The south of England has so many gems to discover! From Roman cities like Bathtub, the rolling hills of the Cotswolds and, after all, the gorgeous vibrant and beautiful metropolis of Bristol. Perched simply shy of the Severn Estuary (about 25-minutes west of Bathtub) there’s a heap of epic and finest issues to do in Bristol for just a little go to. The truth is, you’ll be spoilt for selection!
You see, Bristol is a good place to place your self for just a little metropolis break but in addition to find the areas round Cheddar Gorge and wider Somerset (which makes for an ideal journey).
Through the years, we’ve visited Bristol numerous occasions and beloved each second of it; particularly for all of the foodie spots, museums and Banksy artwork that surrounds town. You see, Bristol has some fairly distinct neighbourhoods and areas to discover giving it the vibe or a a lot bigger metropolis.
So, that can assist you navigate which spots to see and which to keep away from, I’m sharing a few of our greatest issues to do in Bristol if you go to.
Have the perfect time exploring Bristol!
1.) St Nicks Market
St Nicks (or St Nicholas) Market runs off Excessive Road and is very easy to go to if you’re within the centre of Bristol. Not solely that, it’s among the finest issues to do in Bristol in the event you’re fancying some avenue meals or quirky stalls that line the market space and Alternate Corridor itself.
It packs a mighty punch with the range of little locations to go to. For classic books, head to Beware of the Leopard Books and cease by Jewelry Lane for some trinkets.
If starvation strikes, pop into Chilli Daddy for his or her fiery hotpots or Eatchu for his or her Japanese avenue meals like gyozas. Yum!
Learn extra: Finest locations within the south of England
2.) See the works of Banksy
In all probability certainly one of Bristol’s most well-known artists, Banksy has left fairly a couple of items of his artwork across the metropolis to see.
Should you ventured inside M Shed, it’s probably you’ll have glimpsed the Grim Reaper that was as soon as on the facet of a ship in Bristol Harbour?
Although don’t fret in the event you missed it, there’s fairly a couple of extra which can be dotted all throughout Bristol.
Simply shy of SS Nice Britain is “The Girl with the Pierced Eardrum” (See the Google Maps location here). It’s a tackle Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring” although, lacking a pearl and gaining a safety alarm as a substitute.
Past the Harbour space of Bristol, you possibly can spot the “Well Hung Lover” on Frogmore Road. Right here, you’ll see a dishonest couple hiding from a moderately indignant associate! Curiously, that is the very first authorized avenue artwork in all of England. Yow will discover its location (on Google Maps), here.
Oh, and in the event you’re in Stokes Croft, be sure to look out for the “Mild, Mild West” that’s in certainly one of Bristol’s most vibrant areas (see location here).
Seeing Banksy’s artwork is well among the finest issues to do in Bristol, it’s at all times a lot enjoyable to seek out and kinda looks like treasure searching throughout town. Simply hold your eyes peeled for brand new and upcoming artwork that Banksy continues to exhibit throughout Bristol.
3.) SS Nice Britain
Approach again within the 1800s, SS Great Britain was the longest passenger ship in your entire world! In fact, this has been taken over by the beasts that sail the seas immediately; however its significance and historic significance is epic to see.
Nestled on Spike Island (about 20-minute stroll from M Shed), it’s an ideal place to study extra about its heritage, the dockyard itself and Brunel himself. You may simply spend two-hours wandering the exhibitions and ship itself, making it an ideal stopping level for a day go to.
As soon as onboard, be sure you try the beautiful Eating Saloon and the Promenade Deck, too. It’s fairly epic to see.
4.) M Shed & Harbourfront
One among my favorite museums in Bristol, M Shed relies within the harbourfront space of town, a brief stroll from Prince Road Bridge.
Each time we go to Bristol, I’ve at all times received to go to this space of town, which is completely beautiful on a sunny Bristolian afternoon. After popping inside, be sure you discover the Bristol Individuals Gallery that focuses on discoveries made in Bristol and subsequent sombrer occasions passed by; like town’s position within the Transatlantic slave commerce.
Afterwards, take a wander round Whapping Wharf and cease by a few of the unbiased cafes, bars and little retailers right here. We love the Wild Beer for a day tipple of native ale. These guys know their stuff!
Should you’re feeling peckish, seize a bag of freshly cooked fish and chips from the Salt & Malt (a couple of metres away). Served up with mushy peas and lashings of salt and vinegar!
Fancy swapping strolling for some wheels? Head over to Bristol Tandem Hire (2-minutes away from M Shed) and rent a tandem bicycle to discover the docks and wider Bristol itself. It’s a lot enjoyable!
