Acton Court is a beautifully conserved Tudor House built for the pleasure of Henry VIII. It's believed to be the most original Tudor house in Britain. The East wing was built by Nicholas Poyntz in 1535 for a weekend visit by Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
Acton Court will re-open to the public in 2024 for self-guided audio tours, events and workshops. Admission to Acton Court gives access to the grounds, the Royal Apartments, the ground floor area and any activities that may be taking place on the day.
Full details and booking information can be found on the Tours and Events pages of our website below.
Latteridge Road, Iron Acton BS37 9TL
Tel: 01454 228224
www.actoncourt.com/
Email:
The Berkeley family welcome you to Berkeley Castle, ancient fortress home where they have lived since their ancestor, Robert Fitzharding, completed the Keep in the late 12th Century.
One of the most remarkable buildings in Britain, Berkeley Castle is perfect for a family day out or wedding. The Castle and gardens are open Sunday to Wednesday every week from Easter to the end of October.
In addition the Castle promotes a programme of special events throughout the year and is a unique and distinguished venue to hire for special occasions. Check our website for opening times, prices and events.
Berkeley Castle, Berkeley GL13 9BQ
Tel: 01453 810303
www.berkeley-castle.com/
Email:
Genealogy site, focussed on Bitton but covering the surrounding area, with a database of transcriptions and extractions.
Lots of links to historical resources for family history research centred on Cromhall.
Lots of links to historical resources for family history research.
Lots of links to historical resources relevant to Olveston for family history research.
Lots of links to historical resources for family history research.
A professional photographer for over a decade, RichMcD specialises in commercial work, portraits (people and pets), weddings and photography tutorials.
RichMcD documents local life through his camera lens, creating a vast legacy of images for us all to enjoy, now and in the future. He also eats lots of ice-creams!
If you'd like to get in touch with Rich, click below to visit his website or check out his facebook page.
Tel: 07768 033097
www.richmcd.co.uk/
Email:
Historical information and statistics about the parish of Olveston from the Vision of Britain project.
Historical information and statistics about the town and area from the Vision of Britain project.
Lots of good reasons for volunteering at Winterbourne Medieval Barn:
High Street, Chipping Sodbury BS37 6AH
Tel: 01454 868006
mysodbury.co.uk/sodbury/chipping-...
Email:
The Chantry, Church Lane, Berkeley GL13 9BN
Tel: 01453 810631
jennermuseum.com/
Email:
Ram Hill Colliery is an open site owned by South Gloucestershire Council, managed by the Friends in conjunction with the Council and English Heritage.
Mining took place roughly between 1830-1860 with clear evidence of the horse gin, engine house and connection to the Dramway.
The Friends work on the site between April and October usually on Wednesdays, and are happy to give visitors a guided tour. We have regular open days, including the Heritage Open Day in October.
Volunteers are welcome to help manage the site - please contact David Godden by email below for further details.
Broad Lane, Ram Hill BS36 2TY
www.ramhillcolliery.org.uk
Email:
Lots of links to historical resources for family history research.
Explore your neighbourhood online through historic maps, images and linked information with this digital heritage mapping project.
The museum was started in 1986 to house a collection of artefacts bequeathed to The Thornbury Society, and rapidly expanded. It is managed by the Thornbury & District Heritage Trust, a registered charity as well as a Trust company, and is supported by South Gloucestershire Council and Thornbury Town Council. It is an independent museum, financed by grants and donations. Tour our exhibition rooms, chat to our volunteers, visit our shop, enjoy your local museum. We have books, leaflets, pamphlets, postcards, all of local interest.
Postal address: Thornbury & District Museum, c/o The Town Hall, 35 High Street, Thornbury, BS35 2AR
Chapel Street, Thornbury
Tel: 01454 857774
www.thornburymuseum.org.uk/
Email:
This site has an excellent database of monumental inscriptions from Thornbury Cemetery and St Mary's Church, complete with photographs, and has recently added the monumental inscriptions from the United Reformed Church as well as details of births, marriages and burials from the URC registers up to about 1900.
There's a searchable database of Thornbury Trade directories, with 24 directories included, covering the period 1790 to 1939. There are also various Voter Lists, Coroners Lists, Street Directories and a gallery of old Thornbury adverts from local businesses.
There are in-depth histories of the houses in many of the older streets of Thornbury and of the families who lived in them with an extensive collection of photographs.
A glimpse into the past of the parish of Tytherington
Visitors and new members are very welcome to come along to our monthly Friday meetings at 7.30pm. For further details ring Roger Howell on 01454 415035 or Valerie Niblett on 01454 417982.
Baptist Church School Room, 2 Itchington Road, Tytherington GL12 8QE
www.tytheringtonroots.co.uk/tythe...
Email:
Historical information and statistics about the town and area from the Vision of Britain project.
Winterbourne Medieval Barn, built in 1342, is an extraordinary survivor of our medieval past. Major building works have recently been completed with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and many other generous donors, to revitalise the whole Barn complex into a community heritage site promoting the knowledge of medieval history, its architecture, agricultural landscape and people. This project also created four workshops, now occupied by small artisan businesses including The Pottery Shed and Three Engineers Brewery.
The Barn is managed by a charitable Trust (WMBT) as a multipurpose venue for a wide range of community activities, including music and theatre performances, craft and skills workshops, talks, and big events like the Medieval Fayre, Orchard Harvest Day, and Carols in the Barn. Check the website or Facebook page for details.
The Barn is open on the first Thursday afternoon of each month at 2pm for tours. Booking advised. Otherwise, it is only open for specific events (see website). Contact the Trust to arrange private group visits or hires.
WMBT is made up almost entirely of volunteers, and new people are warmly welcomed. If you would like to volunteer on an occasional or more regular basis, please contact them for more information. WMBT Registered Charity number 1112908.
Church Lane, Winterbourne BS36 1SE
Tel: 0117 403 1536 - PT
www.winterbournebarn.org.uk/
Email:
Nympsfield, Stonehouse GL10 3TS
Tel: 01453 861541
www.woodchestermansion.org.uk/
Email:
The basic role of YADAG is to record the archaeological heritage of the Yate area in its many forms.
Our part of South Gloucestershire is blessed with a myriad of unrecorded and sometimes threatened historic sites ranging from Roman bath houses to coal mining remains.
All ages and abilities welcome, no previous experience necessary - be part of your very own Time Team.
Based at Yate & District Heritage Centre, Church Road, Yate BS37 5BG
Tel: 01454 314174
www.facebook.com/YateArchaeology/
Email:
The Centre aims to reflect the rich diversity of the Yate area’s cultural, historical, social and industrial past. This is achieved through a range of thought provoking and varied exhibitions, and a range of evening and day events including a regular series of quizzes, historical lectures and other one-off events.
Free admission - everyone welcome. Open Tuesday - Thursday and Saturdays, 10.30am-4.30pm
Click here for more information on the Heritage Centre.
Church Road, Yate BS37 5BG
Tel: 01454 862200
www.yateheritage.co.uk/
Email:
