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Bristol, located on the borders of Somerset and Gloucestershire, is one of the largest cities in England. Just like London, it has many industries, has its international airport, and is just as bustling and vibrant.
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Aside from its Georgian architecture and impressive gorge, Bristol has a flourishing cultural landscape enveloping some of the liveliest modern art, music, and theater. It also has a wide selection of restaurants, cafés, and bars, all fueling its colorful nightlife. With all these and more, historic Bristol thus makes a nice stop on your Britain itinerary.
Here are the top things to do in Bristol, UK during your visit.
Bristol Attractions
1. SS Great Britain
SS Great Britain is one of Bristol’s iconic sights. This transatlantic liner boasts of being the first propeller-driven type that navigated the oceans of the world. Built by English engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1843, it plied the Liverpool to New York route as well as the Liverpool to Melbourne course, going around the globe 32 times and recording more than a million miles of sea voyage. She has since stopped her navigation in 1886 after being caught in a storm near Cape Horn.
When visiting SS Great Britain in its current location in the harbor, you are treated to its vast engine room, officers’ quarters, refurbished cabins, bakery, galley, and more. It has a museum that provides more information on the vessel as well as Bristol’s history in building ships.
2. Clifton Suspension Bridge
The Clifton Suspension Bridge is a 702-foot-long bridge that runs through Bristol’s Avon Gorge. Also designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, it is the city’s most famous symbol. Its construction began in 1831 but completion of the whole project was realized only in 1864.
The Visitor Center at the end of the bridge offers a short exhibition of the bridge’s history, copies of its original plans, and other relevant information.
Nearby is Clifton village with its many shops ranging from antique stores to craft shops and little boutiques. You can visit this village, including England’s longest Georgian crescent, Royal York Crescent, which affords amazing scenery of the River Avon.
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3. Bristol Cathedral
Formerly St. Augustine Abbey, Bristol Cathedral started as an abbey in 1140. Its location is said to be the place where St. Augustine met with the Celtic Christians in 603. It became a cathedral in the sixteenth century.
The highlights of Bristol Cathedral include the choir with its Gothic drawings and the nineteenth-century towers on the western front designed by John Loughborough Pearson.
You will also find the following in the vicinity: the Chapter House, the Elder Lady Chapel, and the Eastern Lady Chapel, all worth looking into.
4. Church of St. Mary Redcliffe
Queen Elizabeth, I called this 14th-century house of worship “the fairest, goodliest and most famous church in England”. It is a well-decorated church built to accommodate Bristol merchants and mariners who wanted to pray for the safe travels of their vessels. Worth a look is the armor and arms of Sir William Penn, the father of the founder of Pennsylvania.
5. M Shed
For a closer look and a better understanding of the city of Bristol, its beginnings, history, landscape, and culture, visit M Shed.
This museum situated in an old harbor shed, showcases artifacts, memorabilia, and other objects related to Bristol that shed light on the city. The long terrace on its highest floor offers some fantastic views of the harbor, so don’t miss it.
6. Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
Inside this beautiful Edwardian-Baroque structure with several floors, you will find pieces of art from different periods. There are also exhibits on natural history, archaeology, Asian pottery and art, and others—something for everyone. In the natural history section, children will delight in the exhibits of dinosaur fossils and different animals. Admission is free.
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7. We The Curious
In this delightful kid-friendly science center, children can explore a great array of science and technology displays through interactive multimedia channels. They can make their cartoon animations, examine the human body, travel through outer space in a cool spacecraft, make sculptures, play with parachutes, and engage in more educational and fun activities. There are also fun things to do for those who are kids at heart.
8. Tyntesfield
Tyntesfield is a lavish Victorian Gothic Revival house located seven miles southwest of Bristol. Its name originated from the Tynte baronets who were landowners in the area since 1500.
You can tour its 35-bedroom well-decorated interior as well as go around its gardens, grounds, and parkland. The property also has a chapel, several play areas, a restaurant, cafés, and shops.
9. The Corn Exchange
The Corn Exchange is a grand 18th-century building on Corn Street. It served as a corn and general trade exchange in the olden days, hence its name. Nowadays, it houses offices, an indoor market, and St. Nicholas Market.
The indoor market has a wide array of stalls selling various products, from locally made crafts to clothes, accessories, and more. St. Nicholas Market has food shops where you can grab a bite.
A significant attraction in the place that you should see is the clock and the four pillars at the front entrance of the building. The clock displays unique minute hands, displaying Greenwich Mean Time, Bristol Time, and London Time. The four pillars, on the other hand, were said to be the trading tables called “nails” where the well-known phrase “pay on the nail” came from.
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10. Berkeley Castle
Berkeley Castle is the medieval stronghold belonging to the Berkeley family for more than 850 years since 1153. Situated 20 miles north of Bristol in the small village of Berkeley, this well-preserved castle is privy to the murder of Edward II in 1327 and has been graced with the presence of Elizabeth I, Henry VIII, and Anne Boleyn.
Inside the castle walls, you’ll be treated to towering towers and turrets, dark dungeons, and a seemingly endless array of treasures. Furniture, stained glass windows, paintings, tapestries, and the like are such sights to behold. Outside, the garden and grounds are beautiful oases to explore with benches to sit on and enjoy the views.
Films like Jonny English 3, and period dramas like BBC’s The White Princess, Wolf Hall, Galavant, and Poldark have used Berkeley Castle as the setting of some of their scenes.
Berkeley Castle offers many activities including but not limited to archery, knight school, and jester training. Guided tours are available.
Guided Activities in Bristol
For a better Bristol experience, check out these guided activities that will make your trip richer. You can book them well in advance of your trip to ensure you won’t run out of slots.
Is Bristol worth visiting?
Bristol is worth visiting for its rich history, diverse culture, and vibrant arts scene. The city offers museums, historic sites, street art, shopping, dining, and natural beauty like the Avon Gorge. Accessibility and various events throughout the year add to the appeal for a well-rounded travel experience.
Bristol Hotels
For great places to stay in Bristol, check out these highly-rated accommodations.
Wrap Up
Bristol is a fascinating city to explore. We hope you enjoy your visit there with these top things to do in Bristol. Happy travels!
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Great post! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you!
Your trip Bristol looks amazing. I really love the pictures – great post!
Glad to know you love them, thank you!