About Bristol
Explore Bristol with a stay at a Best Western Hotel so you can relax while taking in the city where early voyages of exploration started their journey.
Bristol is a city with centuries-old heritage known best for its harbour and impressive street art (which is to be expected from the hometown of famous street artist Banksy). The harbour's 19th-century warehouses now contain restaurants, shops, and cultural institutions for all ages to visit.
Enjoy the fun nightlife and delicious food spots if you’re with friends or take in the history onboard Brunel's SS Great Britain and find out what life was like for those on the world’s first great ocean liner. If you want to take in the sights while walking, or while cruising on the waters, there are many ways for you to see what makes Bristol a truly unique city.
Things to do in Bristol
Things to do in Bristol
Tour the places and attractions that give Bristol its history and value.
Step on board Brunel’s SS Great Britain
Step onboard Brunel’s SS Great Britain, the world’s first great ocean liner which was rescued from rust and wreckage in 1970, to see what life was like for those in the past. Book tickets to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of a Victorian dockyard, see what the ship looked like when it launched in 1843, and enjoy some valuable history lessons..
Stroll across Clifton Suspension Bridge
Take a walk across the Clifton Suspension Bridge, designed by the great Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Early morning or evening are the best times to enjoy magnificent views of the Avon Gorge.
Enjoy a boat ride around Bristol
Explore Bristol by boat with Bristol Ferry, a not-for-profit organisation offering boat trips around Bristol with the goal of keeping Bristol's iconic blue and yellow boats sailing. Hit the waters and take in a tour of the harbour, or, if you’re visiting Bristol on a special occasion, why not have a private river trip?
Eating and drinking in Bristol
Eating and drinking in Bristol
Whether you want to grab a quick bite or dress up for dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant, there’s a full plate of options ready for you.
Taste global cuisine at the Glass Arcade
If, after a long day of shopping or visiting tourist attractions, you want some good food in a hurry, the Glass Arcade is the place for you. This street food market offers tasty treats from around the world, giving you the option to choose from Caribbean, Italian, Moroccan, British food, and more.
Visit Koocha for the best vegan food
Let your tastebuds enjoy some plant powered Persian and Middle Eastern cooking at Koocha. This popular restaurant, which was Bristol’s first totally vegan eatery, gives you the chance to try totally unexpected and delicious spices and flavours.Rhe food is all sourced locally and sustainably. Vegan or non-vegan, you don’t want to miss out.
Paco
Want to enjoy some Michelin star tacos? All you need to do is stop by Paco, a family-run, modern tapas bar. Let the food transport you to Andalusia and enjoy some mouth-watering flavours.
Shopping in Bristol
Shopping in Bristol
Bristol’s independent shops mean you won’t have to break the bank to get your hands on some hand-crafted items.
Walk the long stretch of Gloucester Road & Stokes Croft
Get your hands on some retro and vintage goods by shopping on Stokes Croft and Gloucester Road, which has the most independent shops of any street in the country. Buy some locally made gifts for loved ones or pick up some unique artwork for your own place while also taking in the bohemian and authentic vibe.
Spend some time at St Nicks Market
If you want to spend some time shopping like a true Bristolian, visit St Nicks Market, which has been trading since 1743, and is home to Bristol’s largest collection of independent retailers. Hand-crafted accessories, records, and unusual gifts, you’ll find them all here.
Culture and history in Bristol
Culture and history in Bristol
Appreciate Bristol’s famous art scene and travel back to the past in a one-of-a-kind museum.
Take in some impressive street art
Bristol is famous for the graffiti that covers its streets, underpasses, back-alleys, bridges, in fact almost every available surface in the city! When shopping on Stokes Craft, don’t forget to take your camera if you want to capture some cool shots of the art you’ll see along the way.
As Banksy’s hometown, you can’t visit Bristol without seeing his Well Hung Lover mural on Frogmore Street. Also take some time to stop by Nelson Street, which is one of the best places to see cutting edge urban art.
Relive the past at Oakham Treasures
Go back in time and feast your eyes on a vast and unique collection of memorabilia from the last century at Oakham Treasures, one of the largest privately owned museums of retail and farming history in the UK. Owner, Keith Sherrell and his family have built an incredible museum showcasing a traditional high street including an old grocery store, haberdashery, hardware store, chemist, tobacconist, off licence and sweet shop. It’s the perfect place to visit if you want to reminisce about your childhood days or learn more about the past.