The Island

A community arts venue and event space, based in Bristol City Centre

Venue > The Island

Location info –
Nelson Street, Bristol, BS1 2BE
For full access information please download our accessibility document.

The Island

Nelson Street, Bristol, BS1 2BE

Get directions
Opening times
Monday to Friday: 10am – 10pm
Weekends: 10am – 5pm
Contacts
Call: 0117 376 3457
Email: info@theisland.uk

See individual venues for features and hire rates.

Watch The Island documentary 2015 (12:30)

Multi-use creative spaces

Based in the Old Bridewell Police Station in Bristol city centre, The Island hosts over 100 resident artists, and boasts a Circus Training Space, music studios, Dance Studios and a beautiful art gallery.

The Island is part of Artspace Lifespace a creative placemaking charity who recycle vacant properties into thriving creative resources. We provide creative studio and event space for over 100 musicians and artists. Our vibrant combined arts complex is home to the Island Circus Training Space, Dance Space, a spacious art gallery and our music event space – The Island Venue.

Take a tour

We’ve created a virtual tour of public spaces at The Island. Pop into the Gallery, drop by the cells and walk through our dance and circus studios!

Created by Jen Ford using Matterport

Health & Safety Notice

For the well-being of all our guests and staff, we kindly ask that you please stay home if you’re feeling unwell or wear a mask if you visit while you have a cold or other illness.

ArtSpaces at The Island

Dance Space

The Dance Space runs a wide variety of classes and training sessions as well as being available for private hire.

Two women hang upside down in aerial hoops

Circus Space

The Island Circus Training Space offers many classes in circus-related disciplines, including silks, rope, aerial hoop, trapeze and acro yoga.

A large white walled gallery with overhead window and polished parquet floor. Some oil paintings hang on the walls.

Gallery Space

A beautiful large white and bright hireable gallery space with lantern ceiling and ancillary room located on the first floor of The Island.

The Island Venue

The licensed venue is available to host immersive performance, talks, exhibition and nightclub events.

A man points to some artwork on the wall of his studio

Island Artist Studios

Work along side like minded creative people

A group of women stand around a cutting table in a sewing studio

The Sewing Room

A fully equipped sewing studio for beginner and professional sewers.

Latest news

  • 👁️ Our Artspace October Newsletter has landed 👁️
    Our spooky mansion comes to life, The Island Gallery celebrates black beauty and Sparks Bristol hosts International Repair Day in our October Newsletter.
  • I-Oppose T-shirts Raising Funds for Gaza Soup Kitchen
    I Oppose T-ShirtS £22 (£26.50 with SHIPPING) We’ve teamed up with studio artists Ben Anthony (@ben.anthony1) and Danny De Guilcher from Pull Print Screen Printing (@pullprint) to produce a limited-edition T-shirt featuring original artwork by Ben Anthony, first shown at the Island Open Studios 2025 exhibition. 🛒 Price: £22📍 Collection: Free from The Island Bristol […]
  • Artspace Lifespace AGM 2025
    Notice of the 7th Annual General Meeting Notice is hereby given that the 7th Annual General Meeting of ArtspaceUK (Artspace Lifespace CIO) will be held on Thursday, 25th September 2025, at 6pm.  Date:  Thursday, 25th September 2025 Time: 18.00-18.45 Location: The Island, Bristol, BS1 2BE Followed by The Island Studio Holder Exhibition Preview from 19.00-20.30 […]
  • 🦜Artspace Lifespace September 2025 Newsletter 🦜
    Nude Pirates, Distant Shores and our annual Open Studios this September.
  • 🦁 Artspace Lifespace July 2025 Newsletter 🦁
    Get Ready For Pride, Comedy For Dogs and Two Step at The Mansion in our monthly newsletter.