The 30 Best Things to See and Do in Bristol, UK

Talk to anyone from Bristol about a must-see spot and you’re guaranteed to be told about the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge. With views across the gorge and the entire city, this is a fun and romantic location. Walk across the bridge, drive over for a small toll fee or simply sit on the surrounding grass or in a local pub and soak up the views. Don’t miss how it lights up at night.

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.

Bristol is well-known for its diverse culture and the Stokes Croft area, just outside the city centre, is definitely the most vibrant district in the city. Expect to see lots of street art, cool independent stores and plenty of quirky places to eat.

This outdoor space is halfway up Park Street. With plenty of green space, although a little hilly, it’s a great place to sit in the sun after a hard day’s shopping.

Bringing us onto our next must-see spot, taking a stroll around Bristol Harbour is something everyone should do when visiting the city. With pretty views of the bobbing boats and an abundance of pubs to stop off in for a tipple along the way, this is a great way to spend an afternoon. There’s also a regular market here that’s extremely popular with locals.

Situated in the park on Brandon Hill, this Grade-II listed building was built in the 1890s to commemorate John Cabot, an Italian navigator and explorer who spent time in the city and set sail for the Americas from here. From the platforms at the top of the tower you can get great views across the city.

Head to this long-established zoo to encounter some amazing exotic species from around the world, including monkeys, lions and gorillas.

This garden space, in the centre of Bristol, is a popular spot away from the city bustle. Be sure to check out the equestrian statue of William III located right in the middle of the square.

Brunel’s SS Great Britain is a huge ship that has taken up residence in the Bristol Harbour. You can visit the ship, which was first launched in 1843, and soak up its history and marvel at its structure. There are a bunch of different events held here throughout the year, from sports to literary-themed days.

The Arnolfini art gallery is legendary among Bristolians, and not just for the incredible exhibitions that are on display. As well as being home to a cafe-bar that’s perfect for enjoying a post-exhibition coffee or glass of wine, there’s also an in-house bookshop boasting a range of different specialist publications. In the summer months, locals love sitting outside the building to enjoy the harbour views.

The recently opened Cargo at Wapping Wharf consists of a number of different shipping containers, housing little restaurants, bars and pop-ups covering everything from massage therapy to kitchenware.

If vast, rolling green space is what your heart desires, then a visit to Clifton Downs is a must. Head down with family and friends, take a picnic and enjoy hours of fresh air in the great outdoors.

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.

Fancy a stroll through magical woodland? Leigh Woods is another Bristol spot that offers something completely different, but still practically in the centre of town. With a number of different trail options, it’s suitable for all levels of fitness, while the benches provide perfect picnicking spots.

This huge country estate, not too far from Bedminster (south of the river) hosts a number of events including markets and a hot-air balloon festival. With a golf course, deer park and bikes available to rent, this is the perfect location for a day out.

This historic street located near the fountains in the city centre is essentially a set of steep, slanted steps with shops located on either side as you walk down (including the well-established barber shop Harry Blades). There’s also the convenient and aptly named Christmas Steps pub, positioned right at the bottom.

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.

Upfest is one of Europe’s biggest street art festivals. While the event only takes place once a year, the incredible artwork is on display all year round, adorning shopfronts and sides of buildings. Take a stroll from top to bottom and marvel at the colourful work by some of the world’s most renowned graffiti artists.

The Bearpit has been described as an outdoor art gallery. The space which is located below St James Barton roundabout has been transformed in recent years and now features colourful street art and a number of independent restaurants through one of the tunnels. This is a great route to take if you’re walking from town to the aforementioned Stokes Croft.

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.

A great counterpart to the other, older galleries around the city, Spike Island is the place to go to see contemporary art in Bristol. It provides a home for an international community of more than 70 different artists, featuring everything from sculptures to paintings to things which almost defy definition. Sitting just up from Wapping Wharf, on the banks of the Avon, it’s a perfect setting for the art displayed there, and is open year round with special exhibitions happening all the time.

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.

If you’re seeing the suspension bridge, the Clifton Observatory is a great place to stop off at on your way. Built in 1766 as a windmill, it was later converted into an observatory, complete with a camera obscura that’s still in working condition. The observatory leads into a cave, which is also open to the public, so you can learn about the natural and manmade history of this spot, as well as taking in the postcard-worthy views.

Banksy: notorious graffiti artist and Bristol’s most famous creation. This English city is famed for the world-class street art that adorns the back alleys, underpasses and pretty much any accessible areas of Bristol. Street artist Banksy lifted this reputation to new heights when he shot to fame, defying capture by police, bedaubing the city with his bold, controversial murals. Banksy is now famous across the world, and visitors flock from all four corners of the globe to admire these priceless pieces of graffiti by the true master of street art. Maps and walking tours are available to ensure you don’t miss anything in the outdoor gallery that is Bristol’s streets.

Recommended by Marianna Hunt.

A must-visit for culture lovers, this creativity and media-centre houses three cultural cinemas, a media studio, events spaces, and a café-bar. The hot hang-out of Bristol’s young, hipster population, this striking building is located inside various former warehouses on Bristol’s harbour side, one of the best settings in the city. The refurbished transit sheds provide a stylish and modern backdrop to the incredible range of films here at the Watershed, with everything from world-famous blockbusters and award-winning documentaries to niche art-house films and the up-and-coming stars of foreign cinema. The complex plays host to many film festivals, such as Encounters Film Festival, Wildscreen, and Afrika Eye, where it promotes the unknown masters and tomorrow’s stars of modern film.

Recommended by Marianna Hunt.

Ancient mummies, exhibits of regional wildlife and natural history, and outstanding collections of art in Bristol’s celebrated art gallery. Exhibitions from world-famous painters, artists, and sculptors have decorated the walls of the historic building throughout the years. Archaeology, geology, anthropology, biology, and artistic excellence all rub shoulders in the three floors and 19 galleries of this fascinating museum, which truly does offer something for everyone. The beautiful Edwardian building almost rivals the art it contains in terms of beauty.

Recommended by Marianna Hunt.

This museum is a true celebration of Bristol life. Come and explore the places and people that have earned this English city its fame. The museum is home to exhibits on the city’s history, from its pre-historic beginnings right up to modern day, with fascinating ancient artefacts and wonderfully quirky present day stories and anecdotes that make visitors truly feel a part of Bristol life. Some of the best art and photography to have come out of the city are displayed here and the exhibit on the local Aardman Studios, animators of Wallace and Gromit, is particularly interesting. The museum also owns an historic steam train and visitors are able to enjoy jaunts along the harbour side.

Recommended by Marianna Hunt.

If you’re after a flat white to enjoy in a cool environment, then head to Small St Espresso or Full Court Press to receive just that. Loved by locals and travellers alike, the coffee is exceptionally good, and the staff are really friendly.

Located toward the top of Park St, Pinkmans Bakery is a popular brunch spot with the locals. They pretty much have everything you could want: Pizza, croissants, baked goods (including great options for free-from diets), salads — the list is nearly endless. Team this with long, wooden shared tables, low-hanging lights and an open kitchen, and you’ve got the perfect cool atmosphere. Another favourite for nibbles and drinks is The Old Bookshop .