25 Best Tourist Attractions in Bristol

Do you have wanderlust for travelling? We for sure have! Bristol is a beautiful picturesque city in England, and many people visit Bristol for its charm. We must look for the most well-known attractions whenever we visit a new location. Prepare to explore Bristol's top attractions, including Clifton Suspension Bridge, Brunel's SS Great Britain, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, and more.

1. Clifton Suspension bridge

Address: Bridge Rd, Leigh Woods, Bristol BS8 3PA, UK
Fee: £1 toll for motor vehicles and is free of charge to pedestrians and cyclists.

Timings: Open 24 hours

The Clifton Suspension Bridge, one of British engineer I.K. Brunel's most fabulous creations, was also one of his first. The bridge is 702 feet long and spans the 260-foot-deep Avon gorge. Today, people from all over the world come to the bridge to take lovely walks while taking in the sights. North Somerset's Clifton and Leigh Woods are connected by the Clifton Suspension Bridge, which spans the Avon River and Avon Gorge. The Clifton Suspension Bridge is wholly supported by tolls, which have paid for its upkeep since its opening in 1864. The bridge, which has been hailed as one of the most significant structures since the Victorian era, is a masterpiece that upholds the infrastructure's economic and social worth, which makes it one of the best tourist attractions in Bristol.

2. Bristol Museum and art gallery

Address: Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1RL, UK

Fee: Free entry!

Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Mondays closed. 

From the "Brunel's SS Great Britain," which transports you to the Victorian era, to the "M Shed," the city's social records centre situated in a transit shed from the 1950s, Bristol's museums come in various sizes and kinds. This tourist attraction in Bristol is the Aircraft Bristol which showcases the city's top-notch aerospace industry and offers visitors the option to board the British icon Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, "We the Curious" is a 3D planetarium. The New Room, also known as John Wesley's Chapel, is one of the earliest Methodist structures. It was built as a gathering place and told the 18th-century tale of Bristol and the Wesleys through the use of period-appropriate furnishings and antiques.

3. Brunel's SS Great Britain 

Address: Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Rd, Bristol BS1 6TY, UK

Fee: £19.50 for people 17 years and up and £12 for children.

Timings: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Mondays closed.

Brunel's SS Great Britain, now a museum ship and a former passenger steamship, was well ahead of her time and served as the world's longest ship and first ocean liner. This iconic steamship, widely regarded as Bristol's top tourist destination, was restored to its original glory from rust and wreckage in 1970. It transports you back in time to explore authentic experiences from the wealthy class to the cramped steerage, with each cabin, kitchen, dining room, and doctor's clinic emitting authentic smells and sounds, giving you an honest look and feels aboard this magnificent ship.

4. Bristol Cathedral 

Address: College Green, Bristol BS1 5TJ, UK

Fee: Free entry!

Timings: Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 6 am,

Sunday from 7:20 am to 5 pm.

This church, one of the most significant features in Bristol's history and one of the Bristol top attractions, was initially constructed as Saint Augustine Abbey and transformed into the city's cathedral in 1542. The cathedral is a well-liked tourist attraction in Bristol since it showcases great architecture and provides visitors with a serene environment. It was formerly known as the Cathedral Church of the Holy & Undivided Trinity. The Bristol Cathedral, located on College Green, has a zenith skyline and lofty Gothic Windows. Its eastern side is a hall church, with aisles the same height as the choir and share Lierne vaults. The cathedral also has several monuments and a vintage organ.

5. Brandon Hill Park and Cabot tower

Address: Brandon Hill Park, Park St, Bristol, Avon BS1 5RR

Fee: Free entry!

Timings (tower): Monday to Thursday from 8:15 am to 3:45 pm,

Friday from 8:15 am to 12:45 pm,

and Saturday and Sunday from 8:15 am to 7:30 pm

On top of the Brandon Hills, where the Cabot Tower is located, are breathtaking city vistas. Thousands of people are drawn to this magnificent tower's outstanding architecture and rural appeal. The popular picnic location, surrounded by Brandon Hill Park, includes significant walking pathways. The majestic tower is made of red sandstone covered with cream Bath stone. The steps of the tower and steep and twisting, so be careful!

6. M Shed

Address: Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol BS1 4RN, UK

Fee: Free entry!

Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Mondays closed.

