The guided tours, led by experts in history, archaeology and architecture, provide a unique opportunity to see inside many university buildings and gardens not usually open to the public.
A tour on Tuesday 11 February, will explore the university's new Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health in Tyndall Avenue, a £5million development designed to meet the needs of everyone from casual exercisers to elite athletes. The tour will be followed by a talk from a member of staff on the subject of exercise for the inactive.
On Tuesday 11 March, there will be a rare opportunity to see inside the Synthetic Chemistry Building in Cantocks Close, a masterpiece of energy- efficient and environmentally friendly design created by architects from the Percy Thomas Partnership and engineers from Ove Arup Partners. Visitors will be able to view the laboratories and speak to one of the architects involved in the building's design.
A walking tour on Thursday 24 April will take place in the Churchill Arboretum , home to more than 495 varieties of tree, and the beautiful gardens surrounding The Holmes, a large Victorian house in Stoke Park Road, used by US generals during World War II and now a student hall of residence. The garden was started in 1900 and contains the 'Doomsday Oak', thought to be over 600 years old.
On Thursday 19 June, visitors will tour the gardens of Goldney House , Lower Clifton Hill, which contain a spectacular 18th century grotto. Considered to be the finest surviving example of its kind in Britain, the Grade I listed grotto is richly decorated with exotic shells, corals, rocks and fossils.
Other university properties on the tours programme include the landmark Wills Memorial Building , the Old Baptist College , University Walk, with its fine Arts and Crafts interior, and Burwalls , the dramatically-sited Victorian house overlooking the Suspension Bridge.
Anyone wishing to book a place on one of the tours should contact Joan Lewis, Tours Manager at joan.lewis@bristol.ac.uk or fill out the application form in the University's spring 'What's On' brochure.
This year, there will also be a programme of special group tours offered free of charge to clubs and societies in the Bristol area. Details of these tours are available from the Tours Manager on 0117 928 7157
SPRING TERM 2003 TOURS PROGRAMME
Wednesday 22 January 12.30-2.00 £4
The Royal Fort House
Tuesday 28 January 12.20-2.00 £4
University of Bristol Theatre Collection
Thursday 6 February 12.45-1.45 £3
Wills Memorial Building
Tuesday 11 February 12.00-2.00 £4
Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health
Wednesday 19 February 12.30-2.00 £4
Old Baptist College
Tuesday 11 March 12.30-2.00 £4
Synthetic Chemistry Building
Tuesday 25 March 2.00-3.30 £7
Clifton Hill House
Thursday 3 April 12.30-2.00 £4.50
Lunchtime Lecture at the Holmes:"Americans in Bristol in WWII"
Saturday 5 April 2.30-4.00 £3.50
Botanic Garden
Thursday 24 April 12.30-2.00 £4
Churchill Arboretum & The Holmes Garden
Sunday 11 May 2.00-5.00 £8
Botanic Gardens and Burwalls
Thursday 19 June 2.00-3.30 £5
Goldney Gardens