Established in 1542, Bristol is a critical UK aerospace, high-tech and financial trade centre. In addition, Bristol is a vibrant, multicultural city full of greenery, a stunning art scene and a rich history. There’s plenty to explore in Bristol, whether alone, with friends, or through Freshers’ Week. If it’s possible to keep the excitement of exploring the city alive, look at this list of top 8 popular attractions in Bristol.
Top 1 Clifton Suspension Bridge
Clifton Suspension Bridge is a suspension bridge over the Avon Gorge and the River Avon, connecting Clifton in Bristol to Leigh Woods in North Somerset. It was designed in the 1830’s by the talented designer and engineer I.K. Brunel. The bridge’s main span is 214 metres long, making it perfect for a hike. It is also said to be the birthplace of bungee jumping. The views from the suspension bridge are to be noticed, and you can cross the bridge and enjoy the views of the Avon Gorge. On your return, climb through a narrow cave to the viewing platform for a magnificent view of the suspension bridge.
Top 2 Bristol Cathedral
Bristol Cathedral has stood on the site for over a thousand years. Still, it only rose to fame when Robert Fitzhardinge founded St Augustine’s Abbey in 1140. The Chapter House and Abbey Gatehouse are still visible, and other remains are to be found within Bristol Cathedral School. The east end of the cathedral, particularly the choir, gives Bristol Cathedral its unique place in developing English and European architecture. The nave, choir and aisles are all of the same height, making Bristol Cathedral a prime example of an English hall church and one of the finest in the world.
Top 3 Cabot Tower
At the top of the hill is Cabot Tower, which offers the best view of the city – the majestic City Hall and City Church to the east, the stately Wells Memorial Building to the north, and the meandering Avon River to the south – and is the name of a Genoese sailor who sailed from here. From here, Cabot set sail and discovered Newfoundland in Canada in 1497, making Bristol Britain’s gateway to the New World. The 33-metre-high tower at the top of Brandon Hill in Bristol was built to commemorate this remarkable navigator. Today, it’s Bristol’s best viewpoint, with a bird’s eye view of Bristol and, if you’re lucky, even Wales.
Top 4 Clifton Observatory
Established in 1766, the Clifton Observatory is an iconic landmark and an integral part of the Bristol landscape. The Observatory has a long and varied history, but its spectacular and unforgettable views of Bristol, the Avon Gorge, and the Clifton Suspension Bridge have remained consistent over the centuries. Clifton Observatory is home to the 360 Café, a museum featuring a rare Victorian dark box and the atmospheric and fabulous Giant’s Cavern.
Top 5 Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery
Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery has three floors and 19 galleries of collections showcasing fascinating cultures, ancient civilisations, human inventions and creativity. Suppose you want to explore the wetland wonders of the South West, travel back in time to Ancient Egypt, explore the animal kingdom, see rare and endangered wildlife from the UK and around the world, and enjoy the collision of different arts. In that case, this is the place to be.
Top 6 St Nicholas Market
St Nicholas Market is a historic market located in Bristol City Centre, voted ‘one of the ten best markets in the UK’ by The Guardian. The market is divided into three sections – The Exchange Hall, The Glass Arcade and The Covered Market. It offers a wide range of food, vintage and speciality items from all over the world. On Wednesdays, local farmers sell a wide range of fresh produce, from honey to cheese, fruit to vegetables. On Fridays and Saturdays, there is an independent market with around 30 stalls selling art, crafts, vintage clothing and more.
Top 7 SS Great Britain
The SS Great Britain, the first steamship to cross the Atlantic, is a marvel in British maritime history, having travelled from England to New York in 14 days and from England to Australia in just six weeks. Unfortunately, she mysteriously disappeared after the Crimean War. When she was rediscovered in the Falkland Islands in 1970, The SS Great Britain was already rusting and scarred. The British Government spent £11.3 million on a series of restorations. Today, we can glimpse HMS Great Britain in all her splendour at the Old Ferry Terminal alongside the River Avon, where we can find a mixture of luxurious and poorer cabins, similar to those on the Titanic in the film.
Top 8 University of Bristol
The University of Bristol, founded in 1876, is one of the UK’s six red-brick institutions and a core member of the well-known Russell Group. As one of the top 100 universities in the UK, it is ranked 27th in the world, 58th in the QS World University Rankings 2021, and has produced 13 Nobel Prize winners, which shows its profound scientific research strength. In addition, as an urban university, BNU has academic buildings and libraries in every corner of the city, and the educational atmosphere blends with the surrounding environment in an elegant and chic way.
FAQ
What attracts people to Bristol?
Bristol is the largest city in the south-west of England and is also the commercial, educational and cultural centre of the south-west of England. Bristol’s cultural and recreational life is very colourful. The annual grand St Paul’s Carnival, the International Balloon Festival and the Kite Festival will attract tourists from all over the world.
What are the tourist attractions in Bristol?
One of Bristol’s most iconic landmarks is the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Designed by the famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, this bridge stands tall over the Avon Gorge and offers breathtaking city views. Visitors can take a stroll across the bridge or explore nearby attractions such as Clifton Village and Leigh Woods.
Bristol’s allure extends beyond its picturesque landscapes and into the very essence of its identity. Known as the birthplace of Banksy, the city thrives on creativity and expression, its streets adorned with thought-provoking street art that challenges the mind and stirs the soul. The Harbourside, once a bustling port, now serves as a vibrant hub where history meets modernity, offering spectacular views that are as captivating as the tales behind them. It’s this blend of natural beauty and cultural richness that makes Bristol not just a place to see but a world to discover.
