40 free family venues, art galleries and museums to explore this Easter holiday

Looking for activities to do this Easter holiday on a budget? Fear not, we have rounded up the best free venues in the region.

Here are 40 free museums, art galleries and family venues around Bristol and nearby:

St John on the Wall

Located on Broad Street, St John on the Wall Church is the only one standing out of five medieval churches built into the old city walls and was intended as a place for travellers to say prayers before setting off on a journey. It's open to the public on Wednesdays from 11 am to 2pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm, subject to volunteer availability, where visitors can have the opportunity to explore the crypt and upper church.

The Matthew

When moored at the M Shed, The Matthew, which is a reconstruction of the ship John Cabot sailed on in 1497 from Bristol to Newfoundland, is free of charge to visit – you can go on board, look around, climb the steps to the upper decks, and have a chat with the knowledgeable guides.

Ashton Court Estate

A historic park with 850 acres of woods and grasslands 10 minutes away from the centre of Bristol open from 8am to 6.15pm in February. It has two cafes, a woodland garden, deer parks and a picnic area to name a few. 

Oldbury Court and Snuff Mills

A beautiful and diverse estate, combining woodland and riverside paths with historic parkland and excellent children's play facilities. The play area at Oldbury Court is centred on a water and sand play zone with a pirate playship. The whole play area is fenced to be dog-free and includes lots of natural play features, including logs, boulders, a woodland den area, picnic tables and plenty of open grass to run around on. There is also a cafe kiosk.

The Royal Photographic Society

One of the world's oldest photographic societies, the Royal Photographic Society is free and open Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

Cabot Tower and Brandon Hill

Brandon Hill is the oldest park in Bristol, where you can enjoy great views overlooking the city and Harbourside area. Visitors can climb up the impressive Cabot Tower to enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of Bristol.

The Original Bristol Blue Glass -Studio/Shop

Located on Bath Road, visitors of groups less than 10 can visit without a booking and watch the glassmakers in action at the studio and ask questions about the process as they from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm with breaks at 11am, 3pm and lunchtime. 

Martin Parr Foundation

The Martin Parr Foundation supports and promotes photography from the British Isles through a regular programme of exhibitions and events and is open Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Their current exhibition - open until March 31- focuses on the role of photography during the miners' strikes.

Palestine Museum Cultural Centre

Open Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 6pm, the Palestine Museum Cultural Centre is a permanent exhibition of Palestinian heritage, culture and daily life, displaying unique photographs, clothing and exhibits from Palestine, as well as drawing on the expertise of their Museum stewards’ personal knowledge of Palestine.

Frenchay Village Museum

Located in a 1910 house, the Frenchay Village Museum tells the story of Frenchay and its residents, including a mountain explorer, a Hollywood film star, a chocolate manufacturer and an assistant to Brunel. The museum is open Saturday to Sunday from 2 pm to 5 pm and Wednesday from 1pm to 4pm.

Thornbury and District Museum

Open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 1pm to 4pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm, Thornbury and District Museum illustrates the history of Thornbury and the Lower Severn Vale through its collections of archaeological, social, domestic and trade items.

Yate and District Heritage Centre

Open Tuesday to Thursday from 10am to 4pm and Saturday from 10am to 3pm, Yate and District Heritage Centre provides changing local history displays, space for community art exhibitions, history and community events.

Arnolfini

A Contemporary Arts Centre with free exhibitions and family workshops open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 6pm. The current displays include the Public Art Project with Juneau Projects, Acts of Creation: on Art and Motherhood and the Slow/Flow exhibition. From 11am to 4pm and 2pm to 4pm from April 2 to 3 and 9 to 10, there will be a free We Are Family: Let's Make Art workshop along with other workshops and an Eye Spy Trail running until May 26.

St Werburghs City Farm

Open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm, St Werburghs City Farm has farm animals, a cafe and a small wooden adventure play area. 

Spike Island

Spike Island is a public space where people can discover and connect with art, feel inspired, and learn something new or unexpected which celebrates the very best of international contemporary art in the museum-scale gallery spaces, while also supporting artists to develop, produce and present innovative work throughout their careers. The gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday from 12pm to 5pm and the cafe from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

Bath City Farm

The site benefits from stunning views over Bath and includes a community cafe and farm shop, farm animals, children’s playground, woodland and nature trails and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm and Sunday from 9.30am to 4pm.

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery is a treasure house of Egyptian mummies, art, dinosaurs and nature. There is also an activity area for under-5s on the ground floor - Curiosity - where they can act out a performance on stage, play with puppets and games and read a story or two.

Grimsbury Community Farm

Located in Kingswood and open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 4pm, Grimsbury Farm has lots of animals, a play area with a wooden tractor, slides, a swing and wooden climbing apparatus, a duck pond and a cafe.

Windmill City Farm

Open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm, Windmill Hill City Farm in Bedminster has animals, a fairy garden, a nature garden, a great family-friendly cafe, gravel digger play, a small play area and picnic spots.

Willsbridge Mill

Nestled in the heart of Willsbridge, the nature reserve has a fairy garden, a wildlife garden, a pond, and a cafe open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 10.30am to 2.30pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am to 3.30pm, and woodland river walks.

M Shed

A museum with free entry at Prices Wharf, it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. It explores Bristol through time: its places, its people and their stories.

Kingsgate Park

Kingsgate Park has fantastic play areas, a pond with ducks and swans, and steams to paddle. The Park is open daily from 6am to 10pm, and the Outdoor Gym and Play Area from 9am to 8pm. 

