An Exciting Guide to Fun Free Things to do in Bristol England
The city is famous for being the most remarkable and trendiest city in the UK, and luckily there are many exciting free things to do in Bristol. It will be a hard choice to decide what to do. There are many impressive free museums, fun festivals and there is an abundance of beautiful architecture.
Bristol is also the known birthplace of one of the most famous contemporary artists in the world – Banksy – so expect the city to be full of colour, and you might even see some of his work. How amazing is that? You can also learn about Bristol’s history at the museum and see how it has changed over the last 2000 years.
We are always seeking out affordable travel experiences, especially in the UK, and we found there are great places to visit in Bristol for free. It is such a vibrant and exciting place that there’s no doubt you will have so much fun, whether you are on a budget or not.
18 Best Free Things to do in Bristol
Here is a detailed guide to the best places to visit in Bristol for free. So what will you do first? Hit up the museums, the parks or the street art?
Clifton Suspension Bridge
If you see postcards of Bristol, you will see the Clifton Suspension Bridge standing proudly over the Avon Gorge. You’ll have to part with £1 for the toll to drive over it, but it is entirely free to walk over. It has been open since 1864 and was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who won a competition to create it at the age of 24!
Today, you can walk over the bridge and admire beautiful views over Bristol. It is one of the best free things to do in Bristol. Afterwards, you should visit the Visitor Centre, on the Leigh Woods side, where you can learn about who designed the bridge and if you are travelling with children, there are plenty of activities for them to take part in.
M Shed
Found in the harbour, the M Shed is full of life and is a great place to learn about Bristol and its past. We were impressed with this museum and how it brings the city and its people to life through their stories and what it was and has been like to live in Bristol.
It explores the city from prehistoric times to the 21st century over 2000 years. You can learn about the role that Bristol played in the Slave Trade and the Statue that was in the news for being taken down during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. The Museum aims to challenge thinking by focusing on the dynamic city and how the people shape it.
Ashton Court Estate
The Ashton Court Estate is one of the best places to visit in Bristol for free. It is found just 10-miles from the city centre and is an 850-acre woodland and grassland. It is the place to spot deer in Bristol and go mountain biking, play pitch and putt or see a miniature railway (only open some weekends). So if you want to escape the rush of the city, then Ashton Court Estate is your answer!
Georgian House Museum
The Georgian House Museum is one of Bristol’s best free attractions. It is an 18th-century house that allows its visitors to step back in time to see what it was once like. From the furniture and architecture, you can get a natural feel for what the merchant owner John Pinney’s luxurious life would have been like.
Good to know: it is only open from Easter to October.
Blaise Castle House Museum and Estate
Another one of the fantastic free museums in Bristol is Blaise Castle House. It is a 19th-century grand house set in 400 acres of parkland. You can visit the Picture Room, the woodlands and inside you can step back to see things from the past, such as model trains, costumes and Victorian toilets! Also, the folly castle was mentioned in Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, which is pretty cool.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is one for your bucket list! Every year in August, you can see hundreds of hot air balloons take off into the sky. It is the UK’s version of Cappadocia! But seriously, parks, car parks and streets see the balloons take off and transform the city into magic. It is one of the best events of the year, so don’t miss it!
Arnos Vale Cemetery
Arnos Vale Cemetery is a 45-acre site and is arguably one of the UK’s best examples of a Victorian garden cemetery. It is not just a cemetery, though. If that is worrying you, there are many historic classic monuments and buildings and beautiful trails, with wildflowers that allow its visitors to have a peaceful walk away from the busy centre. There is a cafe here too!
Oldbury Court Estate
One of the best free things to do in Bristol is exploring Oldbury Court Estate, a beautiful park known for having excellent views. You can discover historic parkland and walk on beautiful riverside and woodland trails. It is very popular with families because of the children’s playground (with a pirate ship) and large spaces to picnic and enjoy each other’s company in a peaceful environment.
Street Art
We are sure you’re aware, but Bristol is said to be the artist Bankys’ hometown. So it means that you can see his work dotted around Bristol, which we think is pretty cool.
The best places to see the incredible street art are Stokes Croft, Jamaica Street and Nelson Street. But, if you want to see Banky’s work, then some of his best pieces are Valentine’s Day Mural, Grim Reaper, The Girl with the Pierced Eardrum, Well Hung Lover and Paint-Pot Angel – and You can find all on Google Maps.
