Living in Bristol, it may seem like you’ve seen and done it all. But many of us born and raised in this bustling West Country city are embarrassed to admit that there are some tourist hotspots and attractions in our home town that we have yet to visit.
With this in mind, we got to wondering just what some of the most quintessentially Bristolian activities and landmarks should be a must for city dwellers to tick off their bucket list or ‘Bingo Card’ (as the kids say) at least once in their lifetime. From the massive events and iconic structures (balloons and bridges, anyone?) that Bristol boasts, to the quirkier spots that really make Bristol, Bristol.
As with all hometowns, sometimes such tourist spots can be taken for granted by locals. We’d love to know how many of these things you have ticked off your list – and if there’s anything missing from our list below that you’d recommend as being an absolute must see or do.
We’ve tried to include as many as possible, and haven’t even scraped the surface when it comes to local food and drink spots you need to add to your bucket list. But let us know what you’d include by emailing [email protected].
A visit to the SS Great Britain
Everyone in Bristol knows about Brunel’s SS Great Britain, once the largest passenger ship in the world which is now (according to its website) dubbed ‘Bristol’s number one attraction’. You’ve probably walked past it hundreds of times, and it’s no stranger to being the subject of many a photo of Bristol and the city’s tourism.
Jumping aboard this historic landmark, you can explore key features including two interactive museums, an historic dockyard, and dry dock, all taking you back in time through the ship – and Brunel’s history. The recommended timeframe for a visit to the SS Great Britain is around three to four hours, as there’s lots to see and do.
What’s more, this iconic ship has a calendar full of events for all the family. And you can even get a Sunday roast on board!
Climb aboard The Matthew
Speaking of iconic ships in the city, The Matthew of Bristol is one you can often climb aboard and explore for free as it’s moored up on Bristol’s Harbourside. However, it also has a sailing season during which you can book tickets for a trip along the water aboard this modern reconstruction of the ship that John Cabot sailed to Newfoundland in, in 1497.
The mast, sails and the boat itself, in all its glory, is a staple of the Harbourside’s furniture nowadays. So a visit is a must for anyone with an interest in Bristol’s maritime history, at least once in your lifetime.
Ride a Bristol Ferry
Sticking to the subject of boats and Bristol’s Harbourside (after all, there is an annual festival dedicated to it all) a journey aboard a Bristol Ferry is also a must. Anyone who has visited the Harbourside in their lifetime would have spotted the iconic yellow and blue painted Bristol Ferry boats passing by, but how many of you have actually ventured out on one?
Whether it’s a Waterbus trip for a boat ride around Bristol, or a private party or special event, Bristol’s Harbour wouldn’t be the same without them.
Go to a gig onboard the city’s award-winning floating music venue
For boat and music lovers, there’s a particularly perfect place for you. Thekla. This former cargo ship dating back to 1958 now functions as Bristol’s floating music venue and nightclub, which recently celebrated its 40th birthday.
Some of the biggest and best names in the world of music have played here – many of which have described it as one of the most weird and wonderful venues they have ever played at – and Thekla is well known within the Bristol community as boasting some of the best club nights and events in the city.
Why not explore some new music while enjoying a gig at this quirkiest of Bristol music venues.
Walk, cycle and drive along the Clifton Suspension Bridge
We couldn’t have a list of Bristol without including the pièce de résistance of Bristol landmarks – the Clifton Suspension Bridge. The iconic (yes, we said it again) structure attracts visitors from all over the world to bask in its wonder and, you can’t deny it, as a Bristolian a view of this engineering masterpiece by Brunel is certain to give you all of the feelings of home, whether you’re seeing it up close, from afar, or on a print or postcard.
But, while viewing it in all its glory can be said to be unmatched, travelling along it can also give you spectacular views of our hometown – need we say more?
While you’re at it – why not pay a visit to some of Bristol’s other bizarre bridges
When it comes to bridges in Bristol, it’s not just the Clifton Suspension Bridge we take great pride in – we’re pretty passionate about others in our city, too. From the wonderfully whimsical Pero’s Bridge on the Harbourside with its padlock tributes, to the bizarre Grade II-listed banana-shaped Langton Street Bridge (which is also known quite fittingly as the Banana Bridge), and Bristol Harbour’s Grade II-listed Prince Street swing bridge.
But there’s many more to explore, too – 45 in fact, even with its own 45km circular walk to tour them all.
Visit the Clifton Observatory for a spot of food, history and hot chocolate
While you’re wandering the length of Clifton Suspension Bridge, you can pop into the Clifton Observatory for a spot of lunch or one of their famed hot chocolates. Boasting panoramic views out over the bridge, the river and the city, the Observatory is home to a 360 degree cafe, a museum featuring a rare Victorian-era Camera Obscura, and an atmospheric and mythical Giant’s Cave.
