Introducing Unit 18
Puppet Place is based on Bristol’s historic harbourside near to Spike Island Studios and Brunel’s SS Great Britain. Unit 18, is ideally located within easy walking distance of the city’s key cultural organisations and it offers affordable creative workspace to freelance and self-employed artists and companies working in puppetry, animation, film, visual and performing arts.
The building offers a variety of workspaces suited to different needs, including the Rehearsal Studio and Fabrication Bay, which can be hired by our Resident and Associate Artists, as well as by commercial companies.
We also provide workshop, studio and creative desk space for our Resident Artists. Please note we are currently operating a Waiting List for these more permanent spaces.
All spaces come with Wifi, complimentary tea & coffee, access to bike storage and the knowledge that you are in a welcoming and supportive creative environment. Plus there is a Pay & Display Car Park within a two minute walk of Unit 18.
Click the links below to find out more, including our Room Hire Rates and details of how to make a booking.
Rehearsal Studio (click to reveal):
We offer affordable access to our ground floor Rehearsal Studio. It is set up for rehearsing puppet shows and small scale theatre, and it can also be used as an event space for talks, workshops, courses and seated events for up to 35 people:
- 7m length x 4.6m width x 3.3m height.
- A light and airy room with the capacity for a near-blackout.
- Dedicated toilet, tea and coffee making facilities and WIFI.
- Good access for load ins and load outs.
- Suitable for workshops (15 people max) and meetings (35 people max).
ACCESSIBILITY: Although the Rehearsal Studio itself is accessible as it’s on the ground floor and has double door access with a small access ramp. Unfortunately the toilet facilities aren’t wheelchair accessible as the two doorways to get in to it are standard width (762mm or 2ft 6in wide). It is on the ground floor within the Rehearsal Studio so no steps involved. To find out more about accessibility we have made this short video tour – https://youtu.be/ElWrEa09v-8
NEW Rehearsal Studio Rates (2026-27):
Click to download our 2026-27 Rehearsal Studio Rate Card + Terms & Conditions.pdf
Click for more about our Associate Artist Annual Membership Subscription.
Email info@puppetplace.org to enquire about hiring the Rehearsal Studio.
Fabrication Bay (click to reveal):
We also offer a dedicated making area; ‘The Fabrication Bay’ which is located within our communal Fabrication Workshop. The dimensions are 3m width x 5m length. The bay is available for Resident and Associate Artists to hire for short term makes and as a spill over area. Other artists and companies working in puppetry, animation and model making are also welcome to hire the bay subject to availability.
The Fabrication Workshop is a contemporary making environment which offers a safe space for artists to develop their practices and projects. There is an initial introduction to the health and safety requirements of the area, followed by a comprehensive induction to the facilities, machinery and fabrication processes on offer.
Machinery and equipment in the fabrication area include:
- General: Extraction, work benches, wood & metal vices, communal hand & power tool, access to WiFi and communal a kitchen area with complementary teas and coffees.
- Woodworking: Bandsaw, scroll saw, dual bevel slide mitre saw, pillar drill, disk sander and belt sander.
- Machining: Metal bandsaw, pedestal grinder and engineering lathe.
- Plastic forming: Heat bender and vacuum former.
- Spray, resin & adhesive area: Fume extraction booth.
The Fabrication Bay is available for use on completion of a H&S induction, which costs £30. Access is generally available during normal working hours of 9.30am – 5pm, with the option of 24 hour access and bookings of five days or more considered on a case-by case basis on request.
Hirers must have their own Public Liability Insurance and agree to use the facilities at their own risk.
2026-27 Fabrication Bay Hire Rates:
Click to download our 2026-27 Fabrication Bay Rate Card + Terms & Conditions.pdf
Click for more about our Associate Artist Annual Membership Subscription.
Email info@puppetplace.org to enquire about hiring the Rehearsal Studio.
Creative Desk & Workshop Space (click to reveal):
Puppet Place also offers creative desk and workshop space for artists working in puppetry and animation, performing and visual arts and film. These spaces are ideally suited to the self-employed, freelancers and small companies. Additional benefits include discounted rates to hire the Fabrication Bay and Rehearsal Studio, complimentary use of the Meeting Room and a profile on the Resident Artists webpage.
To register your interest in becoming a Resident Artist when workspace becomes available please apply here.
