Are you visiting Bristol for the weekend? Do you have friends coming over and they want to know what is here worth visiting? If yes, this post could be your tour guide. I must say that Bristol is not a touristic city "per se" though there are several places worth visiting for it's engineering or historical interest. So... Welcome to "Brizzle"! ("Bristol" in Bristolian dialect)
Starting point: The tour's starting point will be Bristol Coach Station (Marlborough Street, Bristol BS1 3NU), as most of you might arrive in Bristol by coach. Follow the map below to complete the walking tour around Bristol.
1) Visiting the local and artistic Stokes Croft neighbourhood
If you exit the Coach Station from the door located at the left of the toilets, you can get to Stokes Croft more easily. Cross Marlborough street at the zebra crossing and follow Dighton Street. You will get to the heart of Stokes Croft. Either ways of the street, you will find beautiful local shops and independent coffee shops with a very distinctive personality. Graffiti and paintings decorate the street shaping a very creative area which supports community work and local businesses. Ideally, you would stop at The Canteen (read our review here) to have a powerful breakfast after seeing the first Banksy's stencil titled "Mild Mild West", located at the building entrance.
2) Shopping time at Cabot Circus and Broadmead
If you exit the Coach Station from the door located at the left of the toilets, you can get to Stokes Croft more easily. Cross Marlborough street at the zebra crossing and follow Dighton Street. You will get to the heart of Stokes Croft. Either ways of the street, you will find beautiful local shops and independent coffee shops with a very distinctive personality. Graffiti and paintings decorate the street shaping a very creative area which supports community work and local businesses. Ideally, you would stop at The Canteen (read our review here) to have a powerful breakfast after seeing the first Banksy's stencil titled "Mild Mild West", located at the building entrance.2) Shopping time at Cabot Circus and Broadmead
Cabot Circus is the main modern shopping area in Bristol. You can easily get there following Stokes Croft southbound. I personally love the underpass at St James Barton roundabout which is called Bearpit Market (read post about Bearpit Market here and here). The Bear's name is Ursa and has been created by Stokes Croft artist Jamie Gillman with the collaboration of Bearpit Improvemnet Group, PRSC and funds from an Arts Council England grant. If you take the exit closer to Primark, you will get to the shopping quarter called Broadmead. Big clothe-chains like Primark, the Urban Outfitters, Debenhams and other smaller shops are located in the road called Horsefair. There is also a three multi-level pedestrian shopping centre called Cabot Circus (read post about Cabot Circus here), opened in September 2008. The name of Cabot was chosen following a public vote taken in November 2007 commemorating John Cabot, an Italian explorer who is closely associated with Bristol. It won an award for its sustainable design, including natural ventilation, low energy lighting and rainwater harvesting system. Within the building, loads of shops and restaurants can be found as well as cinema's and bank offices.
3) An oasis of tranquility at Castle Park
3) An oasis of tranquility at Castle Park
Very close to Broadmead and Cabot Circus there is a public open space often used for music festivals called Castle Park (read here about a festival). The ruined tower of St Mary-le-Port church stands to the west of the park, surrounded by financial office buildings, while in the middle of the park, you can see St Peter's church's ruins. Recently, St Mary-le-Port has been placed on English Heritage's "At Risk" list. During summer sunny days, the park is an exceptional place to lay down and have a relaxing afternoon after work.
4) Walking historic streets around Corn Street
Going down on Corn Street, one of the principal historic streets in Bristol where corn and trade exchange was done, you will get to St Nicholas Market. It is a permanent covered market, home to the largest collection of independent retailers in Bristol. This is the perfect place to buy some souvenirs if you feel like! It is opened Monday to Saturday between 10am and 5pm, and every Friday there is a Food Market offering shoppers and visitors the opportunity to purchase some of the best local produce and street food. I strongly suggest having a falafel at "Eat a Pitta" for less than 5 pounds if it's already lunchtime.In Baldwin Street where you can see very beautiful buildings such as "The Old Fish Market". Food and drinks are quite expensive in the restaurant located in that exact building, but the building deserves a picture.
5) The heart of the city at Broad Quay
Follow Baldwin Street towards the city centre where you will find what we colloquially call "The Fountains". You will always hear music around the fountains as many buskers choose this area to play. The Hippodrome, designed by Frank Matcham and opened in 1912, is a theatre with a capacity of 1951 people. The theatre survived the World War II, but three years after, a fire destroyed the stage which had to be closed for 10 months. The theatre now has host many top shows such as The Lion King, Les Miserables and Cats.
6) A break before the "steep hill" in Park Street: Bristol Cathedral
If you take the street that goes uphill towards Park Street, you will get to an open space called College Green. It is surrounded by a number of historic and important public buildings such as Bristol Cathedral (read about our visit to the Cathedral here), Council House and Central Library. This is, as Castle Park, a very popular meeting point for young people when the weather is good, particularly street sport enthusiast. There are always skateboarders practicing there. If you cross Park Street at the lower part, you will see the second Banksy of the day: the famous "Naked Man Hanging".
7) Panoramic view of the city from the top of Cabot Tower
Half way in Park Street, turn left at St George's Street to get into Brandon Hill. Brandon Hill is a popular picnic spot with beautiful panoramic views over the city from Cabot Tower, located at the top of the hill. I highly recommend checking out the beautiful views from the top of Cabot Tower (read here for complete post about Cabot Tower).
8) The impressive tower of Bristol University (...and the Triangle)
The impressive tall tower at the top of Park Street (easily accessible from Brandon Hill) deserves another stop. Wills Memorial Building is part of University of Bristol and it is normally used for graduations and important exams. There are tours available (more information here) although you might need to book it in advance.
