You are here: Home » About Us » Introducing BaRAS

Introducing BaRAS

Our Offices
The unit is part of the Leisure and Culture division of Bristol City Council. Since 2000, its offices have been in St Nicholas Church, in the heart of the old city of Bristol. St Nicholas Church was among the buildings damaged during the first major Luftwaffe raid on the city on Sunday 24th November 1940. Damage from incendiary bombs completely gutted the upper church, however the lower church, which was in use as an air raid shelter, survived. You can find out more about this historic building by reading the article on St Nicholas Church in our blog.

st nicholas church bristol

Photo: Our offices are based in St Nicholas Church near Bristol Bridge, in the heart of the medieval city of Bristol and on the line of the first Town Wall.

Bristol and Region Archaeological Services was formed in 1992, having developed out of the original field archaeology team attached to Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. Field archaeologists were first employed by the museum in 1968, at first on a largely temporary basis until the first permanent team became established in the late 1970s.

This background gives the staff of BaRAS an unrivalled knowledge of the history and archaeology of the region, as well as an appreciation of the economics and development needs of the area, which informs every project in which the unit is involved.

Our Services

As well as desk-based assessments, evaluations and excavations, BaRAS has staff able to carry out building surveys and artefact assessments and reports. In-house expertise in surveying, illustration, and report design & production all contribute to the provision of a well-rounded professional service to developers.

Our Clients

Some of the clients for whom we have carried out projects include:

  • Beachside Ltd
  • Bristol City Council
  • Columbia Design and Build
  • Crest Nicholson Ltd
  • David Wilson Homes
  • Forthglen Investments Ltd
  • Lindstrom Investments Ltd
  • Network Rail
  • Newland Homes Ltd
  • Oakhill Group Ltd
  • Redrow Homes Ltd
  • St Mary Redcliffe Church
  • University of Bristol
  • University of the West of England