Dave’s Bristol Guidebook
Sightseeing
Replica of a caravel sailed by John Cabot in 1497 from Bristol to North America
18 locals recommend
The Matthew of Bristol
Replica of a caravel sailed by John Cabot in 1497 from Bristol to North America
Hundreds of hands-on science and tech exhibits to explore, live shows and a planetarium
123 locals recommend
We The Curious
One Anchor RdHundreds of hands-on science and tech exhibits to explore, live shows and a planetarium
Bristol Aquarium
Anchor RoadBrunel's SS Great Britain
Gas Ferry RoadPerhaps Brunel's most famous project, with views of the Avon Gorge. Pop into the nearby Observatory.
540 locals recommend
Clifton Suspension Bridge
Bridge RoadPerhaps Brunel's most famous project, with views of the Avon Gorge. Pop into the nearby Observatory.
- And Bristol Ferries. A great way to get about, and see the city from it’s waterways
28 locals recommend
Bristol Packet Boat Trips
Gas Ferry Road- And Bristol Ferries. A great way to get about, and see the city from it’s waterways
Arts and Culture
Watershed
1 Canon's RdMulti-arts venue and arthouse cinema
Arnolfini
16 Narrow QuayInternational arts centre and gallery, with a great bar
M Shed
Wapping RoadFantastic museum all about Bristol
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Queens RoadNatural history and archaeology, free entry
Bristol Cathedral
College GreenBeautiful and historic cathedral located on College Green
Circomedia
Portland SquareDrama school for contemporary and physical circus, professional performances
Bristol is the proud home to the infamous and elusive Banksy street artist. There are several self-guided tours which can be found online, of varying distances and neighbourhoods. Well worth it!
11 locals recommend
Banksy's The Mild Mild West
Jamaica StreetBristol is the proud home to the infamous and elusive Banksy street artist. There are several self-guided tours which can be found online, of varying distances and neighbourhoods. Well worth it!
Pubs/Bars
Grain Barge
Hotwell RoadLocal beers and pies in a pub on a moored boat with a sunny deck
The Apple
Welsh BackBristol’s cider barge
The Ostrich
Lower Guinea Street18th century pub with huge waterfront garden
Riverstation
The Grove 2 floors of modern European dining on the waterfront
Mud Dock Café
40 The GroveCafe/bar in a former warehouse with harbour views
The Albion
Boyce's AvenueHidden away, this pub serves one of the best Sunday roasts in town
Great vibes and delicious burgers, with a brilliant pub quiz every Sunday at 7
7 locals recommend
Hobgoblin
69-71 Gloucester RdGreat vibes and delicious burgers, with a brilliant pub quiz every Sunday at 7
Possibly the oldest pub in Bristol (don't tell the Hatchet, also worth a visit), dating back to 1664. Fantastic atmosphere, close to the harbourside.
8 locals recommend
Llandoger Trow
Possibly the oldest pub in Bristol (don't tell the Hatchet, also worth a visit), dating back to 1664. Fantastic atmosphere, close to the harbourside.
Named for it's spy-hole which enabled 18th century sailors and smugglers to keep watch for customs men and press gangs. Now a premium gastro pub with a harbourside beer garden.
The Hole in the Wall
2 Queen SquareNamed for it's spy-hole which enabled 18th century sailors and smugglers to keep watch for customs men and press gangs. Now a premium gastro pub with a harbourside beer garden.
Food scene
Every Saturday and Sunday 11am-4pm, a community of makers, musicians, artists and marketeers with a vision of turning Bristol’s harbourside into a weekly festival
11 locals recommend
The Harbourside Market
1 Canon's RdEvery Saturday and Sunday 11am-4pm, a community of makers, musicians, artists and marketeers with a vision of turning Bristol’s harbourside into a weekly festival
A highly recommended Indian restaurant for those wanting to treat themselves on a slightly higher budget.
15 locals recommend
Nutmeg
10 The MallA highly recommended Indian restaurant for those wanting to treat themselves on a slightly higher budget.
Caribbean Croft
30 Stokes CroftTraditional Caribbean comfort dishes and draught beer
- Gloucester Rd, Broadmead and the Triangle. A favourite amongst locals for lunch on the go, serving delicious falafel
11 locals recommend
Eat a Pitta
67A Gloucester Rd- Gloucester Rd, Broadmead and the Triangle. A favourite amongst locals for lunch on the go, serving delicious falafel
a hidden gem, and a must-visit for a delicious brunch and a locally roasted coffee in a cosy venue. It’s also a laundrette!
12 locals recommend
At The Well
145 Cheltenham Rda hidden gem, and a must-visit for a delicious brunch and a locally roasted coffee in a cosy venue. It’s also a laundrette!
