Glenside Hospital Museum

Glenside Hospital Museum
Glenside Hospital Museum
Explore Mental Health, Inspire Change
Our Collections
Destigmatising mental illness and learning difficulties, bringing attention to personal wellbeing and increasing understanding of the brain and selfcare
News & Events
Latest events and exhibitions
Our uplifting exhibition
What Brings Me Joy
has now been extended until Weds 29th July 2026 -
join us
to explore this fresh collection of colourful artworks!
Due to its popularity
Tea in the Turret
continues throughout 2026, so come and enjoy a cosy tea party in our quirky balcony room.
Check out all of our events via
"What's On"
in the menu above.
To explore our museum virtually please download the
Bloomberg Connects free digital guide
to engage with both during your visit or from any device anywhere. Download the app
here.
April 13, 2026
April 13, 2026
FREE walking tour for Bristol Walk Fest
As part of Bristol Walk Fest's packed programme of events around the city we are offering you the opportunity to follow an intriguing walking trail. The tour is entirely free, but to enjoy it at its best, pair it with a visit to our museum.
April 2, 2026
April 2, 2026
Behind closed doors: The hidden mental health crisis in prisons
On Thursday 7th May UWE programme leader Paul Gavin is hosting a talk. Drawing on research and practice, this session will examine the prevalence of mental health conditions among incarcerated populations, the impact of isolation, overcrowding, and violence, and the systemic barriers to effective care.
April 1, 2026
April 1, 2026
Bristol Walk Fest events at Glenside Hospital Museum
On Saturday 30th May 2026 Glenside Hospital Museum is hosting a guided walking tour "Exploring Glenside" as part of the Bristol Walk Fest programme of events. A relaxed walk around the grounds to explore its hidden history and unravel some of its mystery.
March 3, 2026
March 3, 2026
National Lottery Open Week: History in your Hands
Have you ever wanted to get your hands on items in our museum collection? On Saturday 7th March 2026 for National Lottery Open Week, our museum is opening its doors for a unique experience. Read on to find out about this fantastic opportunity...
Our Collections
We house three collections
Psychiatric
Hospital
1861-1994
Beaufort War
Hospital
1915-1919
Learning Disabilities
Hospitals
1909 - 2000
Volunteering
The museum has a wide variety of projects and is always looking for people to work on them. There is a lot of historical research to conduct, displays to be put together, and general work to ensure we provide the best visitor experience we can.
We are flexible and able to give volunteers a role that fits in with their own interests or requirements.
Volunteer Options
Visit Us
Glenside Hospital Museum is located within the grounds of the old psychiatric hospital housed in the 1881 Grade II listed asylum church. The main hospital building is now used by the University of West of England as their Health and Social Care Campus. We’re in situated in the Grade II listed church just inside the grounds. For more details, including group booking and accessibility, please see our
visiting
page.
Visitor Info
"If you have never been to Glenside Hospital Museum, it is a wonderful museum. It is not gloomy or depressing but fascinating and hopeful. A really progressive institution."
Julie Begen
"A fabulous history of the area, the hospitals, and of approaches to mental health and learning disabilities. An amazing array of artefacts, surgical instruments and ephemera. The staff were really welcoming and knowledgeable. Absolutely loved it!"
Lea Roberts
Donate
To stay open the Museum relies on the generosity of our visitors
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Contact us about the museum
Contact Us
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