Bristol is one of England’s most exciting destinations – with excellent museums like M Shed, a pulsing music scene and Michelin-starred restaurants. It’s also a very walkable city and has a laid back vibe with a touch of international flair and a sense of fun that comes through in its moss-damp backstreets, secret alleyways and evocative street art.
The Bristol Adventure: Insider Tips for an Unforgettable Trip
The heart of the city is the Old Town including streets like Queen Square, King Street and Baldwin Street with wonderful Victorian and Georgian buildings and historic pubs. It’s also the home of covertly famous street artist Banksy – and you can explore his artwork on my self-guided Banksy walking tour or join a guided tour from Where the Wall to see some highlights.
The Floating Harbour is a stretch of water that looks like a river in some places and was where ships docked for centuries bringing trade and prosperity to the city. You can learn more about its rich history at M Shed, a museum in a former transit shed (its name is derived from the way the port identified each of the sheds) and the SS Great Britain – one of the most important and historic ships of its time.
In the city centre visit the Old Vic Theatre and St Nicholas Market, wander the stretches of the city walls and discover the ingenuity of the great engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge as well as his pioneering passenger ship SS Great Britain – one of the finest museums of its kind in Europe. The burgeoning creative hub of Stokes Croft is another must-see area where you can see murals by the city’s talented graffiti artists and explore its fascinating street art scene on my Bristol street art tour or choose your own route around this fascinating neighborhood.