Bristol is a city on the River Avon in South West England with a strong maritime history. The former downtown harbor is now a cultural hub, Harborside, home to the M Shed Museum which explores the local industrial and social heritage. The port’s 19th-century warehouses now house restaurants, shops, and cultural institutions like The Arnolfini contemporary art gallery.
Basic Information About the City
- Time: 13°C, NW Wind at 23 km/h, Humidity 61% More on weather.com
- Population: 467,099 (2019) Eurostat
- ZIP code:BS
- Area: 110 km²
- Ceremonial District: 1996
- Part company: 1373
Cross the magnificent Clifton Suspension Bridge, which spans the River Avon. Visit the amazing street art of Stokes Croft, catch a play at the Bristol Old Vic during the Shakespeare Festival, or simply head to the Harborside area for a riverside meal and some local beers.
There are great museums like M Shed, a lively music scene, and Michelin-starred restaurants like Casamia to tickle your taste buds. Everything is only a few hours from London Heathrow Airport, so why not try Bristol? You will love it.
Top 5 reasons to visit Bristol
Museums, restaurants, and the beauty of the port
Modern Bristol is a great place to learn about the city’s past. The M Shed and the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery have many exhibits, but much of the history is found elsewhere in the city. Head to engineering marvels like the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the SS Great Britain to see what Bristol looked like as a starting point for explorations and a commercial metropolis.
Beautiful street art by Stokes Croft
Stokes Croft is a great place to walk around. Nowhere else in the UK (and perhaps Europe) is there so much high-quality street art, and the area is constantly churning out new masterpieces. Take a street art tour or choose your route through a truly fascinating neighborhood.
Countless independent shops on Gloucester Street
Bristol prides itself on being independent and free-thinking, and nowhere is this more evident than Gloucester Road at Stokes Croft. You can shop all day at boutiques like Pink Lemons and vintage stores like Reclaimers Reclamation, before enjoying a well-deserved beer at Green Man.
Parks and places of great natural beauty
Bristol is blessed with extensive forests and easily accessible parks. Leigh Woods offers stunning views of Clifton Canyon, tea gardens to relax in at Conham River Park, and great city views from Cabot Tower on Brandon Hill.
Michelin-starred restaurants and inexpensive delicious food
Bristol is undoubtedly a foodie destination, home to popular eats like Casamia, the bustling street food and fresh produce of St Nicholas Market, as well as delicious value-for-money meals at well-established locations. Local favorites like One Stop Thali Cafe.
What to do in Bristol
Port of Bristol: the heart of the city
Bristol’s best attractions surround this unique tide-controlled harbor. Historically, local boats dock here day and night, but today the area around Queen’s Square is a cultural hub. Arnolfini features a wealth of artwork, while At-Bristol is an interactive science hub. The aquarium takes you into the sea, while M Shed tells local stories. Stop by St Nicholas Market for trendy shopping and to explore historic architecture, don’t miss St. Mary Redcliffe.
UK SS: Mother of modern ships
This record-breaking ship was one of the most impressive transatlantic ships in history and the largest passenger ship of its kind at its height. The epic feat of engineering is no longer afloat but is now a fascinating museum on the Bristol coast. From fancy bedrooms and dining rooms to huge engine rooms and propellers, this ship is filled with contrasts and surprises. Take the Cross-Harbour ferry to opposite Brandon Hill, where you can admire the view from Cabot Tower.
Bristol Cathedral: Church of England
The seat of the Bishop of Bristol, it is the most important religious building in the area – and it is also magnificent. The 12th-century building has stood for hundreds of years of use in the city’s heart, and that history seems to be rooted in every corner of the impressive interior. Lights stream through the stained glass windows, mysteriously illuminating the vast space. Whether for worship or sightseeing, all are welcome, and relics and artifacts will be found and enjoyed every step of the way.
