Making the most of Bristol
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Ships berth at Avonmouth, a Bristol suburb some 7 miles from the city centre. The port frequently serves cruises beginning their itinerary here.
This harbour has the world’s second-largest tidal range. Lock gates and impounding pumps maintain a minimum level inside the dock, replacing water lost to the open sea whenever vessels enter or leave.
The port occupies the north side of the River Avon’s mouth, where it meets the Severn estuary.
Modern Bristol is a thriving city with major attractions including Brunel’s SS Great Britain, Clifton Suspension Bridge, the cathedral, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, and one of the UK’s best zoos.
Bristol’s Floating Harbour is the city’s jewel, with numerous attractions on or beside the water.
Getting around
Bristol is extensive and contains several central districts, so a map helps visitors understand its layout. The excellent free version from the Harbourside Tourist Information Centre is particularly useful.
Most central Bristol destinations, especially Harbourside and Old City, are reasonably easy to reach on foot. Attractive routes follow the quays and pedestrianised streets.
Use the hop-on, hop-off bus services.
The Floating Harbour at Bristol’s heart winds through the city centre and can resemble a river, though it is actually a dock. Ships used it for centuries, bringing trade and prosperity. Engineers created the non-tidal harbour in the early 19th century by diverting the River Avon south into the New Cut and installing locks. Industrial shipping has largely disappeared, replaced by leisure craft, upmarket waterside flats and occasional visiting sailing ships.
Bristol Packet runs narrated city-dock cruises daily in school holidays and at weekends throughout the year.
Nearby places
Weston-super-Mare is probably the nearest seaside resort, offering sand and plenty of family entertainment. An adult day return from Bristol Temple Meads costs £6.30. If possible, travel by train because the equivalent bus-station fare to Weston-super-Mare is upwards of £8.
Food and shopping
Cabot Circus is a large and architecturally striking central Bristol shopping centre that opened in 2008.
Money
Pound sterling (£) is used throughout the UK, and pounds may also be called quid. Scottish banknotes can be poorly received elsewhere in the country, so exchange them before leaving Scotland.