The best things to do in Bristol
If you are searching for the best things to do in Bristol, you have come to the right place. In this blog post, you can expect to find all the unique art spots, fantastic museums, famous Bristol attractions, delicious foodie spots, and more!
While there are many great places to visit in the south of England, Bristol has to be one of the best. From the art and culture scene to the food scene to the rich history of pirates and North American expeditions, Bristol has something for everyone.
If you are looking for lively, creative cities with a fascinating history, Bristol is one of the best places in the UK for that. Furthermore, if you want to experience a fantastic food scene, unique art, and culture, you will also fall in love with this city. Summer is a great time to visit, as the city is most alive. It is also where most events occur, including the famous Balloon Fiesta!
Once you have explored the city and seen all of the things to see in Bristol, you will be surprised to find that many of the most famous places in the UK are within reasonable driving distance of Bristol! This is another reason why it is a fantastic place to visit if you want to explore more of England than just one city. Some of the best places near Bristol include Bath, Somerset, the Cotswolds, Wells, and many more! The best thing about some of these places is that they are also easily accessible via. public transport. I especially encourage you to leave some room to visit the ancient city of Bath, just a 20-minute train ride from Bristol!
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The best things to do in Bristol
1. Walk across the Clifton Suspension Bridge
Let’s start this list with one of the most iconic Bristol attractions; the Clifton Suspension Bridge. If you can only visit one place besides the city center, you must visit the Suspension Bridge! The bridge was built by the famous engineer Isambard Brunel. The views at this place are breathtaking and worth a visit itself. However, you can find more information inside the visitor center if you want to learn more about the bridge’s history. Afterward, you can visit the observatory for another fantastic angle and viewpoint of the bridge!
2. Go looking for Banksy Art Bristol
One of the best things to do in Bristol is see the famous Banksy art. If you haven’t heard of Banksy, he is now a world-famous artist whose early work is hidden around Bristol city. Going around the city to spot the different pieces is an absolute must for anyone visiting. It is so much fun and feels like a treasure hunt in the city! Below you will find a list of the places you are still able to visit:
- Barton Hill: Valentine’s Day Mural
- Central Bristol: Grim Reaper
- Central Bristol: The Girl with the Pierced Eardrum
- Central Bristol: You Don’t Need Planning Permission to Build Castles in the Sky
- Central Bristol: Frogmore Street, Well Hung Lover
- Central Bristol: Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Paint-Pot Angel
- Stokes Croft: The Canteen, Mild, Mild West
- Near Montpelier Health Centre: Take the Money and Run
- Easton: Cat and Dog
3. Learn about British history in Brunel’s SS Great Britain
Nestled on Spike Island is one of the most historic Bristol attractions, the SS Great Britain Ship. This is yet another thing that was built by the famous Brunel. In the 1800s, this was the longest passenger ship in the world, making its importance and historic significance something absolutely worth visiting and seeing for yourself! It is also a great place to learn more about the history of its heritage and Isambard Brunel himself. You can easily spend a few hours exploring the ship, so schedule enough time!
Entrance Fee: £22 per adult (17+). Find more information on bookings here.
Opening Hours: Spring and Summer: Tue-Sun: 10am-5pm, Autumn and Winter: Tue-Sun: 10am-4pm.
Address: Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, Bristol, BS1 6TY
4. Visit Bristol Cathedral
Nestled on the banks of College Green, you will find one of the most beautiful things to see in the city, Bristol Cathedral. It is England’s only hall church Cathedral, making it impossible to miss when visiting. Besides this, the architecture of this cathedral is magnificent. If you love gothic-style architecture as much as me, seeing the cathedral is one of the best things to do in Bristol for you! While it is easy to get stuck outside admiring the incredible details of the cathedral’s architecture, make sure you head inside, too, as it is just as breathtaking!
Opening Hours: Varies, depending on the season. Find more information here.
Address: College Green, Bristol BS1 5TJ
5. See Wills Memorial Building
Wills Memorial Building is one of the most beautiful buildings in the UK, and one of the best things to do in Bristol is to go on a guided tour. It was officially opened in 1925 by King George V and Queen Mary, hosting graduation ceremonies twice a year. Today you will also find a library inside the building, and they also have tower tours that allow the public to see what is behind this grand building! On the guided tour, you will get a beautiful view above Park Street and experience the Great Hall, the Council Chamber, and the Ornate libraries. Visiting Wills Memorial Building on a guided tour will leave you with a beautiful tour of the inside of the building and unique insight into the history of the building.
Opening Hours: Tours take place every Saturday at 11am or 1pm, they last around 60-90 minutes.
