About us

The Bristol Folk House is an adult education centre providing a variety of part-time day and evening courses and workshops for over 18's. The Folk House provides a welcoming environment in which to explore your creativity and learn new skills.

We provide courses and workshops that engage the local community. The cafe provides fantastic organic food and a space to get together before and after classes. It is also open to the public and is the perfect place for those seeking a relaxed and friendly place in Bristol city centre. Live music and festivals happen throughout the year, as well as markets, events and exhibitions.

The Bristol Folk House is part of a charity and we receive no funding from the government, the city council or any other institution and our income is wholly derived from course fees, venue hire, members and fundraising events.

The centre began in the 1870's with the aim of supporting access to education in the community. The first programme of activities was produced for the academic year in 1920-1921. 

To view our latest annual Trustee Report please click here

Some of the lovely feedback we have recieved recently:

“I have loved all the courses I have taken at the Folk House. I find them great value for money, the teachers are knowledgeable and interesting and I will definitely attend more classes there.”
 
“I valued the ethos of the Folk House very much, the size of our group, and the cafe.The Folk House is a great place to study, the staff are lovely, the cafe brilliant and I love the new outside area and the lighted signage ( the latter can now be seen from Park Street). Thank you very much.”
 
"This was my first time attending BFH and I enjoyed the whole process from entering the building to leaving, the staff were friendly and the rooms were perfect. It was nice to see half open doors of people knitting or sewing, and the cafe was great!”
 
“I haven't been to the Folk House before and I'm so glad I've discovered it, it's such a lovely, welcoming space to learn - feel really lucky to have access to it.”