Explore The Top Tourist Attractions and Things to Do in Bristol


Bristol is city in England, UK. It is also a ceremonial county and a unitary authority of the country. The city sits on River Avon and has been an important port city of South West England. Some of the best things to do in Bristol, UK include exploring historical buildings, architecture, classic old decors, shipping history and art. The city saw great progress post 12th century. The wealth gained is reflected in the rich architecture. The best places to visit in Bristol, England to admire architecture include St. Mary Redcliffe Church, Bristol Cathedral, Tyntesfield, Bristol Museum, Cabot Tower and so on. You can check out our sections below to get a list of admirable buildings and beautiful things to see in Bristol, UK.

The story of this city began in 11th century with a Iron Age hillforts and a few roman villas. These were built at the confluence of rivers Frome and Avon. You can learn about ancient history of the city at several Bristol tourist attractions like the M Shed and the city’s museum. The city was given the royal charter in 1155.

Between 13th and 18th century, the Bristol amassed great wealth as a port city.  Some of the most important historical Bristol attractions are along the banks of river Avon. This port was the starting place for numerous early voyages towards the New World. The very first European ship to land on mainland North America originated from Bristol. SS Great Britain Ship, Bristol Museum, M Shed, Floating Harbour and Underfall Yard Visitors center are the best places to go in Bristol to explore seafaring aspect of its history.

Another major aspect of Bristol travel is exploring art, fine art and decor. This is not limited to galleries and museums. Even several churches and mansions are interesting places to see in Bristol for impressive and opulent interior decor hailing from different ages.

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The Best 16 Tourist Places to Visit in Bristol in 3 Days (Trip Itinerary)

Day 1

1. St. Mary Redcliffe Church

Built between 12th and 15th century, this church is considered one of the finest works of Gothic architecture. It is one of the most beautiful things to see in Bristol, UK from outside and from within. The interior features of baroque decor and Victorian painted glass windows were added later. You will need an hour to explore this church during Bristol sightseeing.

St. Mary Redcliffe Church

2. M Shed Museum

This museum tells the story of the city. It is one of the best places to visit in Bristol UK to learn about the city’s history, its people, its culture and more. The museum is built in a former transit shed. You will get to see how the city has evolved and changed over the years. It is one of the very first Bristol tourist attractions you should visit to help put rest of the trip into perspective. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.

M Shed Museum

3. Brunel’s SS Great Britain

This marvelous ship was created in 1843 and it was the longest passenger ship in the world at the time. It is one of the best things to do in Bristol UK. You get to explore this fully restored ship and get transported back to the time of its heyday. The museum also has audio guides to aid the tour. You will need 2 hours to explore this ship during Bristol travel.

Brunel's SS Great Britain

4. Floating Harbour

This history of this harbour is dated back to 1051, but it likely goes even further back. It is one of the most historically significant Bristol attractions. This historic dock was built upon in 1809 as the Floating Harbour to control the water levels in River Avon. It was a major engineering achievement during its time. You will need an hour or so to explore this place.

Floating Harbour

5. Bristol Cathedral

This cathedral was built in 1148 as St. Augustine’s Abbey and several parts of it were added right up till the 19th century. The church is very popular among Bristol tourist spots for its architecture and interior decor features. You will need an hour at least to tour various parts of this church.

Bristol Cathedral

6. Cabot Circus

This large mall is one of the best places to go in Bristol for shopping, dining, leisure and entertainment. The mall has more than 120 stores encompassing several product categories including fashion, electronics, beauty, gadgets and so on. The mall is also well known for several indoor activities to do in Bristol UK  including cinema theater, food courts, events and gaming zones. You can easily spend a couple of hours exploring and enjoying this mall.

Cabot Circus

Day 2

1. Clifton Suspension Bridge

This bridge was built in 1864 and has been the venue for several significant events. It was the site of world’s first modern bungee jump and the handing of the torch for Olympics of 2012. There is also a museum dedicated to the bridge at the visitor’s center which you can explore when you visit Bristol. It will take 30 to 45 minutes of your time.

Clifton Suspension Bridge

2. Clifton Observatory

This observatory was first built as a mill in 1776 and became an artist studio in 1828. It was in 1977 that this place became an observatory. It is one of the most popular Bristol attractions for families traveling with children. It is also admired for the hilltop view of the city as well. You will need 30 to 45 minutes at this observatory

Clifton Observatory

3. Giant’s Cave

Close to the Clifton Observatory there is a cave amidst St. Vincent Rocks. The local folklore says that this cave used to be home to 2 giants. This cave is also one of historical Bristol sights as it served as a chapel in 305 A.D. There have been archaeological evidences found to confirm this fact. You will need about half an hour to tour this cave.

Giant’s Cave

4. National Trust – Tyntesfield

This house was purchased in 1843 by renowned English businessman William Gibbs. He remodeled the house to give its now well known Gothic exterior. It is one of the most opulent places to see in Bristol. The interior is complete with high magnificent decor, fine arts and furniture. You basically get to see the life lived by Uber rich people during Victorian era. It will take you about 2 hours to tour this place during Bristol travel.

