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The Ultimate Bristol Suburb Guide: City Centre

The Ultimate Bristol Suburb Guide City Centre
Photo by Martyna Bober on Unsplash

Bristol city centre is located in the heart of Bristol, and it is one of the most exciting parts of the city. As you would expect, the city centre is home to many of the best bars, restaurants and attractions that Bristol has to offer. There is plenty to see and do including lots of cultural and historic attractions to keep you busy. Whether it’s your first visit to Bristol or you’re planning to move to the city, here’s a guide to everything you need to know about Bristol city centre.

City Centre Location in Bristol

The city centre’s rough geographical area can be described as being the area south of Cotham and Kingsdown and Clifton, north of the New Cut, and west of Lawrence Hill and St Pauls.

Transport to and from the city centre is easy from anywhere in Bristol. Many busses go into the city centre from the outskirts of the city, and Bristol Bus and Coach Station and Temple Meads railway station are also located in the centre.

Be aware that there is now a Clean Air Zone for the centre of Bristol. Drivers must now pay to enter the zone if their car doe not meet the zone’s emissions standards, unless you have an exception. Head to the bristol.gov website for more information, vehicle checker, and daily charges.

The History of Bristol City Centre

The city centre in medieval times was located to the north of Bristol Bridge. During the 19th century, parts of the River Frome were covered over in various stages, and this area became the main hub of the tram network and now makes up part of the city centre. The area now known as Harbourside has also seen big changes over the decades. Once a busy dock, it has now an attractive development packed with shops, bars, restaurants and attractions.

Shopping in Bristol City Centre

There is lots of great shopping in Bristol. Shoppers will find everything they need in the Shopping Quarter in Bristol city centre and there is something for everyone.

Broadmead consists of various pedestrianised streets lined with shops. Located just north of the historic centre, this area was redeveloped after the war and you can find a wide range of high street names here.

The Galleries was built in the 1980s. This modern and unique shopping centre is in the centre of Bristol Shopping Quarter. It is a huge centre with a large glass roof, and it’s home to all the big high street stores.

Park Street is an iconic shopping street in the centre, and is home to big brands and independent stores alike. This buzzing area also has lots of bars, restaurants and cafes.

There are also many markets in the city centre, with one of the biggest being St Nicholas Market in the Old City. It has been held here since 1743, and the Glass Arcade is a Grade I listed building. Visit the market to find a range of stalls selling clothes, handmade goods, food and more.

Bristol Harbourside Market is held on weekends and stretches along the waterfront. You’ll find a wide range of creative arts and crafts as well as food stalls.

The street food market on the Broad Quay is held on Wednesdays and Thursdays and is a great place to grab a bite to eat on your lunch break. While Finzels Reach Market is held on Fridays and Wednesdays, and you can discover tasty street food from local producers here.

Bristol City Centre Bars and Restaurants

You won’t be surprised to learn that there are dozens of excellent bars, restaurants and nightclubs for all tastes in the city centre. Here are some of the best.

City Centre Restaurants

Whatever type of food you feel like, there’s a good chance you’ll find something in Bristol city centre.

  • The Bristol Stable, Canon’s Road – Popular pizza restaurant with some unusual flavours.
  • Mud Dock, The Grove – A great spot for brunch, lunch or a romantic dinner overlooking the Bristol Harbour all within a relaxed atmosphere.
  • Four Wise Monkeys, Clare Street – Super tasty Asian-fusion food and cocktails right in the centre of Bristol. Big flavours, flavourful dishes and a playlist to accompany.
  • Pizzarova, Park Street – Incredible sourdough pizzas from one of the best pizza places in Bristol. They have a couple locations around the city but their Park Street spot is not one to miss!
  • Honest Burgers Bristol, Clare Street – One of the best places to grab a burger in the city centre.
  • “It’s Not” Hot Pot, Small Street – Experience the ancient Chinese cooking process that is Hot Pot for an up-close and personal dining experience.

City Centre Music and Nightlife

There are some top bars, nightclubs and live music venues in Bristol city centre. Whatever sort of night you’re looking for, you’ll find it here.

  • Bristol Beacon (formerly the Colston Hall) – This large concert hall puts on all kinds of performances, from rock to classical music to comedy.
  • The Milk Thistle – Covering four floors in a historic building, this cocktail bar and lounge is one of Bristol’s most popular bars.
  • Prince Street Social – A top British Brasserie with a relaxed atmosphere.
  • O2 Academy Bristol – Bristol’s biggest live music venue where all the biggest acts perform.
  • St George’s Bristol – Top music venue where you can listen to classical, blues, jazz and more.

