Discover Bristol’s hidden treasures
Posted on by Lauren MacCarthy.
From Saturday 4 April, The Red Lodge Museum and The Georgian House Museum will re-open for the spring and summer. Known as Bristol’s hidden treasures, these period houses tell the story of Bristol from the late 16th century to the late 18th century. The picturesque Blaise Castle House Museum has also extended its opening hours for the duration of the spring and summer.
The Red Lodge Museum
What lies behind the red door? Find out what a real Tardis looks like and delve into The Red Lodge Museum with its magnificent Tudor décor. Experience more than 400 years of history in the museum where you feel like you’ve left the modern world behind.
The Red Lodge Museum boasts some of the oldest rooms in Bristol including The Great Oak Room which still retains its original plasterwork ceiling, oak panelling, internal porch and carved stone chimneypiece. The house was altered in the early 18th century and the remaining rooms are furnished in Stuart and Georgian styles.
From its Tudor origins to its role as a Victorian girl’s reform school – there are many stories to be told.
Free entry – donations welcome. View The Red Lodge Museum opening times
The Great Oak Room, The Red Lodge Museum
The Georgian House Museum
The Georgian House Museum was originally built in 1790 for John Pinney, a wealthy sugar merchant. The eleven rooms spread over four floors are now furnished and displayed as a typical late 18th century town house.
Reveal what life was like below stairs with the hidden staircase, dumb waiter and housekeeper’s room and get a taste of the hustle and bustle of a servant’s life. Venture upstairs to experience what life may have been like for the extremely wealthy with the extravagantly set dining room, impressive study and elegant drawing room where important guests were entertained.
A small display explores John Pinney’s involvement in the sugar trade and the life of the enslaved African Pero.
Free entry – donations welcome. View The Georgian House Museum opening times
The kitchen inside The Georgian House Museum
Blaise Castle House Museum
Situated in 500 acres of beautiful parkland, Blaise Castle House Museum contains most of our social history collections, including costumes, toys and household items.
Pop inside the late 18th century, Grade II listed mansion to see the beautiful Picture Room with its classical portico and domed glass ceiling. Now restored to its former glory, its walls are decorated with a sumptuous red flock paper and hung with pictures from the fine art collections.
Our collection of Britain’s lead soldiers, doll houses, fine toy train sets and early puzzles and games, reveal how people lived and played through time. Blaise Castle Estate is also a great spot for picnics!
Free entry – donations welcome. View Blaise Castle House Museum opening times
Picture Room inside Blaise Castle House Museum
Summer Activities at Bristol Museums
Tuesday 21 July – Saturday 29 August
11am – 3pm | Drop in
Free – donations welcome
From arts, crafts and storytelling, to dressing up and meeting time travelling characters; every Tuesday through Saturday during the summer holidays will be full of creative activities, experiments and unexpected goings-on at one of our five museum sites. Perfect summer-time family fun!
Tuesdays: M Shed
Wednesdays: Blaise Castle House Museum
Thursdays: Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Fridays: The Georgian House Museum
Saturdays: The Red Lodge Museum
Find out more about Summer Activities at Bristol Museums.
Summer fun at Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives