The city of Bristol, in southwest England, has a reputation as a creative, multicultural hub where there’s a lot to see and do – this is the home of Banksy, after all. If art’s your thing, Spike Island and the Arnolfini are worth a visit. The scenery isn’t bad, either – with Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Observatory to view it from. Here’s our pick of Bristol’s best bits.
On Park Street you’ll come across a number of cool, quirky stores, plenty of places for coffee, food and drinks, and – as the name would suggest – a park halfway along. Don’t miss the chance to snap a picture of one of Banksy’s famous murals, Well Hung Lover, at the bottom of the street.
Right at the bottom of Park Street is the College Green – or just the Green, as locals call it. This open public space sits right under the nose of the historic Bristol Library.
You’d be hard pressed to spot many fish peering over the edge of the harbour, but happily there’s a place right there on the harbourside where you can see fish and other marine life from all over the world. With more than 40 displays based on different sea and freshwater habitats, you can spend hours exploring. It’s also the only aquarium in the UK to feature a large botanical house, so you can meet some interesting plantlife as well.
Oakham Treasures is one of the largest privately owned history museums in the country, a wonderland of antiquated farm and retail memorabilia including toys, old packaging for familiar goods, tools, machinery and household items.
Bristol has a special significance in the UK’s skyfaring history, having been the birthplace of the Concorde. Now you can step inside the cockpit of the famous but ill-fated aircraft – and plenty more – at Aerospace Bristol. The museum features a timeline of aeronautical achievement dating back to the very first planes ever to be built right to the cutting edge, with plenty of interactive exhibits and special talks.
Next to the Zoo and Aquarium, Bristol plays host to a third place devoted to animals. The Wild Place Project was set up by the Bristol Zoological Society to support the conservation of African and European wildlife, and is fully open to the public. You can meet giraffes, lemurs, bears, baboons cheetahs and much more, all within reach of the city centre.
Additional reporting by Callum Davies.
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