CITY
CENTRAL, OLD CITY AND PAR K STREET The hilly streets and hidden alleys of the city’s historic merchants’ quarter combine culture and creativity with quirky shops and great places to eat
EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY, BRISTOL
PARK STREET AND QUEENS ROAD This culturally rich area has it all, from Bristol’s oldest art gallery, the Royal West of England Academy, to Banksy’s cheeky mural Well Hung Lover. Take a tower tour at Bristol University’s Wills Memorial Building to experience sky-high views, pop into Browns restaurant next door (originally a library, the building was based on the Doge’s Palace in Venice) or venture below ground to the historic cellars of Averys family wine merchants. Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, The Georgian House and Red Lodge museums are all free to enter, as is the city’s grand medieval Cathedral on College Green – a regular venue for outdoor events right in front of the City Hall. Music lovers can catch a gig at Bristol Folk House or at St George’s Bristol, famed for world-class acoustics. Park Street shops offer everything from contemporary jewellery to vintage clothes, and don’t miss local favourites the Guild for designer goods or Swoon for authentic Italian gelato. The area has a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene too, with bars and clubs including OMG and Queenshilling. OLD CITY The cobbles of King Street are home to the handsomely renovated Bristol Old Vic where visitors can enjoy performances, behind-thescenes tours or pre-theatre dinners. Celebrated
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jazz venue The Old Duke pub is just a moment away and offers free live music any night of the week. Browse the city’s largest collection of small traders gathered within the historic St Nicholas Markets. Other independents stud the surrounding streets, from bookshops to vintage clothing stores. CENTRAL A walk along Nelson Street reveals some of the city’s most ambitious outdoor art; join one of Bristol’s popular guided street art tours to hear its history. Boutique bowling alley The Lanes is here too or try Whistle Punks urban axe throwing for entertainment with an edge. Newcomer Strange Brew on Fairfax Street is a DIY bar, live music venue, café, record shop and exhibition space. The Christmas Steps Arts Quarter is the perfect place to meet local artisans. There are pleasant views of this historic area from the balcony of microbrewery Zerodegrees, a popular spot for craft beer and wood-fired pizza. Bristol Hippodrome attracts major musicals from the West End, or experience a live performance at Bristol Beacon, which is hosting exhibitions and music in its foyer while the auditorium undergoes an exciting multi-million-pound transformation.
Clockwise from top: St Nicholas Market, King William Ale House and Bristol Museum & Art Gallery and Wills Memorial Building
visitbristol.co.uk/citycentre