Clifton Suspension Bridge

There is a play area just behind the toilets. There are some nice viewpoints around the Clifton Observatory, as well as the well-known rock slide. There's also a cafe by the Observatory and the free Visitor Centre is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

Ty Sculpture Trail

Woodland walk, a sculpture trail, and great trees for climbing with free parking at Jacklands Fishing Lake. There's also a cafe and shop open at Jacklands Fishing Lakes from Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 4pm.

Hengrove Park

The biggest play area in Bristol, has a water play and sand, a skate park suitable for skateboarders and BMX riders and a cafe. The Play Park is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

Page Park

The park is open from 6am to 9pm and has a cafe, sensory garden, play areas and a football pitch to name a few. The Staple Hill Community Hub will be at Bean Tree Cafe on April 3 and 4 from 10am to 11am, where visitors can pick up a free kid's light breakfast and Easter egg as well as activity sheets.

George Muller Museum

A free museum at Ashley Down celebrating the incredible story of how George Müller cared for and educated over 10,000 orphans in Victorian Bristol. It is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. From April 2 to 5 and 8 to 12, the museum will be holding a scavenger hunt, egg painting workshops and many other Easter-themed activities for free.

The Red Lodge Museum

Reopening on April 1 and open from 11am to 4pm Saturday to Tuesday, the free museum at Park Row explores four centuries of history. From the ‘royal party house’ of the 16th Century to a Victorian reform school for girls, see how the lodge has changed over time. 

Bristol Cathedral

Marvel at the architecture at Bristol Cathedral with some parts dating back to the 12 century. Or relax at the beautiful Cathedral Gardens if the weather is on your side. Bristol Cathedral is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm and Sunday from 11.30am to 3pm.

St Mary Redcliffe

Explore the stunning architecture of St Mary Redcliffe Church and hunt down the mythical creatures in the Mythical Beasties Trail. How many can you spot? St Mary Redcliffe is open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 5pm and Sunday from noon to 4.30pm.

The Georgian House Museum

Discover what a Bristol sugar plantation and slave owner’s home might have looked like around 1790 at the Georgian House Museum reopening on April 1 at 11am. Explore eleven rooms spread over four floors revealing what life was like above and below stairs, from the kitchen in the basement where servants prepared meals to the elegant formal rooms above. The museum is open Saturday to Tuesday from 11am to 4pm.

Underfall Yard

Explore the fascinating story of Bristol’s Floating Harbour through hands-on displays, a giant interactive map and with the help of our amazing volunteers. Take part in the Docks Maintenance Workshop, one of the few remaining Victorian dock workshops in the world, on March 31 from 1pm to 3.30pm. The boatyard is open 7 days a week from 7.30am to 9.30 pm and the Visitor Centre and Underfall Cafe from 9am to 4.30pm from Tuesday to Sunday and Monday Bank Holidays.

Arnos Vale

Explore one of Britain’s best examples of a Victorian garden cemetery, set in a leafy 45-acre Arcadian landscape dotted with classical buildings, historic monuments, sweeping carriage drives and leafy walks lined with wildflowers. The Bath Road gates are open every day from 9am to 5pm, the cafe from 10am to 4pm and the gift shop from 10.30am to 4pm. Take part in the free pond dipping drop-in on April 5 from 1.30pm to 2pm, 2pm to 2.30pm and 2.30pm to 3pm.

Centrespace Studios and Gallery

Explore Centrespace, a thriving independent and sustainable community of artists and craftspeople offering studio space, workshops, events and a gallery space for hire. The building was originally occupied by artists in the late 1970s and has been running as a co-operative since 1987. Exhibitions taking place over the Easter Holidays include Kind Words from March 30 to April 3 from 11am to 6pm and Nothing Grows In A Straight Line from April 5 to April 10 from 11am to 6pm.

Castle Fine Art

Browse from the 1,318 square feet art gallery in Quakers Friars, just around the corner from Harvey Nichols and Hugo Boss. Its bespoke lighting system is perfect for showing off works by artists like Bob Dylan, Ronnie Wood and Raphael Mazzucco. The gallery is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Sunday from 11am to 5pm.

Upfest Gallery

Visit Bristol’s longest-running urban art gallery, with the largest range of spray paint colours and Posca paint pens in Bristol. With regular exhibitions from some of the top Bristol, UK and International graffiti and street artists, the Gallery offers Bristol’s widest selection of Urban, Illustration and Contemporary artwork alongside a bespoke framing service, limited run artist t-shirts, and a fine selection of Street Art, Graffiti & Bristol books. Upfest Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5.30pm and Sunday from 10am to 3pm.

Clifton Fine Art

Browse through an independent art gallery in Bristol specialising in modern and contemporary art. The gallery is located at 12 Perry Rd in the heart of Bristol Steps Arts Quarter. Representing a range of terrific artists, nurturing new talents and maintaining the success of some of the best in the South West. Clifton Fine Art is open Wednesday from 10am to 5.30pm, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 6pm and Saturday from 10am to 5pm.

Hidden

Look through original prints, drawings and works on paper by the world's most acclaimed artists, including Pablo Picasso, David Hockney, Banksy, Tracey Emin, Francis Bacon, Bridget Riley and Stik, at Clifton Arcade's Hidden Gallery. Hidden Gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 11am to 4pm. 

Lawrence Weston Community Farm

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30am to 4.30pm, the 8-acre farm has three large paddocks for sheep and goats, a wildlife garden, a community orchard, outdoor pig pens, areas for ducks and chickens, a vegetable garden and a small woodland - Water Vole Woodland to explore.

Hartcliffe City Farm

Meet a small selection of farm animals (goats, pigs, chickens and guinea pigs), kept for educational and therapeutic purposes and food production or wander around the market gardens and flower farm. Hartcliffe City Farm is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 4pm.