Historic Bridge, Lookout

You can cross the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol on foot for free. The bridge is open 24 hours a day. It connects the Clifton district with Leigh Woods and spans the River Avon at a height of 75 metres. For a photo of the whole bridge, stop at Observatory Hill on the Clifton side before crossing. The best spot to photograph the Clifton Suspension Bridge Observatory Hill is a free viewpoint on the Clifton side. Before the toll booth,…

City Quarter, Promenade

The most pleasant walk around Bristol Harbour follows the southern quay from the M Shed museum to the Cumberland Basin locks. On the way, you’ll pass Brunel’s steamship, the SS Great Britain, see the colourful houses in Cliftonwood and walk past a working shipyard. Allow 45–60 minutes for the route, which is about 2 km long, including short stops. The walk is free. The name ‘Floating Harbour’ refers to the inner harbour, where locks maintain…

Museum

M Shed is a free museum dedicated to the history of Bristol, housed in a former dock warehouse on Princes Wharf. Inside, you’ll see a historic double-decker bus, a Banksy mural and a statue of Edward Colston, which was toppled into the harbour by protesters in 2020. Allow 60–90 minutes for your first visit. 🏨 Leonardo Royal Hotel Bristol – prices and availability – is situated on Prince Street. From the hotel, you can walk across Prince…

Museum

At Bristol Dockyards, you’ll board the SS Great Britain and descend into the dry dock beneath its iron hull. A single ticket covers the ship, the dry dock, the museums and the historic site. Allow around 1.5 hours for the whole visit. 🏨 ibis Bristol Centre – check prices and availability – is located near Millennium Square. Walk along the waterfront from there to the ferry at Hanover Quay, which will drop you off right by the ship. The…

City Quarter

The colourful houses that you can see in Bristol on the hillside above the harbour are situated in the Cliftonwood neighbourhood, between Hotwells and Clifton Village. To get a photo of the whole row, head to the opposite bank towards Baltic Wharf. If you’d like to stroll right amongst the houses, head to Church Lane and Ambrose Road. 🏨 Victoria Square Hotel Clifton Village – prices and availability – is in Clifton Village, above the harbour.…

Cathedral

Bristol Cathedral stands on College Green, just a few minutes’ walk from the historic harbour. Entry is free. Inside, take a look at the Romanesque chapter house and the chapel with its carved animal musicians. In the nave, you’ll find stained-glass windows featuring portraits of Bristol residents from the Second World War. 🏨 The Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel – check prices and availability – is situated right next to the cathedral on College…

Market

I liked St Nicholas Market in Bristol’s historic centre. It may seem a bit less organised than, say,Grainger Market in Newcastle, but I came across more locals there than tourists. Two days earlier, I’d been to Covent Garden in London, and the difference in atmosphere was noticeable. The market is housed in the historic building of the former corn exchange. 🏨 Harbour Hotel & Spa Bristol – prices and availability – is situated on Corn Street,…

Park, Lookout Tower

Cabot Tower is a 32-metre-high observation tower on Brandon Hill in the centre of Bristol. From the top gallery, you can see the city and the harbour. The view of the harbour opens up from the slope and the park below the tower, and in fine weather, I think it’s one of the loveliest spots in Bristol. 🏨 The Berkeley Square Hotel Bristol – prices and availability – is situated on Berkeley Square, a short walk from the entrance to Brandon Hill…

Church, Ruins

St Peter’s Church is the ruins of a medieval church in Castle Park, right in the centre of Bristol. The site struck me as looking a bit neglected, but I liked the park around it and I think the whole place is worth a quick stop. 🏨 Delta Hotels by Marriott Bristol City Centre – check prices and availability – is situated on the eastern edge of Castle Park. Some rooms offer views of the park, and you can walk to the church through it. How old…

Museum

Right on the ground floor of the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, you’ll see Banksy’s sculpture *Paint Pot Angel* and the Bristol Boxkite biplane suspended from the ceiling of the entrance hall. Entry is free, and in an hour you can see the Egyptian mummies, the dinosaur hall and one of the art galleries. 🏨 The Berkeley Square Hotel Bristol – prices and availability – is just a few minutes’ walk from the museum. From Berkeley Square, you can also…

Museum

At the Aerospace Bristol aviation museum , you can step aboard the Concorde G-BOAF, which made the final flight in the history of this aircraft type. The museum is situated at the former Filton Airport, north of Bristol. Allow 1–2 hours for your visit and factor in the journey from the city centre. 🏨 Holiday Inn Bristol City Centre by IHG – check prices and availability – is situated on Bond Street in the city centre, near the Cabot Circus…

Square

Queen Square is a beautiful, quintessentially English square right in the centre of Bristol. I really liked its layout, with a large lawn, mature trees and rows of Georgian houses lining the perimeter. 🏨 Leonardo Royal Hotel Bristol – prices and availability – is situated on Prince Street between the square and the waterfront. It’s ideal for walks through the historic city centre and around the harbour. Construction of Queen Square began in…