A crucial component of the Bristol museum group due to its historical significance, the M shed is one of Bristol's must-see tourist attractions. Visitors can take in the different ongoing displays, dock equipment, including the most significant and oldest crane, and other attractions. The tourist destination also offers a distinctive rail ride, a fun pastime for kids. The M Shed, a museum committed to illuminating Bristol's extraordinary history through the artefacts and tales of the people who have shaped the city into what it is today, is situated on the city's famed dockside. The intriguing history of the city and its distinctive position in the world is revealed in three galleries. Visitors can savour delectable meals and beverages served with a harbour view at the M Shed cafe before shopping for unique and imaginative goods encapsulating Bristol at the gift store.

7. St. Mary Redcliffe

Address: The Parish Office, 12 Colston Parade, Redcliffe, Bristol, BS1 6RA.

Fee: Free entry!

Timings: Monday - Saturday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm and

Sunday from 12 noon to 4:30 pm.

One of the most excellent locations to visit in Bristol is the parish church that Queen Elizabeth I called "the fairest parish church in England." Today's visitors can find peace in the church's ongoing services and enjoy guided day excursions that allow them to examine the remarkable building. The church, situated on the south side of Floating Harbour and gets its name from the red cliffs on which it stands, was constructed in the 13th century and underwent substantial Baroque renovations in the 15th century. It flawlessly displays the affluence of Bristol's wealthy merchants with its thin, clustered pillars and reticulated vaulting, hexagonal porch, and beautifully adorned doorway.

8. We the Curious

Address: One Millennium Square, Anchor Road, Bristol, BS1 5DB

Fee:  £15.30 for adults, 

£9.90 for children and free for children under 2 years

Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

We The Curious is one of the largest and most fascinating interactive science centres in the UK, featuring hundreds of hands-on exhibits to explore, live shows, and a planetarium. Facilities include the ability to see your veins when the Vein Ray is activated, be amazed by frozen bodies and cosmic rays, play music through your skull, produce your TV show, or completely envelop yourself in a giant bubble, in this tourist attraction in Bristol. 

9. Floating Harbour 

Address: 3 Hannover Quay, Bristol BS1 5JE England

Fee: Free entry!

Timings: Open 24 hours.

Bristol Harbor spans 70 acres and has been around since the 13th century. Still, it wasn't until the early 19th century that it was transformed into its current form thanks to the placement of lock gates on the River Avon's tidal stretch near the city centre to offer a tidal bypass. The Bristol Harbor, also known as the floating harbour, is a place to see in Bristol. Bristol Harbour is now one of the best tourist attractions in Bristol, with galleries, museums, exhibitions, nightclubs, and bars replacing or converting warehouses into cultural sites.

10. Ashton Court Estate 

Address: Long Ashton, Bristol BS41 9JN, UK

Fee: £2 for up to 2 hours. 

£3 for up to 5 hours.

Timings: 8:00 am to 9:15 pm

The city of Bristol is the owner of Ashton Court, one of the best tourist attractions in Bristol is a magnificent mansion and estate tucked away on the western edge of Bristol. A gorgeous meadow filled with blossoming plants and a golf course with breathtaking views can be seen at the estate. The estate also offers beautiful nature walks. A miniature railroad opens on the weekends, and a deer park and lush areas for picnics open on the weekends. A prosperous Bristol-based family previously owned Ashton Court, a stately residence and surrounding grounds. There is much to discover and see here, spread across 850 acres. The manor, a stunning structure with a diverse combination of architectural styles that reflects the alterations and additions done over the centuries, has been standing since the 11th century.

11. Bristol Aquarium

Address: Anchor Rd, Bristol BS1 5TT, UK

Fee: £19.25 for Standard (13 yrs+), 

£11.85 for Junior (3-12 yrs) and free for children under 3 years.

Timings: Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and 

Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

The Bristol Aquarium, tucked away in the city's heart, allows visitors to explore the ocean's depths and vibrant aquatic life. This place to see in Bristol is a well-liked activity and is one of the top family-friendly tourist attractions in Bristol, since it features more than 40 themed exhibits with beautiful marine species. Although it would be challenging to observe many fish looking over the harbour's edge, there is a location where you can see fish and other marine life from all over the world. You can spend hours exploring the more than 40 exhibitions focused on various freshwater and marine ecosystems. Additionally, it is the only aquarium in the UK with a sizable botanical house, so you can get up close and personal with some fascinating plant life.

