By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 21st November 2023 | Updated: 22nd November 2023
I, (Gemma), may have been born and raised in Gloucester but after living in Bristol for the past 10 years, I now call it my home. With its creativity and culture there is always something exciting going on, be it the Harbour Festival, for food lovers, one of the various music and art festivals or the famous International Balloon Fiesta.
So if you are wondering; is Bristol worth visiting? Then the answer is 100% yes, read on to find out why!
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Is Bristol worth visiting?
Coming from someone who lived there for 10 years, Bristol is 100% worth visiting. Not only is there an incredible variety of things to do and see, places to eat and events on throughout the year, but Bristol is very different from any neighbouring city with its vibrant art scene and iconic and historic landmarks.
Is Bristol worth visiting in spring?
Bristol in spring is when the city starts to warm up from the colder months and with the warmer days brings the perfect time to get out walking in and around the city. You may even spot an early hot air balloon or two, (the earliest we’ve ever seen them is the beginning of March!).
Is Bristol worth visiting in March: March can be cold still in March, and often gets quite a bit of rainfall, but it is a great time to visit the city if you want fewer tourists and plenty of time to visit art galleries and museums in the city. High temperature of 11°C / 51.8°F – Low temperature of 5°C / 41°F.
Is Bristol worth visiting in April: April is still quite a chilly and windy month in Bristol, but with the days getting noticeably longer and spring most definitely sprung, April is a great time to visit the city. High temperature of 13°C / 55.4°F – Low temperature of 6°C / 42.8°F.
Is Bristol worth visiting in May: May in Bristol is when the city wakes up with its annual Bristol Walk Fest, a walking festival throughout the month of May designed to get people back out exploring. If walking doesn’t do it for you then why not hop on board a boat or paddleboard in the river to enjoy the warmer days? High temperature of 17°C / 62.6°F – Low temperature of 9°C / 48.2°F.
Is Bristol worth visiting in Summer?
Summer is when Bristol really comes alive, with numerous festivals being held and the warm nights being perfect to sit alongside the river and soak in the city.
Is Bristol worth visiting in June: Bristol in June is when the festival season really gets going, with various food and music festivals happening, including Bristol Sounds, held at the end of June, and Bristol Pride which is held over two weeks from the end of June into early July. High temperature of 19°C / 66.2°F – Low temperature of 12°C / 53.6°F.
Is Bristol worth visiting in July: July is often the hottest month of the year in Bristol, and with the start of the school summer holidays it is also often one of the busiest months to visit. The Bristol Harbour Festival, (music, food and boats galore!), also happens mid July. High temperature of 22°C / 71.6°F – Low temperature of 14°C / 57.2°F..
Is Bristol worth visiting in August: August in Bristol is another month where visitors are at their peak, but with good reason. The Bristol Ballon Fiesta is held for four days in early to mid August and is definitely worth a trip to see. High temperature of 21°C / 69.8°F – Low temperature of 14°C / 57.2°F.
Is Bristol worth visiting in Autumn?
Autumn is definitely one of the quieter seasons for Bristol but don’t let that put you off from visiting.
Is Bristol worth visiting in September: Every fancied peaking inside those wonderful buildings that are always closed to the public? Well Bristol Open Doors biennial festival, held over a weekend in mid September is the festival for you! High temperature of 18°C / 64.4°F – Low temperature of 12°C / 53.6°F.
Is Bristol worth visiting in October: October is Bristol is full of crispy autumn leaves and pumpkins, as well as a Halloween night or two. No major events happen in the city this month, but it can get busy around half term. High temperature of 15°C / 49°F – Low temperature of 9°C / 48.2°F.
Is Bristol worth visiting in November: Bonfire night brings numerous great opportunities for evenings out watching fireworks light up the sky, (watching from Brandon Hill is particularly wonderful). Or something a little further afield is the Festival of Light at Longleat, which is well worth the visit to. Bristol Christmas Market also starts early November through to late December. High temperature of 11°C / 51.8°F – Low temperature of 6°C / 42.8°F.
Is Bristol worth visiting in Winter?
Bristol in winter is magical, with the possibility of snow in the air, (it often snows around late January to early February, but if it does be prepared for chaos on the roads!), Christmas Markets filling the city at Cabot Circus and Millenium Square, and of course all the cosy cafes you’ll just have to stop in.
