What to see in England

Bristol

Bristol is one of the cities in England with the highest quality of life. With 437,500 inhabitants, it is the eighth-largest city in the whole of the United Kingdom. Both a city and a county, it is located in the southwest of the country, on the banks of the mouth of the Avon River, which has gifted the city with a strategic location.

With a well-kept old town, a great diversity of museums, bars and restaurants of all kinds, alongside a famous music and film industry, a trip to Bristol is sure to be an exciting experience. Graffiti and street art decorates much of the city’s industrial architecture, plus there are plenty of quirky markets to explore, giving the city a distinctly bohemian atmosphere. On the other hand, Bristol is also home to peaceful parks, a large university and a charming riverside area. It is also known for its brilliant boutiques and shopping malls, making a trip to Bristol the perfect choice for a little retail therapy!

If you travel to Bristol, you can expect the nightlife, especially on weekends, to be very lively! Visitors can choose from countless places to party the night away, such as pubs, clubs, craft breweries and discos.

In 2008 it was named the first "cycling city" in England, thanks to its plentiful bicycle lanes and cycling infrastructure. If you visit Bristol, exploring the city on two wheels will always be an ideal option.

This charming city oozes history, art, culture, youth and modernity. Travelling to Bristol is a great chance to encounter the flamboyant, trendsetting face of southwestern England. 

Things to see in Bristol

A stroll through the old town is one of the best things to do in Bristol. Walking through this maze of historic Georgian buildings and cobbled streets is a real treat. Although many of its old buildings were destroyed during World War II, most were rebuilt to their former glory. The Council House, in neoclassical style, stands out, as does the City Hall, of neo-Georgian style and St. Stephens Church, on the banks of the River Frome. The Cathedral of the Holy and Indivisible Trinity, dating back to 1542, is a must-see, famed for its Norman decoration and Gothic-style facade.

Two other essential stops in the historic center are Queen Square and King Street, home to the Bristol Old Vic, the oldest theatre in England. Exploring St. Nicholas Market, a covered area where you can eat, drink and shop, is one of the most unmissable things to do in Bristol.

Among the more than 400 green areas in the city, Castle Park is the ideal place to have a picnic whilst enjoying the views of the old medieval castle and ancient St. Peter’s Church.

One of the best things to see in Bristol is the Harbourside, famed for its pastel-coloured cottages and the 19th-century Underfall Shipyard. Strolling along the promenade to enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant terraces is another highlight of visiting Bristol, especially on a sunny day.

Bristol Port is one of the most historically significant parts of the city. In the port area you can visit the SS Great Britain, an ocean liner with an iron hull that was the largest in the world until 1854; the M Shed Museum, which traces the history of Bristol since prehistoric times, as well as the We The Curious Arts and Sciences Center, which houses interactive exhibits and the country's first 3D planetarium. In Bristol Port, you’ll also find a giant BBC LED screen and a bronze statue of talented Bristol-born actor Cary Grant.

Bristol is world-renowned for its street art. On many of its facades, you can see works by different artists, although the most revered is Bansky, born in the city and considered the most famous graffiti artist on the planet. Visitors can admire The Girl with Pearl Earring, Well Hung Lover and Wild Wild West, the artist's most iconic and admired graffiti works.

Finally, the symbol of the city is the Clifton Suspension Bridge, an imposing work of the British engineer IK Brunel that was completed in 1864 and crosses the Avon River, linking the elegant neighbourhood of the same name with Leigh Woods. It consists of a 412-meter-long iron structure suspended between 26-meter high Egyptian-style stone towers. Interestingly, the first bungee jump in the world took place here in 1979. In addition, the panoramic view of the bridge with more than a hundred balloons suspended in the air above it can be seen every year at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, one of the most incredible things to see in Bristol!