- Apply
- Adult learning courses
- Housing or Council Tax Benefits
- Allotments
- Jobs at the Council
- Bus pass
- Library membership
- Carer's assessment
- Licences
- Council housing services
- Planning applications
- Council tax and business rates
- Register for My Account
- Disabled parking
- Rubbish and recycling services
- Free school meals
- School places
- HMO licence
- Social services assistance
- HomeChoice Bristol
- Pay
- Report
- Abandoned property
- Housing repairs
- Benefits fraud
- Litter and street sweeping
- Complaints, compliments and comments
- Missed bin collections
- Concerns about a child
- Planning and building control reports
- Domestic violence
- Problems in my area
- Flyposting and graffiti
- Problems with roads, pavements and drains
- Freedom of information
- Taxi complaints
- Harassment and hate crime
- My Account
List of Blue Plaques in Bristol
This page lists the plaques put up by Bristol City Council.
If you would like to research any person further please contact Bristol Record Office or Bristol Central Library.
Information linked from this page is not controlled by the council.
Details of other commemorative plaques in Bristol can be found on the Open Plaques website.
Latest plaque: opera singer Elsie Griffin
On 8 February 2012, the Lord Mayor unveiled a plaque in memory of Bristol singer Elsie Griffin (1895-1989) at St Michael’s on the Mount Without Primary School.
As a child, Elsie Griffin attended St Michael’s school and performed solo in local concerts. At 14, she started work at Fry’s No 5 factory and sang with the ‘Fry’s Angels’. She also took sewing jobs to fund singing lessons.
In 1914, Elsie won a silver cup and singing scholarship at the Bristol Eisteddfod. She began to record songs, most famously ‘Danny Boy’ and ‘Roses of Picardy’, and to entertain First World War troops.
After the war, she sang for the D’Oyly Carte and Carl Rosa opera companies. Her version of ‘Poor Wandering One’ was named Best British Gramophone Solo in 1929 and she performed around the world until the late 1950s.
The plaque was suggested by Elsie’s cousin, Anne Colley, who says: 'Through her own determination, she became one of the most famous principal sopranos of the time.'
B
Eric Ball OBE 1903 - 1989
Salvationist and Composer - Dedicated to God and worshipped here as a child, 'The Beethoven of Brass'
Location: Salvation Army Hall on Two Mile Hill Road, just before Kingsway. Eric Ball plaque map
Ernest Bevin 1881 - 1951
General Secretary TGWU, MP and Foreign Secretary
Location: 39 Saxon Road, St Werburghs. Ernest Bevin plaque map
Jack Board 1867 - 1924
Gloucester and England Wicket Keeper
Location: 22 Manor Road, Bishopston. Jack Board plaque map
Birthplace of Bristol's Aerospace industries 19th February 1910
In this building Sir George White, chairman of Bristol Tramways and Carriage Company, founded the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company and the Bristol Aeroplane Company, forerunners of British Aerospace and Rolls Royce at Filton and Patchway
Location: Halifax Building Society, Clare Street. Birthplace of Bristol's Aerospace industries plaque map
C
Dame Clara Butt 1873 - 1936
Concert singer. Lived here from 1882 - 1886
Location: 3 Belle Vue, Totterdown. Dame Clara Butt plaque map
Thomas Clarkson 1760 - 1846
Anti-slave trade campaigner
More information: A short biography of Thomas Clarkson
Location: Seven Stars Pub, 1 Thomas Lane, Redcliffe. Thomas Clarkson plaque map
Russ Conway 1925 - 2000
Pianist, composer and entertainer. Born Trevor H Stanford, lived here 1929 - 1944
More information: A short biography of Russ Conway
Location: 2 Dean Lane, Southville. Russ Conway plaque map
Norah Cooke-Hurle (nee Fry) 1871 - 1960
Educationalist and pioneer in mental health site 1915 - 1921
More information: A short biography of Norah Fry
Location: Stars and Stripes Pool Hall, Bath Road, Brislington Hill. Norah Cooke-Hurle plaque map
D
Paul Dirac 1902 - 1984
Nobel prize winner for physics
More information: Scientific achievements of Paul Dirac
Location: 15 Monk Road Bishopston. Paul Dirac plaque map
F
John Frost 1784 - 1877
Chartist leader and social revolutionary
More information: A short biography of John Frost
Location: 68 Park Road, Stapleton. John Frost plaque map
G
The Gaiety Cinema 1933 - 2000
On this site stood the Gaiety Cinema, the last family owned cinema in Bristol which showed films to an estimated eight million people
Location: Corner of Crossways Road and Wells Road, Knowle. The Gaiety Cinema plaque map
Edward William Godwin 1833 - 1886
Bristol born Architect, furniture and fabric designer responsible for the building of the Carriageworks, Stokes Croft, Wesbury-on-Trym village all and restoration of St Mary Redcliffe Church. Lived here from 1862 - 1865
Location: 21 Portland Square, St Paul's, the former home of Edward William Godwin. Edward William Godwin plaque map
Catherine Grace 1907 - 1986
Educational Pioneer. Founder of St Christopher's School
Location: 27 Upper Belgrave Road, Clifton. Catherine Grace plaque map
Elsie Griffin 1895 - 1989
International opera singer. Principal soprano with D’Oyly Carte Opera Company. Popularised 'Danny Boy' and 'Roses of Picardy'. Attended this school and lived nearby.
