Carly – Glenside Hospital Museum

September 7, 2025

Submission date extension 29th Sept for 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 now close on 29th September, visit this page for full info on how to apply.

August 26, 2025

Drug rep gifts: prescribing by persuasion

Ever picked up a pen and found it was advertising an antidepressant? Welcome to the world of pharmaceutical branded goodies, colloquially known as “pharma swag”. These little freebies were once generously distributed by drug reps during meetings with medical professionals.

July 31, 2025

Did Victorians believe heavy drinking caused Spontaneous Human Combustion? (A talk on 16th Oct)

In this slightly bizarre talk at Glenside Hospital Museum Dr Pam Lock, Senior Lecturer at the University of Bristol will share her research on Victorian theories about spontaneous human combustion and how they helped found the new discipline of alcohol medicine.

July 23, 2025

Purdown Hospital: The history of Stoke Park

Purdown Hospital was part of Stoke Park Colony, comprising Dower House, Elm Farm, Heath House and numerous wards at West Side in Stapleton including Towers and Beech House. Explore this page to take a walk through the Purdown wards.

July 23, 2025

Hanham Hall, Leigh Court & Anchor Lodge

In the early 1900s Hanham Hall, Leigh Court and Anchor Lodge were originally part of the Stoke Park Colony, supporting those with learning disabilities. At the time, it was the largest hospital group in the country.

July 23, 2025

Beech House in Stapleton Village. Historic mansion house with grass and yellow buttercup flowers in the foreground

July 23, 2025

Hidden history at Beech House

Beech House, once part of the West Side complex at Stoke Park Hospital, was originally named Stapleton Grove and has an unusual hidden history. Its mysterious link to a famous figure can be traced via 3 popular sites across Bristol, including Arnos Vale Cemetery.

June 30, 2025

Exploring Glenside: a guided walking tour, Sat 23rd Aug

Join us for a summer edition of our bestselling guided walking tour. Explore the historic grounds of this former purpose-built psychiatric institution, later known as Glenside Hospital. Tour lasts approx. 60 minutes and include an annual pass to our museum.

June 26, 2025

Wallace and Gromit sculptures in front of the Clifton Suspension Bridge

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

A night time scene of a beautiful spa location with warm fairy lights showing a sauna and an outdoor cold plunge pool full of water, in Westbury-on-Trym Bristol

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.