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IndoorsFree entry

Martin Parr Foundation

Bristol
Courtesy of Martin Parr Foundation

ENTRY

Free

SETTING

Indoors

WHERE

Bristol

What it’s like

Free photography exhibitions and a photobook collection to browse, with no ticket needed and four shows a year.

This is a gallery rather than an activity centre, so what you're doing is walking round photography exhibitions with older kids who can look rather than touch. The Foundation puts on four exhibitions a year, all free, and there's a library with over 5,000 photography publications for anyone who wants to sit and dig through photobooks. It won't hold a toddler's attention, but a curious ten-year-old with an interest in pictures could easily spend an hour here.

It's only open to the public Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. On the other days the studio's still working and the site says you can ring the bell and they might let you in to see the exhibition, which is a nice option if you're passing but not one to rely on for a planned visit. There's no need to book and no ticket to sort out, which makes it an easy add-on to a wander round the area rather than something you have to build a whole day around.

Access is step-free with lifts up from street level, since the building sits on a podium level above the street, and there's an accessible toilet on site. Parking is the one bit that stings a little: it's paid parking at Paintworks nearby, £3 for up to five hours or £6 for up to ten, and there's a Sainsbury's car park close by too. If you're coming by train, Temple Meads is about 25 minutes on foot.

There's a gift shop if you want to pick up a photobook on the way out, and the library is really for members using it in-house rather than a casual browse, so that's more a bonus if you're already into photography than a reason to bring the kids on its own.

What’s on here

Facilities

Accessible toilet
Gift shop
Parking
Step-free access
Toilets
Wheelchair accessible

Need to know

Parking
Paid parking at Paintworks (£3 up to 5 hours, £6 up to 10 hours Mon-Fri 8:30am-6:30pm) plus accessible spaces
Wheelchairs
Accessible toilet and step-free access
Getting there by bus or train
Bristol Temple Meads station, 25 minutes walk or 7 minute cycle
  • Open to the public Thursday to Sunday only, 10am to 5pm
  • Weekday visits rely on ringing the bell at the studio, not guaranteed
  • The library is for members using it in-house, not a general browse
  • Tours and talks with Martin Parr's team need emailing ahead for prices

Plan your visit

Is it free to get in?

Yes, exhibitions are free and there's no ticket needed.

Can we visit on a weekday?

The gallery's closed to the public Monday to Wednesday, but the studio's open and you can ring the bell to ask if they'll let you see the exhibition.

Is there parking nearby?

Paid parking at Paintworks, £3 up to five hours or £6 up to ten hours on weekdays, plus a Sainsbury's car park close by.

Is it OK for a wheelchair or buggy?

Step-free access with lifts from street level up to the podium level where the gallery sits, and there's an accessible toilet.

How often do the exhibitions change?

There are four exhibitions a year, always with free entry.

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