Please read our safety guidelines so you know what to expect when you visit Spike Island.
Cumberland Road will be closed between the entrances to the Cottage Inn and the Caravan Site from Monday 27 September to Sunday 10 October 2021. A short road closure is also planned for the Bristol Half Marathon and 10k on Sunday 19 September. Access to Spike Island by car or bus will only be possible to and from the city centre end. Access will not be possible from the Cumberland Basin.
Our reception is open Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm and Saturday to Sunday, 10am–12pm. We ask all visitors to wear face coverings in all public areas of the building except when seated and eating or drinking in the café. If you are exempt from wearing a mask, please let our team know. Not all exemptions are visible so please be understanding of others. Our staff will continue to wear face coverings. Please use the hand sanitiser which is available in all key areas. Follow the arrows and maintain a safe 2-metre distance.
Our galleries are open Wednesday to Sunday, 12–5pm during exhibitions. Gallery entry is free and you do not need to book.
All events and activities are currently taking place online so you can enjoy our programme from wherever you are.
Emmeline Café is open Tuesday to Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday 10am–4pm for both eat-in and takeaway. We ask all visitors to wear face coverings in all public areas of the building except when seated and eating or drinking in the café. If you are exempt from wearing a mask, please let our team know. Not all exemptions are visible so please be understanding of others. Our staff will continue to wear face coverings.
We aim to make Spike Island accessible to as many people as possible. This page provides useful access information ahead of your visit.
Spike Island is a dynamic arts centre that supports, produces and presents contemporary art and culture. A short walk from Bristol attractions SS Great Britain and the M Shed, Spike Island is free to visit.
Every year, we programme up to eight exhibitions in our museum-scale gallery spaces, including major new commissions and rarely seen existing work by a diverse range of contemporary artists at key stages in their careers. We also host events throughout the year, including talks, screenings and workshops, which provide opportunities to learn more about the art on display, discover a new writer or thinker, and develop new skills.
Our staff are on hand to answer your questions about our exhibitions and other activities; and our café is a great place to reflect on your experience over coffee and cake, or a light lunch.
Spike Island is an approximately 15-minute walk from the city centre, and located close to leading Bristol attractions SS Great Britain and the M Shed, making it a great addition to your Bristol day out. Turn right behind Arnolfini and walk over the Prince Street Bridge. Walk along the harbour past M Shed and Maritime Heritage Centre. At the SS Great Britain car park, turn left onto Gas Ferry Road and walk to the junction with Cumberland Road. Turn right, and the main entrance to Spike Island is 100 yards on your right.
The Bristol Ferry Company provides services from various points around Bristol and runs every 40 minutes. There is also a harbour crossing ferry that leaves from opposite the SS Great Britain.
From the city centre, follow Prince Street over the bridge behind Arnolfini and turn right onto Cumberland Road at the mini-roundabout. Spike Island is approximately 0.5 miles on the right. From other directions, follow brown signs to SS Great Britain.
Parking meters are in operation in the area.
From Monday to Friday, between 10am and 4.30pm and Saturday between 9am and 7pm, parking is free for the first 30 minutes and £1.00 per hour for up to 3 hours. You don’t need a ticket on Bank Holidays. A pay and display car park is also available just off of Gas Ferry Road.
There are three blue badge spaces available directly outside the main entrance of Spike Island.
The A1 service (Bristol Flyer) runs between Bristol Airport, Ashton Gate, Spike Island, Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Bus Station.
The M2 Metrobus serves Long Ashton Park & Ride, Ashton Vale, Ashton Gate, Cumberland Basin, Spike Island, Redcliff Hill, Bristol Temple Meads, Cabot Circus and Broadmead.
The nearest stations are Bedminster (1.1 miles) and Bristol Temple Meads (1.6 miles). For more train travel information visit Trainline
There are a large number of cycle stands outside Spike Island.
Bristol Airport is approximately 7 miles from Bristol city centre. Catch the A1 Metrobus service outside Spike Island to and from the airport.
Our building is entirely wheelchair accessible.
We welcome guide and hearing dogs. Large print texts and audio guides are available in the gallery.
Baby changing facilities are available in the ground floor toilets.
Read our full visitor access guide here. We are happy to provide any further information or to discuss your requirements. Please contact us.
Opening Hours
