.
To book your tickets, please use this Eventbrite link: click here for tickets.
Group bookings and tours
We are also open for group bookings and tours. In addition to offering an educational handling collection for adults and young people to discuss mental health care through the lens of history. For further information contact the Museum through the website.
Location postcode: BS16 1DD
We are within the walls of the old asylum in Fishponds, Bristol. There are two entrances on Blackberry Hill. If you head for the Old Tavern Pub and go through that entrance the church is on the left. We are based inside the church.
Parking
The car park outside our museum belongs to the University of the West of England (UWE) on Wednesdays so please park outside the campus. On Saturdays you may use the car park free of charge.
