Located in southwest England, Bristol is a lively university city full of independent shops, fascinating museums, an impressive maritime legacy and buzzing bars and cafés along the Harbourside. Home of street art icon Banksy, the city streets are brimming with colour and works at every turn.
Start planning your visit to Bristol today and discover this exciting city for yourself.
Discover some of the finest hotels near Bristol Harbour and also our hotels near Bristol airport if you need a stay closer to the airport.
Family activities in Bristol
Looking for things to do with the kids in Bristol? This city boasts a range of activities and attractions that the whole family can enjoy. These include:
- Bristol Aquarium – learn more about the underwater world at Bristol Aquarium, home to all sorts of marine life, including jellyfish, seahorses and sharks
- Leap of Faith – a brilliant outdoor climbing experience suitable for ages four years and over
Culture
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery:
Explore world-class collections of art, natural history, archaeology and geology at the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery. 19 galleries are housed over three floors in a beautiful Edwardian building on Queens Road. With thousands of fascinating items on display you could while away a whole day here. Entry is free, although donations are welcome.
Time slots are available every 30 minutes during the day. Last entry into the museum is 4pm. Bristol Museum & Art Gallery closes at 5pm. Time slots are available two weeks in advance. New time slots are released every Monday.
M Shed:
M Shed tells the story of over 2,000 years of Bristol’s fascinating history through film, photographs and artefacts. There are three main galleries to explore: Bristol Places, Bristol People and Bristol Life, each telling a story of the city, and containing a mixture of media. Discover the city’s trading past and its involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, learn more about the city’s war-time experiences and industrial past as well as discovering the many artists, music, and technology that originate in Bristol. Entry to M Shed is free.
Aerospace Bristol:
Aerospace Bristol offers a fascinating day out for all the family. Discover more than 100 years of Bristol’s incredible aviation history through hundreds of exhibits on display including small model aircrafts, rockets and missiles. The highlight of most trips to Aerospace Bristol is the Concorde Alpha Foxtrot: the last of the iconic supersonic passenger jets to be built and the last to fly. Visitors have the opportunity to step abord the world’s fastest passenger and check out the cockpit and passenger cabins for themselves.
Aerospace Bristol is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Tickets cost £9.50 for children (aged 4-17) and £17.00 for adults. Children under 4 visit for free.
Brunel's SS Great Britain:
SS Great Britain is a fascinating museum ship and former passenger steamship located at Great Western Dockyard. Brunel's SS Great Britain is one of the most important historic ships in the world and in 1970 was rescued from rust and ruin, and lovingly restored to her Victorian hey-day.
Step back in time and hear true stories from all areas of the ship including the luxurious first-class to the crowded Steerage cabins.
Tickets cost £10 for children (aged 5-16) and £18.00 for adults. Children 4 years old and under visit for free. Please visit the SS Great Britain website for opening times.
Royal West of England Academy
The Royal West of England Academy is England’s only regional Royal Academy of Art. Five galleries are housed in the magnificent Grade 2* listed building in the heart of the city. Featuring a lively programme of exhibitions celebrating the best of historic and modern British art as well as the annual Open exhibition, which is one of the largest Open Submission exhibitions in the UK, there is plenty to see at the Royal West of England Academy.
Please visit the website for opening times.
Bristol Cathedral
Bristol’s beautiful and historic Cathedral is located on College Green, less than a mile from Leonardo Hotel Bristol City. The cathedral is one of England's great medieval churches, originating as an Augustinian Abbey in c. 1140.
The eastern end of the Cathedral gives the building a unique place in the development of British and European architecture. The cathedral is one of the finest examples in the world of a medieval 'hall church', with the vaulted ceilings in the nave, choir, and aisles all at the same height.
Bristol Cathedral is free to visit and is open to the public 365 days a year.
Visit the website for more information.
Days Out
Bristol Aquarium:
Explore more than 40 naturally-themed displays and spot the thousands of marvellous sea creatures, including rays, seahorses, and tropical sharks. Meander through the Underwater Tunnel and watch breath-taking marine life swim over your head. As the only aquarium in the UK to feature a giant botanical house, discover hundreds of exotic plant and tree species from all around the world. Open every day except Christmas Day from 10am.
Clifton Suspension Bridge:
Designed by the great Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the world-famous Clifton Suspension Bridge was completed in 1864. Designed for light horse drawn traffic, it still meets the demands of 21st century commuter traffic with up to 12,000 vehicles crossing it every day.
The bridge’s breath-taking setting on the cliffs of the Avon Gorge has made it the defining symbol of Bristol, attracting thousands of visitors every year looking to take in the views of the ancient Avon Gorge and the picturesque village of Clifton.
After crossing the bridge, it’s worth visiting the unique Clifton Village with its diverse range of shops, cafes, picturesque passageways, spectacular architecture, gardens, walks and secret hideaways.
Ashton Court Estate:
Located just 10 minutes from Bristol City Centre, the Ashton Court Estate was once the home of the Smyth Family and is now a historic park covering 850 acres of woods and gardens. Discover the magnificent old oak trees and watch the deer graze in the woodlands. There are plenty of sports and adventure activities to enjoy including two 18-hole pitch-and-putt golf courses, mountain biking trails and a miniature railway which opens at weekends. After exploring the grounds, why not pop into one of the two on-site, dog friendly, cafés to enjoy delicious local cakes and a cup of tea?
The estate is open Monday to Sunday from 8am. Admission is free (although there may be charges for some parts of the estate if a special event is on).
Shopping
Bristol Shopping Quarter:
Located in the centre of the city, Bristol Shopping Quarter is home to hundreds of shops including high street favourites and designer names as well as a range of independent boutiques.
Incorporating Broadmead, The Galleries, The Arcade and Cabot Circus this large shopping area has something to suit everyone and with a range of great restaurants, bars and cinemas you can spend the day here.
Wapping Wharf:
Located in the historical and cultural heart of Bristol, Wapping Wharf is home to a diverse range of independent shops. From ethical clothes shops to independent florists and jewellers, this waterfront neighbourhood is packed with eclectic shops, restaurants, and cafes that aren’t found on the high street.
Bristol Markets
Every day of the week local traders, food and drink producers and art and craft specialists are showcasing their wares at various markets around Bristol. St Nicholas Market (open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am-5pm) is located inside the historical building known as ‘The Exchange’. The Glass Arcade is buzzing with food producers, florists and textile sellers.
Bristol Harbourside Market (Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4pm) stretches all the way along an undercover walkway on the waterfront. Here you can find a collection of fantastic jewellery, clothing, books, art amongst a treasure trove of other goods. While the market has a strong creative influence, you can also source delicious locally baked breads and cakes.
Tobacco Factory Market takes place every Sunday from 10am-2.30pm in Southville. Here you can find approximately 40 food and drink, craft & art stalls, featuring a strong emphasis on eco-friendly and ethical goods.
