Put away your money: the best free things to do in Bristol

Leah Robertson 13 August 2018
Various Bristol landmarks

Students don't tend to be known for their riches so here are seven things to do in Bristol that won’t cost you a penny.


Clifton Suspension Bridge

Naturally, this comes at the top of the list. Bristol is famous for its suspension bridge and that’s not for no reason. The hill leading up to the observatory offers some great views for your Instagram story and if you’re willing to spend a bit of money, check out the actual observatory building for a better view, or head to the Cori Tap afterwards for some of their famously-strong cider.

Clifton Suspension Bridge

Cabot Tower

If you find you’re not yet sick of great views and architecture, head to Brandon Hill and climb up Cabot Tower. Brandon Hill itself is amazing for picnics or a walk but the tower isn’t for the claustrophobic - those stairways get super narrow towards the top.

Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery

After you’re done with Cabot Tower, this museum on Queen’s Road is only a five-minute walk away. They’re open to donations but the lovely staff there are not pushy about it. They’ve got dinosaurs, art and even a Banksy, but let’s be serious - the dinosaurs are the most important part. Go on a weekday so you don’t have to fight any small children to play the games in the dino section.

M-Shed

This space is sometimes used by UWE Students as a place for them to do exhibitions and showcase their art but it’s actually pretty good. The museum used to be an industrial one and now showcases interactive exhibits about the history of Bristol. There is even a book made of skin for reasons I can only wonder about...

Blaise Castle Estate

According to my sources, this estate is 650 acres, so it’s a great place for wandering around. There’s a museum on the estate that talks about Bristol’s history from the 1730s onwards and a Roman Villa that you can pick up a key to visit. It’s also one of the few places in Bristol that allow barbeques, which is a nice bonus.

Blaise Castle

Ashton Court and Estate

Ashton Court is a bit out of the way and unfortunately right next to UWE’s Bower Ashton Campus, but one bonus is that the 71 goes there regularly. There are ALWAYS cute dogs here so it’s worth the journey. There’s normally no charge for admission unless a special event is running, and it’s a great place to relax and enjoy a bit of nature.

If you have a bit of cash, you can hire a mountain bike (which is pretty cheap), or alternatively, bring your own to have a crack at the trails found on the grounds.

Banksy Tour

Banksy is probably one of the first things you think of after the Suspension Bridge when someone says Bristol and you may see hundreds of Spanish Banksy tours a day being lead around our lovely city, but you can actually go and do it yourself - it’s not just for tourists! Visit Bristol has a few ideas about which ones to see here.

Have you ever been to Bristol? What did you think? Join the Student Hut Community today to get access to our paid surveys and exclusive content like this sent straight to your inbox.

Leah Robertson 13 August 2018