Spike Island is a leading contemporary art and design space on the docks in Bristol and hosts a…read moremicrocosm of artistic activity. They show frequent exhibitions, hold residencies and offer opportunities in research into contemporary art. The building is huge, an old warehouse (you could almost draw similarities between here and the Tate). Spike Island is also home to the Aardman Animations team, creators of Creature Comforts and Wallace and Gromit.

A large warehouse space which has many functions for artists of Bristol…read more Publicly there is a gallery on the ground floor which has regular exhibitions and a large space for scheduled arty activities with children. There is also a nice little cafe - open on Mondays when the galleries are closed - with some seats outside when it is nice weather (although there is a lot of traffic on the road outside spoiling the harbour-side view). If you become a member of the studios then you can use their good printmaking facilities (Spike Print Studio) and rent studio space. The community here is friendly and supportive. If you just dabble in art then I can recommend their workshops - find details on this website instead of the main one http://www.spikeprintstudio.org They have lino and etching classes for beginners or to brush up rusty skills. They are up to date with some fantastic processes. Classes may run over a weekend or one day a week for a season.

excellent packaging, the order came on time, it's just wonderful to work with such a good company…read moreand such a professional team, thank you..

Lovely building tucked away from Bedminster which houses all things glass - if you make stained…read moreglass, glass jewellery or do glass engraving then they have supplies of materials and equipment - including the chance to hire some of the larger specialist machinery and kilns. There is a nice large area used as a workshop for the courses available, so if you fancy giving it a go then this is a fantastic place to start with expert advice. A day course in making glass jewellery is just £80 including materials, or a weekend on stained glass is £155 including materials.

This is a wonderful Dancing school, generations of people have been taught there. It is run by Miss…read moreAngela Redgrave, a wonderful dancer. The children are taught Ballet, Tap and Modern, it not only teaches them to dance, it teaches them discipline, and self confidence. They have a summer school facility, where the children can spend some of their time during the school holidays, and they are sometimes chosen for the Panto, or other productions at the Bristol Hippodrome.

Sad to say we find the behaviour of the Bristol School of dancing less than professional…read more They expect us to pay all the way from May to January despite telling them in May that our child in May could no longer attend the classes. There is no waiting list for this class and no children clambering to join. We had previously discussed it with the teacher who then denied all knowledge of any conversation. They have sent letters that threaten bailiffs and have quite interesting beliefs that basically imply that they expect parents to decide for their children and make them go for a full term even after you have given notice, either that or they just want your money?!? It works like this. If you decide (not your child- heaven forbid they might have their own opinion) on the second session that your child is not going to carry on then you have to pay until the end of the term. Nothing wrong with that but you also have to pay for the next term too in full as you didn't tell them on the first day of the term. Therefore you either give them the money for the next term and write it off or you 'make' your child complete the full next term in the knowledge that they don't want to be there and probably that the school don't want them there as they clearly do not want to be world famous dancers and have snubbed the Bristol School of Dancing! Be very aware of this school. Obviously this is just my humble opinion.