Bristol’s treasured buildings to open doors

Seventy-one of Bristol’s most treasured and unusual buildings will be opening their doors to the public for this year’s Doors Open Day.

Medieval crypts, state of the arts hospitals, disused underground railway stations and wind farms will all welcome the public on September 12.

Doors Open Day, which runs from 10am-4pm, invites visitors to roam the streets of Bristol, exploring venues not normally open to the public.

To celebrate Bristol’s year as European Green Capital, visitors are invited to go behind the scenes at the Triodos Renewables Avonmouth Wind Farm, or to view the ‘reverse graffiti’ (created by removing dirt from a surface) at The Island, Broadmead.

Now in its 22nd year, Bristol Doors Open Day is being organised by the Architecture Centre – Bristol’s centre for design and the built environment.

John Hirst, chief executive of Destination Bristol, said: “Bristol Doors Open Day is a great opportunity for people to explore some of Bristol’s architectural havens and learn more about our fascinating city.

“Bristol Doors Open Day is now a hugely popular event and attracts more people every year. We are very excited to be able to take our support to the next level and be a partner at the 2015 event. Bristol’s Tourist Information Centre located in Harbourside adjacent to Watershed will once again offer advice and assistance for our visitors and residents.”

See the full list of this year’s venues:

1. Bristol Old Vic

2. St Stephen’s Church

3. Christ Church with St Ewen

4. Church & Crypt of St John the Baptist

5. The Station

6. The Island (Old Bridewell Police Station)

7. The New Room/John Wesley’s Chapel

8. St James Priory – Church and Church House

9. Charles Wesley’s House

10. Jamaica Street Artists’ Studios

11. Circomedia – Contemporary Circus & Physical Theatre

12. No. 117 Wilder Street – RISE Consulting Structural Engineers

13. Julian Trust Nightshelter

14. Bristol Royal Infirmary

15. Colston’s Almshouse Chapel

16. Royal Fort House

17. Lord Mayor’s Chapel (St Mark’s)

18. Bristol Cathedral

19. Horizon House – Environment Agency

20. Triodos Bank

21. University of Bristol Theatre Collection

22. The Ken Stradling Collection at The Design Study Centre

23. The Red Lodge

24. The Wigwam – Bristol Savages

25. Edwardian Cloakroom

26. St George’s Bristol

27. Georgian House Museum

28. Wills Memorial Building

29. Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

30. Bristol School of Art

31. Bristol Grammar School – Great Hall

32. BBC Broadcasting House

33. At-Bristol Science Centre

34. M Shed

35. The Drawing Office, SS Great Britain Trust

36. Spike Island

37. The Old Stable Block

38. Underfall Yard

39. No. 1 Old Dock Cottages – Merchant Navy Association Bristol HQ

40. No. 4 Old Dock Cottages – Maritime Volunteer Service

41. Brunel’s Other Bridge

42. Create Centre: B Bond Warehouse

43. Bristol Record Office: B Bond Warehouse

44. Benjamin Perry Boathouse

45. Redcliffe Caves

46. St Mary Redcliffe Church

47. Church of St Thomas the Martyr

48. Engine Shed

49. Bristol Temple Meads Tunnels

50. All Saints Church

51. Clifton Rocks Railway

52. Clifton Suspension Bridge & Visitor Centre

53. Merchants’ Hall

54. The Mansion House

55. Colston Girls’ School

56. Redland Parish Church

57. Elsie Briggs House

58. Bedminster RNIB Centre

59. Slipper Baths at Bristol South Bathing Facility

60. The Robinson Building

61. Knowle West Media Centre

62. Arnos Vale Cemetary

63. The Original Bristol Blue Glass

64. BTR Ltd (Bristol Textile Recyclers)

65. Glenside UWE Campus

66. Glenside Hospital Museum

67. Blaise Castle House Museum & Dairy

68. Kings Weston Roman Villa

69. Avonmouth & Royal Portbury Docks

70. Wessex Water Sewage Treatment Works

71. Triodos Renewables Avonmouth Wind Farm

Read more about how the much-loved BRI Old Building may be demolished and replaced with student flats.