Is Bristol worth visiting in December: Bristol in December is the wettest month on average, but with the Bristol Christmas Market on throughout the month, the rain will be forgotten! Be sure to grab a cheese and bacon hot dog from the traditional German food stand as well as giant Yorkshire pudding wraps filled with Christmas dinner, (yes they are incredible if a little messy!). High temperature of 9°C / 48.2°F – Low temperature of 4°C / 39.2°F.
Is Bristol worth visiting in January: January in Bristol is a great month to wind down from the festivities and enjoy the wonderful art galleries and museums that the city has on offer. From the contemporary Arnolfini to M-Shed, Bristol Museum to a walking tour of Banksys works, there is something for everyone to enjoy. High temperature of 8°C / 46.4°F – Low temperature of 3°C / 37.4°F.
Is Bristol worth visiting in February: February is often the coldest month of the year in Bristol, but the first signs of spring are often about in the cities parks and gardens, alongside the Bristol Light Festival which is held all around the Harbour the first week of February. Various beautiful light exhibitions light up the dark nights over a week, all in outdoor locations, making it the perfect free festival to have in Bristol in February. High temperature of 8°C / 46.4°F – Low temperature of 3°C / 37.4°F.
15 Things to do in Bristol for free
1. Walk the Harbourside Walk to the Clifton Suspension Bridge
Take in the city from the water’s edge or better still get on the water! (You can sail, canoe, kayak and paddleboard sections of the river so why not?) Starting in the city centre at M-Shed this walk leads you along the River Avon through the city and out to underneath the Suspension Bridge.
The walk there and then back along the opposite side of the river takes roughly 2 hours, allowing for photo stops and the occasional sit down to enjoy the scenery.
With the walk going past the SS Great Britain, Banksy’s Girl with the Pearl Earring and the historic Underfall Dock Yard there is plenty for all to see. You also get a great view over to the multicoloured buildings of Hotwells.
2. Walk the Harbourside Walk to Temple Meads
After doing number one you should also take in the city from the water but go the other direction to Temple Meads. This route is a little more off the beaten track, but with the beautiful old wharves, Redcliff Parades colourful houses, Welsh Back and its pubs and Castle Park, it is just as beautiful. You can also grab the ferry from Temple Meads Landing back to the Bristol City Centre Landing when you are done to save your feet!
3. Discover Banksy
Bristol and Banksy go hand in hand. With plenty of the famous artist’s work to find, you can easily spend a few hours discovering both Bristol and Banksy for free. With Cat and Dog, The Mild Mild West, Well Hung Lover and the Girl with the Pierced Eardrum to name but a few of the artworks you can find throughout Bristol.
4. Visit Clifton and the suspension bridge
The Clifton Suspension Bridge, along with hot air balloons, is Bristol through and through, so of course, it is on this top free things to do in Bristol’s list.
Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, (he’s a pretty big deal in Bristol), and spanning the picturesque Avon Gorge, this Grade I listed structure has attracted visitors from all over the world and it’s easy to see why.
If you are heading to Bristol then the Avon Gorge Hotel has great views up of the bridge from a tucked-away little terrace out the back, but personally, we love the views down over the Suspension Bridge from Clifton Observatory. Right around the corner from the Suspension Bridge is also the Royal York Crescent. Not quite as famous as the Bath Crescent but just as beautiful.
5. Wander around the Downs
The Downs are well known in Bristol as the place to go if you need a good walk or a chin wag with a friend after a long day at work, and yes, we’ve done that a few times. Not only are they vast and often filled with people exercising but the views from the western side down the River Avon to the Suspension Bridge are something that can’t be missed.
6. Climb Cabot Tower and explore Brandon Hill
If you thought the views from the Downs were good, think again. Brandon Hill is a beautiful little park in the heart of the city which draws you in deeper at every step. At the centre of the park lies Cabot Tower and the views from the top of this 32-metre-high tower are something to write home about!
With 360 views over the city of Bristol, this is the place to go to get your view fix and one of the top things to do in Bristol for free.
