When you like a place a lot, it just makes sense to go back as often as you can. I always really enjoy popping by the 400 year old Red Lodge Museum and whenever friends and family come to visit, I can't resist encouraging them to check out one of Bristol's best attractions. The staff are also always welcoming and are truly happy to help and answer questions.
All the rooms are beautifully decorated and the house features amazing paintings, a spectacular Broadwood piano, majestic clocks, fine porcelain sculpture and stunning fireplaces and mantelpieces. But the 'piece de resistance' is definitely the Great Oak Room! Built in the 16th century, the magnificent room has walls covered in finely carved wood and its ceiling makes your head spin when you try to take in all the motifs and details of its moulds.
I'm also really fond of the two, huge paintings in the Great Oak Room, especially the portrait of Queen Elizabeth 1, who once stayed at the lodge. In the Small Oak Room, the fireplaces and the four poster bed are absolutely gorgeous.
As well as the art in the Red Lodge Museum, it's also the story of Mary Carpenter that gets my imagination going. Amid the harsh system of prisons and hard labour for paupers, she created the Red Lodge, the first ever Girls' Reformatory. I'm sure things were still tough for the girls but at least they were taken care of and received an education.
One of the guides told us how the remains of an ancient well were discovered while workers were tackling the damp in one of the rooms, and who knows what they will find in it?
We plan to visit again very soon!
Red Lodge Museum, Park Row, BS1 5LJ
Words / pics: nina
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