12. Okam treasures 

Address:  Oakham Treasures, Oakham Farm, Portbury Lane, Portbury, Bristol BS20 7SP

Fee: £8.00 for adults, 

£7.00 for seniors and 

£5.00 for children aged 6 - 16 years.

Timings: Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00 am - 5.00 pm, Sunday and Monday closed.

Oakham Treasures is one of the UK's largest privately held museums of farming and retail history. It has won numerous awards since it was opened to the public in July 2008 and promises to take you on an uplifting journey down memory lane. This enormous and distinctive collection of relics from the previous century can captivate everyone, whether they are eight or eighty, making it one of the top tourist attractions in Bristol. 

13. National trust- Leigh woods

Address: Abbots Leigh, Bristol BS8 3QB, UK

Fee: Only parking fees are present.

Timings: Open 24 hours.

Leigh Woods, an SSSI owned and maintained by the National Trust, is one of the best tourist attractions in Bristol for its charm. It is a well-liked location since locals like to walk the paths to admire the old trees and enjoy the scenic vistas and fresh air. You may combine these two free activities in Bristol because it is close to the Clifton Suspension Bridge. This Bristol tourist attraction is one not to miss.

14. Aerospace Bristol 

Address: Hayes Way, Patchway, Bristol BS34 5BZ, UK

Fee: £19.50 for adults, 

£12.00 for children aged 4 - 17 years,

£18.00 for Senior citizens and students with an ID and 

Free for children under the age of 4 years.

Timings: 10:00 am to 4.30 pm

Aerospace For science enthusiasts and young children, Bristol is among the best tourist attractions in Bristol. This well-known tourist destination educates visitors about Bristol's aviation accomplishments while showcasing the current state-of-the-art aeronautical technologies. Due to its role as the birthplace of the Concorde, Bristol holds a special place in the history of avionics in the UK. You can now see the renowned but tragic aeroplane's cockpit and many others at Aerospace Bristol. With many interactive exhibits and special talks, the museum offers a chronicle of aviation achievements, starting with the first-ever made planes and continuing to the present.

15. Glenside Hospital Museum 

Address: University of the West of England, Glenside Campus, Blackberry Hill, Bristol BS16 1DD, UK

Fee: £5 for two people

Timings: Wednesday from 10 am to 1 pm and 

Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.

The Glenside Hospital Museum is one of the top tourist attractions in Bristol, which is housed within the grounds of the former hospital, and strives to demystify mental illness and learning disabilities. The Glenside Hospital Museum is in the old hospital chapel, a Grade II structure. It houses a sizable collection illustrating the evolution of mental health treatment from the 1860s to the late 20th century. This significant collection provides insight into the institutions responsible for caring for people with disabilities and learning challenges and a vivid portrait of life for patients and staff at the former Glenside Hospital. This unique location chronicles the institution's history, serving as a mental health centre and a hospital during World War II. numerous intricate displays and fascinating antiques. Very much worth a trip.

16. Frenchay Village Museum

Address: 1 Begbrook Park, Frenchay, Winterbourne, Bristol BS16 1SZ, UK

Fee: Free entry!

Timings: Wednesday from 1 pm to 4 pm and 

Saturday and Sunday from 2 pm to 5 pm.

A fantastic little museum exhibits the history of Fry's, the Chocolate Maker and the oldest chocolate bar. The structure has a history of serving as a hospital throughout the war, and there is a connection to the United States because it is also a T B facility. The staff was accommodating and welcoming; they even discovered a relationship between my family and the Fry's. A vacuum cleaner was displayed together with Egyptian artefacts (James Dyson). The museum also featured some vintage toys to keep the younger crowd entertained. Very much worth a trip and surely one of the top tourist attractions in Bristol. 

17. Wild Place project

Address: Wild Place, Blackhorse Hill, Bristol BS10 7TP, UK

Fee: £12.68 for adults,

£9.50 for children aged 2 - 14 years and free for children under 2 years of age.

Timings: 10 am to 4 pm

Visitors to The Wild Place Project can experience outdoor adventure and learn about wildlife in a very entertaining and family-friendly environment. One of the top places to visit in Bristol with kids is to enable families to experience the natural surroundings and learn about species, including European brown bears and lemurs from Madagascar. This Bristol tourist attraction will give you an experience you wont forget.

