Last Updated: 11/11/20 | November 11th, 2020
While a lot of travelers who see England only see London, there are actually a great deal of other gems in the country worth exploring.
One such location is Bristol.
“Bristol? There’s not much there.”
That was the common reply from locals whenever I pointed out I was heading to Bristol.
Needless to say, I had low expectations. however I checked out anyway. After all, there’s no such thing as “must-see” — and that indicates there’s no such thing as “must skip” either.
On arrival, I discovered a hip college town with amazing eateries, excellent ethnic food, wonderful things to see, and lots of eco-friendly space.
Bristol is like the English version of Seattle. a lot of travelers seem to utilize it as a base for trips to Bath, and never completely check out this city, providing it only a short glimpse before heading back to London.
This is a mistake.
With a population of around 500,000, Bristol is the largest city in southern England (after London) and is also one of the largest shipping ports in England. It got a royal charter in 1155 and, up until the increase of Liverpool, Birmingham, and Manchester during the industrial Revolution, was one of England’s largest cities.
Bristol experienced substantial bombing during world war II and a subsequent decline in its producing industry. Today, the city is a lively college town. The university of Bristol dominates the city and the trainees supply a great deal of earnings and tasks for the community.
To assist you make the most out of your visit, here’s a listing of my preferred things to see and perform in Bristol:
1. Bristol Cathedral
This lovely cathedral was consecrated in 1148 and was developed in the Romanesque style (and has a similar style to Notre Dame in Paris). originally named St. Augustine’s Abbey, the cathedral stretches over 300 feet and while much of it has been rebuilt, a few of the original building remains.
Tours are available on Saturdays at 11:30am and 1:30pm for free, though a donation of 5 GBP is suggested.
College Green, West End, +44 117 926 4879, bristol-cathedral.co.uk. open Tuesday-Saturday from 9am-4pm and 11:30am-3pm on Sundays. gown respectfully as this is a location of worship. Admission is free.
2. roam King Street
Originally laid out in 1650, King street is a fascinating, historical part of Bristol. It utilized to be where the old sailing barges docked after their journeys from South Wales. now the area is the heart of the theatrical district and features impressive bars and restaurants. There are even some pubs from the 17th century that are still standing, such as The Hatchet Inn which was developed in 1606!
3. See the Clifton Suspension Bridge
This is Bristol’s a lot of popular landmark. Suspended high above the Avon Gorge and River Avon, the bridge opened in 1864 and supplies sweeping views of the river and surrounding parks and buildings. It was also where one of the early bungee jumps in the UK was held in the 1970’s. The bridge stretches 1,352ft (412m) and handles nearly 10,000 automobiles per day. There’s a little visitor center close-by where you can discover a lot more about the bridge and its history as well (it’s open everyday from 10am-5pm).
4. inspect out St. Nicholas Market
This is a lively, busy market with a lot more shops than you might go with in an afternoon. There seems to be an limitless number of farmers’ stalls with amazing regional produce, second-hand bookshops, and vintage garments stores. the market dates back to 1743 and is the best location to wander, explore, and people watch.
Corn St, +44 117 922 4014, bristol.gov.uk/web/st-nicholas-markets. open Monday-Saturday from 9:30am-5pm.
5. see the Bristol museum and Art Gallery
Established in 1823, this museum covers a bit bit of whatever — from archaeology to dinosaurs to English history to art. The expansive range keeps things fascinating so even non-history buffs will take pleasure in it. It’s the area’s largest museum and one of my personal favorites. While there are tens of countless products in the museum’s collection, it’s not as well overwhelming and simple to see in a few hours. Plus, like all public museums in England, it’s free!
Queens Road, +44 117 922 3571, bristolmuseums.org.uk/bristol-museum-and-art-gallery. open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-5pm. Admission is free.
6. Take a walking Tour
Bristol is an old city and has been an crucial port for nearly a thousand years. With so much history, it must come as no surprise that the city has collected its fair share of ghost stories. To hear a few of the tales as you check out the city, take a haunted walking excursion with Haunted and hidden Ghost Walks. Their excursion lasts 90 minutes and is well worth the 5 GBP!
