What to do in Bristol

Activities, attractions and tours

Wills Memorial Building showing heritage elements, night scenes and a city
Bristol which includes a bridge, a sunset and a river or creek
Bristol
Bristol featuring a bridge, a sunset and a river or creek
Bristol

Places to Visit in Bristol

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Bristol, England while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Bristol attractions from NZ$5, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Bristol tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 166 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Bristol. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.


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Top places to visit

1. Cabot Circus Shopping Centre

At Cabot Circus Shopping Centre you can shop at popular brand-name stores, dine on contemporary cuisine and have fun at an adventure golf course. Cabot Circus Shopping Centre opened in 2008 and replaced a precinct of post-war retail buildings. It features three split-level shopping streets covered by a striking shell-shaped roof. The roof’s glass panels create the effect of an outdoor mall while protecting visitors from unfavorable weather conditions.
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Cabot Circus Shopping Centre which includes interior views and shopping

2. University of Bristol

Experience student life in and around an acclaimed institute of higher education at the University of Bristol. It is recognizable for its landmark buildings, museums and its proximity to a busy nightlife district. The origins of the University of Bristol date back to 1595 and it received a royal charter in 1909. It counts Nobel Laureates, such as Sir Winston Churchill, among its former chancellors, professors and students.
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Wander between campus buildings and architectural landmarks, visit museums, catch a theater show and admire outdoor art displays at this city center university.

3. Bristol Hippodrome Theatre

Visit the Bristol Hippodrome for a wide variety of performances and to see the domed ceiling that can be opened up to the night sky.
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Bristol Hippodrome Theatre showing theatre scenes, interior views and performance art

4. Clifton Suspension Bridge

The Clifton Suspension Bridge spans the River Avon and links Clifton, a shopping district in Bristol, to Leigh Woods in the county of Somerset. Opened in 1864, the bridge is the brainchild of renowned mechanical and civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It has become a major landmark of the area, and is worth visiting even if you don’t need to cross it.
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Clifton Suspension Bridge showing a sunset, a bridge and a river or creek

5. Thornbury Castle

Set in an estate of lush parkland and glorious Tudor gardens is Thornbury Castle. Spend a day enjoying the regal elegance and sumptuousness of this one-time residence of British monarchs. Treat yourself to a night of romance in the castle’s ornate rooms. Dine on meals inspired by food grown in the castle gardens and indulge in therapeutic massage treatments.
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Walk the grounds once traversed by royalty, dine in a dungeon and spend the night in a room fit for a king.

What to do in Bristol


Discover the most popular places to visit in Bristol

Explore areas of Bristol

Cabot Circus Shopping Centre featuring shopping and street scenes as well as a small group of people

Bristol City Centre

5/5(1 area review)

The fantastic nightlife and popular shops are just a few highlights of Bristol City Centre. Make a stop by St Nicholas Market or Old Vic Theatre while you're exploring the area.

Bristol City Centre
Clifton which includes street scenes as well as a couple

Clifton

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Travellers come to Clifton for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Clifton Downs and Observatory and Clifton Cathedral while you're in town.

Clifton
St. Mary Redcliffe Church showing a bay or harbour

Bristol Floating Harbour

4/5(23 area reviews)

The fantastic nightlife and popular shops are just a few highlights of Bristol Floating Harbour. Make a stop by Bristol Aquarium or We The Curious while you're exploring the area.

Bristol Floating Harbour
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Portishead

You'll enjoy the parks and art galleries in Portishead. You might want to make time for a stop at Portishead Lake Grounds or Parish Wharf Swimming Pool.

Portishead

Filton

Filton is well liked for its shopping. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Bristol area, you might plan a trip to The Mall at Cribbs Causeway or Bristol Zoo Project.

Filton
St. Mary Redcliffe Church featuring a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

Redcliffe

Redcliffe is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to St. Mary Redcliffe Church and Banksy Graffiti Thekla while you're in town.

Redcliffe

 

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Day trip destinations from Bristol