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You are here: Things To Do > Historic & Heritage

Tyntesfield

National Trust Victorian Gothic house, gardens, woodland, 3 play areas, 2 cafes, and shop...Phew!…

Bristol Old Vic Theatre

Britain's oldest working theatre showcases some of the most cutting-edge theatre in the country.

Clifton Observatory

The Bristol tourist attraction features a Camera Obscura and Cave and sits above the Avon Gorge…

Underfall Yard

Underfall Yard – the heart of Bristol’s harbour since 1809 and the machines that powered a port.

Bristol History & Heritage

Although very much a modern European city, Bristol’s history goes back thousands of years. This is very visible from the eclectic mix of buildings lining the streets, some of which can be traced back to the origins of the small settling of Brigstow.

Bristol is a real melting pot of architecture through the ages from the ruins of the Norman castle in Castle Park, to the gothic masterpieces of Bristol Cathedral and St Mary Redcliffe. A stroll around the Georgian streets of Clifton and Redland is as picturesque as it is relaxing.

Scenes from the recent BBC drama Wolf Hall was filmed in the area and Bristol is a haven of Tudor history. Thornbury Castle, Ashton Court Mansion and the Red Lodge Museum, with its Elizabethan Knot garden, are fine examples of Tudor Bristol.

If you’re more interested in fossils, rocks and other gems however, head to Bristol Museum and Art Gallery for a walk through our natural history where some fascinating items found in nearby areas such as Mangotsfield are on display.

Bristol has an incredibly rich maritime history, being one of the major ports for trade. A visit to M Shed museum documents the history of Bristol or go below deck on the ss Great Britain, just one of Brunel's magnificent pieces of work. Both are a great family day out in Bristol.

The Heritage Pub Crawl is a great way to sample some local ales and ciders as you take in some of the history of Bristol. Look out for the poster in local shops.

Bristol has a number of walking tours and audio tours to help you to make the most of your time in Bristol and to see as much of the history and heritage of Bristol that interests you.

You can also purchase a range of history books and guides from our online shop.

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Brunel's SS Great Britain

Harbourside

Step aboard the world’s first great ocean liner, dating back to 1843. Tour the ship, climb the rigging, head deep into the Dry Dock and meet Victorian passengers and explore two additional museums in the historic dockyard
Aerospace Bristol

Filton

Ready for boarding, Aerospace Bristol tells the amazing story of Bristol’s world-class aerospace industry and gives you and your family the chance to step aboard a British icon, Concorde Alpha Foxtrot.
Tyntesfield

Wraxall

National Trust Victorian Gothic house, gardens, woodland, 3 play areas, 2 cafes, and shop...Phew! And all on Bristol's doorstep. Open every day.
Bristol Cathedral

Central Bristol

Much more than a fascinating building, being a fine example of a hall church, it is a centre of Bristol's history, civic life and culture

Price
Free
Bristol Old Vic Theatre

Old City

Britain's oldest working theatre showcases some of the most cutting-edge theatre in the country.
Blackbeard to Banksy the Ultimate Bristol Walking Tour

Central Bristol

Combine the fascinating history of Bristol with the city's best street art on this tour which takes in many of the sights and interesting facts.
Bowood House and Gardens

Wiltshire

Bowood House & Gardens at Bowood Hotel Spa & Golf Resort

Price
Guide Price From £8.00 to £46.50 Per Ticket
Clifton Observatory

Clifton

The Bristol tourist attraction features a Camera Obscura and Cave and sits above the Avon Gorge offering superb views of Bristol.
Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust

Central Bristol

Step into a secret world and discover 45 green acres where the history of Bristol is told in a leafy and tranquil setting.
Berkeley Castle

Berkeley

Berkeley Castle is a beautiful and historic Castle, begun in 1117 and still remains the home of the Berkeley family. It is a great day-out for all the family, hosting special events on bank holidays and during school holidays
Treasure Island Trail

Central Bristol

The Treasure Island Trail is a fun, family-friendly trail and app that guides you round Bristol’s historic Floating Harbour to discover Bristol’s literary connections, maritime history and tales of piracy!
Clifton Observatory's Giants Cave

Clifton

Ghyston’s Cave, sometimes known as the Giants Cave or Foxhole is a natural cave in the limestone face of St Vincent’s Rocks in the Avon Gorge.
The Red Lodge Museum

West End

A historic Elizabethan house, with a stunning walled garden and many original or otherwise completely restored features.
Somerset Rural Life Museum

Bristol & Bath

Visitors to Somerset Rural Life Museum can explore Somerset’s rural and social history from the 1800s onwards, discovering more about the county’s landscape, farming, working life and rural crafts.
The Royal Mint Experience

Bristol & Bath

The only place in the world where you can watch the United Kingdom's coins being made. Go behind the scenes to follow the journey of a coin in our Guided Factory Experience.
John Wesley's Chapel 'The New Room'

Bristol Shopping Quarter

The oldest Methodist building in the world, constructed as a meeting room and accommodation after Wesley began to preach in 1739.
Underfall Yard

Central Bristol

Underfall Yard – the heart of Bristol’s harbour since 1809 and the machines that powered a port.
Blaise Castle House Museum and Estate

Henbury

Unique mansion that houses some stunning period costumes and everyday Victorian objects, including model trains, dolls and toys

Price
Free
Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre

Clifton

See displays and artefacts explaining the history, construction and maintenance of the world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge

Price
Free
St John on the Wall

Old City

The only surviving church founded by Walter Frampton and built on Bristol's saxon inner town wall during the 12th century

Price
Free

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Where to Stay Hotels \| Bed & Breakfasts \| Self Catering \| Serviced Apartments \| Alternative Accommodation \|	Things To Do Animals & Nature \| Museums & Galleries \| Attractions \| Sightseeing & Tours \| Sports & Adventure \| Theatre & Performance \| Street Art \| Nightlife \| Landmarks \| Music \| Recommended For \| Spa & Beauty \| Historic & Heritage \| Gardens & Parks \| Cinemas & Film \| Play Centres & Playgrounds \|	What's On Events Calendar \| Festivals \| This Week in Bristol \| Theatre & Performance \| Food & Drink \| Firework Displays in Bristol \| Concerts & Gigs \| Exhibitions \| Comedy \| Free Events \| Family Events \| Sporting Events \|
Food & Drink Pre-Theatre Dining \| Restaurants & Gastro Pubs \| Pubs & Bars \| Best of Bristol \| Food and Drink Experiences \| Breakfast & Brunch \| Lunches & Cafes \| Afternoon Tea \| Cookery Schools \| Sunday Lunch \| Street Food in Bristol \| Food Events \|	Shopping Bristol Shopping Quarter \| Park Street & Queens Road \| Gloucester Road & Stokes Croft \| Markets \| The Mall at Cribbs Causeway \| Clifton Village & Whiteladies Road \| Old City \| Christmas Steps \| Old Market \| Bedminster & Southville \| Special offers \|	Inspire Me All about Bristol \| Families \| Free things to do \| LGBT Bristol \| Green \|
Your Visit Areas Of Bristol \| Maps \| Travelling To Bristol \| Travelling Around Bristol \| Visitor Information \| Groups \| Study in Bristol \|	Blog	Meet Bristol Plan An Event \| Attending a Conference \| Why Bristol \| What We Do \| Conference Special Offers \| Make An Enquiry \|

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