Bristol isn’t one of England’s largest or most popular cities, with a population of only 687,000. But what it lacks in size it makes up for in history.
Bristol is stuffed with historic landmarks. It has harbors that once ushered explorers to and back from the New World. It’s also full of classic towns, cathedrals, and railways.
Visiting these historic locations feels like you’re learning a lesson but is never dull. You also won’t have to look far to find the city’s nightlife and street art scene.
Keep watching to learn about the best things to do in Bristol, England.
King Street
This is one of the most historic streets in Bristol and even England. It was laid out in 1650 and served as a dock for sailing barges coming back from South Wales.
King Street is now the heart of Bristol’s theater district. It also has unique bars and restaurants. The Hatchet Inn was built in 1606 and is only one of the pubs from the 17th century that remains on this street. It looks and feels almost exactly as it always did.
Avon Valley Railway
When it was founded in 1860, this 3-mile railway connected Bristol to Bath. You can still ride it, and the Victorian train station gives you a sense of what its first passengers experienced. If you’d rather stay outdoors, there’s a walking trail next to the tracks.
The station is open from 9 am-5 pm. Steam train tickets are 11£, and diesel train tickets are 10£.
Wookey Hole Caves
This is one of the best things to do in Bristol, even though it’s about an hour’s drive away from the city. The limestone caves were created from an underground river. You can see them on a 35-minute tour or a boat tour through the waters where you’ll also learn about spelunking.
The caves’ hours vary based on holiday and season but are typically 9:40 am-4:30 pm. Check the website to see when they’re open. Admission is 21.45£.
Bristol Lido
This unique attraction was built in 1850 and reopened in 2008. It’s practically a full-scale resort hidden in a residential street.
There’s a pool, spa, and sauna. You’re spoiled for choice with restaurants here including tapas at the bar or the viewing gallery restaurant upstairs.
Bristol Lido is beautiful but can get expensive. Look for spa packages that include dinner and a drink to save yourself a few pounds.
The Lanes
This is one of the best places to enjoy a night out while having a few drinks. Don’t miss their signature hardshakes, milkshakes filled with booze. Wash it down with their pizza. The 50’s diner-style atmosphere is charming, and so is the live music.
If bowling isn’t your style, go to one of the nearby karaoke rooms or alternative nightclubs. The Lanes are truly one of the best places to enjoy all that Bristol’s nightlife has to offer.
Bristol Harbour
This historic harbor was built in the 13th century along the River Avon. It was both the departure point for those sailing to the New World and the arrival point for other Europeans coming in.
The main port is further downstream than it was in the 14th century, but the harbor is still full of activity, especially during the Harbour Festival. During the rest of the year, there are art exhibitions, cafes, and more. You can also take a river cruise on a ferry to learn about the nearby history.
At-Bristol
This is Bristol’s science center. It’s got hands-on activities and interactive workshops to pull anyone in. You can even feel the thrill of creating by making your own animated short or building a flying object.
Go to the souvenir to buy a memory instead. You don’t have to leave hungry thanks to the cafe.
Bristol Zoo
This zoo was built in 1836 with a mission of conservation and research. It’s made several achievements such as being the first in the world to breed okapis and one of the few in Britain that has aye-ayes and lowland gorillas.
The zoo’s special Twilight Zone features artificial nighttime habitats to let you see nocturnal animals in their natural environment. The ZooRopia rope course lets you swing along with monkeys and lemurs.
You won’t want to leave, but you don’t have to because you can book a stay at The Lodge. You’ll get to stay after hours along with a private tour and delicious food.
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The S.S. Great Britain
The world’s first steam-powered passenger liner took its first voyage in 1845. It was designed by the famous Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It was the largest ship in the world for a decade at 322 feet and could carry 360 passengers.
The boat was so large that it took six years to build and its owners went bankrupt soon after. It ran aground and was sold for salvage.
The S.S. Great Britain then went on a journey, though not the one it was intended to. It was repaired and used to ferry passengers to Australia from 1852-1881. It scuttled and sank in the Falkland Islands in 1937. The boat stayed there for 33 years until it was brought back and became a tourist attraction.
The S.S. Great Britain is open for visitors from Tuesda-Sunday from 10 am-4 pm. Admission is 22£.
