Bristol

Understand

Bristol is the United Kingdom's 8th most populous city (approximately 483,000 as of mid-2023) and the most populated city in South West England, making it a core city in England. It received a Royal Charter in 1155 and was granted county status in 1373. From the 13th century, for half a millennium, it ranked among the top four English cities (after London and alongside York and Norwich) until the rapid rise of Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester during the Industrial Revolution in the latter part of the 18th century. Bristol borders the counties of Somerset and Gloucestershire and is near the historic cities of Bath to the southeast, Gloucester to the north and Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, to the northwest. The city was built around the River Avon, and has a short coastline on the estuary of the River Severn where it flows into the Bristol Channel.

Although often overlooked as a tourist destination, Bristol has a lot to offer of its own and is an excellent base for exploring the West Country, with relatively inexpensive accommodation compared to some of the main ‘tourist traps’ and a huge choice of bars, restaurants and shops. It is one of the most culturally vibrant cities in England, hosting a wide variety of visual arts, theatre, speciality shopping and live music.

Young people have flocked to Bristol thanks to the city's stunning and brilliant music scene - the likes of Massive Attack, Portishead, Tricky and Roni Size have contributed some of the most outstanding back catalogue of albums in the history of British music - not bad for a city which even in the early 1980s was considered a backwater of the British music scene. Indeed, in 2010 it was voted Britain's most musical city. The success of the Bristol music scene began in 1991 when Massive Attack released their magnificent opus Blue Lines which included "Unfinished Sympathy" and social critiques such as "Safe From Harm" and "Daydreaming". Blue Lines was partly recorded at the Coach House studios in Clifton (now defunct). The album, and particularly the track "Lately," captured the atmosphere and vibe of the city. This track, with vocals by Shara Nelson, so perfectly captured the atmosphere of a summer's evening in Bristol — particularly on the Clifton Downs — that with its warm, laid-back vibe it is practically a signature song for the city.

Orientation Bristol is a large city with various areas in its centre; a map is helpful to get to know the layout. The free map given away at the Tourist Information Centre at the Harbourside is excellent for this. At Bristol's core is the Floa

Getting there

By plane 1 Bristol Airport (BRS IATA) (8 mi (13 km) south-west of Bristol city centre). It offers scheduled flights from major European cities. It is a major base for budget airlines Easyjet and Ryanair, with nearly 80 destinations including: Amsterdam also with KLM, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Lisbon, Madrid, Milan, Rome, Prague, Kraków, Bratislava, Kaunas and Riga (but not London). (updated Apr 2023) There is no train link between Bristol's airport and the city, but there is a very useful bus service (bus A1) that takes about 35 min and has a frequency of up to every 8 min. It costs £15 for an adult return ticket (the second part of which can be used up to a month after the first), £9 for a one-way to the city centre, and £25 for a family return. There are student discounts on this service if you have a valid student photo ID. The Flyer bus is useful because route A1 takes you to Temple Meads station, then to the bus station at Marlborough Street. There is a cheaper Falcon service by Stagecoach (£8.10 return) booked a week in advance via Megabus.com. The Falcon service terminates at Bond Street. There is also a cheaper U2 service by First (£3 single under the England bus fare scheme), the bus station is The Airport Tavern, a 10-15 minute walk from the Terminal. The bus will get you to the city centre but watch out the timetable and the day of service. The last cheaper option would be the WESTlink services an 'on demand' bus services (£2 single) that cover the airport terminal and some limited area of south Bristol and North Somerset. Pre-booking required. For taxi, private-hire, and private vehicle pick-up and drop off, the airport now charges £8.50 for up to 10 minutes at their Drop Off & Pick Up Car Park. Alternative, you can use the waiting zone which is free of charge and take a free airport shuttle bus. The alternative is to use one of the London airports or Birmingham airport and travel on to Bristol by train, car or bus. The most convenient are:

Heathrow Airport (LHR IATA) is about two hours drive straight down the M4 (westbound) motorway. The RailAir express bus service (running every 20 minutes) connects with the main London to Bristol rail service at Reading rail station; expect the total journey to take slightly over two hours. Another possibility is to use the Heathrow Express service to London Paddington and then take a train to Bristol Temple Meads from there, which is more expensive and slightly longer than the route via Reading, but possibly more convenient. There are also direct Nation

Getting around

Maps Visit Bristol, the official tourism website for Bristol has maps of the city to download. Distinctive blue A3 tourist maps which cover the city centre, the Harbourside and Clifton, are available for free from locations such as libraries, shops, Temple Meads railway station, hotels and the YHA hostel. These really are excellent maps and you should obtain a copy or two. They indicate main streets, attractions, hotels and areas of the city in the central area and in Clifton. You can also buy commercially produced maps before you leave from sites such as Amazon. The pocket-sized "Bristol Pop-Out Map" is useful, as are the pocket-sized A-Z maps. Bristol is also home to a branch of Stanfords, a very large supplier of maps and tour guides (e.g. their store at Covent Garden in London is the largest such store in the world). Maps of Bristol with all the city centre street names and destinations marked sell from £1.50. Stanfords can be found at 29 Corn Street, and the staff double as local travel experts.

