Explore Bristol
Things to see and do in Bristol
There is much to see and do in Bristol. We have outlined a comprehensive guide of all the landmarks, parks and transport so you can get the most out of your stay here. Have a question about our apartments? Contact us below.
Contact usGlobally recognised as an academic centre of excellence, the University Bristol is ranked in the top ten universities in the UK! Delivering its courses through six faculties, these include the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, and Faculty of Social Sciences and Law.
University of the West of England
The University of the West of England received university status in 1992 and is a public research university. Voted 2nd in England in the UK for student satisfaction and is in the top 30 Guardian University Guide 2020. The University is also TEF Gold rated for teaching excellence and is known for its support staff and team.
Brandon Hill
Address: Park St, Bristol BS1 5RR
This historical park is the oldest park in Bristol!
Situated in the middle of it is Cabot Tower, built in 1897 to commemorate John Cabot’s voyage from Bristol and North America. Designed by Bristol architect William Venn Gough, the tower is free to climb up.
The views form this park enable you to see a vast amount of the city and the historical Harbourside and view all that Bristol has to offer.
Berkeley Square
Berkeley Square is close to Park Street and was created around 1790 in a Georgian style with a central grass area behind railings, by Thomas and William Paty.
Numbers 12-18 were damaged during the Bristol Blitz in World War II and were later rebuilt to maintain the same facade.
College Green
Address: College Green, Bristol, BS1 5UY
Located at the bottom of Park Street, which is one of Bristol’s most famous streets, College Green is most famously known for being at the front of Bristol’s City Hall, College green is surrounded by a number of important public buildings.
This green is a popular place for young people to meet and due to its closeness to the City Hall it often finds itself the main meeting point for protests against government policy. It is also a regular venue for media launches, charity fundraisers and product launches.
Most recently on the 29th February 2020, College Green gained its worldwide attention with the Youth Strike 4 Climate protest run by Greta Thunberg. Over 30,000 people joined her in this protest seeing the green trampled turning it into mud. However, with the generosity of people through a fundraising page, the green was restored in a matter of days.
More on the history of the park here.
Castle park
Address: Broad Weir, Bristol BS1 3XB
Situated just off Bristol Bridge, this city centre park is ladened with historical memories. Within the centre of the park is the Grade II listed St Peter’s Church which features remains of the Bristol Castle’s keep, walls and Vaults which were bombed in World War II. The castle that used to be here was one of the largest castles in the country during its time. The steps that still exist were host to an underground route from the castle that could help occupiers communicate with others in the outside world!
There are also a number of silver birch trees lined within the park that were planted in memory of the seven beaches of the D-Day landings and there is also a plaque with all the names of the victims of the 1940 air raid. You can also sit amongst memorial trees planted in honour of Anne Frank.
The park also includes a physics garden for growing medicinal plants that is maintained by St Mungo’s Broadway, plus there is a bandstand used for events and music sessions.
To find out more about the history behind this park, click here:
You can also explore their leaf trail, should you wish to explore the trees and leaves of this park, which can be found here.
Queen’s square
Address: Bristol BS1 4LH
Situated between the Harbourside and the old city, Queen’s square is a central park that is home to an array of beautiful Georgian townhouses.
The square was badly hurt during the Bristol Riots of 1831. Nearly 100 of the buildings located in and close to the square were burnt to the ground. Hundreds of protestors died and rebuilding of this square took over 80 years.
Today it is home to a number of pop up festivals and is regularly used for leisure, sunbathing and social gatherings.
Did you know that Clifton Suspension Bridge is the most Instagrammable place in Bristol and the seventh most popular place in the whole of the UK?
It is arguably Bristol’s most recognisable structure, famously designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Another of Brunel’s creations, this ship is one of the most important ships in the world. Launching in 1843, SS Great Britain was given the name ‘the greatest experiment since the Creation’.
Located in Clifton, the Zoo states its mission is to ‘maintain and defend biodiversity through breeding endangered species, conserving threatened species and habitats and promoting a wider understanding of the natural world’.
Covering an area of 70 acres, this dock once hosted sailors and merchants where they would trade goods and set sail for voyages. Today, this beautiful Harbourside is filled with restaurants, bars, shops and hotels.
Bristol museum and art gallery
A museum in the centre including archaeology, geology and art. This museum includes fossils and artwork from the Bristol born, Banksy.
This cathedral is the only hall church Cathedral in England. Formally the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, Bristol Cathedral is located by College Green in the centre.
This is Bristol’s biggest aquarium home to thousands of aquatic creatures in over 40 displays. Includes tropical fish, sharks and seahorses.
If shopping is your thing, then head down to Cabot Circus. The city’s largest shopping centre, this centre features many high street shops, cafes and restaurants.
Arnolfini is an international arts centre and gallery located on the Harbourside of the city.
It has a packed full programme of contemporary art exhibitions, artist’s performance, music and dance events, poetry and book readings, talks, lectures and cinema. There is also a specialist art bookshop and a café bar.
Free to enter, the M Shed is a museum all about Bristol and its history. Explore the city through time: its places, its people and their stories.
Park Street
One of the most famous and iconic shopping streets in Bristol, Park Street is home to independent boutiques and some of the best restaurants and bars.
Whiteladies Road
Whiteladies Road (also known as the ‘golden mile’) is based in Clifton and is always a popular area for students due to its array of bars, clubs and restaurants. This thriving road also leads you onto the Triangle you where will find the Bristol Museum, Park Street and Wills Memorial Building.
Clifton Village
Clifton is known for its historical buildings and grand architecture. One of the more affluent areas of the city, it comes with an array of quirky shops, boutique restaurants and gastro pubs.
Gloucester Road
This road is locally known as Bristol’s Indie Shopping District. Recognised as one of the most bohemian and authentic areas of the city, with a range of murals, art and live music continually throughout the week.
Stokes croft
Best known as the city’s arty quarter, Stokes Croft is packed full of independent and quirky bars.
Tourist information
www.visitbristol.co.uk is a comprehensive website with information on everything Bristol.
The Bristol Tourist Information centre is open Mon- Sat 10.00-17.00
E Shed, 1 Canons Road, Bristol, BS1 5TX.
Travelwest
For door to door journey information by all modes of transport simply visit
www.travelwest.info/bus/timetables-and-journey-planning
By Bus
There are regular bus routes running all around the city. For all routes and timetables:
City sightseeing bus
0117 971 9279
Tickets are on sale at the Tourist Information Centre.
By train
Great Western Railway and other major train operators run local, regional and inner city services from Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway.
https://www.gwr.com/plan-journey/stations-and-routes/bristol-temple-meads
By car
Bristol has plenty of car parks including the 2,600 space in the Cabot Circus shopping centre.
For more information on Bristol car parks visit www.travelwest.info/drive.
There is also a Park and Ride service running from three different points of the city running into the centre.
By Ferry
There are two ferry operators: Number Seven Boats and Bristol Ferry Boats, which offer regular ferry services to and from waterfront attractions and points along the harbourside.
Cycling
Bristol is the first ‘cycling city’ aimed to encourage more people to cycle. Because of this, there are numerous cycle lanes running around it.