Things to do in Bristol
The huge ss Great Britain oceanliner is a must to understand Bristol's maritime heritage. A City Sightseeing bus travels from the city centre to Clifton and visitors can hop on and off at Bristol's City Museum and Bristol Zoo & Gardens. Bristol's trading history, particularly slavery, is explored at Bristol's City Museum & Art Gallery in Clifton. Most museums open daily from 10am-5pm and those owned by Bristol City Council are free.
Museums and Galleries
Expand all1. Royal West of England Academy - Fine art collection
Show more
Bristol's first art gallery, the Royal West of England Academy in Clifton was founded in 1849. Housed in a magnificent grade II-listed building, the gallery contains many fine works bequeathed by the academy's main benefactor, Ellen Sharples, plus new additions.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
£4; concessions £2.50; children free
Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm; Sun 2pm-5pm
Address
Queen's Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1PX
Telephone
+44 (0) 117 973 5129
2. Bristol's City Museum & Art Gallery - Local and international collections
Show more Bristol's City Museum & Art Gallery in Clifton houses permanent displays of local, national and international interest and excellent temporary exhibitions, usually with a local theme. The top-floor galleries include Old Masters and a collection of British and modern art.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-5pm
Address
Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1RL
Telephone
+44 (0) 117 922 3571
Transport
Bus 8 or 9 to top of Park Street. Train to Clifton Down station.
Website
Attractions
Expand all3. Georgian House - The past recreated
Show more
Once the home to a West India sugar merchant and his slave, Bristol's Georgian House, in the city centre, has been restored and furnished to show a typical 18th-century house, including the elegant living rooms, servant quarters and kitchen.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Easter-Oct: Sat-Wed 10am-5pm
Address
7, Great George Street, Bristol BS1 5RR
Telephone
+44 (0) 117 921 1362
4. Bristol Zoo Gardens - Conservation and endangered species
Show more
Bristol Zoo Gardens, located in large award-winning gardens in Clifton, carries out conservation projects and breeds endangered species. The Seal & Penguin zone is particularly popular, allowing visitors to see creatures beneath the water's surface, through transparent tunnels.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
£11.36; concessions £9.98; 3-14s £7.04
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-5.30pm (until 5pm off peak); last entrance one hour before closing
Address
College Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3HA
Telephone
+44 (0) 117 974 7399
Special Things to do
Expand all5. ss Great Britain - Proud maritime heritage
Show more
British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel's 19th-century iron ship is now a meticulously restored showpiece. The largest and most powerful ship built in her time, ss Great Britain dominates the waterfront along Hotwells and reflects Bristol's proud maritime history.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
£10.95; concessions £8.50; children £5.95
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-4pm/4.30pm/5.30pm
Address
Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Rd, Bristol BS1 6TY
Telephone
+44 (0) 117 926 0680
6. Clifton Suspension Bridge - Brunel's main Bristol landmark
Show more
The Clifton Suspension Bridge, spanning the Avon Gorge in Clifton, is Bristol's most distinctive landmark. Designed by British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the bridge was opened in 1864 to carry horse-drawn vehicles, but now around 12,000 cars cross daily.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Cars 50 pence
Opening Hours
24 hours daily
Address
Bristol BS8 3PA
Telephone
+44 (0) 117 974 4664