By foot Most locations in central Bristol (the Harbourside and Old City areas) are reasonably easily walkable, and there are plenty of attractive walking routes along the quaysides and in the pedestrianised central streets. The main rail station (Bristol Temple Meads) is a little further (about 15 min walk) but still accessible by harbourside walkways or by bus.

By e-scooter The city has an e-scooter hire scheme operated by Dott. To use a Dott e-scooter, a smartphone with mobile phone number and internet access is needed, and riders must be at least 18 years old and hold a provisional or full drivers licence. This will need to be confined in the app. Scooters are parked in ‘virtual bays’ across the city. The unlock fee is £0.99 and the cost per minute is £0.16. Daily passes are available. You must park your scooter in the designated areas which can be found on the app, otherwise you’ll continue to be charged by the minute. It’s not uncommon for parking bays to be full, so be prepared to travel further than planned.

By bicycle Bristol has plenty of bike paths and routes and is at the centre of the National Cycle Network. Sustrans, which manages the network, is based in the city, and has a shop and information centre on College Green, next to the Marriott Hotel. The staff can provide information on cycle routes throughout the UK. Free cycling maps for the Avon Cycleway, Bristol and surrounding council regions (South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Bath and North-East Somerset) can be obtained from the four councils' cycling website, BetterByBike.i

See

Bristol is a very diverse city. From the historic Old City and Harbourside to Georgian Clifton, there is something to be found for everyone. Every neighbourhood has its own attractions and sights.

Street Art. Street artist Banksy is from Bristol and some of his works can be seen around the city.

1 Bristol Blue Glass, 357 Bath Road, BS4 3EW (take bus X39 direction Bath and get off at Arnos Court). Glass workshop producing traditional blue glass, a local specialty since the late 18th century. Cobalt oxide and lead oxide are mixed into the molten glass, giving it its characteristic deep blue colour. The glass workshop can be visited on request with a tour along the furnaces. It also includes a shop where glassware can be purchased. (updated Apr 2019) 2 Whitchurch Airport (Old Bristol Airport), Hengrove Park. 24/7. Former airport of Bristol, operating from 1930 until 1957. It played an important role during the Second World War as air bridge between the UK and neutral Portugal, and other territories such as Gibraltar. From the early 1950s the airport became too small to accommodate scheduled services, and expansion was limited by surrounding housing estates. It remained in use for some years for short flights to the Channel Islands, Isle of Wight and the Isle of Man, but flying ceased from 1957 onward. It was reopened in 1959 as a racing circuit, but most of the former airport grounds have been redeveloped since. The main runway still exists and can be visited. Free. (updated May 2019)

3 Aerospace Bristol, Hayes Way, Patchway, BS34 5BZ, ☏ +44 117 931-5315, [email protected]. W-Su 10AM-4PM. Bristol has a rich history in aerospace, starting with the design and production of the first British biplanes in the First World War. In the past century, the Filton aerodrome designed and manufactured numerous aircraft for military and civil applications, guided missile systems, and satellites. The history is told in great detail with replicas, scale models, and about a dozen original aircraft and helicopters, of which a complete Bloodhound missile system and the last Concorde to have ever flown are the crown pieces of the collection. A complete tour takes about 3 hours and features interactive exhibits to keep kids busy as well. They also have a good cafeteria with excellent burgers and crispy fries for £8, which is better than what you'd find in the city centre. £17. (updated Oct 2020) 4 Cheese Lane Shot Tower, Passage Street. 24/7. Historic drop tower used for the production of lead shot (the "hail" used in shotgun shells) by dropping molten lead through

