Location: Bristol
Top Things to do in Bristol
The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in Bristol, England
Bristol is a quirky British city with beautiful hilly vistas and plenty of historic sights to explore. Anyone interested in ships will have a blast aboard Brunel’s SS Great Britain, the world’s first great oceanliner, and the Matthew, a replica of the ship upon which John Cabot sailed to America in the 15th century. The graceful Clifton Suspension Bridge is another must-see.
Restaurants in Bristol
1. Wills Memorial Building
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 494 reviews
Take a tour of the Bristol University Wills Memorial building and meet the 7th largest bell in the UK, as well as being there when the famous Great George strikes. Whilst on the tour, you can climb to the top of the 68m tower and see the panoramic views of Bristol. You will also visit the Great Hall, the Library, the Old Council Chamber and the Reception Room. The tours are held on Saturdays , Prices Visitors: £5 Students and Senior Citizens: Group bookings and Evening tours are available upon request.
Reviewed By remshall - London, United Kingdom
A very enjoyable tour which lasted about an hour and a half made even better by a great knowledgeable and humorous guide aided by two assistants.An interesting and beautiful building with superb views of Bristol and the surrounding area(unfortunately rather wet and misty when we visited).They make the most of the Harry Potter connection. Highly recommended but try to do it on a fine day to appreciate the views.
2. St James Priory
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 81 reviews
St James Priory is the oldest church in Bristol dating from 1129.Originally a Benedictine Priory it has survived the ravages of change,the Reformation,wars and time. St James still survives as a jewel in the crown of Bristol. Although hidden away it is a haven of peace and serenity in the middle of the city centre. Between 2009 and 2011the church was completely renovated and restored following a grant of £3.2 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund. A warm, friendly and relaxing cafe adjoins the Church at the east end.
Reviewed By 170carolines - Cheltenham, United Kingdom
This was a real find. Arrived at Bristol Bus Station, after a few days in Glastonbury with half an hour between bus and onward coach, and set off to find a café which would fill my flask. The first place I encountered was St James Priory, which I had never noticed before but which is the oldest building in Bristol (12th century). Seeing they had a café (yippee), I entered through the church door and rustled down the aisle in my waterproof trousers, following the signs to the café. The food looked scrumptious and the cakes very imaginative (gluten and dairy-free Almond and Cardamom!), but I didn’t have time to eat. The lady on duty filled my flask with a single shot milky latte (and gave me a discount for ‘having my own cup’) – and it proved to be one of the most delicious lattes I have had anywhere. I left by another door, only to discover that the café entrance is just a stone’s throw away from the main door of the bus station. What a fabulous discovery after years of braving their ghastly cafes (and now there isn't one at all). I will definitely be back, not just to sample the food, but also to spend time in the lovely peaceful Priory church.
3. Clifton Suspension Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,556 reviews
Designed and built in 1836 by a young engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, this 702-foot-long, 250-foot-high suspension bridge gracefully spans the Avon Gorge between Clifton and Leigh Woods.
Reviewed By Margaretlaurieton
An amazing feat of engineering crossing high above the stunning Avon Gorge which in itself is interesting as there is a wealth of rare fauna
4. Bristol Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,263 reviews
Reviewed By fatfoodfreek179
Surrounded by the lovely College Green.If you are lucky you may hear the organ being played or the choir rehearsing in the background.There is a lovley shop there and a cafe.
5. Cabot Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,424 reviews
Reviewed By Shelbegrn - East Garston, United Kingdom
Cabot Tower offers serene and beautiful park surroundings with plenty of park benches and natural water features to revive tired souls or even calm hectic ones. The path to the tower is very steep and may be impossible to climb for those with mobility issues.
6. John Wesley's Chapel & New Room Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 309 reviews
The New Room in Bristol is the oldest Methodist Chapel in the world (originally built in 1739 and extended in 1748) and the cradle of the early Methodist movement. It was built and used by John and Charles Wesley and the early Methodists as a meeting and preaching place and the centre for helping and educating the needy members of the community. The chapel itself is on the ground floor (where there is also a shop) and is accessible from either the Broadmead or Horsefair courtyards. Upstairs, there is an admission charge Arts Council accredited museum which tells the story of John and Charles Wesley and their life and work in Bristol.
Reviewed By Swedishtomcat - Diss, United Kingdom
This historically-religious building, slap bang in the centre of Bristol’s shopping quarter, is where Methodism got its first foothold with a purpose-built chapel in 1739. There are a number of rooms upstairs which have been converted into a museum explaining the history of the Wesley brothers and Methodism. Downstairs is the New Room where you can imagine John Wesley preached. All the volunteers were very friendly especially the lady who was warmed the cockles of our hearts.
