Bristol, United Kingdom: travel guide
A harbour city with a suspension bridge, street art and a creative streak
Perched on a gorge above the Avon, Bristol is a creative city known for Banksy street art, a buzzing harbourside, the SS Great Britain, and a youthful energy fuelled by two major universities.
About Bristol
Bristol is a harbour city in the south west of England, cut by the River Avon as it runs through a deep gorge. The Clifton Suspension Bridge crosses the gorge, and the old docks have been reworked into the Harbourside, where the SS Great Britain, a Brunel steamship, is on display.
The city is known for its street art, and a trail through the streets takes in work by Banksy, who started out here. Clifton Village offers independent shops and elegant terraces, and the city's music and food scenes are lively thanks to its universities. It is also an easy base for a trip to Bath.
Bristol suits creative travellers and weekend visitors. Summer is best for the harbourside, with spring and early autumn also pleasant.
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Currency
- GBP
- Time zone
- Europe/London
- Nearest airport
- BRS
Last updated
Top places to visit in Bristol
Clifton Suspension Bridge
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Isambard Kingdom Brunel's masterpiece (1864) soaring 75 m above the Avon Gorge. A free-to-walk engineering icon, the bridge visitor centre explains its dramatic design and construction history.
Bristol Harbourside & Banksy Trail
Cultural · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Bristol's revitalised Victorian docks are lined with galleries, museums, floating restaurants, and original Banksy street art. The city is the birthplace of the mysterious artist and his work is everywhere.
SS Great Britain
Museum · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · entry £19 (≈ ₹2,340)
The world's first ocean-going iron steamship (1843), designed by Brunel, now preserved in the dry dock where she was built. The atmospheric museum recreates Victorian ocean travel in extraordinary detail.
Clifton Village
Cultural · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Perched above the Avon Gorge, Clifton is Bristol's most elegant neighbourhood — Georgian terraces, independent boutiques, artisan coffee shops, and the famous Clifton Lido, all within walking distance of the bridge.
Bristol Bath Day Trip
unesco-bath · 4.8 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A day trip from Bristol to Bath — the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Roman bath city, with the iconic Roman Baths, the Royal Crescent, and the Jane Austen heritage.
Bristol Aquarium
aquarium · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Bristol Aquarium — the spectacular family aquarium on the Harbourside, with the iconic underwater tunnel, the famous 8 themed zones, and the British marine heritage.
Bristol M Shed Museum
city-museum · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The M Shed Museum — Bristol's spectacular city museum in a historic 1950s transit shed, with the iconic People of Bristol exhibitions, the famous Colston statue display.
Bristol Cabot Tower
victorian-tower · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Cabot Tower — Bristol's spectacular 1898 tower commemorating John Cabot's 1497 voyage to North America, with the iconic panoramic views from Brandon Hill park.
Bristol Cheddar Gorge Day
limestone-gorge · 4.7 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A day trip from Bristol to Cheddar Gorge — England's spectacular largest gorge (137m deep), with the iconic Gough's Cave (home to 9,000-year-old Cheddar Man), and the famous cheese.
Bristol Glastonbury Day Trip
mystical-town · 4.7 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A day trip from Bristol to Glastonbury — the spectacular mystical town with the iconic Glastonbury Tor, the legendary King Arthur Avalon site, and the famous Glastonbury Abbey ruins.
Bristol Street Art Tour
street-art · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The Bristol Street Art Tour — exploring the spectacular Banksy birthplace city, with the iconic Stokes Croft murals, the famous Banksy Mild Mild West, and the rich urban art heritage.
Bristol Wallace Gromit Trail
aardman-trail · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The Aardman Animations heritage trail — Bristol's spectacular birthplace of Wallace and Gromit (Aardman Animations since 1972), with the iconic studio location and the rich creative heritage.
Where to stay in Bristol
- The Lanes & Seafront about GBP 130 per night
Brighton's most popular area. The Lanes for boutique shopping, seafront for beach access. Best selection of boutique hotels.
Hotels
- Hotel du Vin Bristol 4-star · GBP 130 to GBP 350 per night
- MOXY Bristol City 3-star · GBP 80 to GBP 200 per night
Where to eat
- Riverstation Restaurant Modern European, Mediterranean · about GBP 50 per person
- Café Ronak Ethiopian, Eritrean, African · about GBP 28 per person
- Birch Modern British, Seasonal, Vegetarian · about GBP 55 per person
- Casamia Restaurant Modern British, Fine Dining · about GBP 160 per person
Getting to Bristol
Airport: Bristol (BRS)
Getting around
- Bus
- Walking
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Frequently asked questions about Bristol
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Bristol?
- The highest-rated places in our Bristol guide are Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol Bath Day Trip, SS Great Britain, Clifton Village, Bristol M Shed Museum.
- Where should I stay in Bristol?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Bristol: The Lanes & Seafront.
- How do I get around Bristol?
- Ways to get around Bristol covered in our guide: City bus, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Bristol?
- The nearest airport to Bristol has the code BRS.