First Floor
Explore the natural world from dinosaurs to gemstones. The First Floor is home to changing exhibitions on art, science and culture – you’ll also get a great view of the Bristol Boxkite from the balcony.
Upper First Floor:
Please note: The British and World Wildlife Galleries are now closed and will reopen in Summer 2027. The whole of the Upper First Floor, including The Geology, Minerals and Dinosaur galleries will be closed from 6 October – 16 October 2026.
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery has secured more than £300,000 from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport / Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund to support a redesign of its Upper First Floor British and World Wildlife Galleries. With an additional grant from the Bristol Naturalists’ Society, new digital interactives will invite visitors to engage with research into changes in Bristol’s wildlife over the past 200 years. Familiar favourites in these galleries such as Alfred the Gorilla and the Romany Wagon will remain in the refreshed displays.
Accessibility
- The Upper First Floor will continue to be accessible by lift for access to the Geology, Minerals and Dinosaur galleries (with the exception of 6 October – 16 October 2026, when there will be no access to this floor).
- Please be advised from 21 September 2026 onwards there will be potential noise from equipment, as well as smells from paint odours, floor varnish and other materials being used in the refurbishment.
Lower First Floor:
- Balcony gallery – keep an eye on what’s on to see what exhibitions are showing
- Paintings created by artist Mister Samo as part of our 2025 summer exhibition Gender Stories