10 Best Things to Do in Bristol

Harbourside has the biggest collection of tourist sites in Bristol. The curiously named science and arts centre, We The Curious, is worth a visit for its interactive and sensory exhibits. The awe-inspiring tall spires of Bristol Cathedral are easy to spot, and you’ll be treated to medieval architecture with 900 years of history. The free M Shed museum showcases Bristol’s diverse and intriguing culture, and its adjoining L Shed contains thousands of industrial and maritime artefacts.

With large, pedestrianised squares, the whole area is very easy to navigate. There are some gorgeous waterfront views, so don’t forget to pack a picnic and sit a while to enjoy them.

Designed by legendary inventor Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1843, the SS Great Britain changed shipbuilding forever with its revolutionary new design. Now docked in Bristol, you can explore the boat and find out more about Brunel’s marvelous inventions.

This is no dusty piece of history. The past is brought to life with guides dressed in period costumes and speaking to you like you’re a sailor on the high seas. It’s fun for all ages, and we recommend climbing the rigging for an unforgettable view.

Just across the river from Harbourside, Wapping Wharf is a neighbourhood brimming with a brilliant selection of restaurants and bars to choose from. As a cosmopolitan city, Bristol contains excellent international cuisine, such as mouth-watering Caribbean fare at Calypso Kitchen or contemporary sushi dishes at Seven Lucky Gods.

One of the most unique restaurants to be found in Wapping Wharf must be Box-E, which is built into a couple of repurposed shipping containers. Talk about fitting your environment. It’s surprisingly stylish inside, and serves creative British dishes using seasonal ingredients.

The all-weather centre Cabot Circus has an incredible selection of international brands and local designer boutiques, located in the heart of Bristol. Containing over 130 stores, one highlight is a large Harvey Nichols department store, where you can find luxury fashion and tasteful homeware. Get your nails or eyebrows treated or nip to the bank between bouts of retail therapy.

The elegant, curved glass ceiling and semi-outdoor design make Cabot Circus a striking sight, especially in the sun. If you get hungry, choose from fast food options like juicy burgers from Five Guys, or sit down to some succulent BBQ in Casa Brasil.

Standing proudly atop the summit in the Brandon Hill parkland, the awe-inspiring Cabot Tower is one of the best viewpoints in Bristol. Built in the 1890s, it honours the 400th anniversary of explorer John Cabot’s voyage from Bristol to the land that would become Canada.

The steep, narrow stairs are atmospheric but quite tricky, so be careful when climbing up and down. It’s a very romantic spot, with more than a passing resemblance to a fairy-tale tower, so be sure to take a picture. Within walking distance from the city centre, Brandon Hill is Bristol’s oldest park, and features beautiful gardens, a nature conservation area and a playground.

The mysterious urban artist known only as Banksy is reportedly from Bristol, as the city has more artworks signed by this enigmatic figure than anywhere else in the world. You can take a walk around central Bristol and admire some of their thought-provoking urban art.

You can find their works in several central Bristol locations, including Harbourside, Wapping Wharf and Albion Dockyard. Make sure to head along Park Street to Stokes Croft, the cultural hub of the city, to see Banksy’s Mild, Mild West. There’s tons more excellent urban art to discover plastered over the walls here, making it a must-see for street art fans.

Another Brunel design, and perhaps his most famous for local Bristolians, the Clifton Suspension Bridge has spawned countless copies across the world. There’s a visitor centre on the Leigh Woods side of the bridge, which showcases many of Brunel’s designs and explains how the bridge is maintained today. You can even book onto a guided bridge tour.

The best place to see this proud example of British engineering brilliance as it stretches across the Avon Gorge is from the Clifton Observatory, on the hills above the bridge. This popular picnic spot gets busy in summer, when you’ll find people playing football and flying kites.

Bristol’s museums cover everything from naval aircraft to Victorian life but every first-time visitor should set aside a few hours for Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. Housed in an Edwardian Baroque building, this eclectic museum is crammed with an array of Italian and Dutch Old Master paintings, and one of the best collections of Far Eastern glass, ceramics and carvings you’ll find outside of Asia.

There’s an equally strong showing for natural history, with one of Britain’s best-preserved dinosaur skeletons and a fascinating display of taxidermy animals, including Alfred the gorilla, a former resident of Bristol Zoo who became a famous mascot for Bristol.

Bristol is a real hotspot for performance art, but there’s something special about the Old Vic. In fact, it’s the oldest continuously working theatre in the English-speaking world. This Georgian venue holds a diverse programme of events, including plays, comedy, dance and music shows throughout the year.

Don’t miss their collection of heritage exhibits, which tells the fascinating story of this historic theatre, including famous actors and ground-innovative performances. With drama classes for adults and young people, free family activities and a whole host of incredible resources for theatre makers, this iconic venue really enriches the city of Bristol.

Bar hopping in Bristol is the best way to finish the night. As a university city, and one with a strong community culture, you can find lots of interesting bars and clubs to spend the evening. A convenient spot to enjoy a few of those famous Bristol ciders is Millennium Square.

Pubs like The Apple, which is a quirky cider bar on a moored barge, and the rustic Small Bar are popular stops on your way around the square. For live music, check out the The Old Duke for top quality jazz and blues.