Bristol offers visitors an exciting mixture of the traditional and the contemporary. It has a fast growing reputation as being as cosmopolitan as any city in Europe.
Bristol has an adventurous spirit, constantly striving for the new and the innovative and yet it is a traditional port city which has seen many explorers and merchant adventurers set off on epic journeys form its harbour.
The city's rich maritime history has not been lost but, as in many British cities, and the harbour side is now at the heart of Bristol's reawakening as a young and vibrant city. Along the waterfront you will find attractions, boats, museums, restaurants, trendy bistros, hotels and flats.
With a buzzing music scene and annual festivals celebrating everything form film, music and dance to hot-air ballooning and harbour life, Bristol has a lot to offer for all ages and tastes.
We have included outline details of popular Bristol attractions below (in alphabetical order), with more details on separate pages, including how far they are from the airport and how you would get there. Click on the name of the attraction to find out more:
@ Bristol: an 'interactive adventure of a lifetime', this is a combination of 3 attractions, all designed to 'illuminate and entertain'. At Bristol combines the Wildwalk-At-Bristol, Explore-At-Bristol and the four-storey-high screen at the IMAX Theatre.
Bristol Annual Events: there are a number of festivals and events at or near bristol each year, including the world famous International Balloon Fiesta & Nightglow and the International Festival of Kites and Air Creations. Here we include the dates for this year, plus contact details for you to find out more.
Bristol Hippodrome Theatre: hosts West End touring companies, ballet, opera, comedy and even a Christmas Panto. A very popular, very busy, commercial theatre.
Bristol Maritime Heritage Centre and SS Great Britain: this museum celebrating Bristol's prestigious ship building past through models, pictures and audio-visual displays. A ticket to the maritime heritage centre also includes a visit to the SS Great Britain, the world's first great ocean liner, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Bristol Old Vic Theatre: the oldest continually working theatre in England, which today stages a wide range of modern classics mixed, Shakespeare and new plays.
Bristol Shopping: if you fancy a bit of retail therapy, you can get it in Bristol. Whether you are in search of High Street brands or something a little more unique, you'll find it in Bristol - there's even an indoor market that dates back to 1743.
Bristol Tobacco Factory Theatre: opened as a fringe theatre in 1998, the Tobacco Factory hosts a variety of avant-garde, performance art and superb fringe theatre, much of which has received national critical acclaim. It also has a cafe bar and exhibition space.
Bristol Travel: information on all planes, trains and busses in Bristol. If you need to travel around the city, this page is for you.
Bristol Zoo: a brilliant day out with over 400 species of wildlife to discover, exhibitions and attractions all set within 12 acres of beautiful gardens. This famous zoo was voted zoo of the year by the 'Good Britain Guide' in 2004, it is a world leader in wildlife education and conservation, with rare species and new baby animals, exhibitions and special events.
British Empire and Commonwealth Museum: set in Brunel's historic Old Bristol Station (the world's first purpose built railway terminus), this internationally acclaimed museum tells the story of 500 years of British exploration, trade and conquest.
