By Study Inn
Are you travelling to Bristol for your university studies?
Bristol is a stunning city with much to see and do, making for a wonderful location to carry out your university studies. If you’re heading off to Bristol for uni this year then read on to find out about some of the city’s main attractions, and get a bit of inspiration for your time spent in the city.
Things To Do
There is much to see and do in Bristol. The city is home to a number of iconic attractions as well as a variety of museums, galleries, sports facilities and more; providing entertainment and enjoyment to suit everybody’s tastes.
Museums & Galleries
Bristol is a city known for its rich heritage and artistic streak, so it’s no surprise that the city houses a wide selection of museums and art galleries.
The city has no shortage of museums to explore for those interested in history and heritage, with a few standout museums worth showcasing: Bristol Museum & Art Gallery is an extravagant building showcasing some wonderful works of art and delving into Bristol’s history. The city also homes a number of interesting historic buildings, like the Georgian House Museum and the Red Lodge; two 18th century homes showcased as museums.
Exploring an art gallery is a brilliant way to relax and take in the beauty of some classic and contemporary paintings. Bristol has a diverse selection to choose from with contemporary galleries like the Harbourside Arnolfini and the M Shed, and classic galleries like the Royal West of England showing off classic artworks dating back to the 19th century.
Theatres
Bristol has a strong performing arts scene, and there are a number of theatres dotted around the city. With venues including the Bristol Hippodrome, the Old Vic theatre, Redgrave and the Tobacco Factory theatre you’ll find no shortage of live music, comedy, magic, dance and theatre performances.
Bristol’s many venues have packed schedules, so there’s practically always something interesting playing at one of the local theatres!
Iconic Attractions
As with any city Bristol has its fair share of iconic attractions, all of which can make for a fun bit of exploring when you’re here. Take a walking tour of the city and explore attractions like the Clifton Suspension bridge, the Brunel’s SS Great Britain; the world’s first great ocean liner, Bristol Cathedral and Cabot tower.
The Outdoors
If you like spending time in the outdoors enjoying nature or just chilling out, then there’s a few places to check out during your stay. Bristol has lots of parks and gardens to enjoy, including the Castle Park in the city centre, and the nearby tranquil Brandon Hill parkland just to name a few.
Complimenting the parks and gardens around the city is the wonderful Bristol Zoo, where you can see exotic animals from all around the world.
Places To Shop
The city of Bristol has some amazing opportunity for shopping – with a number of wonderful shopping centres in the heart of the city and, lots of independent stores around the city.
Bristol Shopping Quarter
Bristol Shopping Quarter is the biggest and best of Bristol’s shopping locations. Bristol Shopping Quarter is situated in the heart of the city centre, and is made up of four key sections;
- Broadmead
- The Galleries
- Quakers Friars
- Cabot Circus
These four extravagant shopping centres are packed full of retail outlets and eateries for you to enjoy, and the Cabot Cinema shopping centre also homes the Showcase Cinema De Lux, so you’ll have somewhere close to home to enjoy all of the latest movies.
Bristol Old City
Bristol Old City provides a more relaxed approach, with the wonderful St Nicholas Market featuring over 60 stalls selling great clothing, gifts, jewellery, food and drink. The Old City also homes the beautiful Glass Arcade & The Exchange; with street food stalls, stores and more.
Bedminster & Southville
Bedminster & Southville is a ten minute walk immediately south from Bristol city centre and homes the second largest location for shopping in the entire city, made up of high street outlets, delis, furniture stores and independent boutiques.
Bedminster & Southville is also home to the renowned Upfest street art festival, and regular markets, so there’s always something interesting going on here.
Food & Drink
The city of Bristol has a fine array of eateries and bars throughout, with pubs, cafés and restaurants to be found on practically every street in the heart of the city centre. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to pop in for a quick snack, a fancy meal or a drink with friends, there’s something for everyone in Bristol.
Restaurants
Central Bristol and the surrounding area is packed full of great restaurants for you to check out including Wetherspoons, a range of burger bars, and a diverse choice of restaurants providing continental dishes from all around the world. Bristol’s restaurants allow you to take a culinary tour of Asian, Indian, Italian and Mediterranean cuisines – just to name a few.
Pubs & Bars
Bristol’s many pubs are great for evenings out with friends; whether you’re going to enjoy some drinks or a tasty sit-down meal. Bristol homes many traditional pubs, perfect for popping into for a relaxed evening around a meal and drinks with friends, like the Llandoger Trow, The Temple Inn and the Barley Mowe in Bristol centre.
There’s also a multitude of upbeat music bars and cocktail lounges for when you feel like spicing up the evening, these include the notable music bar Noche Negra, Steam-work themed cocktail bar ‘The Clockwork Rose’, and Be At One Bristol cocktail bar, which we recommend checking out.
For something a little different, make sure to check out the Illusion Magic Bar, an interesting spot to take a drink while enjoying some live magic!
Cafes & Coffee Shops
Serving up tasty brews and delicious light lunches, the cafés and coffee shops of Bristol offer a quick and easy answer to the times where you’re fancying a bite to eat and a thirst quencher while you’re out and about.
Some of Bristol’s most notable café’s that we recommend for students include the Watershed Café Bar – a tranquil café located on the Harbourside waterfront, The Tobacco Factory café Bar – a large contemporary café hall serving up Mediterranean inspired food, and the sustainable, eco friendly Folk House Café, just to name a few.
Book Your Place At Study Inn Bristol
Bristol is a welcoming city for students, and can make for the perfect place to carry out your studies. As providers of student accommodation around the UK, Study Inn has a wonderful luxurious student apartment centre in Bristol, offering private rooms, helpful staff services and wonderful student facilities.
Don’t miss out, please contact the University of Bristol Accommodation Office for more details!
Check out Study Inn’s other student accommodation locations around the UK.
