This post is in collaboration with Visit Bristol

Bristol along the River Avon in Southwest England is a quirky, colorful and alternative harbour city. Filled with a diverse set of contrasting neighborhoods and lovely waterways, Bristol is extremely rich in culture with plenty of art, scenic views, and a historical past. Bristol’s history in trade is vast, and was once the second largest port in England, after London.
Related: 20 Places to Visit in England



There is plenty to do in a single day. You can head to a museum, enjoy waterfront dining and tour the harbor by ferry. The city cathedral is also beautiful and worth seeing for the architecture alone. The independent shops also offer stunning architecture. One of the greatest treats about Bristol is being able to stumble upon some of Banksy’s earliest works!


The city center and its docks are a center of culture but also a place for outdoor activities. You will find many activities and attractions in the Harbourside.



There is a strong art scene, with a strong epicentre for cuisine. There are plenty of tall ships to spot and cosy pubs to seek out the perfect pint. We love cities that are easily accessible on foot, and that’s the case with Bristol (but it’s worth noting that uber/cabs are good value).


Arriving at Bristol Temple Meads the Bristol City Centre is a short ten minute ride from the train station. On our way into town we admired the St Mary Redcliffe Church and the Georgian park area of Queen Square. The first activity we enjoyed was a ride on the Bristol ferry which is a cheap way to see the Bristol sights.



The staff were amazingly friendly and helpful. We were lucky the day was clear with no rain. As we were only in the city for a day, the ferry was a perfect way to explore in a short amount of time.



One of our favorite photo spots were the colorful houses of Cliftonwood. Along your trip, you will also cruise by the shipping containers that have been turned into pubs, cafes, restaurants. We visited the Aquarium, which is perfect for families, and we had lunch at the delightful Pieminster. As you’d imagine from the name, it offers a vast range of both classic and unique types of pie, as well as indulgent bar-style sides and snacks. A city trip is not complete without a viewpoint, and we embraced this by heading up Cabot Tower, which offers panoramic/360 views.



Bristol Cathedral

The Red Lodge Museum

Behind a bright red door is a historic house museum. Tudor/Elizabethan style, and used to be a Royal Party House. Construction began around 1580! There are seven rooms over two floors. There are plenty of stunning, original furnishings.
St. Nicholas Market
Set in a historic part of Bristol complete with cobbled alleyways is the oldest market in the city. It operates year round with independent retailers offering food from around the world, local artisans and homewares.
The Georgian House Museum

It gives you insight on what Bristol would’ve been like to live during the 1800s, in the home of a previous sugar merchant and slave plantation owner. The home is spread out over 4 floors.
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
Set in an Edwardian building with 3 floors and 19 galleries.
Cabot Tower/Brandon Hill Park


Located on Brandon hill in the beautiful park by the same name. This tower commemorates John Cabot’s journey from Bristol to Canada. Here you can climb over a hundred narrow steps to the top to see the best panoramic views of Bristol.
List of Things to Do & See
St Mary Redcliffe Church
Queen Square
Bristol Cathedral
Red Lodge Museum
St. Nicholas Market
Georgian House Museum
Brandon Hill Park
Cabot Tower
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
Clifton Observatory/Suspension Bridge
Bristol Ferry Boat
Underfall Yard
SS Great Britain
Other Things to Consider:
Clifton Arcade
Clifton Village
The Downs
Arnos Vale
Blaise Castle
Windmill Farm (near Bedminster)
Bristol’s Harbourside
Ashton Court Estate
Birdcage Walk
St Andrews Church
Royal York Crescent
Avon Valley Railway
Recommended Hotels
Berwick Lodge
Bristol Harbour Hotel
Hotel du vin and Bistro
Avon Gorge
Number 38 Clifton
Mercure Bristol
Marriott Royal
Berkeley Square
Backwell House