Explore Bristol’s vibrant city centre with our comprehensive guide to College Green Bristol. Set against stunning landmarks such as Bristol Cathedral and the City Hall, this scenic green space has seen centuries of change and is still a popular meeting place for students, locals and curious tourists. From political protests to peaceful picnics, delve into College Green’s rich history! Let’s explore this iconic Bristol treasure’s charms, secrets and surprises.
Where is College Green Bristol?
College Green Bristol is a historic green space in Bristol, England, nestled between Bristol Cathedral and the City Hall. The 1.1-hectare grassland is fan-shaped and surrounded by important historic buildings and cultural landmarks, with Park Street to the north, St George’s Road to the south, the main city centre business district to the east and Brandon Hill Park to the west. College Green is one of the core areas of the city. College Green is one of the city’s core areas, with several bus routes (e.g. 1, 2, 2A, U1, etc.) intersecting the area, providing residents and tourists with easy access to the University of Bristol, the city centre’s business district and the area around the harbour.
College Green Bristol History
College Green is not only a public space for the public to enjoy, it is also a place where the city’s history and culture are embedded, with its original history dating back to the Middle Ages when it was part of the Abbey domain, originally owned by St Augustine’s Abbey, which became part of what is now Bristol Cathedral. The word ‘college’ derives from the Cathedral Chapter House that was established around the cathedral, where the clergy studied and lived. In the 19th century and beyond, College Green became an important meeting and marching place in Bristol for political, environmental and student rights events. With the modernisation of the city, College Green is planned as an open green space for public recreation, student gatherings, picnics on the grass, skateboarding, etc. Now, College Green is owned by the Dean and Chapter of Bristol Cathedral, and managed by Bristol City Council.
Accommodation Near College Green
College Green is located in the heart of Bristol city centre, close to the University of Bristol, and is renowned for its convenient location and wealth of amenities. Whether you’re a student or a visitor, you will find satisfying accommodation near College Green.
uhomes.com can help you find Bristol student accommodation near College Green, whether for a short or long stay, a solo or dual occupancy. We have everything you need.
College Green
College Green is an upmarket student accommodation located opposite Bristol’s famous green space, College Green, which shares the same name. College Green student accommodation offers Studio rooms as well as 2-bedroom rooms, perfect for couples or friends. Each room is light and modern, with LCD TVs, fully fitted kitchens and night views of Bristol city. College Green also offers a gym, study rooms, games room, small cinema and high-speed broadband, making it easy for students to relax and meet new people. College Green is located at 39-43 College Green, Bristol BS1 5SH, about a 12-minute walk to the University of Bristol and about 25 minutes by bus to Bristol UWE. The Price for College Green student accommodation is about £280.29/week, with all bills included.
Universities Near College Green Bristol
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is one of the UK’s leading research universities, part of the Russell Group of Universities, with a global reputation for academic excellence and innovative research. It is ranked 54th in the QS World University Rankings 2025, placing it firmly in the UK’s Top 10. The University of Bristol has 13 Nobel Prize winners, 21 Fellows of the British Academy and 51 members of the Royal Society leading its teaching and research teams. In addition, professors from the UK’s leading academic societies and research organisations, representing the UK’s leading research strengths and standards, are directly involved in daily teaching at the University of Bristol, ensuring that the University of Bristol’s teaching standards are second to none in the UK. The University of Bristol is just a 5-10 minute walk from College Green, and the main campus is just uphill along Park Street.
City of Bristol College
City of Bristol College is one of Bristol’s leading public further and higher education colleges, offering a wide range of courses from GCSE, A-Level and BTEC to Foundation Degree and Higher Education Diploma (HND), covering a wide range of academic and vocational pathways. Dating back to the early 1900s, the City of Bristol College was originally set up to meet the demand for technical and vocational education in the Bristol area. Through several mergers and reorganisations, it has grown to become one of the city’s largest further education colleges, with several campuses, including the College Green Centre in the heart of the city, next to the famous College Green.
University of the West of England
The University of the West of England (UWE) is a large public comprehensive university founded in 1970 and located in the city of Bristol, England. The University of the West of England has over 38,000 students, with international students making up around 20 per cent of the total student body. With an excellent language learning environment, the University of the West of England is one of the largest and most popular universities in the UK. The University of the West of England is ranked 601-800 in the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Dozens of buses run through the university, making it easy for students to travel to all parts of Bristol. The University of the West of England Frenchay campus is a 30-40 minute bus ride from College Green on bus routes X1, X3A and U3.
