Bristol Open Doors is always a highlight in the city's jam-packed calendar.
The event gives people exclusive access to many of Bristol's most impressive buildings and attractions - some of which are not normally open to the public.
This year's weekend of discovery will take place between September 13 and 15 and as ever there are plenty of opportunities to explore the city in unique ways.
There's a mix of events you need to book and others you can simply turn up to. Tickets for the scheduled events are on sale now on the Bristol Open Doors website and are expected to sell out fast, so you'll have to be quick if you want to get in on the action.
Below is a selection of the best things to see and do during this year’s Open Doors weekend.
Brabazon Hangars
Filton Airfield / Various times
Must book
New for this year, people will have the opportunity to look inside the cavernous 352 metre-wide Brabazon hangars, and learn about plans for it to become a supersonic new Arena for Bristol.
Hidden Harbour Tour
Floating Harbour / Friday & Saturday
Must book
Learn about the old docks and marinas on this engineer-led tour. Discover how the locks and sluices at Underfall Yard were constructed and what they are used for.
Bristol Waste Company
Albert Road / Saturday & Sunday
Must book
Discover how valuable materials are separated and processed at the Albert Road depot. Take a guided tour of the transfer station and see how materials are separated and sorted before being shipped off for processing. Sit in the cab of the trucks and see what the drivers see.
The Bottle Yard Studios
Whitchurch Lane, BS14 0BH / Sat 10am, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3pm
Must book
See how a group of nondescript warehouses have become the home to a variety of worlds – including Wolf Hall, Broadchurch, The Crystal Maze and Poldark. Take a tour to learn about the development of the production studios, and open doors onto the thriving television industry right here in Bristol.
The Bristol Port Company
Sat 10.30am and 1pm; Sun 10.30am and 1pm
Must bookBack by popular demand, find out what drives Bristol’s ports on a 90-minute coach tour to see the inner workings of Royal Portbury and Avonmouth, two thriving docks. Learn what it takes to keep the cogs in motion at a deep-sea port and how today’s activities relate to Bristol’s long-standing maritime tradition.
St Mary Redcliffe Church
Redcliffe Hill, BS1 6RA / Sat 9.30am - 4.30pm
Drop in
Discover a whole new level to this Bristol icon. Climb to the church roof and bell tower (Bristol’s tallest building) and hear about the visits of Handel, Hogarth and Queen Elizabeth I. Learn how the church links to America, listen to music performances and get stuck in to family activities.
100 Years of Knowle West Style
Community led walk and talk / Sun 2pm, 3.30pm and 4pm
Must book
Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC) will be opening doors across Knowle West to provide an insight into the past, present and future of the area.
KWMC has commissioned three artists to work with residents to explore the culture, style and stories of the estate, in a project called ‘100 Years of Knowle West Style’.
Redcliffe Caves Sound Installation
Phoenix Wharf, Redcliffe / Saturday & Sunday
Must book
Hidden behind a small door in the banks of the harbour are the Redcliffe Caves. This year, the caves come alive with wild sound. BBC wildlife collaborators Wounded Buffalo have created a unique sound installation in the depths of the city. Hear salt-mining elephants and haunting seal pups, petrel seabirds and tiny insects, and immerse yourself in the sounds of these cave dwelling creatures.
The caves are so popular every year which means there are always long queues. This year, with the special sound installation, organisers expect the caves to be even more popular. They have therefore introduced bookable time to help space audiences throughout the day.
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