Historical Walk: Bristol in the Electrical Age

Follow in the footsteps of the Electrical Association for Women (EAW), on a walk developed and led by the Women’s Engineering Society.

EAW was formed in 1924 and a Bristol branch was established in 1929.

The walk starts and ends at M Shed, tracing a route through Bristol’s electrical heritage. Along the way, participants will encounter sites that reveal how electricity shaped the city’s infrastructure, entertainment, and education. The tour culminates at the former meeting location of the Bristol branch of the Electrical Association for Women, situated at the top of Park Street. Highlights include a bascule bridge and a well-connected clock. 

Image: Front cover of ‘The Electrical Age for Women’, the official journal of the Electrical Association for Women, Vol.1 – No.2, October 1926, © IET Archives

Upcoming dates:

• Friday 1 May
• Saturday 2 May

Route

M Shed – Park Street – Colston Ave – Welsh Back – M Shed

Additional information

Volunteer guides will meet you at M Shed information desk 5-10 minutes before the walk is due to begin. There will be breaks at key locations where the volunteers will point out sites of key interest and talk about their significance. The majority of the tour is suitable for wheelchairs but some areas may be difficult to navigate.

Suitable clothing

Although the routes are not strenuous, please be aware that surfaces may be uneven and could be slippery when wet. We strongly recommend that you dress appropriately for the weather with warm/waterproof clothing and comfortable footwear.

For your safety

Please take care when crossing busy roads and always use the designated crossings where indicated. Please be aware of other road users and pedestrians, particularly by leaving space on pavements for people to cross safely.