Top 10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Bristol, England

Step back in time when you board Brunel’s SS Great Britain. Discover the true stories behind the ship that changed the world. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of life on board for Victorian passengers and crew. Descend under water below the glass ‘sea’ to touch the world’s first great ocean liner.

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.

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.

Smoke & Mirrors theatre pub, home to The House Magicians Comedy & Magic Show, and is open 6 days a week. Our warm and welcoming bar staff will provide you with the very best in fine wines, so why not grab a pizza and watch a show? Our Pub is the best way to experience a night of entertainment whether you are attending one of our shows or one of the many theatres nearby we are the go-to pub for great drink & food before any show in Bristol. Being located right next to the Stage Door of the Hippodrome you can be sure that the cast and crew might be having a relaxing drink while our entertainers entertain them for a change from our Close-Up Magician performing right at your table or our House Musicians singing all the classics every weekend, you'll know that Smoke & Mirrors is the best-hidden Gem in Bristol and of course, we always have local ales always on tap!

The Wardrobe Theatre is a fringe studio venue and thriving arts hub in the heart of Bristol showcasing the best theatre-makers, companies and artists from around the UK. Every year we welcome audiences of 35,000+ and stage 500+ performances. Our programme is a lovingly curated mix of theatre, comedy, storytelling, live music, poetry/spoken word, dance, puppetry, cabaret, drag, improvisation, new writing and family shows, with an emphasis on emerging artists and Bristol-based work. Regularly throughout the year we also produce/co-produce productions of our own with dynamic Bristol-based creative teams and companies, shows which often go on to tour nationally.

Explore our free collections of art, nature and history on display in this beautiful building. Find out about the last billion years of earth's history, explore the region's natural wonders and discover more about peoples' lives, past and present.

We The Curious was previously known as At-Bristol Science Centre; an educational charity with an aim to “make science accessible to all”, it opened in 2000, and welcomed over 5 million visitors in the past 17 years. At-Bristol relaunched as We The Curious in September 2017, with a new vision that is committed to creating a culture of curiosity. We The Curious is an idea and a place for everyone. Our venue on Bristol’s harbourside is a bit like an indoor festival, with all sorts of different experiences, where you can interact with exhibits, test stuff out and participate rather than just visit. We’re all about empowering everyone to ask questions and get creative - with boundaries removed between science, art, people and ideas - a culture of curiosity.

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.

The Royal West of England Academy exists for everyone with an interest in art and design.Our artistic programme promotes inspiring work by our Academicians and Artist Members, and brings high profile exhibitions by established artists to Bristol. The RWA’s aim is to provide an inclusive programme of exhibitions, events and education in order to enhance the knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of art to the people who visit. The Royal West of England Academy (RWA) is one of only five Royal Academies of Art in the UK. It is a registered charity which has been self-supporting for over 150 years and possesses an outstanding Grade II* listed building, galleries and permanent fine art collection. The RWA has HM Queen Elizabeth II as its patron. Education is an important element in any gallery experience and the RWA aims to supply programmes that provide quality art education in the gallery environment for all levels of ability, age and understanding. More details about forthcoming events and the types of activities we offer can be found on the Events pages. The Academy is situated in the academic heart of Bristol where Queen's Road meets Whiteladies Road. Read more about how the Academy was founded on our History page, and for more about our current work read our Behind the Scenes blog or our RWA President blog. Visitor information, including how to find us, opening hours and access info, can be found on our website.