Do

Ferry Boat Co., Welsh Back (Ferry stops all around the city), ☏ +44 117 927-3416. Throughout the day. Catch a ferry and enjoy the exciting world of Bristol's Historic Harbour for a round trip tour, hop-on and hop-off, or getting from A to B; and to many of the harbourside attractions. Timetables are available online and at many places in the city. Pirate Walks, Meet at Millennium or Anchor Square., ☏ +44 7950 566483. Join Pirate Pete for a 1-hour guided walking tour of Bristol's historic harbourside. Walking tours of Bristol's 16th-, 17th- and 18th-century Maritime History of discovery, trade, slavery and piracy (always call before visiting). Adults £6.00, children £3.50. Jump, 22 Concorde Road, Cribbs Causeway, BS34 5TB, ☏ +44 117 931-2733, [email protected]. Daily 10AM-6:30PM; school holidays 9:30AM-6PM. Bristol Jump has enormous adventure play-frames: a space zone, a galleon and an enchanted castle. At 22,000 sq feet it is the largest dedicated indoor soft play centre in England and it is tucked away in the back of Cribbs Causeway! There are also huge inflatables, an indoor football pitch, ten-pin bowling and an enormous zone just for toddlers. They also offer themed party rooms, a café and different activities every day. Babies: £1.00; 1 to 3 years: £5.50; 4+ years: £6.50; adults: £1.75; OAPS: £1.00 (on production of a bus pass). 1 Undercover Rock, Mina Road, BS2 9YT St. Werburgh's (St.Werburgh's Church, look out for the tower), ☏ +44 117 941-3489, [email protected]. M-F 9:30AM-10PM, Sa Su 9:30AM-6PM. Climbing centre housed in the former church of St. Werburgh's, with numerous climbing walls of varying difficulty levels. Training for beginners is available as well. It's not possible to climb the tower, but the interior of this historic building will definitely leave you speechless while dangling on a rope! £7-9. (updated Apr 2018) 2 Leigh Woods (cross the Suspension Bridge and turn right at Ashton Court Gate, continue 800 m, the 4 visitor centre is signposted). 24/7. National nature reserve with a history that dates back to a hill fort in the Middle Ages. The woods have hiking trails and mountain biking circuits (from moderate to advanced difficulty levels) signposted. It's possible to descend into the Avon Gorge on the north side of the woods, although you'll need dry weather for this — after rain the trails turn into a mud swamp. Free. (updated Nov 2020) 3 Wake The Tiger, 127 Albert Road, BS2 0YA. 10:00 - 18:00 daily. An experience best described as a mix of art installations in an overarching fantasy themed setting, focuss

Buy

Malls & shopping centres

Broadmead and Cabot Circus are the two major precincts in the city's central shopping district. 2 Cabot Circus, Central, ☏ +44 117 952-9360. A large and architecturally impressive shopping centre in central Bristol, opened in 2008. The name was chosen by public vote after it was decided that the name 'Merchants Quarter' brought with it too many connotations to Bristol's slave trade past. It is a large, and mostly under-cover shopping centre, containing over 120 shops including Hugo Boss, Berska, Lush, Stradivarius, and Rituals. (updated Dec 2024) Broadmead remains a pretty dire indictment of post war planning and architecture; it contains The Galleries, Bristol's city centre mall. It is large, though the range of shops doesn’t offer much. Primark and TK Maxx are the remaining department stores. The now empty Debenhams store towers over the area. Other high street stores include Lush, Waterstones, and HMV (Updated 2023).

3 The Mall Cribbs Causeway, Kessels Rd, Patchway, BS34 5DG. An out of town mall off junction 17 of the M5. This has a large John Lewis and Marks and Spencer as well as lots of other fashionable shops. The surrounding area of Cribbs Causeway is also home to large stores such as TK Maxx and furniture stores, with The Venue – including the Vue cinema complex, and chain restaurants such as Frankie & Benny's, Chiquitos and TGIF's. Avonmeads. Between St Philips and Brislington, Avonmeads has a few out of town shops, restaurants, Showcase cinema and bowling. Shops include Boots, Currys, Brantano, Outfit, The Range, and M&S Simply Food. A short distance away is Sainsburys. 4 ASDA, East St, Bristol BS3 4JY, ☏ +44 117 923-1563. Large supermarket in Bedminster, south of the Bristol city centre. One of the cheapest supermarkets in Bristol, ASDA is the best choice for travellers to restock on food and drinks. They also carry SIM card top-ups for the major UK carriers and necessary tools to make repairs to equipment (duct tape, etc.) It also houses a Gregg’s, McDonald’s and Cinnabon (updated Dec 2023) 5 Sainsbury's, St Philips Causeway, Bristol BS4 3BD, ☏ +44 117 977-4887. M-Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM. Large supermarket close to Bedminster, a bit more expensive than ASDA in Southville, but offers a variety of prepared take-away foods such as salads and prepared noodle dishes that can be eaten cold. Don't forget to pick up a pack of plastic spoons or forks if you don't have any along, you'll find them in aisle 31. (updated Mar 2018)

