10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Bristol

Broadmead is part of the famous Bristol Shopping Quarter, together with prominent malls like Cabot Circus, The Arcade Bristol and The Galleries. The pedestrianised thoroughfare is lined with branches of Boots, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams and Primark, as well as independent and designer stores, resulting in a diverse shopping experience.

Continue on to The Arcade Bristol, where you can find cafés, beauty parlours and gift shops in a Grade II-listed Victorian building. Broadmead is also very popular during annual festivities, especially Christmas when the streets host dozens of market stalls selling homemade treats, decorations and trinkets.

Cabot Circus is an all-weather shopping centre in Bristol. It has the best selection of international brands and local designer boutiques. Containing over 140 stores, the highlight is a large Harvey Nichols department store. The curved glass ceiling and semi-outdoor design make Cabot Circus suitable for any weather. If you get hungry, there’s plenty of restaurants to choose from – everything from fast food to fine dining.

St Nicholas Market occupies the Grade I-listed Exchange Building on Corn Street, about a 5-minute walk of Castle Park and Bristol Bridge. It’s one of the city’s oldest markets, having operated since 1743.

You can find around 50 stalls offering clothes, jewellery, books, records, artworks, and greeting cards, just to name a few. If you’re feeling hungry, head to the back of St Nicholas Market to the Glass Arcade – expect dozens of small eateries serving up cuisine from all over the world.

The Galleries is a 3-storey indoor shopping mall in Bristol’s city centre. You’ll find over 80 shops, with notable brands such as Boots, TK Maxx, Hallmark, Jack Wills, and WHSmith.

Dining-wise, the mall mostly has fast-food options like Subway, Burger King, and Caffe Nero, along with several international restaurants. Part of the Bristol Shopping Quarter, The Galleries is within walking distance of Cabot Circus and Broadmead. Castle Park is just opposite the shopping mall – must-visits include the Bristol Castle and St Peter's Church.

The historic Christmas Steps may be a popular photo spot, but it’s also surrounded by art galleries, tattoo studios, and independent shops. Wear comfortable shoes to explore its intertwining streets and alleyways like Perry Road, Colston Street, Park Row, St Michael's Hill and Upper Maudlin Street. You can often see designers, publishers and artisans working in their respective studios.

Christmas Steps Art Quarter is an excellent place for unique gifts and statement pieces, especially if you’re into alternative trends. The area also has excellent bars and pubs offering craft beers, local bites, live music and weekend DJ sets.

Wapping Wharf is a floating neighbourhood in Bristol’s historic harbourside. While it’s most popular for its eclectic food offerings, you can also find plenty of independent shops and beauty studios lining its tree-lined streets.

CARGO has dozens of local traders occupying converted shipping containers. Handmade jewellery, vintage clothes, home décor, and artworks are some of the many things you can buy in Wapping Wharf. There’s a yoga studio, massage parlour, and barbershop if you want to take a break from shopping. You’re also within walking distance of landmarks such as the Brunel's SS Great Britain Museum and M Shed.

Gloucester Road is the unofficial Indie Shopping District of Bristol. Locals claim it to be the UK’s longest street of independent shops, with the adjoining Stokes Croft carrying on the indie feel.

Wander past colourful graffitied walls as you make your way from shop to shop, where you can even purchase your own piece of street art. Guerrilla Galleries offers contemporary paintings, while Room 212 displays various crafts by 50 local artists. Stokes Croft is where you can spot Banksy's best street art, along with rows of indie shops, artisan bakeries, and greengrocers.

The Bristol Harbourside Market is a weekly gathering of artists, foodies, shoppers and musicians. It takes place every weekend by No.1 Harbourside, stretching along a covered walkway on the city’s waterfront. It’s just a few steps away from the Bristol Tourist Information Centre and the Bristol City Centre Landing ferry terminal.

You'll find dozens of stalls selling handmade goods, such as jewellery, clothes, artworks and soaps. There are also home bakers offering a variety of cakes, bread, and pastries. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, you can enjoy plenty of international dishes at the Harbourside Street Food Market on Broad Quay.

Clifton Village is a classy shopping district with Georgian townhouses lining its leafy streets. It’s a relaxing place to shop, with a mixture of classy boutiques, antique stores and cafés. There are also independent record shops for fans of classical music, while vibrant bars and restaurants are concentrated around the nearby Whiteladies Road.

A must-visit is Clifton Arcade, where you can find dozens of small shops selling jewellery, pottery, vintage clothes, and homeware, all housed in a restored Victorian-era shopping arcade. Clifton Village is less than 2 miles northwest of Bristol’s city centre.

Park Street has rows of independent shops selling clothes, art, records and books. Many businesses occupy elegant Georgian buildings, making for a pleasant shopping experience in Bristol. This major shopping street links Bristol’s city centre to Clifton.

Park Street is great for vintage clothing, homeware and retro designs. Love From Random, an aptly named store, offers a constantly changing collection of stock, where you can find everything from 1970s Playmobil characters to Moomin-themed bath products. You can visit Bristol Cathedral and College Green nearby to unwind and explore some of Bristol's oldest buildings.