What follows is a chronological list of what is currently planned by way of visits to museums, galleries and other places of interest, gallery talks, Behind the Scenes visits in the city, Saturday afternoon talks and special events where the Friends will have a presence.
Following that is a list of online events that the museum service is organizing.
We hope you will find things to interest you.
Please note: if you book online, the payment receipt from PayPal does not mean that you have secured a place. The organizer receives a weekly update of such payments and will email you to advise when you have a firm booking.
Also, Behind the Scenes visits and gallery tours are usually restricted to groups of around 15. If such an event attracts a larger number of applications, as it often does, the organizer will try to arrange a second (or more) tour(s), which could be at a later time on the advertised day or on a later date. If this occurs, the organizer will contact you to make the appropriate arrangements.
Please note:
Members may take photographs when we are on our trips to illustrate an article about the visit that will appear in the following newsletter.
Please make it clear to the organizer if you do not wish to feature in any such picture.
Finally, although our events are aimed at our membership (and we would strongly urge you to join if you are not already a member) there are times, particularly on day excursions, when there can be free spaces. On these occasions non-members can be accommodated. Please contact the organizer regarding the anticipated size of the party.
2.00pm 05th Jun 2026 - 04th Dec 2026 Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Queens Road
The Bristol Tapestry, on display in the ground floor lift hall, was the brainchild of Jean Tanner and Marjorie Bleasdale, designed to record important events in Bristol’s history. Completed in 1976, the project involved 90 local people.
Friends of BMGA member Sheila Dawkins, who worked on the tapestry, will talk about the project and the people.
Cost: £5 per person.
Book online via the museum’s website by clicking here.
2.30pm 06th Jun 2026 M Shed Studio, Prince's Wharf
Local historian Philip Ashford will talk about trade from Bristol and Somerset in the 12th and 13th centuries at a time when the Normans were trying to exert their authority on the local population. Two important exports were pottery from Ham Green and stone quarried from Dundry.
Cost: £9.50 per person including refreshments.
Online booking closed on 3 June so that the Administrator knows on the day who has booked. There will be plenty of space for walk-ups on the Saturday.
A form for postal booking was included with the March newsletter.
Administrator: Catherine Dixon; blackrockcfd@hotmail.com; 01275 849200.
17th Jun 2026
Situated on the edge of the Cotswolds, Kelmscott Manor was the historic summer home of William Morris – designer, writer, and political activist. The fascinating collections at Kelmscott span more than 300 years and reflect the history, ideas and creative legacy of those who lived and worked there.
Our afternoon tour will be rounded off with a cream tea.
We shall stop in nearby Lechlade for lunch.
Cost: £55.00 per person.
Departing: Clevedon Road car park, Nailsea at 9.00, the Bristol Hotel, Prince Street at 9.30, Jacob’s Wells Road top at 9.45 and St Monica’s bus stop, Westbury Road at 10.00am.
This trip has proved very popular and is full, with a short waiting list. ONLY make an online booking if you are happy to join that list.
To book a place online, use the panel below:
A form for postal booking was included with the March newsletter.
Organizer: Richard Avery; membership@friendsofbmga.org.uk; 0117 329 6656.
11.00am 25th Jun 2026 Stoke Park Road BS9 1JG
A guided tour of the botanic garden, where the plants are displayed in
collections relating to evolution, Mediterranean, local flora and useful plants. It was designed to enhance both teaching and research in the University and also to enrich the city of Bristol.
Cost: £15.00 per person.
To book a place online, use the panel below:
A form for postal booking was included with the March newsletter.
Organizer: Carol Ouvry; carol@ouvry.myzen.co.uk; 0117 302 1039.
30th Jun 2026
This is the last chance to visit this biennial exhibition of outdoor sculpture, set in the beautiful gardens of the Old Rectory in the village of Quenington, Gloucestershire.
Cost: £44.00 per person.
The coach will leave Nailsea at 9.00, The Bristol Hotel-9.30, top of Jacob’s Wells Road-9.45 and Westbury Road-10.00am.
To book a place, use the following link:
A form for postal booking was included with the June newsletter.
Contact: Richard Avery; membership@friendsofbmga.org.uk; 0117 329 6656.
11.00am 16th Jul 2026 Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Queens Road
Amber Turner, Curator of Applied Art, will guide us through the newly-refurbished glass gallery, which now displays glass from ancient Rome through to the present day.
Cost: £9.50 per person
To book a place use the link below:
A form was enclosed with the June newsletter for postal bookings.
Contact: Carol Ouvry; carol@ouvry.myzen.co.uk; 0117 302 1039
10.30am - 4.00pm 18th Jul 2026 - 19th Jul 2026 L Shed, Prince's Wharf
Please volunteer to bake cakes, bring second-hand jigsaws (complete) and homemade preserves and/or give a couple of hours of your time to sell them at L Shed.
Or just come along and enjoy the event.
A volunteer form was enclosed with the June newsletter.
Contact: Mary Bailey; events@friendsofbmga.org.uk; 07779 244308
11.00am - 4.00pm 25th Jul 2026 Blaise Castle House Museum
The Friends of BMGA will have an archaeology food stall at this event.
Come along and enjoy the activities, re-enactments and hands-on archaeology.
2.30pm 08th Aug 2026 M Shed Studio, Prince's Wharf
Richard Goddard of the Tewkesbury Battlefield Society will give some background to and a description of the colourful street banners displayed each year to commemorate the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471, during the English Civil War.
Cost: £9.50 per person
To book a place, use the following link:
Online booking will close on 5 August so that the organizer knows who to expect. There will be plenty of space for walk-ups on the Saturday.
A form for postal booking was enclosed with the June newsletter.
Contact: Catherine Dixon; blackrockcfd@hotmail.com; 01275 849200