National Trust - Tyntesfield

5. Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

The exhibits of this museum cover a variety of subjects including history, politics, culture, lifestyle, fashion, war, archaeology, zoology, natural history, art and so on. It is one of the top things to do in Bristol UK for those interested in history and art. The gallery exhibits artworks by renowned creators of Europe. You will need 2 to 3 hours to tour this museum.

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

6. The Red Lodge Museum

This house museum was first built in 1580 and extensions were done in 1700s and 1800s. It is one of the best places to visit in Bristol UK to see rich interior decor. The interior from Tudor, Elizabethan and Georgian eras. You will need an hour to tour this house.

The Red Lodge Museum

7. Brandon Hill Park

This is one of the oldest parks in the city with a history going all the way back to 1174. It is one of the top venues for outdoor activities to do in Bristol UK. The park has walking trails, ponds, playgrounds, sports facilities, meadows and more. It is also popular for panoramic views of the city. You can easily spend an hour or so from Bristol sightseeing exploring this park.

Brandon Hill Park

Day 3

1. Bristol Aquarium

This aquarium is has over 40 displays of marine animals and plants. The biggest attraction of this place is the walk-through tunnel of the coral reef tank. If you are looking for fun things to do in Bristol for families, this place fits the bill perfectly. You will need 2 to 3 hours to explore this place.

Bristol Aquarium

2. We the Curious (At-Bristol)

This interactive science museum is has exhibits, activities, experiments, multimedia displays and more. It is designed to make science fun and engaging. This place is quite popular among Bristol tourist attractions for children. You would about 2 hours for this place.

We the Curious At-Bristol

3. Bristol Zoo

This is the 5th oldest zoo in the world. It houses 300 animals from 50 species. There is also an aquarium section with 115 species of aquatic animals. Some of the popular attractions of this zoo are  Gorillas, African Penguins, Red Pandas, Lemurs, Lions, Tigers, Deers and so on. This is also one of the top Bristol attractions for families. The zoo also hosts a variety of interactive sessions with animals. You can easily spend a couple of hours here.

Bristol Zoo

If you are looking for more cool things to do in Bristol, check out the sections below. We have put together an exhaustive list of places and activities you can enjoy in and around the city.

Things to do in Bristol

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Bristol

  1. Brunel’s SS Great Britain
  2. Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
  3. M Shed
  4. Tyntesfield National Trust
  5. Bristol Cathedral
  6. Arnolfini Arts
  7. Cabot Tower
  8. Blaise Castle Estate
  9. Arts Mansion
  10. Royal West of England Academy
  11. Aerospace Bristol
  12. Clifton Observatory
  13. Clifton Downs
  14. Caldicot Castle
  15. The Red Lodge Museum
  16. Spike Island
  17. Blaise Hamlet
  18. Wills Memorial Building Tower
  19. The Georgian House Museum
  20. Ashton Court Estate
  21. Stanton Drew Circles and Cove
  22. Oakham Treasures
  23. Snuff Mills
  24. Fire Float Pyronaut
  25. St. Mary Redcliffe Church
  26. Underfall Yard Visitor Center
  27. Kings Weston House
  28. Clifton Cathedral
  29. Blaise Museum
  30. Kingswood Heritage Museum
  31. Bristol Harbour Railway
  32. Glenside Museum
  33. Redcliffe Caves
  34. New Room Chapel
  35. Being Brunel Museum
  36. Cadbury Camp – National Trust
  37. Temple Church
  38. Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor’s Centre
  39. Giant’s Cave
  40. Pensford Viaduct
  41. Willsbridge Mill
  42. Lloyd’s Amphitheatre
  43. Blaise Castle House Museum
  44. St. James Priory
  45. St. Peter’s Church
  46. The Design Museum
  47. The Fitzwilliam Museum
  48. The British Museum
  49. Serpentine Gallery
  50. Royal Academy of Arts
  51. The National Gallery

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Bristol

  1. Leigh Woods
  2. Wild Place Park
  3. Chew Valley Lake
  4. Avon Gorge
  5. Troopers Hill
  6. Conham River Park
  7. Folly Farm
  8. Old Sneed Park Nature Reserve

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Bristol

  1. Bristol Zoo Gardens
  2. Bristol Aquarium
  3. Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm
  4. Avon Valley Adventures and Wildlife Park
  5. University of Bristol Botanic Garden
  6. Windmill Hill City Farm
  7. Eastville Park
  8. Stoke Park Estate
  9. Old Down Country Park
  10. St. Weburghs City Farm
  11. Durdham Downs
  12. Chew Valley Animal Park
  13. Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf
  14. Oldbury Court Estate
  15. St. George Park
  16. Victoria Park
  17. Page Park
  18. Hengrove Park
  19. Eastwood Farm
  20. St. Andrew’s Park
  21. West Country Water Park
  22. Badock’s Wood
  23. Canford Park
  24. We The Curious
  25. Weston Super Mare
  26. Circomedia
  27. The Invisible Circus

