Kingswood Heritage Museum

Visit Champion's incredible Grottoes and see the largest garden statue in Britain. Bring a torch for the caves and be sure to mind your step as you explore your way around the Gardens and Grottoes on this facinatng guided walk! The tour consists of 90 minute circular walk around Warmley Gardens and Grottoes led by local historian Chris Quarry.
Cost: adults £2.50, children free. Meet with your guide at the museum prior to the walk at 2.15pm.

Did you know that firefighters' uniforms have been made in the area of Staple Hill since the nineteenth century? The second of our major exhibitions to be launched in 2017 delves into the history of Staple Hill.
Launching on 1st August, the exhibition will showcase the history and social development of the area over the years. What's more, the event opening will also feature the launch of a new history of the firm that made - and still makes - those all important uniforms, with author Kim Hill on hand to answer questions on the day about the company- we hope to see you there!

“Oh I do love to be beside the seaside!" The next in Kingswood Heritage Museum's summer series of talks will deal with a subject ideal for these sunny days!
The speaker John Penny, who holds a Master's degree in Regional and Local History, is well qualified to deal with his subject- the charm of an outing to Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon, Severn Beach – or even further afield - in the 1960s. John will illustrate his talk with archive film, so sit back, relax and allow yourself ...to be taken back to another era, "beside the seaside, beside the sea!"
The talk will be held at the Museum, a charge of £3 will include refreshments. For more information please contact the Museum on 0117 960 5664, or by email to kingswoodmuseum@gmail.com.
We hope to see you there!
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What gorgeous weather we are having at the museum recently and just the perfect excuse for a day out with family and friends exploring some local heritage! Our museum and tea rooms are open today from 2pm and- as luck would have it, one of our summer grottoes and gardens tours is taking place this afternoon, if you have yet to book your place on one today may be your day!

Visit Champion's incredible Grottoes and see the largest garden statue in Britain. Bring a torch for the caves and be sure to mind your step as you explore your way around the Gardens and Grottoes on this facinatng guided walk! The tour consists of 90 minute circular walk around Warmley Gardens and Grottoes led by local historian Chris Quarry.
Cost: adults £2.50, children free. Meet with your guide at the museum prior to the walk at 2.15pm.
... For more information please contact Kingswood Heritage Museum on, 0117 960 5664.
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Happy Fathers Day! To mark the day of the dad, here is a photograph taken in our 1950's room of some of the reading material that would have been available to the pragmatic father of the day. A time when any man (should Practical Householder be an accurate reflection of true events) could build a Spanish style garden feature, whilst wearing a freshly pressed three piece suit and tie, in a matter of minutes. Enjoy the day!

The next in Kingswood Heritage Museum's summer series of talks will deal with a subject much closer to home than previously, the much loved and perhaps rather oddly named, Banjo Island!
Through a presentation of childhood memories, the speaker, well known local historian Dave Cheesley, will reflect on Parkwall School, as well as the areas of Hanham and Longwell Green, as they were during the late 1950s.
So if you always wanted to know why that roundabout is called “Banjo Isla...nd”, but were afraid to ask, come along and find out!
The talk is to be held at the Museum, commencing at 7.30pm. Admission fee of £3, includes refreshments. For more information contact the Museum, by telephone on 0117 960 5664, or by email to kingswoodmuseum@gmail.com.
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All ready for some fun on our very first KYP Family Fun Day! If you have not managed to get your hands on some tickets just yet, there may still be time, the event kicks off at 2pm! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/know-your- place-family-fun-a…

Bring your mobiles and tablets along with you on Saturday 3rd June on a family heritage walk! Using the Know Your Place website, you and your family will discover local history on the go on this newly introduced guided walk for 2017!
The walk will begin at 2:00pm at the Museum and will return for family activities afterwards. Look out for local landmarks and have fun on the way, mapping what you find onto Know Your Place afterwards.
Help to put your local high street on the... map, design a postcard, look at historic photographs of your area and explore your local history on Know Your Place plus more during your time at this special event!
Booking is necessary in order to attend this event which will run from 2:00pm until 5:00pm. Tickets for this event are limited and so we highly recommend booking in advance in order to avoid disappointment!
The fine print!
*Standard admission fees to the museum apply- entrance fee of £3.00. Under 12s always visit free, when accompanied by a parent or carer. *To book your tickets go to, https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/know-your- place-family-fun-a… *The family heritage walk is suitable for ages 5 and above. *All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. *Please dress appropriately for outdoor weather. *Please book 1 ticket per individual, rather than per family.
If you have any further questions please contact the Know Your Place project on 01454 863779.
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Stuck for something to do this Bank Holiday Monday? Well how about joining a tour of our Grottoes and Gardens, open 11am until 5pm today, bring a torch and join in the fun! https://animoto.com/play/Mys5tThhrN1WiAZa mccKqw