Times: 8 am – 5 pm Monday to Saturday, unless you wish to attend Choral Evensong or Evening Prayer at 5.15 pm
8 am – 3.15 pm Saturday and Sunday, unless you wish to attend Choral Evensong at 3.30 pm
Clifton Suspension Bridge: Enter
An icon of Bristol, this suspension bridge spans the deep Avon Gorge as the river flows through the city. Miraculously emerging from steep cliffs, the slender and elegant structure seems to float above the perilous autumn. The view of the bridge from afar is as spectacular as the one seen on the ride – either way, tourists can’t miss the sight. As the road leads into Bristol, Clifton Down Park invites visitors for a stroll. Check out the Clifton Observatory and Bristol Zoo!
Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery: A Journey through the Ages
Visitors to the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery will find a diverse collection of fascinating objects at their fingertips. Art galleries are just the beginning. In addition to the paintings, the ancient artifacts from around the world are breathtaking – let the significance of the sarcophagi captivate you and the majesty of the ancient sculpture will move you. The institution also offers geological wonders and natural history exhibits.
How to get to Bristol?
Plane
Bristol International Airport (BRS) is about seven miles southwest of the city and serves most major European cities. If you are flying from the United States, you should have a connecting flight. From there, catch the 24-hour Airport Flyer Express bus into town, which takes 30 minutes and costs £11 round-trip.
Car
Getting to Bristol by car is extremely easy. If you’re coming from London or Heathrow Airport, take the M4, then change to the M32 at Stoke Gifford. Those from the north or southwest can take the M5 and exchange it for the A4 at Avonmouth.
Bus
Buses to Bristol are provided by National Express and Megabus. The National Express stops at the Marlborough Street bus stop, while the Megabus stops nearby on Cabot Circus. Both are within walking distance of the city center.
Where to Sleep in Bristol
Port side – for hundreds of years, Bristol was England’s gateway to the Americas, handling an endless stream of trade goods (and sometimes slaves). Today, the port is the focal point of the city. Take a ferry across the “floating harbor”, visit the At-Bristol Science Center, and board the SS Great Britain, the world’s first iron-hulled ocean liner.
Famous neighborhoods in Bristol
Stokes Croft – Bristol’s creative hub, Stokes Croft has a bohemian, edgy style yet maintains its distinctive identity. Admire murals by many of the area’s talented graffiti artists, explore the works of Banksy, the city’s art superstar, visit nightclubs like Blue Mountain, and stroll Gloucester Road, a mile-long row of independent stores.
Old Town – up the hill from Harborside, the Old Town is still surrounded by partition walls and includes old churches such as St John on the Wall. St Nicholas Market is a great place to pick up food, the Old Vic is Bristol’s premier theatre, while the Broadmead Shopping Center is next door and has all the chain stores you could need.
When is the best time to visit Bristol?
Summer
Sea breezes blow and temperatures can be around 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit cooler inland than inland. The best time of year to visit Bristol is late spring and early summer.
Where to eat in Bristol?
Bristol is full of celebrity chefs and top restaurants. Some of the most famous is the Michelin-starred Casamia, No Man’s Grace, and Birch. For cheaper but equally delicious Indian meals, check out One Stop Thali Cafe, Latin American food at Las Iguanas, or pizza and microbrew combos at Zerodegrees. Expect to pay £8-15 for a mid-range meal and up to £30 per person at more upscale restaurants.
Cost of living in Bristol
Shopping street
Bristol has a mix of traditional shopping centers and streets filled with independent shops. The city’s coolest shopping district is undoubtedly Gloucester Road, where handcrafted jewelry stores like MAKE are flanked by gift shops like Fig and thrift stores like Reclaimers Reclamation. The shopping district around Bristol’s Broadmead has more of the usual shops, with big names like H&M and Primark.
Grocery and other
The cheapest places to buy groceries and other essentials in Bristol are supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Morrisons, all of which have branches in the city center. For more upscale groceries and street food, head to St. Nicholas, which also hosts the Farmers Market. Expect to pay around £2.80 for a gallon of milk and £1.90 for 12 eggs.