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Museum Details
British Empire & Commonwealth Museum
Station Approach
Temple Meads
Bristol
BS1 6QH
Bristol
England
Collection details
Archives
Costume and Textiles
Personalities
Social History
Sport
Weapons and War
World Cultures
Facilities
Parking: yes
Food: yes
Shop: yes
Guided tours: yes
Baby changing facilities: yes
Library: yes
Study area: yes
Wheelchair access: yes
Visual disability facilities: yes
Access to collections by appointment only.
Coach Drop off Point outside.
Own Radio Room and related workshops.
Guided tours available on request.
Licensed for weddings, private events and live music.
Contact details
General enquiries (Tel)
:
0117 925 4980
Images of Empire enquiries (Tel)
:
0117 929 3851
General Fax (Fax)
:
0117 925 4983
Images of Empire Fax (Fax)
:
0117 929 3852
Venue Hire Fax (Fax)
:
0117 954 48 49
General Enquires
:
enquiries@empiremuseum.co.uk
Education and Bookings
:
bookings@empiremuseum.co.uk
Oral History Department
:
oral.history@empiremuseum.co.uk
Collections Department
:
collections@empiremuseum.co.uk
Press & Marketing Department
:
pr@empiremuseum.co.uk
General
:
www.empiremuseum.co.uk
Family Events
:
www.empiremuseum.co.uk/events/familyevents.htm
Education
:
www.empiremuseum.co.uk/education/overview.htm
Exhibitions
:
www.empiremuseum.co.uk/exhibitions/maingalleries.htm
Images of Empire (online archive)
:
www.imagesofempire.com
Open
1st January to 31st December, Mon - Sun, 10.00 - 17.00
Closed
25th December & 26th December
Admission charges
Valid until April 2007:
Adult: £7.95
Senior Citizen and Students: £6.95
Child (5-15): £3.95
Under 5's: Free
Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 Children, or 1 adult + 3 child): £19.95
Generous Discounts for Groups of 10 or more
Description
An internationally acclaimed National Museum presenting the dramatic 500-year history of the rise and fall of the British Empire and the emergence of the modern Commonwealth.
The award-winning galleries are packed full of interactive exhibits, video stations and computer games with opportunities for dressing up in period costume, learning morse code and sampling exotic spices.
The Museum is housed in the Grade 1 listed Old Bristol Station designed and built by the Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Collections description
Established in 1991 to preserve, explore and interpret the history and heritage of the British empire and Commonwealth from the late 15th century to the present day, the Museum aims to stress the ways in which the legacy of Empire and the living relationship with the Commonwealth continue to influence both today’s multicultural Britain and the Commonwealth countries.
The first collections were received in 1993. The Museum’s holdings currently total more than 75,000 items including large photographic, oral history, document and costume collections, which are complemented by the steadily growing collection of moving images dating from the 1920’s onwards, reflecting the lives of indigenous peoples, settlers and colonial administrators
Key artists and exhibits
Using a lively mix of authentic objects and beautiful costumes, rare film, photographs and sound recordings visitors will discover the true story behind Britain's incredible empire.
Articles
The UK's Museums Mark Slavery Remembrance Day - August 23 2008
Art Fund Prize - Lightbox Wins, Burnham Hails Cultural Renaissance
The Lightbox In Woking, Surrey, Wins The £100,000 Art Fund Prize
Shortlist Announced For The Art Fund Museums And Galleries Prize
VOTE! The Art Fund Prize 2008 - The 24HM People's Vote Continues
The Art Fund Prize 2008 Longlist - Breaking The Chains In Bristol
Art Fund Prize For Museums And Galleries 2008 - Long List Revealed
Trails
The Greatest Briton - On The Trail Of Isambard Kingdom Brunel
Hidden Treasure Trail 3 - The People's Museum In The South West
Brunel: Bristol's Brilliant Engineer
Events
Breaking the Chains - an exhibition on the Abolition of the Slave Trade at the British Empire & Commonwealth Museum
Exhibition (temporary)
Available resources
Education Programme
Handling collection or artefacts; Teachers' pack or notes; Workshop or activity session (Resource)
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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.