Ten intriguing places to explore for Bristol Open Doors

Taking place on September 12, Bristol Open Doors (part of Heritage Open Days) is an event offering people a rare opportunity to go behind-the-scenes of some of the city's often overlooked or forgotten gems.

Taking place across the country, this heritage festival celebrates our fantastic history, architecture and culture and will see a large number of buildings and places of cultural interest – many of which normally offer limited public access – opened up to be explored.

So, amongst the churches, manor houses, municipal buildings, theatres, here are just ten places in Bristol where you can satisfy your curiosity and snoop around: 

Clifton Rocks Railway 

Clifton Rocks Railway was a tunnelled funicular railway between Clifton and Hotwells, used between 1893-1934 before financial troubles forced its closure.

It was converted in 1940-41 into overnight shelters and a BBC transmitting station and was then left to go derelict. In 2005, the Clifton Rocks Railway Trust started work to make the railway more accessible to visitors for special occasions. 

Bottom of Sion Hill, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4LD. Tours take place September 12-13, from 10am-4pm. No booking required. 

Redcliffe Caves

The Redcliffe caves are a series of 15-18th century tunnels used to excavate sandstone to make glass. More recently, the caves have been used as backdrop for theatre performances and as a location for the TV series 'Skins'.

Note that the tunnels will be open as a self-guided tour, so be sure to bring appropriate footwear and a torch to see your way around.

Phoenix Wharf, Redcliffe, Bristol, BS1 6SW. Tours take place September 12, 10am-4pm. No booking required. 

BBC Broadcasting House

Visitors to the BBC Bristol broadcasting house on Whiteladies Road will be able to see where and how some of the nation's favourite radio and television programmes are made, including behind the scenes tours of the site.

You'll have the chance to see the Points West and Radio Bristol studios, and the rooftop garden from where the weather forecast is sometimes broadcast.

Broadcasting House, Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 2LR. Tours take place Saturday September 12, 10am-4pm. Booking required.

Warmley Grottoes, Museum and Garden

These historic Grottoes, where famed 18th century metallurgist William Champion once lived, are normally closed to the public. Visitors can also explore Warmley Gardens and its giant statue of Neptune. The Kingswood Heritage Museum will also be free to visit.

Kingswood Heritage Museum, Tower Lane, Warmley, Bristol, BS30 8XT. Tours take place September 13, from 11am-4.30pm. No booking required.

Bristol Old Vic

Built in 1766, Bristol Old Vic contains the oldest continuously working theatre in the UK. Visitors can enjoy an exclusive look around the historic theatre, as well as showcase of the Young Company sessions on the Georgian stage, and take a peek backstage.  

King Street, Bristol, Bristol, BS1 4ED. Tours take place September 12, 10am-4pm. Booking required on the day.

Avonmouth and Portbury Docks

Explore a place the public never usually get the chance to see on a guided coach tour of Avonmouth and Royal Portbury Docks, where over 95% of all UK imports come in.

Avonmouth Docks first opened in 1877 with new docks created early in the 20th century. Each tour takes in the key activities around the port and will explain more about its plans for the future.

The Bristol Port Company, St Andrew's House, Avonmouth, Bristol, BS11 9DQ, Saturday 12 September: Tours 1000, 1130, 1300 & 1430

  

Underfall Yard

The Underfall Yard is a collection of Victorian buildings built between 1850 and 1880 as the maintenance base for Bristol Docks. It remains as such today and also houses workshops used by shipwrights, blacksmiths, riggers and other tradespeople.

Visitors can find out about the yard's restoration and conservation works and discover what's in store with the plans for a new visitor centre. This destination will also be good for families, with a number of children's activities to enjoy.

Cumberland Road, Bristol, BS8 4RA. Tours take place September 12, from 10am-4pm. No booking required.

The Original Bristol Blue Glass

 

A photo posted by oringinalbristolblueglassLtd (@bristolblueglass) on May 15, 2014 at 7:23am PDT

The Original Bristol Blue Glass is a glass blowing workshop and museum founded in 1988. Visitors can watch the glass blowers at work, as well as enjoy free talks and demonstrations taking place all day long.

357-359 Bath Road, Brislington, Arnos Vale, Bristol BS4 3EW, Tours take place September, from 10am-4pm. No booking required.

Royal Fort House

The Royal Fort House, a Georgian house built for wealthy merchant Thomas Tyndall in 1761, is rarely open to the public. It now houses Bristol University's Institute for Advanced Studies.

For Bristol Open Doors, there will be guided tours of the house, where you can take in features including plasterwork by Thomas Stocking and wood and stone carvings by Thomas Paty. 

Tyndall Avenue, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1UJ. Tours take place September 12, from 10am-3pm. Booking preferred.

  

Wills Memorial Building 

The landmark Wills Memorial Building was designed in 1912 by Sir George Oatley. Many Bristolians walk past this building every day and may be curious to see what goes on inside. 

On the day, there'll be a series of conducted tours to the top of the 215-foot tower.

Queens Road, Bristol, BS8 1RJ. Tours take place September 12, from 9.35am-4pm.

There are plenty more places to explore, although some have been booked up already. Take a look at the Heritage Open Days website for more details.

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