{"id":19517,"date":"2023-05-22T12:26:12","date_gmt":"2023-05-22T12:26:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/05\/22\/the-14-best-things-to-do-in-bristol-in-2023\/"},"modified":"2023-05-22T12:26:12","modified_gmt":"2023-05-22T12:26:12","slug":"the-14-best-things-to-do-in-bristol-in-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/05\/22\/the-14-best-things-to-do-in-bristol-in-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"The 14 Best Things to Do in Bristol in 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Last Updated:<\/strong> 3\/2\/23 | March 2nd, 2023<\/p>\n

While most travelers who visit England<\/a> only visit London, there are actually a lot of other gems in the country worth exploring.<\/p>\n

One such place is Bristol.<\/p>\n

\u201cBristol? There\u2019s not much there.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was the standard reply from locals whenever I mentioned I was heading to Bristol.<\/p>\n

Needless to say, I had low expectations. But I visited anyway. After all, there\u2019s no such thing as \u201cmust-see\u201d<\/a> \u2014 and that means there\u2019s no such thing as \u201cmust skip\u201d either.<\/p>\n

On arrival, I found a hip college town with amazing eateries, wonderful things to see, and plenty of green space.<\/p>\n

Bristol is like the English version of Seattle<\/a>. Most travelers seem to use it as a base for trips to Bath<\/a> but never fully explore this city, giving it only a brief glance before heading back to London<\/a>. <\/p>\n

This is a mistake.<\/p>\n

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 received a royal charter in 1155 and, until the rise of Liverpool<\/a>, Birmingham, and Manchester<\/a> during the Industrial Revolution, was one of England\u2019s largest cities. <\/p>\n

Bristol suffered extensive bombing during World War II and a subsequent decline in its manufacturing industry. Today, the city is a vibrant college town. The University of Bristol dominates the city, and the students provide a lot of income and jobs for the community. <\/p>\n

To help you make the most out of your visit, here\u2019s a list of my favorite things to see and do in Bristol:
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1. Bristol Cathedral<\/h3>\n

\"The

College Green, West End, +44 117 926 4879, bristol-cathedral.co.uk. Open Tuesday-Saturday from 9am-4pm and 11:30am-3pm on Sundays. Dress respectfully as this is a place of worship. Admission is free. Tours are available on most Tuesdays and Saturdays at 11:30am and 2:15pm for 5 GBP. <\/em>
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2. Wander King Street<\/h3>\n

Originally laid out in 1650, King Street is a fascinating, historical part of Bristol. It used 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 outstanding bars and restaurants. There are even some pubs from the 17th century that are still standing, such as The Hatchet Inn which was built in the Tudor style in 1606!
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3. See the Clifton Suspension Bridge<\/h3>\n

\"Looking

4. Check out St. Nicholas Market<\/h3>\n

This is a lively, bustling market with more shops than you could go through in an afternoon. There seems to be an endless number of farmers\u2019 stalls with amazing local produce, second-hand bookshops, and vintage clothing stores. The market dates back to 1743 and is the perfect place to wander, explore, and people watch.<\/p>\n

Corn St, +44 117 922 4014, bristol.gov.uk\/web\/st-nicholas-markets. Open Monday-Saturday from 9:30am-5pm.<\/em>
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5. Visit the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery<\/h3>\n

Established in 1823, this museum covers a little bit of everything \u2014 from archaeology to dinosaurs to English history to art. The expansive variety keeps things interesting so even non-history buffs will enjoy it. It\u2019s the area\u2019s largest museum and one of my personal favorites. While there are tens of thousands of items in the museum\u2019s collection, it\u2019s not too overwhelming and easy to see in a few hours. Plus, like all public museums in England, it\u2019s free!<\/p>\n

Queens Road, +44 117 922 3571, bristolmuseums.org.uk\/bristol-museum-and-art-gallery. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-5pm. Admission is free but donations are encouraged. <\/em>
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6. Take a Walking Tour<\/h3>\n

Bristol is an old city and has been an important port for almost a thousand years. With so much history, it should come as no surprise that the city has collected its fair share of ghost stories. To hear some of the tales as you explore the city, take a haunted walking tour with Haunted and Hidden Ghost Walks<\/a>. Their tour begins nightly at 8pm, lasts 90 minutes, and is well worth the 7 GBP!<\/p>\n

If haunted walks aren\u2019t your cup of tea, take a street art tour. Bristol is home to several works by Banksy as well as tons of other murals. Bristol was Banksy\u2019s street-art home, and you can discover over 30 years of street art by artists from all over the world. <\/p>\n

Tours from Where the Wall<\/a> last 2 hours and cover the city\u2019s best works of public art. Tours start at 7.50 GBP and run most Wednesdays and Saturdays. <\/p>\n

