A magnificent Victorian landmark, laboratories dating from the 1920s, a new £4m research centre devoted to the study of the planets, and the remains of a Civil War fortress are just some of the sights in store this Autumn as part of a new series of Bristol University tours.
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.
The Autumn series builds on the tremendous success of the Spring Tours Programme which attracted a record number of visitors. The Autumn series offers more tours than ever before (26 in total) and includes some University buildings that are opening their doors to the public for the very first time. The series will also include a tour (on Thursday 16 October) accompanied by a British Sign Language interpreter, taking in Goldney Gardens and its spectacular eighteenth century Grade I listed grotto.
A new tour on Thursday 18 September will explore the Victoria Rooms, a building whose magnificent Corinithian columns, pool and fountains have made it a much-loved landmark at the apex of Queens and Whiteladies Roads. First open to the public in May 1842, it served for many years as the most important and lively cultural centre in the West of England, hosting performances by the famous nineteenth century soprano, Jenny Lind, and the author, Charles Dickens. The building is now home to the University’s Department of Music. The tour will include the elegant recital room and auditorium, and put this beautiful building into its historical context, including an interesting connection with the first president of the United States.
On Tuesday 14 October, there will be a rare opportunity to see inside the H H Wills Physics Laboratory on Tyndall Avenue – the first time this fascinating building has been open for a public tour. The tour, led by Dr Vince Smith of the Department of Physics, will take in the original 1927 laboratories, the 6 metre, roof-mounted Coldrick Radio Telescope used for studying stars in the Milky Way, the Condensed Matters Group where materials are studied at very low temperatures, and the Microstructures Group where visitors will be able to see two electron microscopes – capable of magnifying objects many thousands of times – in use. Finally, the tour will be invited to observe an experiment in progress in the Tyndall Lecture Theatre.
A tour taking place on Wednesday 22 October will visit the University’s new Centre for the Study of the Evolution of Terrestial Planets, which opened in March this year. Located in the Inner Court, behind the Wills Memorial Building, this £4m research centre is devoted to the study of the origins and structure of the Earth and its neighbours in the solar system. The tour will enable visitors to see the equipment being used to increase our understanding of the Earth and hear a talk about work currently being carried out in the Department of Earth Sciences.
A tour on Monday 3 November will provide an opportunity to hear first hand about the extensive archaeological investigations carried out by the University in 2001 which revealed the plan of the Royal Fort, built by Prince Rupert in 1643. The fort was one of the few purpose-built stone fortresses constructed by Royalists during the Civil War and its layout later formed the basis for the future development of the estate, including Royal Fort House and its gardens. The tour will visit the remains of the fortress and discuss the history of the Civil War in Bristol.
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.
There will also be two walking tours of the city, taking in many of its finest historical buildings, and two lectures with a military theme at The Holmes, Stoke Bishop, discussing the American presence in and around Bristol during World War II, and military architecture from Henry VIII to World War II.
Places on the tours must be booked and paid for in advance.
There are two ways to book:
- contact Joan Lewis, Tours Co-ordinator at joan.lewis@bristol.ac.uk
- fill out the application form in the University’s Part-time and Short Course brochure
Copies of the Autumn Tours Programme brochure can also be obtained by calling 0117 928 7157