Areas

Park Street, Queens Road and The Triangle (marketed by the local traders as Bristo

Eat

Bristol has a huge choice of bars and restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. There are many around the Harbourside and the West End's Park Street and Whiteladies Road, but do not be dissuaded from trying those outside the centre as many are superior to those that attract passing trade due to their location. After a night out, or if your hotel allows food delivery, you will also be able to find many takeaways in Bristol, with different varieties of food.

Budget

City centre 1 St Nicholas Market, The Corn Exchange, Corn St. There is a food aisle within the glass arcade at St Nicholas Market. Many international cuisines are represented, including Italian, Indian, West Indian/Caribbean, Moroccan and Portuguese. Can be a bit chilly, depending on the weather, so keep your coat on! (updated May 2022)

2 Rendezvous Fish Bar, 9 Denmark St. Here you get fish&chips. (updated Feb 2023) 3 Portuguese Taste, St Nicholas Market, 43 The Glass Arcade. Amazing Portuguese food and great people running the shop. Offers delicious home cooked comfort food. Pasteis de Nata is amazing. Very friendly staff. (updated May 2022) 4 Princes Pantry, 61 Prince St. Simple and good tasting fast food. (updated Feb 2023) 5 Beirut Mezze, 13A Small St., BS1 1DE, ☏ +44 117 927-7937. M-Sa noon-11PM, Su noon-10PM. Lebanese restaurant serving authentic food in sizeable portions. Their £5 meal deal (July 2019) features 6 different specialities including hummus, grilled chicken, and minced lamb. (updated May 2022) 6 Falafel King, Narrow Quay, at the Centre Promenade. M-Sa 11AM-7PM, Su 11AM-5PM. Snack stands in the centre, conveniently next to the bus stops! Excellent falafel customised to just about any preference. £6 (April 2019). (updated May 2022) 7 Matina, The Glass Arcade, St Nicholas St. Stunning Middle-Eastern food, all made fresh in front of you and quick. Really yummy wraps. Very friendly staff at the shop. (updated May 2022) You also find the chain restaurants of JD Wetherspoon, Greggs (bakery), Franco Manca and Eat A Pitta.

Broadmead 8 Taste of Napoli, 32 The Horsefair. Welcoming staff, delicious food. Plenty of choice for vegetarians and vegans alike. Authentic Italian pizza, snacks (arancini, fried breaded mozzarella, etc ) and sandwiches. (updated May 2022) 9 Tortilla Bristol (Cabot Circus), Concorde St. Amazing Mexican restaurant, great food, incredible staff. Tasty burritos. (updated May 2022) 10 Rana's Dhaba, Avon House, 1 The Haymarket. Very nice food, brilliant service. It's almost impossible not walk by and not get something as it smells so good. Best veggie samosa

Drink & nightlife

The fact that it's the home to around 44,000 students probably says a lot for the quality of the city's nightlife. Surprisingly, though, it's relatively expensive, with prices similar to those in London. Mainstream nightlife centres around 3 main areas - Corn Street in the 'old city', Park Street/Whiteladies Road, and the Harbourside. These areas get extremely busy, if not rowdy, at weekends, however there are plenty of places in Bristol where you can have a good time without mixing with more student type crowds. Venue magazine is a good source of information. The eastern end of King Street in the old city provides a slightly more relaxed, but popular, outdoor drinking area on sunny summer evenings, surrounded by historic pubs such as the 17th-century Llandoger Trow (reputed to have been the haunt of pirates and the model for the Admiral Benbow in Robert Louis Stevenson's novel "Treasure Island"). Amongst the hundreds of brilliant venues in the city, there are four outstanding areas:

