Old City & Park Street

CENTRAL, OLD CITY AND PARK 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

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 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

THINGS TO DO IN CENTRAL, OLD CITY AND PARK STREET

Cabot Tower, the Royal West of England Academy, Park Street and The Hatchet Inn.

Brandon Hill Believed to be the country’s oldest public park, this urban green space and mature reserve overlooks the city from one of Bristol’s highest points. It’s home to Cabot Tower, an icon of the city skyline built in 1897 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot’s voyage to America. Bristol Cathedral At the foot of Park Street adjacent to City Hall (see p25).

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

Explore art, nature and history in the galleries at one of Bristol’s finest free museums.

The Georgian House Museum

Step back in time and imagine what life was like in this affluent part of the city hundreds of years ago. Palestine Museum in Broad Street is a permanent exhibition of Palestinian heritage, culture and daily life. Queen Square A petite park against a backdrop of Georgian houses, Queen Square also hosts annual Bristol events including Bristol Harbour Festival.

The Red Lodge Museum

Explore the elegant Elizabethan features of this historic house and restored walled garden.

Royal West of England

Academy The RWA is the country’s only regional Royal Academy of Art and hosts a dynamic and varied programme of exhibitions, events and lectures. St George’s Bristol This former church is now an atmospheric concert hall tucked away behind Park Street.

Walled City Walk

Conceived by Bristol Civic Society, this self-guided circular walk around the Old City follows the town walls of Norman Bristol.

FOOD & DRINK IN CENTRAL,OLD CITY AND PARK STREET

Bambalan Mediterranean-style dishes and pizza at this playful restaurant and bar, with a large terrace for summer. Bocabar At Finzels Reach, with stone-baked pizzas, burgers, mezze plates and a lively sociable vibe.

The Coconut Tree

Sri Lankan street food, tapas and fiery ‘cocotails’. Four Wise Monkeys Asian fusion food and an explosion of retro vibes. Hyde & Co Fabulous cocktails in a stylish prohibition-style bar. Little China Town Food hall and supermarket on Nelson Street. The Milk Thistle Hyde & Co’s younger sister serves cocktails in a clubby lounge bar. The Old Duke Much-loved trad jazz pub hosting live music every night of the week. The Ox Famed for sensational steaks and cocktails. Pinkmans Craft bakery known for wild yeast baking, healthy salads and naughty sour-doughnuts. St Nicholas Markets A colourful variety of around-the-world food stalls ranging from British Pieminister pies to tacos, tapas and more. The Strawberry Thief Relaxed bar with over 70 local and international beers, plus a seasonal menu with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. Swoon Dreamy homemade gelato, sorbetto, Neopolitan coffee and Swoon shakes. Woky Ko Grab-and-go Asian bites, from from poke bowls and flatbreads to hot and cold rice dishes.

For more, head to visitbristol.co.uk/citycentre

Clockwise from top: Bambalan, The Coconut Tree, The Strawberry Thief and Swoon