Things To Do In Bristol

Bristol is one of England’s most important cities, both historically and financially. It brims with attractions, from the developments of genius engineers in the past to redeveloped haunts of the present day. No matter what time of the year you visit, Bristol is sure to entice with its brilliant man-made structures, colourful parks and gardens and the attractive prospect of rummaging through a huge selection of quality shops and boutiques.

Clifton Suspension Bridge

Best seen on the approach to Bristol on the A4, the Clifton Suspension Bridge is Bristol’s most endearing sight. This monumental structure spans the Avon Gorge, hundreds of feet in the air and is still an exceptional feat of engineering, even by today’s standards. The bridge was designed by renowned English architect and engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and it was completed as a memorial to him in 1864, five years after his death. It was originally designed to carry horse and carts, yet today it is still a main artery into Bristol from destinations south of the Avon Gorge.

Bristol Clifton Observatory and Caves

Another top attraction in Bristol worth visiting if you intend on seeing the Clifton Suspension Bridge close up is The Bristol Clifton Observatory.   This is a converted windmill and features a 'camera obscura' – a collection of Victorian lenses used to project images of the landscape onto the tower’s interior wall. The nearby Giant's Cave offers spectacular views of the Avon Gorge .

The Bristol Harbour

Not far from the city centre, Bristol Harbour has a history dating back to the 19th century and has in recent years been totally revitalised. There are shops, cafés, restaurants, bars and bistros galore here as well as two of the city’s best known attractions - the magnificent SS Great Britain and the brilliant At-Bristol museum.

SS Great Britain

Another of Brunel’s babies, the SS Great Britain was the world's first iron steamship. Originally known as the ‘Floating Palace’, the ship was built in the mid-1800s and has been largely restored to its former glory.

Queen Square

Established in the 18th century during Queen Anne’s reign, the aptly named Queen Square was laid out to become Europe’s largest square. Queen Square has been an important part of Bristol’s historic life over the years and today it features popular walking and seating areas that make it ideal for summer picnics.

Bristol Zoo and Gardens

This is perhaps the city’s most popular family tourist attraction. Having been awarded the coveted title of 'Zoo of the Year' in 2004 by the ‘Good Britain Guide’, Bristol Zoo is well laid out and features animals from around the world, which are housed in natural surroundings. The zoo and gardens are located in the affluent Clifton district of Bristol.

Bristol Cathedral

Located in the town centre, near the College Green, Bristol Cathedral is one of the finest hall churches in the world. This 800-year-old edifice was also a one-time abbey until Henry VIII announced the Dissolution of the Monasteries; however, the structure was later converted back to a church.

St Mary Redcliffe Church

This structure was said to be ‘the fairest, goodliest and most famous parish church in England’ by Queen Elizabeth I. St Mary Redcliffe Church is a Gothic masterpiece and it houses the tomb and armour of Admiral Sir William Penn, which can be found in The American Chapel.

Theatre Royal

This theatre is home to the Bristol Old Vic, which produces a huge range of popular plays, children’s shows and musicals. The theatre dates from 1766 and visitors can go on guided backstage tours.

Royal West of England Academy
Located just outside Bristol, the Royal West of England Academy is one of Bristol’s finest art galleries, featuring five spectacular galleries and plenty of history. The gallery regularly stages superb exhibitions of fine art, where visitors can come and view magnificent paintings and sculptures.

Museums
Owing to its great maritime history, Bristol has many quality museums, of which the Bristol Industrial Museum is one of the highlights. This museum includes many interesting exhibits covering Bristol’s important maritime past as well as many vehicles that were produced in Bristol. The British Empire & Commonwealth Museum also covers the city’s maritime history in the form of classic paintings. There are 20 galleries here, covering everything from Bristol and shipping, technological advances, the military, racism and slavery. At-Bristol is a fairly recent addition to the city’s museums and it offers a great day out for the entire family. The museum is a science centre, which is crammed full of interesting hands-on exhibits that highlight the different natural environments of the world including a tropical rain forest exhibit. The centre’s IMAX theatre is hugely popular.