Tour Prices: Tour prices range from £5-7 pounds per adult, depending on what time of day you want to visit. You can find more information here.
Address: Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1RJ
6. Visit Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
If you have to visit one museum in Bristol, make it the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. This museum was first established in 1823. This museum covers almost everything you can think of, from thousands of years of English history to art, archaeology, mummies, and dinosaurs. One of the best things about it is that it is entirely free to visit, so there is no excuse not to add this to your Bristol attractions!
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun: 10am-5pm
Entrance Fee: Free
Address: Queens Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1RL
7. Soak in the views from Brandon Hill and Cabot Tower
If you visit on sunny days, you should spend one of them on Brandon Hill with a picnic. It is a fantastic place to enjoy a picnic or just sit and soak in the views of the Bristol skyline. Having that said, even if you are not visiting on the sunniest of days, it is still a must-see! One of the best things to do in Bristol is climb the famous Cabot Tower for spectacular views. While Brandon Hill is always free to visit and wander around, you must do so within the opening hours linked below if you want to climb the Cabot Tower.
Opening Hours (Cabot Tower): Usually open from 8am from Mon-Sun, but varies depending on the season. Find more information here.
Address: Brandon Hill Park, Park St, Bristol BS1 5RR
8. Have a break at Queen Square
If you need a beautiful place to sit with a takeaway sandwich or a cold drink, Queen Square is the perfect place. It is a gorgeous Georgian park area in the heart of Bristol, yet still surrounded by nature, trees, and charming Georgian townhouses with cobblestone streets. While this place may not necessarily be on every top Bristol attractions list, it is extremely popular with locals and nearby workers. The square also regularly hosts major events such as concerts and outdoor theaters, so it is worth checking out if there is anything going on when you visit!
9. Wander up the beautiful Christmas Steps
The Christmas Steps has some of my favourite things to see in Bristol. It is a beautiful place that you can take gorgeous photos of and has many unique, independent shops and cafés. Some include a board game café, a magazine and bookshop, and an incredible cake shop. Snap a few photos of this iconic spot, then explore some shops, and have a cold drink and a cake in one or more of the cafés.
10. Go for a wander on Gloucester Road and through Stokes Croft
If you want the whole experience of Bristol, you must add Gloucester Road and Stokes Croft to your bucket list. This part of Bristol is most well-known for its artistic and “edgy” vibe. You will stumble upon endless beautiful graffiti art as you wander through Stokes Croft. You will also see continuous independent businesses, indie shops, and retailers. And on Gloucester Road, you will find some of the best restaurants in Bristol, including The Coconut Tree, a famous Sri Lankan restaurant.
11. Have lunch at St Nicholas Market
Another of the best things to do in Bristol is visit St Nicholas Market. You will find independent shops with books, plants, and more inside this market. You will also find delicious street food, including falafel pittas, pies, Caribbean wraps, and more. A few of my favourite places include Eat a Pitta, Beware of the Leopards Bookshop, and Jewellery Lane.
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 9:30am-5pm
Address: The Corn Exchange, Corn St, Bristol BS1 1JQ
12. Wander along Bristol Harbour and see M Shed
One of the best ways to experience many of the Bristol attractions is to wander along Bristol Harbour. Along the way, you will stumble upon some of the most famous areas of Bristol, including some of the ones already mentioned in this blog post.
You will also stumble upon many fantastic harbourside restaurants and cafés. My favorite food area along the Bristol Harbour is the newly made concept where shipping containers have been converted into a host of independent eateries and shops. This area is called CARGO and is part of the Wapping Wharf. Some places here include V Burger (A fully vegan fast food place), The Cider Box, The Choux Box Patisserie, and Seven Lucky Gods.
Along the harbour, you will also find another of the best Bristol attractions, the M Shed Museum! If you want to learn everything you need about the city, its places, its people, and their stories, then you must visit the M Shed museum. It is yet another museum that is free to visit, so don’t skip it! Find the opening hours and more below.
Opening Hours (M-Shed Museum): Tue-Sun: 10am-5pm
Entrance Fee (M-Shed Museum): Free
Address (M-Shed Museum): Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol BS1 4RN
13. Experience Bristol’s Balloon Fiesta
One of the most iconic things to see in Bristol is the Balloon Fiesta. It takes place once every year during late summer and is entirely weather dependent. If you plan on visiting during the late summer months, see if you can work it around the festival! It takes place in August every year, so make sure you check whether or not the festival is on during your visit! You can find more information below.
Dates and information: Find more information here
Address: Ashton Court Estate, Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9JN