Bristol Pirate Walks<\/a> are another fun option, especially for history buffs. These short walking tours allow you to experience some of Bristol\u2019s oldest neighborhoods and will teach you about the early history of the city during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. You\u2019ll also get to see sites associated with legendary pirates like Long John Silver and Blackbeard. Tours last 1 hour and cost 12.50 GBP.
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7. See the S.S. Great Britain<\/h3>\n

\"The

Unfortunately, since it was so big it took a long time to build (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 sold for salvage. After being repaired, the ship was used to ferry passengers to Australia<\/a> 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 until it was recovered, hauled back to the UK, and turned into a tourist attraction.<\/p>\n

Great Western Dockyard, +44 0117 926 0680, ssgreatbritain.org. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-4pm. Admission is 22 GBP.<\/em>
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8. Have Fun at WetheCurious<\/h3>\n

This science and art center is an educational charity dedicated to cultivating curiosity. Opened in 2000, it\u2019s home to over 250 interactive exhibits, making it a fun and educational place to visit if you\u2019re traveling with kids. They have a planetarium, 3D printers, and exhibits covering the human body, magnets, animation, and more! The building is currently closed for repairs after a fire but plans to reopen sometime in 2023. <\/p>\n

1 Millennium Square, +44 0117 915 1000, wethecurious.org. Open Wednesday-Sunday from 10am-5pm. Admission is 16.50 GBP.<\/em>
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9. Relax at the Downs<\/h3>\n

The Downs (Clifton Down and Durdham Down) are a protected parkland on the edge of the city. Spanning over 400 acres, they\u2019re within walking distance of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Avon Gorge and make for a nice place to relax, stroll, and watch the locals play sports. The area known as the Sea Wall is the perfect place to take in the views, and there is plenty of space to spread out and enjoy a natural retreat without straying too far from the city.
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10. See Cabot Tower<\/h3>\n

\"Cabot

Brandon Hill Park, +44 0117 922 3719, bristol.gov.uk\/museums-parks-sports-culture\/brandon-hill. Open daily from 8:00am-5:15pm. Admission is free.<\/em>
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11. Visit Blaise Castle<\/h3>\n

Built in 1798 in the Gothic Revival style, this \u201ccastle\u201d is actually a sham \u2014 it\u2019s not a real castle but rather a look-alike built by a wealthy family just for the fun of it. It\u2019s essentially an ornamental building, offering sweeping views over the surrounding 650 acres and the Avon Gorge. There is also a nearby historic home that has been converted into a museum where you can learn more about the castle and its quirky history.<\/p>\n

Kings Weston Rd, +44 117 922 2000, bristol.gov.uk\/museums-parks-sports-culture\/blaise-castle-estate. Open daily from 7:30am\u20135:15pm (5:15pm in the winter). Admission is free.<\/em>
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12. Ride the Avon Valley Railway<\/h3>\n

This railway, which dates back to the 1860s, once connected Bristol to Bath. Today it\u2019s a three-mile heritage railway where you can ride a steam-powered train. There\u2019s also a fully restored Victorian train station where you can get a sense of what traveling was like at the turn of the last century. For hiking enthusiasts, there\u2019s a walking trail beside the tracks if you\u2019d rather explore on foot. <\/p>\n

Bitton Station, +44 117 932 5538, avonvalleyrailway.org. Open daily from 9:00am-5:00pm. Steam train tickets are 11 GBP while diesel train tickets are 10 GBP.<\/em>
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13. Visit the Wookey Hole Caves<\/h3>\n

\"People

The Mill, High St, Wookey Hole, +44 1749 672243, wookey.co.uk. Opening hours vary based on holidays and seasons but are generally 9:40am-4:30pm. Check the website for specific times. Admission is 21.45 GBP.<\/em>
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14. Explore Gloucester Road<\/h3>\n

Bristol\u2019s Gloucester Road features Europe\u2019s largest stretch of independent shops. The whole street is walkable, and you\u2019ll find plenty of places to stop and people-watch. You\u2019ll find unique one-of-a-kind shops and boutiques every few steps, and it\u2019s a great place to enjoy some tasty local food. There are also plenty of hip cafes and lively pubs in this area as well.<\/p>\n

***<\/center><\/p>\n

I thought Bristol<\/a>, with its old industrial-turned-Bohemian charm, made for a great place to spend a few days. There were historic houses to visit, a few good museums, and some wonderful parks. Its image as an industrial center still lingers on in most of England, making it a place few go or want to explore. <\/p>\n

But that works out for the rest of us. For while everyone else heads off to Bath<\/a>, we can have the city of Bristol to ourselves.<\/p>\n

I suspect the word will get out, but for now, Bristol remains a hidden gem and a city that is well worth a visit.<\/p>\n

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