Other City Centre Attractions and Places of Interest

There are plenty of things to see and do in Bristol city centre, from Museums and art galleries to parks and historic attractions.

To enjoy some greenery, head to one of the many splendid parks like Castle Park next to Broad Weir. This large green area is free to enter, and you can see a bandstand, St Peter’s Church and the remains of Bristol Castle’s walls and keep.

Queen’s Square is a lovely central park between the Old City and Harbourside, and College Green at the end of Park Street is also pleasant. You could also visit Brandon Hill Nature Reserve off Park Street, a historical park with great views where you will also find Cabot Tower.

Take a stroll in the Bristol Old City quarter and discover its beautiful historic buildings along with a good selection of pubs and restaurants.

Two of the most nationally established and recognised of Bristol’s theatres are in the centre – The Bristol Hippodrome and Bristol Old Vic Theatre, both of which offer a wide range of performances throughout the year.

Other interesting places to visit include Arnolfini Gallery on the Harbourside, a top contemporary arts centre; Watershed, a media centre showing independent films and other events; Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, which has some wonderful art collections as well as archaeology and natural history exhibits; and the gothic medieval beauty of Bristol Cathedral.

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Montpelier

Montpelier Bristol
Montpelier Bristol

Montpelier, Bristol UK is a trendy area just north of Bristol’s city centre that boasts a bohemian vibe. In February 2018, TravelSupermarket named Montpelier as the hippest area in the UK. 

The area offers a distinct atmosphere with its beautiful terraced houses, painted in pastel colours, and has become a popular choice for people seeking residential accommodation in Bristol.

Montpelier enjoys easy access to the city centre by bus, bike or car, and has its own railway station on Cromwell Road, making commuting outside of the city easy. The M32 and the A38 are also within easy reach, making it easy to get in and out of the city.

The History of Montpelier

Why Montpelier has this name is a mystery. It suggests a connection with the city of Montpellier in Southern France, but there is no known connection between the two places.

The history of Montpelier dates back to the 18th century when people used to travel from Bristol to bathe in the ponds of Montpelier. Thomas Rennison seized the opportunity and established Rennison’s Grand Pleasure Baths, consisting of baths, tea gardens, and a tavern called the Old England. This site became a popular destination where people went to escape for a while, and the unique vibe has remained until this day. 

The area was also historically important during the English Civil War. There used to be an old farmhouse on Ashley Hill that was used as the local headquarters of General Fairfax and General Cromwell during the war. They based themselves here before leading an assault on Bristol, which was at that time held by Royalists, in 1645.

Shopping in Montpelier

Shopping in Montpelier is a delightful experience, with a few excellent shops situated on Picton Street. Radford Mill Farm Shop has been operating for decades and specialises in whole foods and organic vegetables. C & T Licata & Son, an Italian deli, has also been around for many years and is a great place to purchase quality food and wine. For larger shops, central Bristol is just minutes away.

And then of course there’s Stokes Croft and Cheltenham road on the western border of Montpellier with their countless independent shops and cafes.

Montpelier Bars and Restaurants

Montpelier has numerous cafes, bars, and restaurants to choose from, most of which are independently run. The Bristolian Café is one of the most well-known cafes in the area, while the Old England is one of the most popular pubs. Café Kino, a vegan cafe, sells a range of delicious local and organic food, tea, coffee, local beers, ciders, and wines. The Playground is a popular artisanal bakery, coffee shop, and cocktail bar where you can enjoy craft beer and play board games.

Montpelier has plenty of other places to visit, including Oowee Diner, Rice and Things, and The Cadbury pub, which has a great little beer garden.

Other Montpelier Attractions and Places of Interest

Montpelier has loads to see, one of the first being The Silent Hobo mural at Montpelier Station which is one of the most well-known murals in Bristol. On one of the buildings on Ashley Road, you will see a plaque with the inscription stating that the actor Sir Henry Irving used to live there. He was apparently who Bram Stoker based the character Draculas on.

Montpelier Park is a pleasant green space, featuring the Rainbow Wall, where the bricks are painted in different colours.

The Charley Box is an interesting feature of Montpelier. Bristol did not have its own police force until 1836, and before this, a nightwatchman – a Charley – was employed. He had the power to arrest troublemakers and keep them in the Charley Box, and the box is still on Picton Street. You can see two cells inside, and one still has a manacle attached to the wall.