Location: St Michael’s on the Mount Without Primary School, Park Lane. Elsie Griffin plaque map
More information: Wikipedia entry.
Sarah Guppy 1770 - 1852
Nineteenth century inventor and mother of Brunel's friend and backer, Thomas
More information: Clifton and Hotwells Improvement Society (CHIS)
Location: 7 Richmond Hill, Clifton. Sarah Guppy plaque map
H
Ruby Helder 1890 - 1938
International famous Tenor singer
More information: Brief details of Ruby Helder from Living Easton Community Site
Location: Flats at southern end of Easton Road, Easton. Ruby Helder plaque map
Bob Hope 1903 - 2003
Comedian and Actor
More information: Bob Hope website
Location: St George's Park, St George, Church Road entrance. Bob Hope plaque map
Victoria Hughes 1897 - 1978
Who befriended and cared for prostitutes when she worked here as a lavatory attendant from 1929 - 1962
Location: Public toilets on the Downs. Victoria Hughes plaque map
J
John James 1906 - 1996
Philanthropist
More information: John James Bristol Foundation website
Location: 96 Philip Street, Bedminster. John James plaque map
K
Charlotte Keel 1888 - 1955
Alderman, Health pioneer
Location: 15 Hereford Road, St Werburghs. Charlotte Keel plaque map
Annie Kenney 1879 - 1930
Leading suffragette
Location: 23 Gordon Road, Clifton. Annie Kenney plaque map
L
Sir Allen Lane CH 1902 - 1970
Founder in 1935 of Pengiun Books
More information: History of Pengiun Books
Location: 11 Cotham Vale. Sir Allen Lane plaque map
Thomas Lawrence 1769 - 1830
Portrait painter
More information: Wikipedia entry
Location: 9 Redcross Street; St Judes. Thomas Lawrence plaque map
Adolph Leipner 1827 - 1894
Founded first University Botanic Garden at Woodland Road.
Co-founder of Bristol Naturalists Society.
Location: 47 Hampton Park, Cotham. Lived here from 1870 to 1894. Adolph Leipner plaque map
M
Kassam Ismail Majothi 1924 - 2002
Founder of Bristol Sweet Mart
Location: 71 St Marks Road, Easton. Kassam Ismail Majothi plaque map
Hannah More 1745 - 1833
Educational pioneer
Location: Keepers Cottage, Brislington Hill, Brislington. Hannah More plaque map
N
Nipper the Dog 1884 - 1895
"His Master Voice". Mark Barraud 1848-1887 owner and master of Bristol born dog Nipper 1884-1895 was employed as a scenic designer in the old Prince's Theatre in Park Row
More information: Nippers Story
Location: Corner of Park Row/Woodland Road. Nipper the Dog plaque map
Frank Norman 1930-1980
Author and Playwright was born here 9th June 1930
Location: 151 Whiteladies Road, Clifton. Frank Norman plaque map
P
Lady Emmeline Pethwick Lawrence 1867 - 1954
Lecturer, Writer, Suffragist and Pacifist who edited `Votes for Women' was born here
Location: 20 Charlotte Street, Brandon Hill. Lady Emmeline Pethwick Lawrence plaque map
Princess Caraboo 1791 - 1864
This commemorates Mary Wilcocks a servant girl who in 1817, at the age of 26, managed to fool people into thinking that she was in fact Princess Caraboo of Javasu, that she had been kidnapped by pirates, had escaped and managed to get to England. Her fame spread to London and even America to where she fled after being unmasked.