Climb to the top of Cabot Tower
If views are what you’re after (and a bit of exercise), then a climb to the top of Cabot Tower is a definite must. Situated among a picturesque public park on Brandon Hill, it sits between the city centre, Clifton, and Hotwells, and is a Grade II-listed building built in the 1890s to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the journey of John Cabot, from Bristol to what is now Canada.
Explore Bristol Cathedral
Whether you wish to sit down for a service, or simply want to learn a bit more about its history, Bristol Cathedral on College Green is another landmark on the list to visit. This stunning piece of Bristol architecture hosts regular services, as well as events, and often plays host to a number of exhibitions and festivities at different times of the year, giving you the chance to experience this sacred space in a multitude of different ways.
It also recently reopened its cafe in collaboration with local Pinkmans Bakery.
Visit We The Curious (whether you’re a big kid or a little one)
Recently reopened following a fire, We The Curious has had a bit of a refurb but still boasts some 250 interactive exhibits and activities for all the family to enjoy. In fact, it’s one of the UK’s biggest interactive science centres – and it’s right on our doorstep.
And watch a show at the Planetarium
The big silver ball in Millennium Square is not only an iconic Bristol sight, but home to our very own Planetarium, which showcases some super space shows that enable viewers to explore the planets in our solar system and beyond. It also often plays host to some much loved films during certain quirky film festivals, making it a must experience venue for all the family.
…And at one or all of Bristol’s esteemed theatres, concert halls or other venues
While we’re on the subject of venues to watch a show – Bristol is not short on such spaces. From the Bristol Hippodrome right in the city centre, to the nearby recently revamped Bristol Beacon, the historic Bristol Old Vic, the Tobacco Factory in South Bristol, The Wardrobe Theatre, The Redgrave Theatre, St George’s Hall, Trinity Centre, and many many more – there are simply too many local independent music and theatre venues to list here.
But as Bristol is a city famed for its music, art, culture – and being the home of Hollywood movie legend, Cary Grant (and don’t let The Holiday tell you otherwise) – we can recommend venturing out to as many as possible.
Shop at St Nicks Market
A place literally described as ‘a maze of quirky stalls, street food and historic architecture’ in Bristol’s Old City, which has been trading since 1743 – we could just leave it there as that’s enough to sell it to the thousands upon thousands of visitors St Nick’s Market receives each year. But, if that’s not enough to convince you to check it out, then we have more up our sleeve.
Not only does this market in the heart of our beloved city boast ‘Bristol’s largest collection of independent retailers’, it’s also award-winning, with its accolades including being named Britain’s Best Large Indoor Market, in 2016. Many of Bristol’s best loved foodie spots, shops and restaurants have started life right here at the market, before gaining so much popularity they’ve had to set up their own shop to cater to demand.
…And Gloucester Road
Independents, you say? Well, in addition to St Nick’s Market, nobody does it better than Gloucester Road – the longest road of independent shops in the UK, and also home to some of the best pubs, bars and restaurants in the city. Spanning some 1.7 miles long, it runs through the suburbs of St Andrew’s, Bishopston, and Horfield.
You’ll find everything from historic pubs to lively bars, board games over cocktails, some of Bristol’s best loved cafes, bakeries and patisseries, and businesses offering everything from local art to plants and flowers, recycled furniture, clothing, handmade chocolate, and much much more.
Go graffiti spotting
Bristol is well known for its street art. Not only can we boast being the hometown of the renowned Banksy, but also a plethora of hugely talented street artists – many of which you can often see in action at Bristol’s ever popular Upfest, an annual festival in Bedminster dedicated to Bristol street art.
While there is plenty of street art to spot while just traversing around the city, including absolutely massive murals from another street art festival that is no more – See No Evil – there are also specialist tours you can embark on, taking you on a really unique adventure across Bristol.
… And balloon spotting
Bridges? Check. Banksy? Check. Balloons. Arguably THE most iconic sight in Bristol. Bristol’s ballooning history is one to behold, and one many of us often take for granted.
One of the staples in Bristol’s calendar each year is the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, which takes place across a weekend in August each year, at the spectacular Ashton Court Estate. Hundreds of balloons take to the skies in good weather, with displays and demonstrations taking to the arena throughout the weekend, and culminating in the stunning night glows that see giant hot air balloons inflate and glow in time to music once the sun has set.
First held in 1979, the festival now draws in crowds of over 100,000 on each day of the festival (which now lasts four three days) and its founder, Don Cameron, runs a hugely successful global hot air balloon manufacturers, based in the city, which builds balloons for customers all over the world.
Visit Blaise Castle
Like something from a fairytale, Blaise Castle Estate boasts a 650 acre Grade II-registered parkland, with a children’s play area, museum, orangery, house, dairy, and, of course, the castle itself. The estate is always open (with restrictions on special event days) and admission is free, while the dairy garden and castle are open at select times of the year.
