Bristol’s treasures set to be unveiled at Doors Open Day
The city of Bristol is set to unlock some of its hidden treasures on Saturday, 12 September, at its annual Doors Open Day. The event, which is in its sixteenth year, will see many of Bristol’s significant contemporary and historic buildings open their doors to the general public. Last year the many venues that took part had nearly 50,000 visits and this year is sure to be just as successful with almost 60 venues opening their doors.
It sees the welcome return, after several years’ absence, of St. Vincent’s Works, the 19th century architectural gem in St. Philips, with its delightful tiled octagonal hall and mosaic floor. Also the recently beautifully restored Clifton Lido, the oldest surviving heated lido in the country, last seen in Doors Open Day in a scaffolded and derelict state, with restoration only just begun.
In too is the magnificent Kings Weston House at Blaise which is open on both Saturday and Sunday this year and the Bristol Old Vic with its back stage tours and demonstrations of theatre processes (now open all day).
For those looking for something ‘artistic’ there is the Spike Island Art Space, once a tea packing factory but now transformed into a modern art gallery and working studio, or for something more ‘industrial’ the 21st century processes of the Wessex Water Sewage Treatment Works, or the 19th century machinery at Underfall Yard where workshops will be demonstrating how they maintain and build some of Bristol’s much loved harbour boats.
The line up also includes Clifton Rocks Railway, the Clifton Suspension Bridge walk and trips up the University’s Will’s Tower; and no Doors Open Day would be complete without the ever popular Redcliffe Caves, which last year attracted some 4,500 visitors, exploring the caves under the watchful eye of the Mendip Cavers.
In addition to opening their doors, venues often put on extra activities and serve refreshments. This year, the Rag Morris Mummers are staging a specially written celebration of Brunel’s life at, or near, five of the Doors Open Day venues; and the traders of Broadmead Arcade are staging a portrayal of life there in the 19th century with actors in period costume, street entertainers, Victorian themed food and two of the Arcade shops turned into museums.
Organiser Penny Mellor comments: “Bristol Doors Open Day has become increasingly popular in recent years with a growing number of visitors year on year. It is a great opportunity to learn more about the city of Bristol and to find out what lies behind some of our most important and captivating landmarks. With its great variety of places to visit it is the perfect day out for families and friends alike.”
Bristol Doors Open Day is an annual event organised by GWE Business West and Bristol City Council, which could not take place without the support of sponsors, Alder King, Arup, Burges Salmon, BAM, Under the Sky and GWE Business West. The Evening Post, Alec French Architects, Montage Communications and PR consultancy Trimedia also provide support in kind for the event.
Entry is free to all the Doors Open Day attractions and the majority of buildings will be open Saturday 10am – 4pm. In addition, all the City museums will be open until 5pm.
Many of the venues are within walking distance from the centre of the city. There is a special free bus service to some of the more distant venues, including Kings Weston Roman Villa and Wessex Water. For buses to other venues, the purchase of First Day or First Family tickets allows for unlimited travel all day. The Bristol Ferry Boat Company is offering Multi-Stop Passage tickets at special rates (£5.00 adults, £3.00 children, OAPs & students), which allow you to get on and off the regular ferries all day. The Bristol Cycling Campaign will also be leading a 20 mile cycle ride to a selection of venues.
Visit the Doors Open Day website www.bristoldoorsopenday.org or pick up a Doors Open Day leaflet from your local library, tourist information centre or Bristol Architecture Centre for a full listing of buildings and attractions that you can visit this year. A few attractions do need to be booked and may be full well in advance of the event. The website will be kept up to date so check in advance to avoid disappointment.
