Glenside Hospital Museum – Glenside Hospital Museum

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.

August 26, 2025

Industrial Therapy Organisation (ITO) – Pioneering mental health recovery

The Industrial Therapy Organisation (ITO) was a pioneering initiative launched in 1957 by Dr. Donal Early at Glenside Hospital, Bristol. It aimed to provide meaningful, paid work to mental health patients as a tool for recovery. Over the decades, ITO transformed countless lives by helping over 400 patients transition to regular employment, restoring their confidence and place in society.

June 4, 2025

Exploring Glenside: a guided walking tour, Sat 26th July

On Saturday 26th July at 11am, join our experienced guide Anwyl Cooper-Willis for a fascinating guided walking tour unlocking a secret side of Bristol. Explore the historic grounds of this former psychiatric institution, later known as Glenside Hospital. A limited number of tickets are available for this event. Booking required.

April 7, 2025

Cary Grant (1904-1986) From Horfield to Hollywood

Cary Grant was a world famous film actor (born Archibald Leach) and was raised here in Bristol. Read on to discover the uniquely sad link we have with him here at Glenside.

March 28, 2025

James Cowles Prichard of the Red Lodge by Margaret M. Crump

A physician to St. Peter’s Hospital, Bristol, where the first 164 patients came from when Bristol's first purpose-built asylum opened, is the subject of a book published in June 2025 by Margaret Crump.

February 6, 2025

Glenside Hospital Museum welcomes HRH The Princess Royal for a special 40th anniversary celebration

On 6th February 2025, Glenside Hospital Museum had the honour of welcoming HRH The Princess Royal to mark an extraordinary milestone—40 years of preserving and educating the public on the history of mental healthcare.

January 26, 2025

Celebrating 40 Years of Glenside Hospital Museum

The museum originated from humble beginnings, starting out as a collection of intriguing objects and documents gathered on the balcony in the hospital dining room. Today, the museum's displays are carefully curated by a dedicated team of volunteers to captivate and educate visitors about mental healthcare. Read 10 great facts in this celebratory post.

January 25, 2025

Glenside Hospital Museum Welcomes HRH The Princess Royal to Celebrate 40 Years of Educational Excellence

Glenside Hospital Museum, Bristol, is honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal on 6th February 2025 to mark forty years of providing a dynamic educational resource for the general public and a safe space to discuss mental health.

March 30, 2024

Celestine Lewis Nursing Auxillary At Glenside Hospital

Celestine Lewis is one of many who came to work in hospitals as they became part of the NHS.