Visit Bristol Restaurants, museums, attractions

Bristol travel guide

Visit Bristol - the capital of South West of England

Learn everything about Bristol from its unique landmarks to its blend of traditional and modern culture. You'll also find useful travel information such as a map of Bristol, accommodation booking and information on famous attractions and events such as Bristol Zoo Gardens, Cabot Circus...

Memory of Bristol

"We could not have asked for a better time here in Bristol, and have seen so much in a short period of time. This trip has left a lasting impression on me."

Suzanne, USA

An historic maritime city

Bristol, the capital of the South West of England, is only 90 minutes by car or train from London. An historic maritime city, it's full of exciting attractions and bursting with events and festivals throughout the year, from waterfront regattas to ballooning spectaculars. There's fantastic shopping at Cabot Circus, wonderful fresh food markets in the medieval Old City, stunning nightlife, restaurants and cafes on the Harbourside and some of the finest theatres and concert halls in the country. Just a short trip away is the elegant city of Bath and the rural splendour of Gloucestershire and The Cotswolds.

Culture and heritage

Bristol has a rich and eventful maritime history, the Old City district is much as it was hundreds of years ago, with cobbled streets and historic architecture. From a medieval city to a cutting-edge cultural destination, Bristol continues to lead the way in its own unique style.

Attractions

Bristol has a wealth of attractions. The most iconic and famous is Isambard Kingdom Brunel's Clifton Suspension Bridge . Another of Brunel's engineering feats is the ss Great Britain. Bristol Zoo Gardens is a favourite with families and Explore-At-Bristol  is an exciting hands-on science centre with an amazing Planetarium.
 


Top daytime must-do's


Top night time must-do's

Encounter over 450 species of animals at Bristol Zoo Gardens

Enjoy dinner at Bordeaux Quay followed by a show at The Bristol Hippodrome

Visit Cabot Circus the fabulous new city centre shopping and leisure quarter

View the Clifton Suspension Bridge illuminations from the White Lion Bar and terrace

Explore Brunel's ss Great Britain, the world's first great ocean going liner

Watch a film in the Director's Hall at the Showcase Cinema de Lux in Cabot Circus 

Enjoy stunning views of city and countryside from the top of Cabot Tower 

Enjoy North Street's trendy bars followed by a play at the Tobacco Factory Theatre

See Bristol's Harbourside from a nautical perspective by taking a tour with the Bristol Ferryboat Company

Sing your heart out in a private karaoke booth at Karaoke-Me

Food and drink

In addition to the many award-winning restaurants, cafes and bars, Bristol has developed a reputation for locally produced food and drink. St Nicholas Market in the Old City is the site of the world's first Slow Food market and a regular farmers' market, one of many throughout the city.

Shopping

With a choice of over 500 stores, from Harvey Nichols to Primark, Bristol city centre is the South West’s shopping capital. Clifton Village and Park Street are notable for quirky, independent stores and on the northern edge of Bristol, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway is a popular indoor shopping centre.

Sport

Bristol has a host of sports in the city. At Gloucestershire County Cricket Club you can see county cricket and One Day Internationals. Football fans can enjoy Bristol City F.C and Bristol Rovers F.C. Bristol Rugby Club is one of the region's top rugby union teams. There are numerous golf courses throughout the city.

Music and nightlife

Bristol has an outstanding clubbing scene and regularly attracts top name DJs and acts. The main nightlife areas are around the Harbourside, Park Street and Whiteladies Road. The city that produced Massive Attack, Roni Size and Portishead also boasts some of finest classical concert venues and theatres in the country.

Buy before you fly 

There’s so much to see and do in Bristol, so don’t waste time in queues, buy your travel passes and attraction tickets online! With the BritRail GB Flexi Pass you can hop on a train wherever and whenever you like, and explore the country at your own pace. For more great offers, go to VisitBritain Shop .

 


BristolFacts

Population
420,000
Region
South West England
Closest Airport
Bristol International Airport
Football club
Bristol City, Bristol Rovers
Nearest towns & cities
Bath, Glastonbury
Famous food
Pieminister Pies
Famous locals
Banksy
Activiteiten
  • Route suggesties
    • Ben Nevis view from Corpach © Britainonview / - Britain on View
      Op de Ben Nevis

      De hoogste berg van Groot-Brittannië spreekt tot ieders verbeelding maar de beklimming ervan moet niet onderschat worden.

    • River Wye Source:Anguskirk
      Wandelen in de Wye Valley

      De Wye Valley Walk loopt door het prachtige rivierdal, van Chepstow in Monmouthshire to Rhayadar in Powys, steeds de grens tussen Engeland en...

    • Eilean Donan Castle Source:Eusebius@Commons
      Schotland Geschiedenis en erfgoed

      Deze betoverende tour neemt u mee door de West Highlands van Schotland en laat u genieten van de historische bezienswaardigheden van...

    • The City of 'Dreaming Spires'
      Het Hart van Engeland

      Op zoek naar iets typisch Engels? Van knusse tearooms tot fantastische middeleeuwse architectuur, zult u alles vinden in het Hart...

    • Wast Water in the Western lake District Source:Barry
      Noord Engeland met de auto

      Deze route voert u mee naar de mooiste dorpen en stadjes, en het meest inspirende landschap van Engeland. Van ruige bergen tot beboste dalen en...

  • Sightseeing
    • Canterbury Cathedral Source:Spiterman
      Canterbury Cathedral

      Canterbury is al bijna vijf eeuwen lang de stad van de aartsbisschop voor de Church of England en heeft veel historische...

    • Kew Gardens, London Source:Roger Quayle
      Kew Royal Botanic Gardens

      Kew Gardens heeft door de eeuwen heen een belangrijke bijdrage geleverd aan het behoud van zeldzame planten van over de hele...

    • Major Oak in Sherwood Forest Source:Chris Guise
      Robin Hood

      Robin Hood, briljant boogschutter, leidde een avontuurlijk leven. Hij steelde van de rijken om aan de armen te geven en was...

    • Durdle Door, Dorset Source:© lovestruck. (Flickr)
      Dorset en East Devon Coast

      De kust van Dorset and East Devon, ook wel bekend als The Jurassic Coast was was het eerste stuk natuur dat de titel Werelderfgoed Monument...

    • Blenheim Palace Source:Chris Guise
      Blenheim Palace

      De geboorteplaats van Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace bij Oxford is een perfect bewaard gebleven 18e eeuws paleis gelegen in een park dat is...

  • Evenementen
    • Llangollen International Eisteddfod Source:© Old Polar_oid
      Llangollen International Eisteddfod

      Gedurende een week komen meer dan 50 nationaliteiten in Llangollen bijeen voor een groots festival.

    • Stage at RockNess Festival Source:Pogofish
      RockNess muziek festival

      Door zijn spectaculaire locatie aan de oevers van Loch Ness in Schotland, staat RockNess bekend als 'The Most Beautiful Festival in the...

    • Serena Williams
      Wimbledon

      Every year, around 500,000 tennis fans flock to Wimbledon to see the best players in the world battle it out for the title of Wimbledon Champion...

    • Man vs Horse Source:© Dirty Dingus
      Man vs. Horse Marathon

      Who do you think would win in a race between a man and a horse? Seems obvious doesn’t it, but don’t be so sure.

       

    • Minack theatre on the coast of Porthcurno, Cornwall Source:Eve Saint-Simmons
      Het Minack Theatre

      Het Minack Theatre presenteert iedere zomer 18 toneelstukken in het mooiste en meest originele theater van Groot-Brittannië.