About Bristol City Centre and Old City

The City Centre and Old City of Bristol are the heart of the city and offer a superb taste of culture, food, history and fantastic shopping opportunities. A trip to Bristol would not be complete without a visit to its central area.

Bristol Shopping Quarter

Bristol's shopping quarter has over 500 stores, more than 50 cafes and restaurants, great cinemas and entertainment.

The amazing range of shops - from the world famous Harvey Nichols and a flagship House of Fraser to one of the largest Primarks in the country - means that whatever you're looking for, you're sure to find it in the centre of Bristol. From mid-November until late-December, Bristol Shopping Quarter is also home to popular German-themed and local Christmas markets.

The Old City

A veritable rabbit warren of diverse businesses and projects piled into a small, charming space. The streets of the Old City including Broad Street, Corn Street, St Nicholas Market, King Street, Welsh Back and Queen Square remain much the same today as they were hundreds of years ago and are dotted with cobbled streets, secret alleys and interesting architecture. A wander through the Old City will be overflowing with character.

As the name might suggest, this area contains some of the oldest buildings in the city and is described as the medieval heart. Take a heritage walk around the area to discover what remains of Norman Bristol and the city wall remain, then find a spot at one of the many independent and quirky coffee shops in the area for watching the world go by.

Or take a break in Georgian Queen Square which is leafy, peaceful and perfect for picnics. It also hosts a number of events throughout the warmer months, not least the Bristol Harbour Festival in July.

You can eat and drink at some of the best restaurants and bars in the city in this area, including restaurants aboard boats, secret speakeasies, jazz pubs, a cacophony of street food stalls and world-famous pies.

This area is home to some of the most diverse shopping in bristol too. So take the time to browse the stalls of the covered St Nicholas Market, and the old Corn Exchange where you will find anything from jewellery, records and crystals to games to hats and instruments. Also don't miss the original 'nails' on Corn Street where the English expression 'paying on the nail' is thought to have originated.

Or stroll towards the ancient, steep and winding seven streets of Christmas Steps Arts Quarter, which have been frequented by visitors since the 1600s and come complete with its own small theatre, a museum, pubs, restaurants and eclectic shops.