Pervasive Media Studio
WHERE
Bristol
What it’s like
Open Studio Fridays let you and the kids meet the actual teams behind Bristol's play, robotics and interactive media projects.
This one's less "attraction" and more a working studio you get to poke your nose into. On Open Studio Fridays, the teams based here open up and talk you through what they're building, and it spans play, robotics, location-based media, connected objects and interactive documentary work. If your kids are into gadgets or ask too many questions about how things work, this is the crowd who'll actually answer them.
It's tucked inside Watershed on Bristol's dockside, so the way in is a proper trek: through the Box Office, up to the Café Bar, across it, right through the double doors, down a corridor, and you're there. Worth knowing before you're wrangling a buggy and a toddler through a cafe full of coffee drinkers. Once you're in though, it's wheelchair accessible throughout, with an accessible toilet, baby change and a Quiet Space if anyone needs five minutes out.
There's a Café & Bar on site doing coffees, light bites and full mains from about £8 to £16 plus, with vegan, vegetarian and children's menus, so you can turn a studio visit into lunch without much extra planning. Parking's the one bit that might catch you out: just two Blue Badge spaces round the back on Canon's Road, so everyone else is looking at Millennium Square Car Park or Trenchard Street NCP nearby.
Because it's project teams rather than fixed exhibits, what's on show shifts, which is either the appeal or the catch depending on how much you like surprises. There's BSL interpretation for the last talk of every month too, if that's useful for planning around.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Two Blue Badge spaces at rear on Canon's Road
- Food
- Café & Bar with coffees, teas, light bites and main meals
- Getting there by bus or train
- On Bristol's historic dockside
- The route in goes through the Box Office and Café Bar, then down a corridor, so allow a few extra minutes with a buggy
- Open Studio Fridays are when you actually get to meet the project teams
- BSL interpretation runs for the last talk of every month
- A Quiet Space is available if anyone needs a break from the noise
Plan your visit
What do kids actually do here?
On Open Studio Fridays they can meet the project teams themselves and hear about what they're working on, from play and robotics to interactive documentary and connected objects.
How do we find the Studio once we're inside Watershed?
Head to the Main Watershed Box Office entrance, go upstairs to the Café Bar, walk across it, turn right through the double doors, then follow the corridor all the way down.
Is there parking nearby?
Only two Blue Badge spaces at the rear on Canon's Road. Everyone else will want Millennium Square Car Park or Trenchard Street NCP.
Can we get food there?
The Café & Bar does coffees, light bites and mains from about £8 to £16 plus, with vegan, vegetarian and children's menus.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs and buggies?
Yes, it's wheelchair accessible with an accessible and gender neutral toilet, baby change area and a Quiet Space. There's also BSL interpretation for the last talk of every month.
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