Visitors will be welcomed back to three of Bristol’s historic houses this week following closure for over two years due to the pandemic.

Blaise Museum reopened to visitors on Friday, while the Georgian House Museum and the Red Lodge Museum will both open their doors from Monday.

To mark the occasion, events will take place at all three houses during April and beyond.

Councillor Craig Cheney, Deputy Mayor of Bristol with responsibility for culture, said: “The three historic houses are fantastic museums and all offer something completely unique for visitors. You can experience three of the oldest rooms in Bristol at the Red Lodge, explore the city’s connection to the sugar trade and transatlantic slavery at the Georgian House and discover how people used to live at Blaise Museum.

“Although the doors have been closed for more than two years, the team has been busy behind the scenes, caring for the buildings and the collections. The houses have undergone redecoration works while detailed condition checking and cataloguing of their objects has improved online access to our collections. I’m really looking forward to seeing visitors enjoy these wonderful spaces once again.”

Blaise Museum will celebrate it’s reopening with a family open day on Saturday 2 April with tours of the house, craft activities, storytelling, and a trail. There will also be Easter basket making and craft activities running on Wednesdays during the school holidays.

A new film installation by South African artist Lebohang Kganye will be on display at the Georgian House Museum until December. ‘Dipina tsa Kganya’ – Leave the light when you leave for good is a response to the house’s history and invites visitors to reflect on the legacy of colonialism. The installation is the final exhibition of the Bristol Photo Festival.

On Saturday 9 April, visitors will be able to get a glimpse of what life was like in the 16th Century as a group of musical reenactors perform music from the Tudor era at the Red Lodge Museum.

Pre-booking entry is advised but not essential. All the museums are free, although donations are always welcome. For more information and to pre-book, visit www.bristolmuseums.org.uk