Liyas
82 Mina RoadFalafel and Middle Eastern street food. Worth a visit if you go to the City Farm
Arguably the best Italian food in town (don't tell Renato's!). Also has fantastic breakfast and lunch options. Close to city farm
23 locals recommend
Napolita Cafe
83 Mina RdArguably the best Italian food in town (don't tell Renato's!). Also has fantastic breakfast and lunch options. Close to city farm
Excellent Italian food in a homely and cosy setting. Frequented by the stars of current Hippodrome and Old Vic shows. You never know who you might spot!
Renato Restaurant
Excellent Italian food in a homely and cosy setting. Frequented by the stars of current Hippodrome and Old Vic shows. You never know who you might spot!
Neighbourhoods
Accessible from the centre via number 8 Bus. Home of Brunel's famous suspension bridge, as well as a historic observatory. Lots of good food and drink in Clifton village, including Nutmeg Indian Restaurant and the Albion Pub. A walk across the bridge takes you to Leigh Woods Nature Reserve.
77 locals recommend
Clifton
Accessible from the centre via number 8 Bus. Home of Brunel's famous suspension bridge, as well as a historic observatory. Lots of good food and drink in Clifton village, including Nutmeg Indian Restaurant and the Albion Pub. A walk across the bridge takes you to Leigh Woods Nature Reserve.
- And Stokes Croft. Bristol’s cultural quarter and the longest independant shopping street in the UK
28 locals recommend
Gloucester Road
Gloucester Road- And Stokes Croft. Bristol’s cultural quarter and the longest independant shopping street in the UK
- And the Triangle. Shopping by day, bars and clubs by night. Quirky shops, culinary delights, great vistas in a beautiful Georgian setting
10 locals recommend
Park Street
Park Street- And the Triangle. Shopping by day, bars and clubs by night. Quirky shops, culinary delights, great vistas in a beautiful Georgian setting
- And Broadmead. Bristol’s main central shopping area featuring household names
323 locals recommend
Cabot Circus
Bond Street South- And Broadmead. Bristol’s main central shopping area featuring household names
Check out King Street, Union Street for excellent food and drink options
103 locals recommend
Harbourside
Check out King Street, Union Street for excellent food and drink options
Parks, Green space and Nature Reserves
Stunning, extensive forestry. Beautiful walks and excellent mountain bike tracks. Peaceful, especially given it's close proximity to the city. Occasional creative arts projects are held here.
56 locals recommend
Leigh Woods National Nature Reserve
Stunning, extensive forestry. Beautiful walks and excellent mountain bike tracks. Peaceful, especially given it's close proximity to the city. Occasional creative arts projects are held here.
inner city oasis with a playground, cafe, animals and a fantastic pub. Whilst in St Werburghs check out the high street on Mina Road, with high quality eateries such as Liyas and Napolita.
73 locals recommend
St Werburghs City Farm
Watercress Roadinner city oasis with a playground, cafe, animals and a fantastic pub. Whilst in St Werburghs check out the high street on Mina Road, with high quality eateries such as Liyas and Napolita.
Castle Park
Broad Weirbounded by the floating harbour, the site of the old castle
with Cabot Tower at the summit, offering fantastic views of the city
104 locals recommend
Brandon Hill Nature Park
Park Streetwith Cabot Tower at the summit, offering fantastic views of the city
Fantastic woodland walks, you wouldn't know you were so close to the city
66 locals recommend
Blaise Castle Estate
Kings Weston RoadFantastic woodland walks, you wouldn't know you were so close to the city
country mansion and 860 acre estate with a deer park, rose garden, beautiful bluebell wood, golf, mountain biking (with a hire shop), 2 great cafes. Home of the world famous annual Bristol Balloon Fiesta.
87 locals recommend
Ashton Court Estate
country mansion and 860 acre estate with a deer park, rose garden, beautiful bluebell wood, golf, mountain biking (with a hire shop), 2 great cafes. Home of the world famous annual Bristol Balloon Fiesta.
Cinema and Theatre
Showcase Cinema De Lux
Glass House LaneBig screens for the latest movies
Cube Microplex
Classic, cult and world movies
Historic picture house with comfy chairs and at-seat bar service
75 locals recommend
Everyman Cinema Bristol
44 Whiteladies RdHistoric picture house with comfy chairs and at-seat bar service
Bristol Old Vic
King StreetThe longest continuously running theatre in the UK
One of the country’s top theatres, staging major West End and Broadway productions
106 locals recommend
Bristol Hippodrome
Saint Augustine's ParadeOne of the country’s top theatres, staging major West End and Broadway productions
Tobacco Factory
Acclaimed Shakespeare and in-house plays. Also a fantastic bar