What is that I hear you say? You like vintage motorcycles and 18th century Grottoes? Well, we may have just the event for you! Our annual Douglas Cavalcade Event kicks off at 11am today, with the Cavalcade setting off at 12 noon from the museum and tours of the Warmley Grottoes and Gardens running all day, plus we will serving tea and delicious home-made cake in our Windmill Tea Room all afternoon- we hope to see you there! https://animoto.com/play/Dt3L4cAxIqN2GiDw FNZdyw

Not long now until the Douglas Motorcycle Rally and Cavalcade, AKA, Duggie Day! The day kicks off tomorrow at the Museum, opening at 11am, ready for the always impressive motor cavalcade to set off in retro style and timely fashion at 12 noon. Always a great day out for both families and vintage motorcycle enthusiasts alike, we hope to see you there! https://animoto.com/play/zoBVhnyLXOqanj1L nWBSJA

Kingswood Heritage Museum is once again proud to host the annual Douglas Motorcycle Rally and Cavalcade!
The world famous Douglas motorbikes, built in Kingswood, were constructed for military use in the First World War and are now featured within a major exhibition at the Museum.
This year, renowned Douglas rider, Henry Body, will also be stopping by with both his famous 1929 bike (since modified to make it even faster!) and the experimental 1979 electronic bike.
... Whats more, Tools for Self Reliance will be setting out their stall, selling carpentry, gardening and other sorts of tools to raise funds for the charity.
So whether you are a veteran biker or just fancy a day out with the family with a twist, the Douglas Calvacade may be just the event for you!
Kingswood Heritage Museum is open on Bank Holiday weekends (including Mondays) from 11.00am to 5.00pm, when the Museums Warmley Grotto and Gardens are also open.
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Can you guess where this photo was taken? Well if not there is no need to fear suspense as we can tell you that it was in fact taken outside of Cossham Hospital in 1907!
This year Cossham Hospital is commemorating its 110th anniversary. To mark the date, our Museum is launching a new exhibition on the 3rd of June, to celebrate the many people who made the much loved local institution what it is today and once again we are asking for help from you, the public, to add to this facinating story!
We would love to hear from people who worked at the hospital and have memories to share, as well as former patients who are willing to tell us their experiences. So if you, or perhaps someone you know, has an interesting tale to tell please get in touch with us- we would love to hear from you!

Kingswood Heritage Museum is pleased to say that the next in it's season of talks is bound to be illuminating- because it covers how electricity changed the Bristol area!
Our speaker is Peter Lamb, one of the founders of South West Electricty History Society which maintains a museum and archive dedicated to the use of electricty since its early days. Peter will introduce his audience to the introduction and development of electricity locally, covering the period from its begi...nning to the middle of the 20th century. Pictured is the original electricity generating station at Temple Back.
The tlk will be held at the museum on Monday t5th May, commencing at 7:30pm.
Entry fee of £3, which will include refreshments.
For more information please contact the Museum on, 0117 960 5664.
We hope to see you there!
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Visit Champion's incredible Grottoes and see the largest garden statue in Britain. Bring a torch for the caves and be sure to mind your step as you explore your way around the Gardens and Grottoes on this facinatng guided walk! The tour consists of 90 minute circular walk around Warmley Gardens and Grottoes led by local historian Chris Quarry.
Cost: adults £2.50, children free. Meet with your guide at the museum prior to the walk at 2.15pm.
... For more information please contact Kingswood Heritage Museum on, 0117 960 5664.

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Note. Apologies to our Social Media followers, due to receiving incorrect information, this Event was initially advertised on Twitter and Facebook as the 7th May. The Garden and Grottoes Event will in fact take place on the date now indicated on our Facebook page, this being the 14th May. Our sincerest apologies for any inconvienience this may have caused.
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Introducing our ever enthusiastic and knowledgeable Volunteer, archaeologist Shaun Gibbs, seen here giving us a sneak peek into the fascinating history of our Warmley Grottos in the delightfully light-hearted way it seems only he can do! Today is the final day of our Garden and Grottos event, so if you fancy exploring a curious testament to Bristol's industrial heritage, now may be the perfect time to pay our Museum and Grottos a visit, although, sadly, we can not guarantee Shaun as your guide!

Windmill, statue and ice room, a museum to delight anyone who has an interest in local history. The staff were warm and welcoming and Malcolm shared his knowledge with a smile in his voice.

What a hidden gem! Not only important for local history, but where else can you see inside an amazing windmill, discover incredible caves and grottoes, wonder at the largest garden statue in Britain and find out about the secrets of the ice cave? Not only that, but get a nice cake and a cuppa too!

What a great place to visit and its on my door step! My kids had great fun walking around doing the quiz and they loved the displays. friendly staff and happy to answer any questions. I'll be back before you close for winter. Well done to all of the volunteers that make this place possible to visit.

Just wanted to say what a lovely and friendly museum this is- a hidden gem. Lots of hands on artefacts exploring a range of historical periods. Very interesting from a local history point of view. A great place to take children. My fiv year old lovd it.