Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust

About

Step into a secret world and discover 45 green acres, close to the heart of Bristol, where the history of the city is told in a leafy and tranquil setting, rich in walks, wildlife, architecture, fascinating displays and memorials.

"So beautiful, so original and so unusual that you just can’t fail to fall in love with it!"
CAIO (The online guide for world travellers)

Arnos Vale has something for everyone and is open all year round. Entry is free and we welcome donations to safeguard the future sustainability of Arnos Vale.

Arnos Vale is internationally-recognised as one of Britain’s best examples of a Victorian garden cemetery, set in a leafy 45-acre Arcadian landscape dotted with classical buildings, historic monuments, sweeping carriage drives and leafy walks lined with wildflowers. It is often described as a sanctuary of peace and tranquillity in an otherwise busy part of a bustling city.

Gift Shop
Tucked away inside the East Lodge is their lovely Gift Shop. Stocking unusual and unique gift and everyday items that you won’t find anywhere else such as: beautiful gift cards, local art-work, guide books, trail leaflets, children’s items and so much more. Pop in the next time you visit (located in the East Lodge building – to the left as you enter Arnos Vale through the main gates just off the Bath Road).

Cafe
Cleverchefs are the new cafe operators at Arnos Vale. Providing a beautiful range of handcrafted food for weddings, events & conferences as well as in the newly refurbished cafe and patio area. Open 7 days a week from 9am until 4.30pm serving organic coffee, gourmet breakfasts, brunch, and handmade cakes with a licence to sell alcohol for that relaxing glass of wine or locally brewed craft lager.

Tours
Arnos Vale is full of stories and regular themed tours are held throughout the year. If you are travelling in a large group and would like a bespoke tour we can arrange a tour to suit your groups’ particular interest. On Saturday afternoons from May to October Arnos Vale offers visitors Themed Guided Tours starting at 1:30pm.  Each tour can last from 45-90 minutes depending on the tour on offer that week and tickets are £5 per person. Booking is not necessary but it is advisable to have a look at the website or ring to check the tour is running.

Wildlife
If Wildlife is more your thing, then Arnos Vale reveals wildlife surprises throughout the year; sweeping roads and pathways, flowers, fauna, trees, creatures and critters. Arnos Vale is not simply an important site for biodiversity in itself. It is also a vital stepping stone in Bristol’s wildlife corridors, connecting wildlife separated by roads and buildings, foxes, badgers, owls and bats. They even have their own resident Roe Deer who makes the odd appearance. Horse chestnut trees, oak, Irish yews, Austrian pines, Western red cedar, Chilean pine, Himalayan cedar, English yews, weeping ash and shrubs such as cherry laurel, Japanese spindle and box. In the woodland areas you will find primroses, wild garlic, lady’s smock, goldilocks buttercup and many other plants, including some rare national species such as ivy broomrape. With ever-changing scenery and landscape there is always something new to discover.

Learning
Arnos Vale has its very own learning team and we have a wide variety of educational experiences and family activities throughout the year. From Stomping Stories and Creative Workshops through to academic research and learning resources for schools. Arnos Vale is a Site of Special Conservation Interest and is a magical outdoor classroom which abounds with places to explore art, architecture, history and nature.

Weddings
Arnos Vale is a tranquil, unique, unusual and beautiful site set in 45 acres of green landscape. The two Grade II* Listed buildings are ideal for wedding ceremonies and receptions. The Anglican Chapel is available for Anglican Ceremonies and the Spielman Centre is registered for Civil Partnerships and Ceremonies. Arnos Vale even offer woodland weddings in the Underwood Centre – offering an unusual and laid back wedding ceremony and celebration in the heart of Arnos Vale. With our on-site catering company they can cater for any wedding reception from simple affairs to sumptuous banquets. Either historic venue can be arranged for receptions, parties and celebrations making Arnos Vale an all-inclusive venue.

Venue Hire
Both venues are available for private hire, for business events, family or social occasions, funeral gatherings or celebrations of life, performances, conferences, product launches, exhibitions, dance classes and fitness. Both unique venues are stylish Victorian buildings of a classical design which have recently been expertly and carefully restored. If you are here at the weekend and would like to unwind with a fitness class then they currently offer Yoga and Tai Chi on a Saturday morning.

Visiting
Arnos Vale Cemetery is open to visitors all year round including Christmas, New Year, Easter and all Bank Holidays. From March to September, the gates to the grounds are open from 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday to Saturday, and from 10:00am-5:00pm on Sundays; from October to February, the times are 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday and 10:00am - 4:30pm on Sundays.

For a full list of all the events at Arnos Vale please visit the website