Bristol Harbour Festival
The Bristol Harbour Festival is one of the best events of the year. It is one of the free attractions in Bristol that celebrates the city of Bristol. The harbour was once a crucial place to Bristol’s economy, and local groups tried to save it. The festival is now a green initiative, and there are many different things to see, including music, dance and other exciting events. Please refer to the Bristol Harbour Festival website to see what is happening this year.
Red Lodge Museum
One of the best free museums in Bristol is the Red Lodge Museum. It is an Elizabethan House where Queen Elizabeth I once stayed. It is extraordinary to see the house right in the city centre in all its glory. It is a prime example of Tudor and Georgian architecture. The highlights include the Great Oak Room, the Print Room, the Reception Room and the grand winding staircase.
Good to know: it is only open Mondays, Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am-4 pm.
Bristol Harbour
Bristol Harbour is one of the great free attractions in Bristol. The area is beautiful to walk around and is a great place to see how exciting and vibrant the city is. You can feel that it has always been this way since it was a busy dock full of other developments and colourful houses. A great place to explore is Millenium Square and watching all the boats go in and out of the harbour. If you are there on a Sunday, you might be lucky enough to browse the markets too – one of our favourite free things to do in Bristol.
Bristol Cathedral
One of the best free attractions in Bristol is Bristol Cathedral, which is found in the West End of the city on College Green. It is believed that a church has been on the site for over 1000 years but was first known to be an Abbey in 1140. Incredibly, the cathedral is free to visit, especially as others in the UK have an entry fee. You can go to a service or admire the architecture from inside and outside.
St Nicholas Indoor Market
We love visiting and browsing markets when we explore a new place, and Bristol’s historic market, built-in 1741-43, is well worth a look. Here you will be able to see over 60 independent shops that sell many different things from jewellery to fashion to lots of other foods to try. There are narrow alleyways, a large open spot and the Glass Arcade. It is open every day, so get yourself down to see what is happening!
Cabot Tower and Brandon Hill
For the best free views in the city, you should head to the 105ft Cabot Tower in Brandon Hill Park near Park Street. You will have to climb up the steep spiral 109 steps, but it is worth the challenge. It was built in 1897 to commemorate John Cabot’s journey from Bristol to North America by William Venn Gough.
Whilst you’re there, you should walk around Brandon Hill, another excellent free Bristol attraction. It is the oldest park in Bristol, and you can visit a nature reserve, the children’s play area or walk on many of the paths.
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
We loved visiting the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery. It is easily one of the best things to do in Bristol for free. They aim to tell the story of the world over three floors and through 19 excellent galleries. You can see world-class art, Egyptian mummies, stuffed animals and one of the best-preserved dinosaurs – the Scedilodsaurus- found in the UK.
Many more incredible exhibitions. There are thousands of things to see and learn about. The museum also puts on numerous events throughout the year, so it is always a good place to go back time and time again.
Walking Tours
- Free Audio Walking Tour by Visit Bristol
Suppose you would like to explore Bristol at your own pace but still want to learn about the city’s history and what to do. We recommend using Visit Bristol’s Audio Tour by downloading their MP3 files. You can discover many different areas of the city, including the quayside, the Brunel mile, and the churches, to name just a few.
- DIY Banksy
You can find some of Banky’s earliest work in Bristol. He was not always as famous as he is today. He was born in Bristol in 1974, and you can go on a Banksy Trail in the city. Download the Banksy Bristol Trail app for an easy to follow a route and information about each piece of art.
Leigh Woods
One of the best places to visit in Bristol for free is Leigh Woods, an SSSI owned and looked after by the National Trust. It is a popular spot because locals enjoy walking around the trails to see the veteran trees and to have beautiful views whilst soaking up some fresh air. It is found next to the Clifton Suspension Bridge, so you can combine the two free things to do in Bristol.
We hope you enjoyed this guide to the best things to do in Bristol for free. Let us know if we missed any other Bristol free attractions in the comments!
Are you interested in affordable UK city breaks? Please read our guides to:
Free things to do in Birmingham
Free things to do in Liverpool
Photo credit: averagelives.com