There are so many wonderful tourist attractions to see in Bristol that there is sure to be something for everyone. Whether you are looking for thrills and excitement, Bristol history and exhibitions or animals and more exotic attractions, tourists and visitors will not have to look far in Bristol, one of England’s most important cities. Here are some of the top tourist attractions in Bristol.

Bristol Guided Bus Tours

Open-top hop on / off Bristol sightseeing guided bus tours operate throughout the day at regular intervals in central Bristol. These Bristol bus tours provide an easy way of sightseeing in Bristol and with daily hop on / off tickets, they are also a very useful way to travel around Bristol, since you can leave the bus to explore and get back on when you are ready. The Bristol bus tours connect all of the major points of interest in Bristol, including numerous tourist attractions, landmarks and monuments in Bristol.

Walking Tours of Bristol - The Annexe, Wildscreen Walk, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5DB, England

There are a number of walking tours around Bristol and these provide tourists with a real insight into some of Bristol’s most interesting and historic attractions, landmarks and streets, including walks across Bristol’s Clifton suspension bridge. Tours are available at the Tourist Information Centre, Harbourside by At-Bristol. Walking tours should usually be booked in advance to ensure your place.

Champagne Balloon Flights - Winterstoke Road, Bristol, BS3 2NP, England

Champagne Balloon Flights are available from Bristol’s Ashton Gate Park throughout the summer on fine days. The balloons mainly take off early in the morning and again in the evening, and provide one of the most spectacular ways to view the city of Bristol. Balloon flights last around one hour and need to be booked in advance. Most Bristol balloon pilots provide champagne and souvenir photographs.

Bristol Boat Trips - Gas Ferry Road, Bristol, BS1 6UN, England

Bristol boat trips are one of the most exciting and memorable ways to enjoy the many sights and sounds of Bristol’s vibrant harbourside area and the River Avon. There are a number of boat options available, including Bristol’s yellow and blue ferries, which often travel under the famous Clifton suspension bridge. Nearby are numerous tourist attractions, bars, cafes, restaurants and shops, all of which are easily accessible from the landing stages.

Bristol Hippodrome - St. Augustine’s Parade, Bristol, BS1 4UZ, England

The Bristol Hippodrome is Bristol’s main theatre and is a historic building, with many period features. Attractions include major West-End productions, musicals, children’s shows, pantomimes and spectacular theatrical productions.

Bristol Colston Hall - Colston Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR, England

The Bristol Colston Hall is Bristol’s largest concert venue and many famous pop and rock artists regularly perform here. Other attractions at the Bristol Colston Hall include comedy events and classical music extravaganzas.

Bristol Old Vic - King Street, Bristol, BS1 4ED, England

The Bristol Old Vic is home to one of the country’s best known and most successful theatre companies, producing an enormous range of modern classic, Shakespeare plays, musicals, children’s shows and much more besides.

Best known for attracting many famous and exceptional actors, other attractions at the Bristol Old Vic include interesting guided tours of the backstage areas.

Bristol Blue Glass - 5 Three Queens Lane, Redcliffe, Bristol, BS1 6LG, England

Bristol Blue Glass has been made since the 17th century and today, the glass is still free-blown and handmade at this popular tourist attraction. The historic glass factory has a number of attractions, including glass making displays, a viewing gallery, a visitor centre and a factory shop, selling vases, jugs, glasses and bowls. As well as the famous blue glass, the factory also produces Bath Aqua and Exmoor Cranberry glass.

Attraction open: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00

Bristol Clifton Observatory and Caves - Clifton Down, Bristol, BS8 3LT, England

Situated next to Bristol’s Clifton Suspension Bridge, the Bristol Clifton Observatory was actually converted from an old windmill in 1829 and houses the only surviving example of a ‘camera obscura’ in England - a Victorian group of lenses that project and reflect images of the surrounding land on to the interior of the tower. Other attractions for tourists and visitors at the Bristol Clifton Observatory include the nearby Giant’s Cave, which can be reached through a small tunnel and features a viewing platform, with spectacular views across the Avon Gorge.

Attraction open: Summer, Monday to Friday - 11:30 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 10:30 to 17:00, Winter, daily - 12:00 to 16:00
Attraction admission: charge
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Large parks

Bristol City Council own three major parks: The Downs, Blaise Castle and Ashton Court. The Downs lie two miles to the northwest of the city centre and total 400 acres (1.6 km²). The downs are divided into Clifton Down to the south and Durdham Down to the north, with a main road running between them. At the south end of Clifton Down is the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and both look over the Avon Gorge. The Downs were given to the city by the Society of Merchant Venturers and are protected by an 1861 Act of Parliament.

Blaise Castle estate, situated five miles north of the city centre, includes a recreation ground and large playing fields, as well as woodland and a small gorge, totalling 650 acres (2.6 km²). Additionally the mansion house is now a branch of Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery.

At 850 acres (3.4 km²) Ashton Court estate is Bristol’s largest park. Though the estate lies largely within the boundaries of North Somerset it is maintained by Bristol City Council, and has been publically owned since 1959. The park contains horse riding and mountain biking trails, and a deer park, and is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its ecology. The mansion house is now a conference centre.

Parks close to the city centre

There are only a few small parks close to Bristol city centre:

Castle Park is adjacent to Broadmead shopping centre and the Floating Harbour. The park was created after wartime bombing destroyed most of the mediaeval buildings which originally stood here. The ruined shells of two churches, St Phillip’s and St Mary’s, still stand with the aid of concrete reinforcements, and the foundations of Bristol Castle are also a feature. There are small formal gardens around St Phillip’s church.

Brandon Hill is a hill between the city centre, Clifton and Hotwells. At the summit is a folly commemorating John Cabot a pioneer who sailed from Bristol to Newfoundland. The park is steep and is divided into informal gardens, a small nature reserve and open grassland. The Avon Wildlife Trust headquarters are beside the park.

To the northwest of Broadmead shopping centre is St James’ Park, a small park divided into two sections by a sunken walkway which links Broadmead to St James’ Church and Bristol Bus Station.

West of the city centre near Bristol Cathedral is College Green.

Queen’s Square, a large Georgian square in the centre, carried the inner city ring road for many years, until it was dismantled and the square restored.

Additionally, there is an area of paved open space at St Augustine’s Parade in the very centre of the city, beside the harbour.

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