Shopping in Bristol

  1. St. Nicholas Market
  2. Bristol Shopping Quarter
  3. Cribbs Causeway
  4. Cabot Circus
  5. Whiteladies Road Market
  6. The Galleries
  7. Broadmead
  8. Tobacco Factory Market
  9. Christmas Steps
  10. Wapping Wharf
  11. Temple Quay Market
  12. Gloucester Road
  13. Stokes Croft
  14. Bristol Harbourside Market
  15. Clifton Village
  16. Finzels Reach Market
  17. Park Street

Beaches in Bristol

  1. Rest Bay
  2. Clevedon Beach
  3. Weston Super Mare Beach
  4. Barry Island
  5. Kilve Beach
  6. Sand Bay
  7. Ladye Bay
  8. Brean Beach

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure Activities to Do in Bristol

  1. Boat Cruise
  2. Hiking
  3. Walking Tour
  4. Bicycle Tour
  5. Swimming
  6. Fishing
  7. Hot Air Balloon
  8. Paddleboarding

Sightseeing in Bristol

  1. Clifton Suspension Bridge
  2. Avon Valley Railway
  3. Brandon Hill
  4. Castle Park
  5. Cribs Causeway
  6. Upfest Gallery
  7. Queen Square
  8. Prince of Wales Bridge
  9. Bristol and Bath Railway Path
  10. Park Street
  11. The Centre
  12. Millenium Square
  13. Harbourside Street
  14. Pero’s Bridge
  15. Bristol Bridge
  16. Grand Pier

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Bristol

  1. Wild Beer Co
  2. Casamia
  3. Bravas
  4. Chido Wey
  5. Salt and Malt
  6. Souk Kitchen
  7. Poco
  8. Bulrush
  9. Kask
  10. Birch
  11. Little Victories
  12. Little French
  13. Bianchis
  14. Bokman
  15. Pigsty
  16. Marmo
  17. The Ethicurean
  18. Pasta Loko
  19. Woky Ko
  20. The Ox
  21. Gambas Tapas Bar
  22. Rosemarino
  23. Harbour and Browns
  24. Sky Kong Kong

Where to Stay in Bristol?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Bristol. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Bristol.

Luxurious Hotels

  1. The Bristol
  2. Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport
  3. Bristol Harbour Hotel & Spa
  4. Hotel du Vin Bristol
  5. Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel
  6. Holiday Inn Express Bristol – Filton, an IHG Hotel
  7. Artist Residence Bristol
  8. Avon Gorge by Hotel du Vin
  9. Brooks Guesthouse Bristol
  10. Number Thirty Eight
  11. Best Western Henbury Lodge Hotel
  12. Berkeley Suites

Mid-Range Hotels

  1. Novotel Bristol Centre
  2. Leonardo Hotel Bristol City
  3. Future Inn Bristol
  4. Mollie’s Motel & Diner Bristol
  5. Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel
  6. Hilton Garden Inn Bristol City Centre
  7. Hampton by Hilton Bristol City Centre
  8. Mercure Bristol Holland House
  9. Ibis Bristol Centre
  10. Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre
  11. Radisson Blu Hotel, Bristol
  12. Holiday Inn Bristol City Centre, an IHG hotel

Budget Hotels

  1. Premier Inn Bristol City Centre (Lewins Mead) hotel
  2. Premier Inn Bristol City Centre (Finzels Reach) hotel
  3. The Clifton Hotel
  4. Premier Inn Bristol City Centre (Haymarket) hotel
  5. The Washington
  6. Premier Inn Bristol City Centre (King Street) hotel
  7. Arnos Manor Hotel
  8. Ibis Bristol Temple Meads Quay
  9. The Berkeley Square Hotel
  10. YHA Bristol
  11. Rock’n’Bowl Motel
  12. The Channings Hotel

TripAdvisor

Custom Tours Package in Bristol

How to Reach Bristol?

By Air

Bristol Airport is situated 13km away from the city’s center. You can get direct flights from 124 cities in Europe to reach Bristol. Some of the major ones include Dublin, Burgas, Jersey, Alicante, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Athens, Belfast, Berlin, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Bordeaux, Faro, Geneva, Glasgow, Krakow, Lisbon, Lyon, Madrid, Newcastle, Nice, Paphos, Paris, Porto, Rome, Prague, Venice, Ibiza, Salzburg, Frankfurt and many more. The airport is connected to the city by cabs and buses.

By Road

You can get direct trains to visit Bristol from London, Glasgow, Bath, Cardiff, Birmingham, Southhampton, Edinburgh, York, Swansea, Plymouth and Exeter. The rest of the places in the UK can be accessed through connecting trains via these stations.

There are several public and private buses which can take you for Bristol travel from several cities and towns in the UK. National Express, Megabus and Southwest Falcon are most well known bus services operating through Bristol.

If you are planning to reach Bristol by road, you should head for motorways M4, M5 or M32

By Water

There are several ferry and boat cruises services for Bristol sightseeing, but the city is not connected with other cities or towns by water routes.


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