Sightseeing & Tours

Free MP3 Audio Tours

• Discover Bristol at your own pace with our free MP3 audio tours available to download from this website. Take your pick from The Bristol Quayside Adventure or The Bristol Heritage Walk, plus many more. Visit our Multimedia section to find out more.

Walking and Guided Tours

• Bristol and South West Tour Guides offer groups a wide variety of informative and entertaining walking and coach tours in Bristol and Bath, The Cotswolds, The Wye Valley and Somerset, Wiltshire and Devon. Regular guided walks include the Bristol Highlights walk, Bristol's Historic Wine Merchants, the Clifton Walk and Medieval Bristol.

• Bristol Highlights Walk - Discover the harbour, old town and city centre every Saturday from April - late September. Meet at 11am at the black beetle statue in Anchor Square. Other walks available by arrangement for groups include Clifton, Redcliffe, and the slave trade trail.

• Bristol Pirate Walks - Join Pete the Pirate for a 2 hour guided walking tour of Bristol's historic harbourside. Learn about Bristol's 16th, 17th and 18th century maritime past and its history of discovery, trade, slavery and piracy. Walks take place at 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays from the black beetle statue in Anchor Square.

• Clifton Suspension Bridge - Enjoy an entertaining guided tour and walk of Brunel's great Clifton Suspension Bridge. Free guided tours are provided on Sunday afternoons from Easter to mid-September. Meet/start at 3.00pm at the Clifton toll booth.

• Arnos Vale Cemetery – A historic cemetery featuring 45 acres of beautiful landscape, which is home to a diverse range of wildlife as well to the graves of hundreds of famous social reformers, celebrities, religious pioneers, nautical and military heroes. Guided tours available.

• Walk Bristol - Enjoy a guided tour around Bristol's ancient Old City by Bristol experts, with entertaining, enlightening and educational commentary along the way.

View a full schedule of guided walks in Bristol.

Boat and Ferry Tours

• Bristol Ferry Boat Tours - Choose from a range of themed cruises and tours along the Avon Gorge, including Afternoon Cream Teas, Wildlife Experience specials or a special evening cruise to see the Clifton Suspension Bridge illuminated in all its splendour. River trips last between 2-4 hours and regular ferries operate throughout the day.

• The Bristol Packet Boat Trips - Enjoy a guided cruise around Bristol's harbour, along the river to Bath or along the Avon Gorge under the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Boats depart from Brunel's ss Great Britain, city centre, Watershed and Welsh Back (near Bristol Bridge).

• The Matthew - Enjoy a gentle cruise around Bristol's historic harbour on The Matthew - a modern recreation of the square rigged caravel in which John Cabot sailed from Bristol to Newfoundland in 1497. Trips last 1 hour and leave at various times throughout the day. Booking is essential.

• Number Seven Boat Trips - Operating a fleet of four spacious, comfortable boats, this popular passenger ferry service runs private charter trips around Bristol and along the River Avon. A fantastic way to explore the city and surrounding countryside.

• Avon River Cruises - Take a ride on a luxury cruiser from Bristol harbour in winter and from Bath to Bristol in the summer. A great venue for any occasion - parties, private charters, business meetings, family celebrations, weddings and other special events catered for. Excellent hot or cold food can be prepared by the chef in the on-board kitchen.

• Tangaroa - An impressive 82ft long wooden sailing ship, the Tangaroa offers harbour tours and trips from the centre of Bristol along the Avon Gorge to Portishead, Cardiff, Cornwall, Devon and France. Try your hand at sailing or simply sit back and enjoy the atmosphere of a classic tall ship. Trips last from 2 hours to several weeks, with both public trips and private charters available.

• Waverley and Balmoral Cruises - Cruise in style aboard the paddle steamer Waverley or the motor vessel Balmoral - the last remaining ships of their kind. Both ships are part of the National Core Collection of Historic Ships, and at over 200ft long, they're perfect for a stroll along the promenade sun decks, viewing the gleaming engine rooms, or relaxing with refreshments in the dining saloons and bars.

Bus and Coach Tours

• City Sightseeing Open Top Bus - See the sights of Bristol from the famous open top City Sightseeing Bus, which runs from April to the end of September each year. Hop on and off as many times as you like, with stops available at key locations throughout the city.

• Vacation England - Personalised small group tours for a maximum of five people, including day trips to major heritage sites as well as those little-known places off the beaten track. Tours available throughout Wales and the South West of England.

Building Tours

• Bristol Cathedral Tours - Enjoy a guided tour around the inside of the beautiful cathedral of Bristol, taking a look at the architecture, history and remarkable contents of this ancient building. Tours are held most Saturdays from May to October. Special conducted tours are also available.

• Doors Open Day (September) - For one day only, you have the opportunity to see inside some of Bristol's most important and impressive buildings, many of which are not normally open to the general public. Some buildings may need to be pre-booked to view - the event is free of charge.

You can find out more about all guided tours, walks and trips around Bristol and the surrounding region by contacting the Bristol Tourist Information Centre.