Dowry Square is one of the oldest squares in Bristol with a fascinating history. During Clifton & Hotwells Open Gardens weekend in June 2025 we launched resident-led history tours of the square to include a visit inside the Pneumatic Institution, where Humphry Davy did his experiments with nitrous oxide.
The tours were popular and oversubscribed, so in 2026 in addition to a full tour of the square, we expanded things to offer visits inside two Dowry Square houses – The Pneumatic Institution at No. 6 and also No. 12, where William Pennington the Master of Ceremonies of the Hotwell Spa lived right at the end of the Spa’s heyday in the very early 19th century. And we were delighted that once again each tour was full and in total over 100 people joined a tour.
Each tour also included a hot drink and a piece of cake from one of Dowry Square’s many bakers. The tours start and finish in the Dowry Square garden, which has been transformed since the Second World War from an area of grass where a local butcher kept sheep, to a city green space with wildlife pond, children’s play area, planting and mature trees; all loved and cared for by the Dowry Square community.
100% of the funds raised go to the upkeep of the Dowry Square garden.