Further up, there is the famous "Triangle" between Queen's Road, Triangle Street and Triangle West. This is where normally university students go out to clubs such as Mbargo, Lola Lo (former Po Na Na), The Bunker and Pam Pam.
Buildings such as The Victoria Rooms and the Academy of Art opposite deserve a couple of pictures before taking the bus to the famous Suspension Bridge.
9) Brunel's biggest legacy: the Suspension Bridge
Get the bus number 8 at Queen's Road opposite to Rajmoni restaurant. It will take around 5 minutes to get to Clifton Down park. You can walk through a narrow natural trail to get to Bristol Observatory first (read here about Bristol Observatory), where you should take the picture of the Suspension Bridge.
The Suspension Bridge, opened in 1894, links Clifton to Leigh Wood in North Somerset. The bridge was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and the bridge deck is suspended by 81 matching vertical wrought-iron rods. Since the opening, the bridge has gained the reputation as a suicide bridge, reason why they added anti-climbing barriers and put plaques that advertise the telephone number of The Samaritans. Everytime I come here to show the bridge to friends, we always cross the bridge from one path and come back from the other side.
10) Sunset at the Harbourside
Finally, we arrive to the Harbouside, the perfect spot to see the sun set while having a beer. You can take the bus back to the centre (number 9) or walk (it takes around 15 minutes). The Harbourside is full of restaurants, several museums and many things to do. Some time ago, we posted a walking tour around the Harbourside (read here) which can hopefully give you a plan for another day. If you feel like having dinner, I strongly recommend to have a pizza at The Stable. Pizzas are really amazing there!
4) Walking historic streets around Corn Street
Going down on Corn Street, one of the principal historic streets in Bristol where corn and trade exchange was done, you will get to St Nicholas Market. It is a permanent covered market, home to the largest collection of independent retailers in Bristol. This is the perfect place to buy some souvenirs if you feel like! It is opened Monday to Saturday between 10am and 5pm, and every Friday there is a Food Market offering shoppers and visitors the opportunity to purchase some of the best local produce and street food. I strongly suggest having a falafel at "Eat a Pitta" for less than 5 pounds if it's already lunchtime.In Baldwin Street where you can see very beautiful buildings such as "The Old Fish Market". Food and drinks are quite expensive in the restaurant located in that exact building, but the building deserves a picture. 5) The heart of the city at Broad Quay
Follow Baldwin Street towards the city centre where you will find what we colloquially call "The Fountains". You will always hear music around the fountains as many buskers choose this area to play. The Hippodrome, designed by Frank Matcham and opened in 1912, is a theatre with a capacity of 1951 people. The theatre survived the World War II, but three years after, a fire destroyed the stage which had to be closed for 10 months. The theatre now has host many top shows such as The Lion King, Les Miserables and Cats.
6) A break before the "steep hill" in Park Street: Bristol Cathedral
If you take the street that goes uphill towards Park Street, you will get to an open space called College Green. It is surrounded by a number of historic and important public buildings such as Bristol Cathedral (read about our visit to the Cathedral here), Council House and Central Library. This is, as Castle Park, a very popular meeting point for young people when the weather is good, particularly street sport enthusiast. There are always skateboarders practicing there. If you cross Park Street at the lower part, you will see the second Banksy of the day: the famous "Naked Man Hanging".7) Panoramic view of the city from the top of Cabot Tower
Half way in Park Street, turn left at St George's Street to get into Brandon Hill. Brandon Hill is a popular picnic spot with beautiful panoramic views over the city from Cabot Tower, located at the top of the hill. I highly recommend checking out the beautiful views from the top of Cabot Tower (read here for complete post about Cabot Tower).
8) The impressive tower of Bristol University (...and the Triangle)
The impressive tall tower at the top of Park Street (easily accessible from Brandon Hill) deserves another stop. Wills Memorial Building is part of University of Bristol and it is normally used for graduations and important exams. There are tours available (more information here) although you might need to book it in advance. Further up, there is the famous "Triangle" between Queen's Road, Triangle Street and Triangle West. This is where normally university students go out to clubs such as Mbargo, Lola Lo (former Po Na Na), The Bunker and Pam Pam.
Buildings such as The Victoria Rooms and the Academy of Art opposite deserve a couple of pictures before taking the bus to the famous Suspension Bridge.
9) Brunel's biggest legacy: the Suspension Bridge
Get the bus number 8 at Queen's Road opposite to Rajmoni restaurant. It will take around 5 minutes to get to Clifton Down park. You can walk through a narrow natural trail to get to Bristol Observatory first (read here about Bristol Observatory), where you should take the picture of the Suspension Bridge.
The Suspension Bridge, opened in 1894, links Clifton to Leigh Wood in North Somerset. The bridge was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and the bridge deck is suspended by 81 matching vertical wrought-iron rods. Since the opening, the bridge has gained the reputation as a suicide bridge, reason why they added anti-climbing barriers and put plaques that advertise the telephone number of The Samaritans. Everytime I come here to show the bridge to friends, we always cross the bridge from one path and come back from the other side.
10) Sunset at the Harbourside
Finally, we arrive to the Harbouside, the perfect spot to see the sun set while having a beer. You can take the bus back to the centre (number 9) or walk (it takes around 15 minutes). The Harbourside is full of restaurants, several museums and many things to do. Some time ago, we posted a walking tour around the Harbourside (read here) which can hopefully give you a plan for another day. If you feel like having dinner, I strongly recommend to have a pizza at The Stable. Pizzas are really amazing there!
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