Arnolfini Arts
Arnolfini Arts things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Plan your stay
Posts
Half term events were awesome, courtesy of Let’s Make Art. You could come in to make mandalas, no booking required and it wasn’t too busy. Facilitators were friendly, welcoming and encouraging, but not too in your face! Lots of resources and when there was a lunch break we hadn’t finished so we popped into the library in the gallery (this is all on the second floor) and used the art cart with a whole load of kids quietly working away on their creations. Magazines to cut up, millions of pens and crayons and loads of art books to be inspired by for the older ones. About two hours of entertainment, all for free/donation only. We also had a look at the video installation next door which had giant bean bags and a hyperactive four year old was fascinated and watching for five minutes which was great. A quick spin round the downstairs galleries and the book shop ended our tour of the Arnolfini gallery, and we’ll be back again next school holidays if they have more events, well worth the trip and the donation.
Clare WClare W
10
Always a joy, Arnolfini is an example of how modern art exhibitions can be done, and done to an Exemplary standard at that. Based in an old tea warehouse, a relic from Bristol's industrial heritage is now a space for reflection, creativity, inspiration and action. Their outreach work and the facilities on offer inside (on top of the exhibitions themselves) are surely second to none in the Bristol art scene. I regularly bring or send my EFL students here, not just to practice their language use and understanding, but to see what it is that defines Bristol culture from that of other UK cities and towns. Arnolfini is something to be proud of, and certainly something to experience over, and over again.
Shonie Millward-UsherShonie Millward-Usher
10
Interesting place...named after the olive oil king...giovanni Arnolfini...whose marriage is celebrated in Jan Van Eyck s, iconic picture...its an old warehouse, a monumental structure built in 1831..it predates fascist Italy's most famous of the EUR buildings particularly in shares aspects with the travertine marble, Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana (1938-1943).. it seems to lead the way ...There is one Modernist building that stands out in the centre of Bristol. Often overlooked despite or because of its size – it sits low down beside the river well below the surrounding hills – The Dickinson Robinson Group (DRG) building was the first big office block in the city. Also known as 1 Redcliff Street, it was designed as the headquarters of the Dickinson Robinson paper company by their Group Architects in 1961 and completed in 1963.
Roger BanisterRoger Banister
00
My new favourite place in Bristol. Stopped in to check out the bookshop, then found out the galleries are free to visit! 3 floors of artwork and installations, work by local artists, and a community room where you can create your own art. Friendly, welcoming staff plus quiet space to read or sit and enjoy the art work. I recommend the dark room part of the current exhibition for a moment of quiet and reflection away from the city noise. Wish there were more free arts venues like this one - loved it. (Photos show an artwork in the exhibition and community art on a noticeboard.)
Lucy CorleyLucy Corley
10
On a chilled out day in Bristol, relaxing strolling along the banks of the river we were looking for a warming soup to quell our hunger. Bizarrely, almost right away, we found this lovely little cafe and they were serving a vegetable soup. And delicious it was too. Very popular cafe with people waiting for tables. Staff very busy, friendly and helpful and a good ambience. Lovely food coming out and all a bit different from the run of the mill meals you usually see. It is attached to a book shop/club/ art centre and there were talented girls doing dance numbers for the public.
Colin BakerColin Baker
20
We walked in and wanted to start at the top and work our way to the bottom but we found that all the exhibitions were closed or it wasn't too obvious. It's a shame though because it looked like a big bright space perfect for any artist in the making. We did look at the cafe and it was very popular but there were no seats left so decided not to go there. The bookshop was filled with a good range of high-quality books. Perhaps if the exhibition was on I would recommend it.
Jake MurrayJake Murray
00
Nearby Attractions Of Arnolfini Arts
Brunel's SS Great Britain
M Shed
Bristol Aquarium
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Castle Park
Brandon Hill
Bristol Cathedral
Queen Square
The Galleries
Cabot Tower

Brunel's SS Great Britain
4.8
(3.8K)Click for details

M Shed
4.4
(2.7K)Click for details

Bristol Aquarium
4.2
(2.4K)Click for details

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
4.6
(2.4K)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Arnolfini Arts
Turtle Bay Bristol Broad Quay
Za Za Bazaar
V-Shed - JD Wetherspoon
The Commercial Rooms - JD Wetherspoon
Las Iguanas - Bristol - Harbourside
Pasture
The Bristol Stable
Slug & Lettuce - Harbourside Bristol
Hole In The Wall Bristol
The Old Duke

Turtle Bay Bristol Broad Quay
4.7
(4.6K)Click for details

Za Za Bazaar
4.2
(4.3K)Click for details

V-Shed - JD Wetherspoon
3.9
(2.2K)Click for details

The Commercial Rooms - JD Wetherspoon
4.0
(1.9K)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA, United Kingdom
Map
Phone
+44 117 917 2300
Call
Website
arnolfini.org.uk
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.5
(997 reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
accessibility
Description
Arnolfini is an international arts centre and gallery in Bristol, England. It has a programme of contemporary art exhibitions, artist's performance, music and dance events, poetry and book readings, talks, lectures and cinema. There is also a specialist art bookshop and a café bar.
attractions: Brunel's SS Great Britain, M Shed, Bristol Aquarium, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Castle Park, Brandon Hill, Bristol Cathedral, Queen Square, The Galleries, Cabot Tower, restaurants: Turtle Bay Bristol Broad Quay, Za Za Bazaar, V-Shed - JD Wetherspoon, The Commercial Rooms - JD Wetherspoon, Las Iguanas - Bristol - Harbourside, Pasture, The Bristol Stable, Slug & Lettuce - Harbourside Bristol, Hole In The Wall Bristol, The Old Duke

- Please manually select your location for better experience