Portland Square - Bristol city centre

Bristol

Bristol is the largest centre of culture, employment and education in the region. Approximately 115 miles from London, Bristol is a city that has activities to please people from all walks of life. The excellent shopping and bustling nightlife are not to be missed, but the city has so much more to offer.

For traditional art lovers there is the Royal West of England Academy which has lots of fantastic exhibitions. Modern art fans will not be disappointed, and should visit the vibrant and exciting Arnolfini gallery to get their art fix. Bristol is also the home town of the world famous Graffiti artist Banksy and his works can be seen dotted around the centre of town. Two notable pieces are ‘Mild Mild West’ on Stokes Croft, next to The Canteen, and another on Frogmore Street.

History enthusiasts will love getting a taste for traditional Georgian life at ‘The Georgian House’, and the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery also has many fantastic and interesting exhibitions. For family groups Bristol Zoo is a must see as well as the brilliant science museum @Bristol’. They regularly have workshops, and the hands on exhibits will keep adults and little ones entertained for hours.

Another great experience can be had on a visit to the SS Great Britain, Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s restored Victorian Steam ship that gives visitors a taste of a 18th Century voyage to Australia. To continue your cultural exploration visit the Watershed Cinema or the Bristol Old Vic and take in a show.

The BBC Natural History Unit is based in Bristol and  is a department of the BBC dedicated to making television and radio programmes with a natural history or wildlife theme, especially nature documentaries. Each year it produces around 100 hours of television and 50 hours of radio, making it the largest wildlife documentary production house in the world.