St Nicholas' Market, including Baldwin Street: on and around Corn Street, you'll find several chain bars, including Wetherspoons' the Commercial Rooms on Corn Street which was once a meeting place for Merchant Ventures. Other reliable venues include the Slug & Lettuce and Vodka Revolution on St Nicholas Street, All Bar One and Walkabout on Corn Street and O'Neill's and Reflex on Baldwin Street. However, those looking to get away from the familiar will definitely enjoy Start The Bus at the bottom of Corn Street, an established indie pub-come-club; also, Mr Wolf's on St Stephen's Street offers noodles and live music. Harbourside area: the regenerated waterside is a great place to drink, especially on summer afternoons. On Welsh Back, there's the famous Old Duke jazz pub and, opposite it, the famous Lladngoer Trow - plus, the Apple, a floating cider bar. Bristol's famous bar on a boat, the Thekla, is around the corner, and there are plenty of big chain and independent bars on Canon Road. Millennium Square has lots of chain restaurants and bars centred on the impressive mirrored 'Imaginarium' and fountains. The Waterfront by the hippodrome can be rowdy of a weekend and is best avoided. Park Street, Park Row, Clifton Triangle and Whiteladies Road: Whiteladies Road runs from the Downs on top of Blackboy Hill, past Clifton on one side and Cotham and Redland on the other; at the Triangle, traffic runs around the eponymous island of shops and bars before pushing down Park Street to the centre of Bristol. There are hundreds of bars and clubs along this busy thoroughfare: popular venu

Sleep

There are a lot of hotels and guest houses in the Bristol area. A selection is listed below.

Budget The Washington Guesthouse Bristol, 11-15 St Paul's Rd, BS8 1LX, ☏ +44 117 973-3980, [email protected]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. A good value budget hotel in heart of Clifton with full English breakfast included in the price. £20/single or £20/double when booked more than 6 weeks in advance. (updated Jul 2016) 1 Youth Hostel, 14 Narrow Quay, BS1 4QA, ☏ +44 845 371 9726, [email protected]. A modern, clean and very central YHA youth hostel located in the Harbourside area; now with a newly revamped cafe on the quayside. Open every day all hours. £15/dorm bed, £39/private room.. (updated Jul 2016) Bristol Backpackers, 17 Saint Stephen's Street (in Old City), ☏ +44 117 925-7900. Reception hours 9AM-11:30PM. Dorm rate £14 per person per night Full Moon Eco Hostel, 1 North St, Stokes Croft, BS1 3PR (near the '5102' apartments, opposite the large roundabout behind Debenham's department store and the bus station), ☏ +44 117 924-5007. Check-in: 3PM-10:30PM. This hostel is next to two of Bristol's biggest nightclubs with music going on until 5AM. Reception is closed from 11AM-3PM. £17.50/dorm bed. Rock N Bowl Motel (at The Lanes), 22 Nelson St, BS1 2LE, ☏ +44 117 325-1980, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. A youth hostel above a bowling alley, which doubles as a bar/nightclub, in a converted 1930s primary school. Perfect location in the Old City. Can be a bit noisy at weekends, but they offer free earplugs, and their indie-ish atmosphere means that the music's usually good and often live. From £10/dorm bed, £45/double. The Clifton Hotel, St Paul's Rd, BS8 1LX, ☏ +44 117 973-6882. A good value budget hotel in heart of Clifton that has its own restaurant/bar. from £20/single or £25/double when booked more than 6 weeks in advance. (updated Aug 2017)

Mid-range Arnos Manor Hotel, 470 Bath Road, Arnos Vale, BS4 3HQ, ☏ +44 117 971-1461. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Built in 1760 as the luxurious home of wealthy Bristol merchant William Reeve, this historic building boasts many original Georgian Gothic features. From £45. Holiday Inn, Bristol - Filton, Filton Road, Hambrook, ☏ +44 871 942 9014. A 211-room hotel 15 minutes from the centre on 11 acres of land. It has its own fishing lake and free parking! From £60. The Berkeley Square, 15 Berkeley Square, ☏ +44 117 925-4000. If your visit takes you nearer to Clifton, this could be useful, just off Park Street (where all the best independent shops in t

Go next

Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby

Towns and cities Bath, with its famous Regency terraces, Roman remains and spa facilities, is 12 mi (19 km) drive or 15 minutes train journey away, and makes an excellent day trip from Bristol. Wells, with its beautiful cathedral, is an hour's coach ride from Bristol. Portishead, the nearest sea-side resort town with plenty of nature, heritage, and outdoor attractions. Weston-super-Mare, resort with a sandy beach and plenty of entertainment suitable for young families. An adult day return from Bristol Temple Meads is £7.50. If possible, taking the train to Weston-super-mare as an adult day return from the bus station will cost upwards of £8.

Outdoor activities Two popular rural tourist destinations that are both an hour from Bristol:

The Cotswolds The Mendips Further afield the following are possible day trips and worthy destinations:

Exmoor Somerset, Dorset, Devon Forest of Dean Brecon Beacons