“You will likely spend a great deal of the running time cowered so far into your seat that you’re virtually horizontal [...] Check behind the doors. Switch on all the lights. You won’t be sleeping soundly for a while”
DOORS: 21:00 | FILM STARTS 21:15
We promised that our 10th anniversary Halloween season would be special, and this announcement is a big part of that promise…
We’re incredibly excited to announce our first ever screenings at Ashton Court Mansion this October! One of Bristol’s oldest and most iconic buildings, it’s a privilege to have it open its doors to our events, and this magnificent setting will provide the ideal backdrop for two quintessentially English haunted house horror films.
Our second ever film at Ashton Court is The Woman In Black, the film adaptation of Susan Hill’s novel and the West End sensation. After a controversial 12A cinema release, a few seconds of extra footage - and a 15 certificate - have been added to this Hammer-produced hair-raiser that will have you watching through your fingers…
About The Film
2011 | 15 | 99 mins
Arthur Kipps, a widowed lawyer, is sent to Marsh House in the village of Crythin Gifford, to retrieve documents left behind by its recently deceased owner. However, his task his quickly overshadowed by sinister events, and the dark history of the house’s family.
Contains strong horror, psychological threat
About The Location
Ashton Court Mansion has stood at the heart of Bristol for nearly a thousand years. Dating back to the 14th century, it grew from a fortified manor into one of the finest country houses in the West of England - its Elizabethan wings, Georgian facades and Victorian interiors bearing witness to centuries of the city's life. For over four hundred years it was home to the Smyth family, wealthy merchants who shaped Bristol's history as landowners, patrons and civic figures. In 1959, the estate passed into the hands of Bristol City Council, and its 850 acres of parkland became one of the city's most treasured public spaces.
A major programme of repairs in the early 1970s secured the external fabric and completed several of the principal ground floor rooms, but funds ran out before the work could be finished - leaving three quarters of the mansion internally derelict, its fine panelling and fittings removed to treat dry rot and never reinstated. An arson attack in 2013 caused serious damage to the Library in the West Wing, worsening an already precarious situation. For more than a decade the building has sat on Historic England's Heritage at Risk register. Since 2017, Artspace Lifespace and the Friends of Ashton Court Mansion have kept the remaining quarter alive, hosting events, exhibitions and guided tours.
Since January 2026, Bristol Historic Buildings Trust (BHBT) has been working under licence from the Council to carry out critical repair work, surveys and planning. BHBT are now in the building under a tenancy at will - responsible for its day-to-day maintenance and able to host events - while negotiations continue on the terms of a 125-year lease, with the Council retaining the freehold.
For more information on the longterm project to restore the Mansion, click here to visit its new website.
Watch The Official Trailer
See This Venue
Tickets
NB: a mandatory £1.50 booking fee is added to your order at checkout. This is per order, not per ticket
Getting Here
Ashton Court Mansion is located within Ashton Court Estate. The mansion is most easily accessed via the Kennel Lodge Road entrance to the Estate.
The what3words reference for the venue entrance (overlooking the front lawn) is mount.played.hiding - further details of how to access the venue entrance will be updated soon.
The venue is served by the UWE Bower Ashton Campus bus stops, with numerous services stopping here. You can view more information on First Bus’ website here.
There is a bicycle rack onsite.
There is a metered car park onsite that will be open later than the advertised opening times for this event. Please ensure that you have paid the relevant fees for a ticket.
Wherever possible, we encourage walking or the use of public transport when travelling to our events.
Accessibility
We will be updating the accessibility section for this venue very soon.
Subtitles: please contact us if you require a film to be screened with subtitles. Many of our screenings can accommodate subtitles; however, this varies depending on the film and notice given.
We want to make your visit as enjoyable as possible, so please do not hesitate to contact us if you require further information about this venue’s accessibility.
Venue & Event Information
The venue’s bar will be open from 20:30 (8:30PM) on the day of the event.
Doors open to the screening space in the Music Room at 21:00 (9:00PM), 15 minutes prior to the film starting. There will be an announcement in the bar area to let you know.
We cannot guarantee access to the venue earlier than the doors time stated on your ticket, so recommend that you arrive as close to this time as possible, or get yourself a pre-film drink in the bar!
FAQs
Can I buy food or drink at the venue? Ashton Court Estate has a bar onsite. Please do not consume hot food in the screening room as a courtesy to other guests.
I have a BuyAGift/Red Letter Days/other voucher. How do I redeem this for this event? Head to this page for more information about redeeming Gift Vouchers.
Is my ticket refundable? As per our policy update on 14th January 2026, tickets will only be refundable if ticket insurance was added at the point of purchase. If you are a Red Carpet Club member, tickets are refundable up to 5 working days before your event, and exchangeable for credit for up to 24 hours before your event.