Show of Strength Theatre Company

19/06/2026

MEET THE TOUR GUIDE: Gerard Cooke
Gerard has worked with Show of Strength since 2010 – from Trading Local: Theatre in Shops and The Mansion Through Time, to the Bristol Docks Heritage Weekend.

Now Associate Producer for SOS, his work on stage and screen also includes ‘Great Expectations’ for BBC / FX, ‘Elves & the Shoemaker’ and ‘Sherlock Holmes and a Christmas Mystery’ at Cheltenham Everyman, and ‘Moby Dick’ aboard SS Great Britain.

As a guide, Gerard leads our pirate adventures BLOOD, BLACKBEARD & BUCCANEERS and TREASURE ISLAND STORY WALK, plus the ever-popular BLOOD AND BUTCHERY IN BEDMINSTER. A native Bristolian (raised in Brislington, now in Bedminster), he relishes uncovering the city’s darker corners and colourful characters.

Come and explore Bristol with Gerard – if you dare. Find out more at www.showofstrength.org.uk (link in bio)



Visit Bristol • Official tourism organisation for Bristol, UK Visit West Visit Bath • Official tourist guide to Bath, UK Visit England VisitEnglandBiz Visitor+ Bristol Walk Fest Ashton Court Mansion Artspace Lifespace Arts Mansion ACmansionfriends / Friends of Ashton Court mansion. Bristol Museums

18/06/2026

MEET THE TOUR GUIDE: Sheila Hannon

Sheila co-founded Show of Strength in Bedminster in 1986, creating three new Bristol venues along the way – including the Hen & Chicken (1989) and To***co Factory (1998), both still going strong.

As Creative Producer, she researches and writes all our Theatre Walks (currently nine, and counting), and leads audiences on FRANKENSTEIN IN BATH (our very first tour, launched in 2016), BLOOD AND BUTCHERY IN BEDMINSTER and CRIME AND CRINOLINES IN CLIFTON.

Sheila and SOS’s awards include the SOLT/West End Theatre producers’ award, Best Live Performance (Creative Bath Awards), Best of Bristol 24/7: Theatre, and was shortlisted for the VisitEngland Tourism Superstar 2026. Scripts for Radio 4 include THE FEMALE HUSBAND with Sandi Toksvig and LETTERS FROM AFRICA with Eleanor Bron.

As we celebrate the company’s 40th birthday this year, Sheila is still guiding it from strength to strength – and loves leading audiences through her favourite south west haunts.

Discover Sheila’s tours at showofstrength.org.uk



Visit Bristol • Official tourism organisation for Bristol, UK Visit West Visit Bath • Official tourist guide to Bath, UK Visit England Visitor+, Bristol Walk Fest, Artspace Lifespace Arts Mansion, ACmansionfriends / Friends of Ashton Court mansion., Discover Clifton | Clifton Village, House of Frankenstein, Bristol24/7, Creative Bath, To***co Factory Theatres, Hen and Chicken

16/06/2026

Join THE FRANKENSTEIN EXPERIENCE - our award-winning one-hour walking tour and entry to Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein.

New dates now available - every Thursday and Sunday at 3pm from 16th July to 30th August 2026

On this day in 1816 the first fragments of the world’s most famous monster were conceived at the Villa Diodati.

Mary wrote in her journal of feeling a “thrill of fear” as she imagined her Creature.

But it wasn’t until she arrived in Bath in September 1816 where she started properly writing her book in earnest, and where the monster was “born”.



Visit Bath Great West Way Bath BID

15/06/2026

Sunshine forecast for Thursday's 6pm BLOOD AND BUTCHERY IN BEDMINSTER Theatre Walk. And it sets behind a world class impostor: the Princess Caraboo of Javasu. Visit a fogotten graveyard and hear her incredible true story.
Info & tickets www.showofstrength.org.uk & link in bio.

15/06/2026

Just the world's best dressed man and most famous movie star in the world strolling on his home turf: College Green. This man's life was truly extraordinary and you can hear his story where he lived - and walked - it: Bristol. Next one Sunday 28 June info/tickets: https://showofstrength.org.uk/productions/cary-grant-comes-home

Cary Grant Comes Home For The Weekend Visit Bristol Bristol BID

Good morning, everyone.
I trust you’ve all had a thoroughly splendid weekend.
I must say, I had the bright idea to tumble out of the covers early today and head out for a bit of a stroll. There is really nothing quite like getting the fresh air and the exercise sorted right at the top of the morning. It rather clears the ledger, doesn't it? Once it's ticked off, you don't have to give it another thought for the rest of the day.
Instead, one can simply lounge about and indulge in exactly what one pleases, entirely free from those nagging little voices in the ear whispering exercise, exercise, or whatever else they like to grumble about.
At any rate, I hope you’re all getting your own bit of movement in today, in whatever manner suits you best. It certainly makes good sense.
I shall look forward to catching up with you all a bit later on.
Toodle-pip.

14/06/2026

13/06/2026

☀️ Sunshine, stories and streets full of secrets...

With the weather looking glorious, there's never been a better time to get out and explore Bristol, Bath and beyond with Show of Strength's award-winning THEATRE WALKS.

Pirates and Privateers. Cary Grant and Mary Shelley. Medieval Magic. Murder and Mayhem. Kings and Commoners. Saints and Sinners.

History brought to life where it happened.

Bedminster - Clifton - St George - Keynsham - Bristol's old city and docks - Central Bath

Join us this summer and see familiar streets in a whole new way.

Upcoming dates now booking - www.showofstrength.org.uk

10/06/2026

Somerset? Once it was. Bedminster in the evening sun. Dame Emily Park.

04/06/2026

Did you know that Britain's most prolific serial killer was born and raised in St George? That Queen Elizabeth I once processed along Church Road? Or that the Fire Engine pub had nothing to do with putting out fires?

This Sunday afternoon, SAINTS & SINNERS IN ST GEORGE uncovers the stories, characters and hidden corners that shaped BS5. Join the Theatre Walk for medieval survivors and Tudor royalty, Victorian industrialists and some decidedly darker tales.

Even if you've lived here for years, you're certain to discover something new

Sunday 7th June at 3pm - starting and finishing at the entrance to St George's Park on Church Road.

Booking essential - details at showofstrength.org.uk/productions/saints-and-sinners