If haunted walks aren’t your cup of tea, take a street art tour. Bristol is house to a number of works by Banksy in addition to tons of other murals. excursionsfrom Where the wall last 2 hours and cover the city’s finest works of public art. excursions begin a 7.50 GBP.
7. See the S.S. excellent Britain
Located in the harbor, the S.S excellent Britain was the world’s very first steam-powered traveler liner. It took its maiden voyage in 1845 and was actually the longest ship in the world for nearly a decade. (It’s 322 feet long).
Unfortunately, considering that it was so huge it took a long time to develop (it took 6 years to complete) and the owners went bankrupt not long after it was launched. It ran aground not long after and was offered for salvage. After being repaired, the ship was utilized to ferry passengers to Australia from 1852-1881 when the ship was converted to all-sail. It was scuttled and sunk in the Falkland Islands in 1937 where it stayed for 33 years up until it was recovered, hauled back to the UK, and turned into a vacationer attraction.
Great Western Dockyard, +44 0117 926 0680, ssgreatbritain.org. open everyday from 10am-5pm. Admission is 18 GBP.
8. have fun at WetheCurious
This science and art center is an academic charity devoted to cultivating curiosity. opened in 2000, it’s house to over 250 interactive exhibits, making it a fun and academic location to see if you’re traveling with kids. They have a planetarium, 3D printers, and exhibits covering the human body, magnets, animation, and more!
1 Millennium Square, +44 0117 915 1000, wethecurious.org. open Wednesday-Sunday from 10am-5pm. Admission is 14.50 GBP.
9. kick back at the Downs
The Downs (Clifton Down and Durdham Down) are a secured parkland on the edge of the city. Spanning over 400 acres, they’re within walking distance of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Avon Gorge and produce a great location to relax, stroll, and enjoy the locals play sports.
10. See Cabot Tower
The tower, which stands 32m (105ft), was developed in the 1890s to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Italian explorer John Cabot’s departure from Bristol and his utmost “discovery” of north america (he was the very first European to see north america considering that the Norse Vikings in 1,000 CE). The tower is built from sandstone and has a narrow staircase inside that you can climb to take in the sweeping view.
Brandon hill Park, +44 0117 922 3719, bristol.gov.uk/museums-parks-sports-culture/brandon-hill. open everyday from 8:15am-5:15pm. Admission is free.
11. see Blaise Castle
Built in 1798 in the Gothic Revival style, this “castle” is actually a sham — it’s not a genuine castle however rather a look-alike developed by a affluent household just for the fun of it. It’s essentially an ornamental building, using sweeping views over the surrounding 650 acres and the Avon Gorge. There is also a close-by historic house that has been converted into a museum where you can discover a lot more about the castle and its quirky history.
Kings Weston Rd, +44 117 922 2000, bristol.gov.uk/museums-parks-sports-culture/blaise-castle-estate. open everyday from 7:30am–7:15pm (5:15pm in the winter). Admission is free.
12. trip the Avon Valley Railway
This railway, which dates back to the 1860s, when linked Bristol to Bath. Today it’s a three-mile heritage railway where you can trip a steam-powered train. There’s also a fully-restored Victorian train station and get a sense of what traveling was like at the turn of the last century. For hiking enthusiasts, there’s a walking path next to the tracks if you’d rather check out on foot.
Bitton Station, +44 117 932 5538, avonvalleyrailway.org. open everyday from 9:30am-5:15pm. heavy steam train tickets are 9 GBP while diesel train tickets are 8 GBP.
***
I believed Bristol, with its old industrial-turned-Bohemian charm, produced a excellent location to spend a few days. There were historic homes to visit, a few great museums, and some terrific parks. Its picture as an industrial center still lingers on in a lot of of England, making it a location few go or want to explore.
But that works out for the rest of us. For while everybody else heads off to Bath, we can have the city of Bristol to ourselves.
I suspect someday the word will get out, but, at least for now, Bristol stays a hidden gem and a city that is well worth a visit.
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