[1] By 1844, St Peter's Hospital for Pauper Lunatics, in what is now Castle Park, was overcrowded and not fit-for-purpose.

Opened in 1861, Bristol Lunatic Asylum was designed by Henry Crisp and built next to the co-located Stapleton Work House (now Blackberry Hill Hospital).

[5] From 1992, the hospital began closing wards, and the site was converted into the Avon and Gloucestershire College of Health in a phased programme over three years.

[8] The museum, founded by Dr Donal F. Early, used to be situated in the balcony of the canteen, but has since re-located to the Grade II listed former asylum chapel.

[10] The Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences includes the following departments:[11] The faculty offers full and part-time courses at all levels, from BSc and Diploma courses to MSc and PhD, plus a wide range of continuing education, in the areas of Midwifery, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Social Work, and other health-related professions.