Location: 11 Princess Street, Bedminster
R
Canon Hardwicke Drummond Rawnsley 1851 - 1920
English clergyman, poet, writer of hymns and conservationist who co-founded The National Trust in 1895
Location: Community of the Sisters of the Church, 82 Ashley Road, St Pauls Canon H D Rawnsley plaque map
More information: Wikipedia entry
Michael Redgrave 1908 - 1985
Actor and film star
More information: Michael Redgrave Biography
Location: 4 Horfield Road, off St Michaels Hill. Michael Redgrave plaque map
Isaac Rosenberg 1890 - 1918
Artist and Poet was born near here at 5 Adelaide Place
More information: Self Portrait of Isaac Rosenberg
Location: 25 Garamound House, Clarence Road, Redcliffe (actually born in area, house now demolished). Isaac Rosenberg plaque map
Irene Rose 1883 - 1965
Dancer and Singer. President of the Music Hall Ladies Guild
Location: 26 Richmond Street, Totterdown. Irene Rose plaque map
Ronald Russell 1910 - 1994
Peggy Ann Wood 1912 - 1998
Ran the Rapier Players repertory company here at the Little Theatre continuously from 1935 - 1963
Location: Colston Hall, Colston Street. Ronald Russell and Peggy Ann Wood plaque map
S
Ellen Sharples 1769 - 1849
Rolinda Sharples 1794 - 1838
Mother and Daughter. Artists who lived here from 1821 - 1832
Location: 37 Canynge Road, Clifton. Ellen and Rolinda Sharples plaque map
Jessie Stephen 1893-1979
Trade unionist and councillor who in 1952 became the first woman president of the trades council. Lived and died here.
Location: 27 Chessel Street, Bedminster. Jessie Stephen plaque map
Sir Robert Stephens 1931-1995
Early star of the National Theatre, London Stage and screen actor
Lived here from 1931 to 1939
Location: 34 Priory Road, Shirehampton. Sir Robert Stephens plaque map
Rt Rev. Dr Mervyn Stockwood 1913 - 1995
Vicar of this parish from 1941 - 1955
Bishop of Southwark 1959 - 1980
As a Christian he inspired generosity. As a leader he fought for tolerance.
Location: Corner of Church Road/Cowper Street, Redfield. Rt Rev. Dr Mervyn Stockwood plaque map
Elizabeth Sturge 1849 - 1944
Helen Sturge 1858 - 1945
Pioneers in womens suffrage and education for girls and young women
Location: 2 Durdham Park, Redland. Elizabeth and Helen Sturge plaque map
T
Robin Tanner 1904 - 1988
Etcher and Painter
Location: 5 Ryde Road, Knowle. Robin Tanner plaque map
Robert Taylor GC 1920 - 1950
Robert Taylor who lived here all his life. Killed trying to stop armed robbers at Lloyds Bank, Westbury on March 13th 1950. He was awarded the George Cross for bravery
More information: George Cross Medal website
Location: 24 Victoria Park, Fishponds. Robert Taylor plaque map
Ben Tillet 1861 - 1943
President of TUC and MP
More information: Ben Tillet - history
Location: Bristol City Council Round Blue Plaque at 87 Somerset Road, Knowle. Ben Tillet Somerset Road plaque map and
Location: Easton 3D Picture Blue Plaque at 8 Combefactory Lane, (upper Bannerman Road), Easton. Ben Tillet Combefactory Lane plaque map
Guy Broadwith Tordoff 1908 - 1990
Teacher of Esperanto. pacifist and committed Quaker who travelled widely in Eastern Europe to promote peace through better communication
Lived here from 1923 - 1988
Location: 82 Pendennis Park, Brislington. Guy Broadwith Tordoff plaque map
Dame Eva Turner 1892 - 1990
Opera Singer attended St Anne's School 1901-1906
More Information: St Annes School Web Site
Location: St Annes School, Bloomfield Road, St Annes. Dame Eva Turner plaque map
V
Ada Vachell 1866 - 1923
Champion of poor and disabled people and founder in 1895 of the 'Guild of the Handicapped.'
Lived here from 1910 - 1923
Location: Foley Cottage, 130 Hampton Road, Redland. Ada Vachell plaque map
Paula Vezelay 1892 - 1984
Abstract Artist
Location: 2 Rodney Place, Clifton. Paula Vezelay plaque map
Erected by Clifton and Hotwells Improvement Society
W
Eliza Walker Dunbar 1845 - 1925
Pioneer woman doctor noted for the care of women and children. Lived here 1883 - 1925
Location: 9 Oakfield Road, Clifton. Eliza Walker Dunbar plaque map
John William Henry Wall 1855 - 1915
Novelist and Local Historian, "The Shoemaker Poet". A Pioneer of the Bristol and District Co-op Movement, founded at 38 Croydon St and opened at 22 Houlton Street in 1884. He set up the "Shakespeare Boot Mart" at 15 Croydon Street in 1887. A Bootcutter, on low income, who with Co-operative and Socialist Principles, fought for the rights of Working-Class people.
Location: Croydon House, Croydon Street, Easton. John William Henry Wall plaque map
Henry Wills 1856 - 1922
Engineer and Philanthropist
Location: 23 Blenheim Road (off Coldharbour Road), Redland. Henry Wills plaque map
Z
John Michael Ziman 1925 - 2005
Leading thinker and writer on the philosophy and history of science and prominent campaigner on the social responsibility of scientists.
Location: 20 Eastfield, Westbury on Trym John Michael Ziman plaque map
