November 3, 2025
What Brings Me Joy launches on Saturday 8th November 2025. The exhibition features work from 25 artists who responded to explore the theme of joy: what brings it, how it feels, and where it can be found.
October 6, 2025
On Thursday 20th November our brilliant researcher Dr Paul Tobia will present a thought-provoking talk and discussion, examining how gender shaped experiences of care and control within the asylum. How were men and women treated differently — and what does that tell us about society then and now?
September 22, 2025
As part of our National Lottery Heritage Fund PoW! project (Protect our Wellbeing) we have been collecting bite-size memories and glimpses into everyday life at Glenside Hospital and Stoke Park Hospital. We hope that it will deepen your understanding of these historic institutions.
September 7, 2025
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
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
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 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
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, 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.
