Places to visit in Bristol

As a student at the College you can take advantage of Bristol’s multicultural, dynamic and lively vibe. It is a city steeped in history and character but one that remains at the cutting edge of culture and technology.

The city is at the heart of business, media, leisure and culture in southwest England.

The city’s events calendar is always packed and includes Bristol’s Harbour Festival, Kite Festival, Balloon Fiesta as well as music, food and film festivals.

And with the coast and countryside of Somerset, Devon and South Wales right on our doorstep, it’s little wonder that a survey has revealed Bristolians smile more than the rest of Britain!

A quick history lesson

Impress - or bore - your friends with a few facts and figures about Bristol's past:

• Bristol develops from the Saxon settlement Brigstow, meaning 'place of the bridge'
• 1497 - John Cabot's ship, the Matthew, sets sail from Bristol. He is the first European to set foot in America
• In the 17th and 18th centuries, Bristol grows wealthy from trade with Africa and the New World
• 1864 - Brunel's Clifton Suspension Bridge is completed
• During the Second World War Bristol is bombed by the Germans. Thousands of buildings, including 35 churches, are destroyed
• 1989 - Bristol's Aardman Animations releases A Grand Day Out, making Wallace & Gromit household names
• 2000 - Bristol's Harbourside complex - home to our College Green Centre - is opened
• 2006 - Brunel 200: Bristol celebrates 200 years since the birth of Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

Top places to visit

Harbourside

The Habourside offers you loads to see and do. There's @Bristol, the Watershed and the Arnolfini, as well as shops, bars and restaurants.

@Bristol

This centre is one of the UK's most exciting hands-on science centres, featuring a number of interactive exhibits and one-off exhibitions.

SS Great Britain

One of Brunel's creations, the SS Great Britain set the standard for future shipbuilders. The first ever iron-hulled propeller-driven steamship, its maiden voyage in 1845 and it returned to Bristol 40 years ago. Find it at the Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road.

Clifton Suspension Bridge

Another of Brunel's masterpieces, it opened in 1864 and is an amazing feat of engineering. Check it out at night when it's fully lit. 

Clifton Observatory and Camera Obscura

From here you can follow an underground passage to Giant's Cave for great views of the cliffs around Avon Gorge. The Camera provides great views of the surrounding area.

Clifton village

Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this more exclusive area of Bristol is ideal for a walk, shopping or relaxing in one of its cafes. Royal York Crescent - an elegant Georgian boulevard - is worth a look.

Bristol Zoo Gardens

Based in Clifton, the Zoo is one of Bristol's most popular sites, with over 300 species, it's well laid out and educational. It's also a centre for animal conservation and breeding so your visit will help save endangered animals.

The Downs

Near the Clifton Suspension Bridge, the Downs is a vast open parkland. It's great for walks, exercise, or just taking it easy.

City Museum and Art Galley

From stuffed birds and Roman remains, to Egyptian mummies and Renoir paintings, this is a good-sized museum. It's worth keeping an eye on the touring exhibits that come to the art gallery. Don't miss the superb Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition each December. Find the gallery on the Clifton Triangle, by the University of Bristol.

Arnolfini

If you like art, film and music that's not afraid to be different, check out the latest exhibitions at the Arnolfini. With a reputation for innovation, there are always great exhibits on show.

The Watershed

At the bottom of Park Street, the Watershed Media Centre shows arthouse films and offers an innovative forum for the city's creative talent.

Shopping centres

Next to Broadmead, the £500 million Cabot Circus offers it all - shopping, eating and entertainment. Out-of-town, the Mall, Cribbs Causeway has over 400 shops.

Corn Exchange and St Nicholas Market

In the town centre, the Exchange and St Nicholas' Market is home to over 30 stalls. Here you can find everything from computer games to jewellery and retro clothing.