Glenside Hospital Museum

Explore Mental Health, Inspire Change

Destigmatising mental illness and learning difficulties, bringing attention to personal wellbeing and increasing understanding of the brain and selfcare 

News & Events

We are delighted to announce that our PoW! (Protect Our Wellbeing) initiative has received funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to strengthen and preserve our organisation for future generations. 

We have an exciting calendar of PoW! events, check out "What's On" in the menu above for more info & tickets.

We are now live on the Bloomberg Connects free digital guide. This app provides a unique way for visitors to engage with the museum both during your visit or from any device anywhere. Download the app here.

Our exhibitions for the summer season are on display: Mood States by Annabel Merrett, I Am Worthy and drawings by Denis Reed. All exhibitions are included in normal museum entry. More information and tickets.

June 26, 2025

Family events in Bristol: summer 2025

Glenside Hospital Museum is a great place for curious young minds to explore. Our collection of fascinating objects and interactive displays is ready to spark children's imaginations. In this post we've rounded up a selection of other brilliant family-friendly activities to enjoy in Bristol this summer.
June 17, 2025

Bristol events for summer 2025

Glenside Hospital Museum in Fishponds is proud to be part of a thriving art and culture scene in Bristol, which has attractions and experiences of all sizes and for a wide range of audiences. Whether you're a family looking for fun events for kids to enjoy over the summer holidays or a couple hoping to do something a little more relaxing during a visit to Bristol, we've curated 5 things to do in Bristol this summer to make it unforgettable.
June 11, 2025

Open exhibition: What brings me joy

One aspect of maintaining mental fitness is to participate in activities that bring joy. With this exhibition we would like to celebrate creativity as well as entertain our visitors. We welcome artists who would like to use our collection for inspiration, but this is not a requirement. The exhibition is in a church so it is not a traditional space. Submissions close Weds 20th August, visit this page for full info on how to apply.

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.

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.

 

"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

Contact us about the museum