7. St Mary Redcliffe Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 873 reviews
'The fairest, goodliest and most famous parish church in England' - Elizabeth I The Christian community has worshipped continuously on the site occupied by St Mary Redcliffe Church for well over 800 years. The first church may have built here in Saxon times, when Bristol first became a port – the original quayside was just across the road, below the red sandstone cliff from which this area gets its name, located on what is now Redcliffe Quay. The present church is a treasure of international importance, a Grade I listed building that is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. All the features of St Mary Redcliffe speak clearly of the beauty and the infinite variety in God’s world. The church building is open daily for all to visit, reflect, pray, join in formal worship or simply “be”. Everyone is welcome here. Use this page to find out more about our church and some of the famous people who have contributed to its rich history.
Reviewed By 912nathanielb
From my journal: Yesterday we visited St. Mary Redcliffe, “The fairest, goodliest and most famous parish church in England,” as Queen Elizabeth remarked on the occasion of her visit in 1571 – and she’d seen a few! We were in time to sit in on a sung service – I always prefer to go to a service if possible, and “feel” the church being used for what it was designed to do. The was even more special: For the first time in my life, I heard a 32-foot open wood organ stop, something you feel more than hear, and this particular Harrison & Harrison organ (1912, refurbished in 2012) is a very famous example of the very finest English organ-building. It is stunning. (From a note from Robert Gage: “The 32’ rumble was undoubtedly an open wood. This is much more powerful (one can hardly say ‘louder’) than a stopped wood (which would probably be called Subbass – in Germany, Untertsatz). The bottom note is the next C off the bottom of the piano – 16 vibrations per second! The lowest pipes are about a foot square, or even more. It is an English invention!”)
8. St Werburghs City Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
St Werburghs City Farm is a green oasis in the heart of Bristol city. Like an outdoor community centre, the Farm promotes health and well-being through opportunities that enable people to meet, learn, participate and play within a safe environment With a 2 acre working farm, 1 acres of community gardens and 2.5 acre educational woodland, the Farm is ideally positioned to deliver its core aims to: provide high quality recreational/educational services within an inspiring environment; develop events/activities that promote community engagement, cohesion and integration; create opportunities for people to improve their quality of life, health and well-being; offer tailored training opportunities to enable people to improve their practical and social skills whilst increasing their self-esteem and confidence.
9. The Georgian House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 236 reviews
Discover what a Bristol sugar plantation and slave owner's home might have looked like around 1790. Eleven rooms spread over four floors reveal what life was like above and below stairs, from the kitchen in the basement where servants prepared meals to the elegant formal rooms above.
Reviewed By 967kblue
As I have mentioned in my previous review of No.1 Royal Crescent, the Georgian history is something I am very fascinated with and when I was coming to Bristol, I was excited to find out that there was a Georgian house museum situated there. It did not disappoint, it is a free attraction but they do like to get donations and the suggested donation is £5 which for what is in this attraction, it is well worth the money. The house is broken up into two parts, Life above stairs for the families who lived in the house and for life below stairs where the staff worked so you get to see the contrasts of how each group lived in the house. Life above stairs has lovely rooms such as dining rooms, bedroom, study and library. Life below stairs shows the kitchen, washroom for clothes, pantry, Housekeeper's room and a room filled with crockery (plates etc). In most of the rooms, there are information cards with tell you more about the rooms. There is a room with information boards about John Pinney, the man the house was built for who was a wealthy slave plantation owner and sugar merchant and talks about the slavery that occurred on his Island and gives insights into some of the people who were slaves on the Island. I am glad that they devoted some attention to this as you realise this is how most houses in that era were funded and how families became wealthy or maintained their wealth. I enjoyed my visit and the staff were very friendly and knowledgeable particularly one who helped me with my new camera. It is well worth a visit.
10. The Matthew of Bristol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 346 reviews
The Matthew is a replica of the Tudor ship sailed by John Cabot from Bristol, 'discovering' North America in 1497. The ship runs regular public trips and is available for private hire. History: After receiving a charter from Henry VII, Venetian merchant John Cabot led a crew from Bristol across the Atlantic Ocean - the 'sea of darkness' - to reach the continent of North America, presumably landing at Newfoundland, and claiming the discovery for the King. The Matthew you see today is a replica of the Tudor ship, based on a huge amount of research. The ship was built between 1994 and 1996, and in 1997 it re-enacted Cabot's original journey to Newfoundland to mark the 500th anniversary of Cabot's landmark voyage of discovery.
Reviewed By sasalice83
Beautiful boat with friendly volunteers who shared the history and lots of interesting stories. We only popped on while it was docked but will definitely book a trip when we are able to so we can learn more. The lady volunteer was particularly kind and gave us lots of information about the crows nest before we got on which the kids loved
