Arnolfini
A free contemporary art centre on Bristol's harbourside, with changing exhibitions, performances, a theatre, a specialist art bookshop and a café bar.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Arnolfini was founded in 1961 by Jeremy Rees, who wanted an art centre that would challenge perceptions while remaining enjoyable for the widest possible audience; he once wished to put the words Enjoy yourself above the door, and the phrase now stands at the entrance. Since then it has shown the work of tens of thousands of artists from around the world, among them Paula Rego, Jannis Kounellis, John Akomfrah, Grayson Perry, Rachel Whiteread, Peter Doig, Richard Long, Veronica Ryan, Sonia Boyce and Frank Bowling, while also supporting artists from Bristol and the surrounding area.
The centre is based in Bush House, a harbourside building on Narrow Quay in the centre of Bristol, which it shares with students of the School of Arts at the University of the West of England. The building holds several floors of galleries, a 209-seat theatre, community workshop spaces, a reading room of artists' books and periodicals, a specialist art bookshop and a café bar with indoor and outdoor seating.
Arnolfini is a publicly funded charity. Its programme of exhibitions, performances, talks, film and workshops is built on research and long-term work with partners, and admission to all exhibitions is free. Most of its archive of curatorial files, publicity material and photographic, film and audio documentation is held at Bristol Archives.
Highlights
- Free exhibitions of international contemporary art
- 209-seat theatre for performance, music and film
- Specialist art bookshop
- Reading Room of artists' books and periodicals
- Harbourside café bar with outdoor seating
- Family workshops and creative programmes
- Founded
- 1961
- Operated by
- Arnolfini
- Visitors per year
- approx. 398,000
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Children & teens | –Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 16. |
|---|---|
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Free tickets are offered to companions and carers of people with additional needs for ticketed events. |
| Groups | –School and group visits must be booked in advance. |
Entry to all exhibitions is free. Visitors can walk in or book a free ticket in advance, and donations are welcomed. Some events and workshops are charged.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description
The main entrance has automatic doors, but the quayside in front is uneven and cobbled; there is smooth level access from Prince Street to the café bar entrance and to the main entrance. Lifts serve all floors, and all public spaces including galleries, shop and café bar have level access. Accessible toilets are on Floors -1, 0 and 2. Wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge, and folding stools are available in the galleries. An induction loop covers most of the theatre. Audio descriptions of exhibition works, large text guides, a visual guide and printed gallery guides are available, and relaxed exhibition openings are held for blind and partially sighted visitors. There are two free Blue Badge spaces in the Mud Dock car park and five in The Grove car park. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the building.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
The programme includes family workshops such as the We Are Family sessions and half-term workshops, plus creative sessions for home-educated children. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 16. There is a buggy park and baby-change facilities.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The Centre/Broad Quay bus stop · 5-min walk
Bristol Temple Meads railway station is a 20-minute walk or a five-minute taxi ride; a taxi rank is outside the station. The nearest bus stops are The Centre/Broad Quay and Queen Square, about five minutes away. Bristol Ferry Boats run roughly every 40 to 50 minutes to Prince Street Bridge, a five-minute walk.
By car
Parking available · 1-min walk to the entrance
The Grove car park (BS1 4RB) is a one-minute walk, Wapping Wharf car park (BS1 4RH) and a short-stay car park on Queen Square (BS1 4LH) are close by. The Grove has two electric vehicle charging points. Blue Badge spaces in the Mud Dock car park and The Grove are free.
- Accessible parking
The building stands on Narrow Quay between the harbourside and Prince Street, about two miles from the M32 and well signposted with brown tourism signs. Bike racks are outside the building.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Lockers
The harbourside café bar has indoor seating and outdoor decking and serves coffee, food, beer and wine. The specialist art bookshop is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 18:00. Lockers cost £1 per use, and some are big enough for suitcases. Toilets are in the café bar on Level 0 and on Level 2. The building is cash-free and takes card payments only.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Up to 209 guests.
The 209-seat theatre has raked seating that can be rolled back to leave a flat floor, and the foyers and galleries can be hired for evening receptions. Two community event spaces hold 40 to 60 people.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Dogs may enter the bookshop and café bar but not the galleries, the community workshop, the Dark Studio, the Reading Room or the theatre; assistance dogs are welcome everywhere. The Reading Room is open to all visitors. School and group visits are booked in advance through the learning visits programme. |