The castle is actually a folly/decorative castle steeped in history. It sits on a hill overlooking the city, Avonmouth and the Avon Gorge, with views even across to South Wales on a clear day.
Watch a sports game at one of Bristol’s sporting grounds
Like many places around the world, Bristol is rather competitive when it comes to sports. In addition to the numerous sporting heroes we have provided the world over the years, we even have two major football teams based in the city – Bristol City to the south and Bristol Rovers to the north. They play at Ashton Gate Stadium and the Memorial Stadium, respectively.
There’s also basketball in the form of the Bristol Flyers, an ice hockey team (the Bristol Pitbulls), and Bristol is also home to the Gloucestershire County Cricket Club ground which sees many an important test match played.
Furthermore, Bristol boasts a Premiership rugby club in the form of the Bristol Bears. This top flight rugby team was founded in 1888 and in recent years have achieved particular success, being crowned European Champions in 2020.
Treat yourself at a heated Victorian pool
Move aside Bath with your, well, Roman Baths – Clifton is home to Bristol’s heated Victorian pool at the Bristol Lido. The 24-metre outdoor swimming pool is heated throughout the year to around 20-25 degrees celsius, to allow for comfortable swimming, while being situated at a spa destination that boasts a sauna, steam room, hot tub, and even a coveted restaurant.
Visit Bristol’s ‘best free attraction’ – bonus points if you take part in an event here
According to recent statistics from Visit Britain, Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust beat Clifton Suspension Bridge, which came in tenth in the list, as part of the organisation’s annual survey, to be named the most visited free attraction in the South West of England.
The historic cemetery has attracted visitors from across the globe to explore the grounds, which are home to gravesites dedicated to notable Bristol names, as well as a poignant section of War graves. It also regularly puts on a show, or a tour – with murder and grisly endings, as well as war memorials and even superstitions as key topics for tour conversation.
And, it’s also regularly hosting weddings, parties, movie nights, and other more lively events. It even boasts its own cafe, and a vast selection of flora and fauna, and wildlife to discover.
How about wandering around one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world?
This year, Stokes Croft was named one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the entire world – quite a title, right? Unsurprisingly to locals, this famous part of the city was described by Time Out as ‘ever-changing and ever-vibrant’ with the publication highlighting the area’s history as the ‘centre of the city’s African-Caribbean communities who have become instrumental in developing its unique culture over the past 50 years’.
And it’s well worth a visit. Boasting colourful shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs, Banksy artwork, and the iconic (we said it again and we’re not even sorry) Turbo Island, Stokes Croft is well and truly on the map – and if you’ve not spent a day here yet, then you really need to.
Say hello to the people and animals at one of the city farms
Bristol boasts two city farms.
St Werburghs City Farm is a registered charity described as being “an integral part of the local community, strengthening connections between land, animals and people for more than 40 years”.
It boasts a two-acre small holding, a one-acre community garden, a 2.5 acre conservation site (Boiling Wells) and 13 acres of community allotments, and runs a range of activities that ‘support people to re-connect, learn and grow’. It was even the backdrop for the third series of the popular BBC crime dramedy, Outlaws (which starred Bristol-born Stephen Merchant).
Another city farm to be found here in Bristol is Windmill Hill City Farm, located on Philip Street in Bedminster. This 4.5 acre green space in South Bristol boasts community gardens, a variety of farm animals, a play area, picnic areas and a cafe and farm shop.
There’s also a children’s nursery and indoor and outdoor spaces to hire, including a five-a-side football pitch. Like St Werburghs, Windmill Hill City Farm is open seven days a week, with the exception of a short break over Christmas, and entrance to the site is free but – as a charity – it encourages donations.
Windmill Hill also boasts a range of activities, services and other opportunities for the local community. These include supported volunteering, supported farm placements, Bristol Wellbeing College, and gardening for wellbeing.
Ride a wave at The Wave
Bristol is also home to The Wave, an inland surfing destination in Easter Compton that boasts endless man-made waves, an on-site camp for ultimate surf retreats, and a cafe/restaurant serving up delicious grub. If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at surfing, but don’t have the time or energy to head down to the coast and wait for those waves to come, you can get surfing lessons or free surf sessions right here in bristol.
Tour Concorde
Venture to Aerospace Bristol – an aerospace museum in Filton – and you can get up close, personal and onboard the Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, the final Concorde to be built and the last to fly. The indoor hangar is an impressive sight to behold, and also contains notable memorabilia and plenty of other things to see and do, too.
Enjoy the Christmas Steps
Though we’ve already mentioned plenty of historic streets among this list, the Christmas Steps is a spot you just have to visit. This quaint, hidden spot in the centre boasts its own pub, and picturesque landmarks including its famous metal sign, historic plaque and alcoves.
The Christmas Steps have even been mentioned in Terry Pratchet’s works (the last chapter of his novel Dodger), and a song by Scottish rock band Mogwai was even named after the street.