7. Explore the Royal Fort Gardens
Another place to visit to feel whisked away from the city life is the Royal Fort Gardens at the University of Bristol. These gardens are filled to the brim with artwork and sculptures alongside the colourful planting beds and have a rather beautiful set of rainbow steps leading up to them if you know the right way…
Planning your own trip to Bristol? Make sure you check out our Travelling Tedaldi Amazon Store Travel Guides for all your guidebooks and maps. (We’ve done the hard work for you and linked all the things we used to plan our trip!)
8. Watch balloons at Ashton court
Ashton Gate is a wonderful park within the city that really makes you forget you are in a city. With woodland walks, a mansion to explore and a herd of deer it is like stepping into another world. It is also home to the world-renowned Bristol Balloon Fiesta, and seriously, we would make a point of visiting Bristol just to see the Balloon Fiesta!
It is the most Bristol thing you can imagine, hot air balloons fill the skies with colour dawn and dusk over the 4 days of the festival, (if you’re lucky with the weather that is), and what’s not to love about seeing balloons float their way across the sky on a summers evening? There was once even a year-round tethered balloon in Castle Park…
9. Walk the waters of the Frome at Oldbury Court & Snuff Mills
A little out of the city centre is a walk through a green oasis that you would struggle to believe is in Bristol. Following the River Frome, you can walk through Oldbury Court Estate, taking in the greenery and open space all the way to Snuff Mills where the river takes on fast-flowing weirs and the landscape closes in, creating a magical city location only the locals know.
10. Visit the colour centre of Bristol – Hotwells
Bristol is known for its colour and where better a place to explore the colour in the city than along one of the many roads that are lined with brightly painted houses. The pure happiness of Bristol oozes from the buildings. Try walking around Ambra Vale, Totterdown, Cliftonwood or Easton to get your full-colour fix.
Bristol is also currently campaigning to become the Colour Capital of the UK, with a reputation for creativity and artistic expression the council wants to improve the energy efficiency of homes by insulating them, then painting them in all shades of the rainbow!
11. Explore new street art in Bedminster and Southville
Street art, graffiti, call it what you will but Bristol is renowned for it. The most famous graffiti artist to come out of Bristol is obviously Banksy, but there is more to Bristol’s street art than him. You cannot go a hundred steps in the city centre without bumping into a piece of artwork.
So be sure to visit during Upfest when the Bedminster and Southville areas of the city are transformed in 3 days from the last year’s graffiti to brand new art pieces for the year to come. Artists from around the world come to Bristol to be part of this festival so you can guarantee some awesome artwork. You can get up close and personal with the artists too and really see their work come to life.
12. Eat your heart out in St Nicks Market
You can’t come to Bristol and not be astounded by the food on offer. One place you simply have to visit is St Nicholas Market, where there are food stalls aplenty. The variety always baffles us with so many choices but you can’t go wrong with Eat a Pitta falafel box, Eatchu Japanese Gyoza, Matina for the biggest flatbread wraps you will ever see or Woky ko St Nicks for Korean lunches.
13. Visit Stoke Park and the Purdown Tower battery
Just out of the city centre, but in easy reach by metro bus or on foot, Stoke Park Estate is a park like no other in Bristol. With the bright yellow 1563 Dower house, hidden listed tunnels in the bluebell woods, Purdown Percy, a WW2 anti-aircraft battery next to the BT Tower and a sculpture trail by local artist Andy O’Neill, there is lots to see and places to explore.
Oh, and there are goats that live here too if you didn’t want to visit already! The views from this park are also some of the best in Bristol.
14. Discover new food along Gloucester Road
One of the longest roads for independent shops and cafes in the UK, Gloucester Road is somewhat of an Indie shopping area in Bristol, and boy is it quirky! With artwork galore, cafes that spill out onto the pavements and tiny galleries and charity shops every few doors, this road is one of the most vibrant places in Bristol.
15. Wander through Bristol Cathedral
Last but not least on our list of things to do in Bristol for free, visiting Bristol Cathedral. This 12th-century cathedral is beautiful inside and out, and with free entry what’s not to like? The stained glass windows and vaulted ceiling really give you a sense of being transported away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre outside to a peaceful place.
Planning your own trip to Bristol? Make sure you check out our Travelling Tedaldi Amazon Store Travel Guides for all your guidebooks and maps. (We’ve done the hard work for you and linked all the things we used to plan our trip!)
