Exploring Glenside: a guided walking tour, Sat 23rd Aug
Hanham Hall, Leigh Court & Anchor Lodge
Exploring Stoke Park
In 2025 Glenside Hospital Museum received funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in support of the Protect our Wellbeing (PoW!) project.
This has given us a precious opportunity to explore and preserve the history of Stoke Park Hospital (1909-2000) which was a large institutional facility for people with learning disabilities, located in Bristol, England.
The hospital primarily accommodated long-term residents, including both adults and children. In its early days it was self-sufficient, with facilities such as a school, farm and workshops.
Read on for some fascinating facts about the hospital including its buildings, wards and grounds.
Beech House, formerly Stapleton Grove
Beech House
A house with a hidden history
Beech House was once part of the West Side complex at Stoke Park Hospital, housing boys with learning disabilities.
It was built by Joseph Harford in 1763 and originally named Stapleton Grove.
Memorial stone at Beech House, Stapleton Village
An unceremonious burial
In the grounds at Beech House
In 1833 Raja Ram Mohan Roy, founder of Brahmo Somaj society, was visiting the U.K. and stayed at Stapleton Grove. Sadly he contracted meningitis and died suddenly on 27th September 1833.
As a Hindu, traditionally he would have been cremated but this was not allowed in England at that time; neither was a Hindu allowed to be buried in a Christian graveyard.
As a result he was originally buried here, rather unceremoniously in the grounds! A permanent memorial to this period in history can be found in front of the house.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy's mausoleum, Arnos Vale Cemetery
Arnos Vale Cemetery mausoleum
A fitting memorial to a historic figure
On the other side of Bristol, Arnos Vale Cemetery came into existence soon after, so 10 years after his death he was taken and buried there. His mausoleum remains today as a Grade II listed monument.
The raja is remembered for his work in fighting for women’s rights, including an end to sati (widow-burning).
Aerial view of Beech House, Stapleton Village
Memorial at Beech House
Off the beaten path in Stapleton Village
There is a pedestrian path dedicated to his memory in Stapleton village, that runs in front of Beech House.
The grand mansion house can be seen to the centre-right of this image and is a pleasant route to walk if you'd like to explore this in person. Postcode: BS16 1AD.
There is also a memorial stone in the side of an exterior wall on Beech House.
Statue near Bristol Cathedral
The raja remembered
Bristol city centre statue
Having originally been quietly buried in the grounds of Beech House (then Stapleton Grove, a private home) Raja Ram Mohun Roy was eventually memorialised in a manner more appropriate to properly honouring his memory.
In addition to his mausoleum at Arnos Vale Cemetery, a statue of him stands on a plinth in central Bristol, next to Bristol Cathedral outside Central Library on College Green.
Explore our collection from anywhere
Discover the fascinating history of Glenside Hospital Museum wherever you are. Browse our collection virtually through the free Bloomberg Connects app, and don’t miss our specially curated Top 20 Highlights Tour.