Clifton Suspension Bridge
If you can’t get enough of Isambard Brune’s work, come see what’s generally considered his magnum opus. This 1,352-foot bridge sits above the Avon Gorge and River Avon, linking Bristol to the Leigh Woods. It’s now Bristol’s most famous landmark with 10,000 vehicles passing over it every day.
You can take a free tour across the bridge. There’s also a nearby visitor center where you can learn about its rich history. That’s open from 10 am-5 pm every day.
The Downs
Clifton Down and Durndahm Down make up 400 acres of protected parklands on the edge of Bristol. They’re a relaxing area to walk or watch locals play sports.
Go to the Sea Wall for the best views. If you follow it around, you’ll even see bearded goats climbing the rocky terrain.
Millennium Square
Millennium Square is one of the best things to do in Bristol if you came to learn because of all the nearby museums. The large dome is more than a picture opportunity; it houses an observatory.
We the Curious is one of the best things to do in Bristol with children. It has 250 interactive exhibits. They include a planetarium, 3D printers, and more.
The museum closed for repairs after a recent fire. The plan is for it to reopen in 2023.
The Bristol Aquarium has sharks in a sunken ship, a bay of rays, a learning lab, and more. If you come in the summer, there’s also a pop-up roller disco on the harbor for blowing off steam.
Gloucester Road
This is the longest strip of independent retailers in Europe and an ideal stop for retail therapy. You’ll see the award-winning Spanish Deli Colmado, the indoor plant specialist Wild Leaf, the fashion and homewares stop Fox + Feather, and more.
St. Nicholas Market
If you can’t get enough shopping, go to this line of shops that dates back to 1743. The surrounding area was destroyed during WWII, but it was spared and is now the largest collection of independent retailers under one roof in Bristol.
St. Nicholas Market is full of farmer’s stalls, second-hand bookshops, vintage clothes stores, and more. Go to the Exchange for traders and the Glass Arcade for food stalls
Cabot Tower
Cabot Tower is 105 feet high and sits in Brandon Hill Park, Bristol’s oldest park. It was built in 1897 to celebrate John Cabot’s trip from Bristol to North America 400 years earlier. He was the first one to attempt the trip since the Norse Vikings in 1000 CE.
Climb the narrow spiral staircase for an impressive view of the city. Come down to explore Brandon Hill itself. It has a nature reserve with a wildflower meadow, newt and frog pond, and butterfly garden.
The park and tower are open from 8 am-5:15 pm every day. Admission is free.
Blaise Castle
A wealthy family built this building in 1798 to make it look like a castle. The nearby home has been converted into a museum that gives you a look into its interesting history.
Start at the house to learn about 17th-century life. Go to the Picture Room for an impressive collection of art from the former inhabitants. There’s even an accurate replica Victorian schoolroom.
The Roman villa has the only Roman baths in Bristol. Finish up by exploring the rest of the 650-acre estate in the woods to see their beautiful flora and fauna.
The castle is open from 7:30 am-5:15 pm every day. Admission is free.
Bristol Cathedral
This 300-foot Romanesque Cathedral was originally named St. Augistines Abbey. It was built in 1148 and is reminiscent of Notre Dame in Paris.
The original building’s been renovated since its inception but retains its original wonder. It has vaulted ceilings and glass windows, some of which go back as far as the 14th century. It’s also historically significant as the first place where female Church of England priests were ordained and the filming location of BBC’s Wolf Hall.
The cathedral is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9 am-4 pm and 11:30-3 pm. Admission is free and tours are available on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 11:30 and 2:15 pm for 5£.
Bristol Museum
This museum, established in 1823, is one of the best things to do in Bristol because it’s one of the largest and has exhibits for everyone. They range from archeology to art, with tens of thousands of ancient and modern items in the collection. There are also regular events such as talks, workshops, and temporary exhibitions.
The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 am-5 pm. Admission is free but donations are welcome.
Banksy Grafitti
Bristol is the assumed birthplace of the anonymous but now-famous graffiti artist Banksy. His work sells for thousands of pounds, but you can find a few of his early pieces in the streets and subways.
A guided street art tour will help you spot them all. You can also find famous pieces of street art such as The Grim Reaper, the Well Hung Lover, and the Masked Gorilla.
Bristol even has a street art festival called Upfest. It’s one of the largest in Europe and an interesting experience for any fans.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Bristol? Let us know in the comments.