Where to stay in Bristol?
If you are after a true stay in Bristol then you should try to stay near Park Street or up in the Clifton Area. Both of these will be a bit more lively and have plenty of options for accommodation as well as places to eat and drink. Plus if you stay in Clifton you may even end up with some of the best views in the whole city.
Check out Booking.com or the map below for some of the best places to stay in Bristol.
Is Bristol Worth Visiting FAQs
How to get to Bristol
By car – If heading to Bristol via car then there are a number of options depending on which location you are arriving from. If coming from London, follow the M4 heading west until you reach the M32 then follow this into the centre, (approximately 3 hours driving time). If coming from nearby Cardiff then take the M4 east and then join the M32, (roughly 1 hour driving).
If arriving from other regions joining the M5 bound for the M4 is the initial route, before heading east along the M4 then taking the M32 into the city.
By train – Bristol is also easy to get to via train, with numerous train connections both in the city centre and on the outskirts. The main station is located a short walk from the city centre at Temple Meads.
By plane – Bristol Airport is the nearest airport to Bristol, with plenty of options for both car hire and public transport into the city centre. The other nearest international airports are located at Birmingham and London, a few hour’s drive from Bristol.
How to get around Bristol
Bristol city centre is very easy to get around with numerous bus routes linking with ferries on the waterfront too. There is also a vast cycle path network throughout the city. The simplest way to get around Bristol is however on foot, meaning you can stop in all those quaint coffee shops and independent stores you see too!
Is 1 day in Bristol enough?
Honestly, no. You will bearly scratch the surface of this wonderful city. You ideally need at least a long weekend to 4 days to get to grips with Bristol and all its quirks.
What is Bristol famous for?
There are numerous things that could take the top spot for being the most famous thing in Bristol. The Clifton Suspension Bridge, Brunel’s SS Great Britain, and the Balloon Fiesta to name a few. But the biggest draw to Bristol and the most famous is of course the renowned artist Banksy.
You can easily spot a few of his works whilst walking around the city, but the best way to learn about the history of the artwork, and see a few pieces that you may have missed otherwise, is to take a walking tour.
Check out this guided tour around Bristol, from Blackbeard to Banksy for a couple of hours of history and art finding you are sure to enjoy.
What are the best free festivals in Bristol?
There are a few free festivals that happen across the year in Bristol, but the top three free festivals in Bristol are;
Bristol Balloon Fiesta – Four days of hot air ballooning across the skies of the city, with mass balloon ascents, night glows and a giant fun fair thrown into the mix as well, make the Bristol Balloon Fiesta the epitome of Bristol culture. Balloon teams from around the globe turn up to join in the event, and if the weather is on your side, you are sure to see some incredible sights if you keep your eyes on the skies.
Bristol Harbour Festival – Taking place in the summer all along the water’s edge, the Harbour Festival is all about the music and food, with live stages set up in the Lloyds Amphitheatre, Millenium Square and Queens Square. That alongside numerous food stalls and gift stands makes the Habrour Festival one of the best free things to do in Bristol.
Upfest – Europe’s largest street art and graffiti festival, which takes over Bedminster for a weekend with artists from across the world creating incredible murals throughout the neighbourhood.
Is Bristol Museum entry free?
Both Bristol Museum and Art Gallery and M Shed are free to enter, although booking is advised to get a slot, especially during peak times.
How touristy is Bristol?
Bristol can be very touristy during the summer and when big events are happening such as Upfest or the Balloon Fiesta, but that doesn’t make it any less of a great city to visit.
Is Bristol nicer than Bath?
Bristol isn’t necessarily nicer than Bath, it is just very different. Like the polar opposite of Bath!
Is Bristol Balloon Fiesta free?
Yes, Bristol Balloon Fiesta is free, however, if you choose to park at Ashton Court during the event, (which we would NOT recommend), then you have to pay. You also pay for any of the attractions / fun fair rides and games you take part in at Ashton Court as well, but that’s all part of the fiesta!
Conclusion: Is Bristol Worth Visiting?
And there you have it, numerous reasons why Bristol is worth visiting! From the history and heritage to the festivals and artworks that scatter the city, if Bristol isn’t on your list of places to visit in England then it should be!
Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.