Activities at College Green Bristol
College Green is also one of Bristol’s famous parks. When the sun is shining, crowds appear on the lawn to play football, picnic, read a book and relax. Surrounding the park is the hustle and bustle of the city, with waterfront bars and restaurants all within easy reach. It is an ideal place to sit quietly and soak up the sun and a popular location for events, socials and cultural celebrations. Here are some of the specific things and activities that people often do in College Green:
Daily Leisure Activities
Picnics
Whilst open-fire barbecues are not permitted on the College Green meadows, this doesn’t stop people from enjoying a relaxing picnic time. Students often bring lunchboxes, sandwiches, cold drinks and snacks to sit on the grass and chat in the sun, and there’s a great ice cream parlour opposite College Green, which is a speciality when the sky opens and the clouds are high and the ice cream is the standard thing for everyone to have in the sun in their hands. Nearby Sainsbury’s Local, Pret A Manger or Greggs are also popular choices for a light lunch.
Sunbathing
In late spring and early summer, College Green is like a natural balcony, where groups of young people, couples, and students lie down for the whole afternoon. Some people wear sunglasses and listen to songs, some people read books and write sketches, and some people simply close their eyes and take a nap. Here, the air is fresh, and the sunshine falls on the green grass as if the whole city is slowing down the rhythm. You will also see people putting on headphones, meditating and doing yoga on the grass while breathing in sync with nature.
Skateboarding / Frisbee
The edges of College Green are paved with flat stone paths, perfect for skateboarders to show off their skills. It’s not uncommon to see youngsters playing ‘ollie’ and ‘kickflip’ in the evening after school to the applause of onlookers. In addition, there are also people with Frisbees, badminton or volleyballs interacting easily on the grass, and there is always laughter and a brisk rhythm, the atmosphere is both youthful and free.
Dog Walking / Family Time
Being located in the heart of the city, residents in the surrounding area often bring their children and pets to College Green to relax. Kids can run around freely on the wide grassy area while parents sit and read or chat. There’s no traffic, and the green spaces are open and safe, so it’s perfect for a family day out.
Student Gatherings
College Green is just a few minutes walk from the University of Bristol and City of Bristol College, so it has long been a ‘second classroom’ for students. Between classes or during lunch breaks, you’ll always find students gathering in small groups to review their homework, discuss projects or simply relax and chat. It is also a popular place for new students to meet friends, socialise and express themselves freely.
Featured Activities
Featured Events
Live music performances
College Green hosts occasional music festivals from May to August each year, mainly on weekends and holidays. For example, the Bristol Street Music Festival, Bristol Sounds preview events, and small charity concerts have all been held at College Green. Nearby university societies also organise live performances.
Bristol Pride Parade
College Green is one of the starting or finishing points of the official parade route for the annual Bristol Pride Festival, often with pre-programm marshalling, bunting decorations, and warm-up performances. 2025 is expected to be 12-13 July.
Christmas Events
Although Bristol’s primary Christmas market is in Millennium Square, festive lights, Christmas stars, and hand-painted wooden signs indicating decorations are also put up around College Green Meadow. Some students or church volunteers will be performing Christmas carols.
Open Air Cinema
Every July and August, Bristol Film Festival sets up a temporary outdoor screen in College Green, where audiences can bring their own cushions, reclining chairs, snacks and drinks. Films screened are old classics (e.g. La La Land, Notting Hill) or family-friendly animations.
FAQs About College Green Bristol
Why is it called College Green Bristol?
College Green in Bristol gets its name from its historical connection to Bristol Cathedral, which was originally known as St. Augustine’s Abbey. The area in front of the Abbey was called the Cathedral Close or “green”—a common term for open grassy areas attached to religious or academic institutions.
Can I bring my pet or children to College Green?
Yes! College Green is pet-friendly and great for families. The large open space is perfect for kids to play and for dog-walking. Just remember to keep the area clean.
What is the postcode for Bristol College Green?
The postcode for College Green in Bristol is BS1 5UY.