18. Banksy's Well-Hung Lover

Address: Frogmore Street, Bristol, England

Fee: Free entry!

Timings: Open 24 hours

The renowned street artist Banksy is now a well-known worldwide tourist attraction in Bristol, which was born and raised in Bristol. Some of Banksy's first works are still on the city's streets today. He was born and raised in Bristol. Banksy maintains his anonymity, and his works of art seem to materialise suddenly and overnight.

19. Street Art & Graffiti - Stokes Croft

Address: 45 Jamaica St, Bristol BS2 8JP, UK

Fee: Free entry!

Timings: Open 24 hours

Bristol is the birthplace of the enigmatic Banksy, and its streets are lined with some of the most arcane street art you will ever see. Take a self-guided tour on a rented bicycle to see the murals that decorate the building's walls. Don't forget to stop by the city's cultural centre, the Stokes Craft neighbourhood, which is home to many murals. This id one of the more artsy Bristol tourist attractions.

20. National Trust - Blaise Hamlet

Address: Hallen Rd, Henbury, Bristol BS10 7QY, UK

Fee: Free entry!

Timings: Open 24 hours

Blaise Hamlet, constructed in 1811 as a residence for Blaise Castle's retired personnel, is a modest group of structures that have been carefully kept over time. The hamlet's nine charming houses are arranged around the village green to create a lovely vision of the English countryside. This pioneering hamlet is also the location of an antique stone sundial and water pump.

21. Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre

Address: Bridge Rd, Leigh Woods, Bristol BS8 3PA, UK

Fee: Free entry!

Timings: 10 am - 5 pm

This is the first time I've been since the original was on the other side of the street while this one was being constructed. It's a great area with loads of information on the bridge and is nicely illuminated. From here to the bridge, tours are offered. There is an upstairs room with a lift, allowing access to all regions without taking any steps. There are restrooms here. I had fun exploring and intend to return soon for a hard hat tour. Visits to this visitor centre are highly recommended and it is one of the best Bristol tourist attractions.

22. National Trust - Tyntesfield

Address: Wraxall, Bristol BS48 1NX, UK

Fee: Price varies, so checkout the official National Trust website before visiting.

Timings: 10 am to 5 pm

Tyntesfield, a grade I listed property in North Somerset, is a Victorian Gothic house that has been restored and an estate close to Wraxall. It is named after the Tynte Baronets, who had owned estates in the region from the 15th century. Nearly ten weeks after the National Trust purchased Tyntesfield, the first time it was open to tourists, more rooms were being renovated to add to the tours. An elm tree boulevard was built about 1700, advancing what is now the Tyntesfield Estate.

23. Blaise Castle House Museum and Estate

Address: Kings Weston Rd, Bristol BS10 7QS, UK

Fee: Only parking charges

Timings: 7:30 am to 5:15 pm

Set in 400 acres of park, the Blaise Castle House Museum and Estate feature a 19th-century mansion and houses a social history collection. Objects of daily use from the victorian past are displayed for visitors, like baths, laundry equipment, toys, kitchen equipment and costumes from then. The cafe is a wonderful place to grab a quick refreshing bite before you go out and explore the parklands and woodlands with your friends and family and take in the beautiful nature all around. This is definitely of the bristol tourist attractions not to miss. 

24. Queen Square

Address: Off Prince Street, Bristol BS1 4NH England

Fee: Free entry!

Timings: Open 24 hours

This is one of the attractions in bristol that is frequented and loved by people looking to relax out in the open. Outdoor theatres, events and concerts are regularly hosted here for people to enjoy, along with the magnificent view of the beautiful Georgian houses all around. It is the perfect place to take a refreshing walk and is fun, and is one of the most relaxing bristol attractions. 

25. St Nicholas Market

Address: The Corn Exchange, Corn St, Bristol BS1 1JQ, UK

Fee: Free entry!

Timings: Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 5 pm, 

Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.

The St Nicholas Market is the oldest and the most loved market, especially for all the food they offer and the over 60 stalls that are present. It is a bristol attraction that everyone must visit. There are also many outdoor markets that take place, and it is the biggest collection of independent retailers in Bristol.

We hope that our guide to the 25 best tourist attractions and places to see in Bristol will come in handy for you to explore the beauty of this city. If you plan to reside in this city, you must read our student city guide to Bristol. If you are interested in the museums in Bristol, we have a listicle for you!