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Museum Details
Blaise Castle House Museum, Bristol
Image
Blaise Castle House Museum
Henbury Road
Henbury
Bristol
BS10 7QS
England
Collection details
Costume and Textiles
Social History
Toys and Hobbies
Facilities
Parking: yes
Shop: yes
Study area: yes
Wheelchair access: yes
Contact details
General information (Tel)
:
0117 922 3571
General information (Fax)
:
0117 922 2047
E-mail
:
david_eveleigh1@bristol-city.gov.uk
Website
:
www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Leisure-Culture/Museums-Galleries/bristols-blaise-castle-house-museum---museums---art-gallery.en
Open
Sat-Wed 1000-1700
Thurs-Fri-Closed
Description
Situated in the beautiful parkland of the Blaise Estate at Henbury - the Museum is situated in an 18th century house and holds most of the Museums Service's 30,000 social history collection.
Blaise has famous connections - it was immortalised by Jane Austen who described it as 'the finest place in England in her book Northanger Abbey.
The Museum contains exhibits of everyday life from centuries past including an impressive domestic equipment gallery, a Victorian toy room including the museum's popular model train collection, old period costumes, other items of everyday life and a beautiful picture gallery.
Blaise Castle House was built in 1796-98 for John Harford, a wealthy Bristol merchant and banker. He was also responsible for building Blaise Hamlet, to house his servants and tenants. At the same time the grounds were laid out by Humphrey Repton (1752-1818) a leading landscape gardener. Parts of Repton's designs still exist, notably the impressive carriage drive which winds its way from the house. The Regency architect John Nash was responsible for the addition of the dairy and the conservatory.
Collections description
A History of the Blaise Estate, features Humphrey Repton's Red Book, bound in red leather detailing his plans to landscape the park. Bristol at Home Display, upstairs in the museum focuses on domestic equipment, including: stoves, fireplaces, cooking utensils, vacuum cleaners and other everyday items. The Costume Collection is the fourth largest in the South West, however limited space only enables a very small sample to be on display at any one time.
The Picture Gallery added in 1832-33 is downstairs in the museum and was designed by Charles Cockerell. It is now restored to its mid-Victorian glory. The Toys Room includes many old dolls, board games and the popular model trains and is exceptionally popular with visitors of all ages!
Key artists and exhibits
costume
;
domestic interiors
;
toys
Articles
News In Brief - Week Ending April 29 2007
Bristol Central Library And Blaise Castle Closure Plans Shelved
General Information
Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
Collections
Specialist publications on collections available
Object identification and/or written enquiry service
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Disability Access
Wheelchair access to some public areas
Children and Families
Events and resources for children and families
General Education
Education facilities available
Member of staff available with responsibility for education
Schools Education
Direct teaching services for schools
Primary school education service available
Printed/audio-visual information available for schools
Secondary school education service available
Facilities
Facilities for private functions and events
Meeting room available
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Shop
Study facilities
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Information published here was believed to be correct at the time it was prepared. Welsh language pages developed with CYMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.