Oh, and be sure you head inside Spike Island Galleries and creative workspaces. There’s at all times some type of cool and thrilling exhibition happening.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in close by Bathtub
5.) Clifton Suspension Bridge
Seeing the Clifton Suspension Bridge is among the finest issues to do in Bristol that’s completely iconic and may’t be missed in Bristol. You see, it’s one other engineering feat of Brunel and stands proudly over the River Avon.
Now, it would really feel like a little bit of a stroll from Queen Sq. (about 40-minutes) nevertheless it’s nicely value it for the views and to study extra concerning the historical past within the customer centre.
Afterwards, take a wander in direction of the Clifton Observatory and take within the views from St Vincent’s Rocks. It’s certainly one of our fav photograph spots for the bridge.
For a night dinner, e book a desk at Pasture for certainly one of Bristol’s finest steaks. Their Châteaubriand is every thing!
6.) Cabot Tower
Standing proudly inside Brandon Hill, the Cabot Tower was constructed within the nineteenth Century to have fun John Cabot’s journey from Bristol to North America 400 years earlier.
Take a wander round Bristol’s oldest park and head to the highest of Cabot Tower for some pretty views. Better of all, it’s completely free to climb.
Plus, it’s fairly simple to associate a go to to the Bristol Museum and Artwork Gallery that’s a stone’s throw away.
Learn extra: Finest cities in England to go to
7.) Galleries & Museums
For me, among the finest issues to do in Bristol is to discover its museums. As I discussed, M Shed is a spot you possibly can’t miss however there are a couple of different gems which can be dotted throughout town, too.
Should you’re round Bristol College or Berkeley Sq. be sure you pop into the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery. Housed inside is hundreds of years of historical past; from mummies to dinosaurs!
One of many extra missed treasures of Bristol, Red Lodge Museum (on Park Row) is a nicely value taking stroll inside. Right here, you’ll get to wander the Nice Oak Room with its beautiful panelled partitions and see centuries of historical past and artwork that adorn the partitions. The truth is, it feels such as you’ve gone again to the sixteenth Century.
Afterwards, take a wander down Park Road and go to the Vintage Thrift Store and Uncle Sam’s. Although, don’t count on big bargains; it’s a fashion-forward spot and costs are just a little steeper than conventional thrift shops.
Oh, and seize a doughnut and a few baked goodies or brunch from Pinkmans that conjure up a mouth-watering custard dipped brioche dream.
8.) Bristol Cathedral
England’s solely corridor church Cathedral relies proper in Bristol, making it arduous to overlook when exploring town for the primary time. Nestled on the banks of College Green, Bristol Cathedral has been round for a whole lot of years.
As soon as inside, be sure you discover the beautiful east finish of the cathedral itself; it’s beautiful; particularly the vaulted nave.
Additionally, Chapter Home, which is alleged to be one of many best Norman rooms on the earth that dates again to the 1100s.
Learn extra: Finest locations in close by Cotswolds to go to
9.) Gloucester Highway & Stokes Croft
Stokes Croft kinda jogs my memory of Camden City in London! It’s completely various, fairly creative and has a extremely distinct really feel from the remainder of Bristol.
With a extra “edgy” vibe, it’s the type of place that’s stuffed with bohemian retailers and indie retailers; particularly round Gloucester Highway. You see, it’s usually stated to be Europe’s longest avenue that focuses on unbiased companies that thrive within the space.
Stokes Croft looks like one massive open-air artwork gallery, stuffed with avenue artwork so far as you possibly can see! As I stated, it’s an ideal place to peruse the retailers nevertheless it’s additionally received a heap of bars and eateries which can be nice for a night out.
Make sure you cease off at Pieminister for a few of the tastiest pies within the south of England. No joke, they’re scrumptious! Additionally, for some tasty Sri Lankan hoppers, head over to The Coconut Tree (on Gloucester Highway). Ask for further chilly for a kick.
10.) Bristol Worldwide Balloon Fiesta
Happening in August, experiencing the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is wonderful and may’t be missed. The truth is, I’d go so far as saying to rearrange your journey across the dates in the event you’re already visiting in hotter summer time months.
Fully free to attend (except you need to safe parking), it’s simply among the finest issues to do in Bristol that’s so distinctive.
With a whole lot of balloons taking to the skies, nightglow occasions, fireworks and a carnival ambiance, you possibly can actually spend days soaking within the fiesta.
It’s completely particular.
Learn extra: Finest locations within the south of England
17 Stunning Locations In The South Of England To Go to
