Many tourists visit Clifton in Bristol for the iconic suspension bridge. And with good reason. But in the surrounding streets, you’ll find one of Bristol’s most charming neighbourhoods: Clifton Village. Filled with independent shops, cafes and bars, stunning Georgian architecture, and a surprise brutalist cathedral, it’s well worth an hour or two of your time. Here’s my guide of things to do in and around Clifton Village in Bristol.
Clifton Suspension Bridge
Hardly in need of an introduction – the Clifton Suspension Bridge is Bristol’s most iconic landmark. It’s well worth the short walk across it, as well as up to the Clifton Observatory for a panoramic view of the bridge itself. On the other side of the bridge from Clifton is a free visitors centre.
It was opened in 1864, designed by iconic engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It’s Grade I listed.
Clifton Down
Alongside the bridge is this spacious public park. As well as offering rewarding views across Avon Gorge, it hosts a number of events – such as Bristol Pride. There are several landmarks in the park itself, including Clifton Observatory and, next to it, the remnants of an Iron Age hill fort.
Beautiful residential streets
It’s a steep walk from the centre of Bristol to Clifton, but if you do walk, you’re rewarded with plenty of gorgeous residential streets. As well as impressive Georgian townhouses, you’ll find plenty of colourful streets, such as the one in the photo below, which we spotted on the walk from Hotwells (down by the water) up to the Village.
For perhaps the most affluent street in Bristol, head to the Royal York Crescent – the longest terrace in Europe. You’ll be rewarded with views across the city and harbour.
Independent shops, cafes and restaurants
The area in and around Regent Street has a village feel with lots of nice cafes and independent shops to explore. When we visited on a weekend, Boyce’s Avenue (next to the Clifton Arcade) was buzzing with people sat outside enjoying their food – it was a lovely vibe. A short walk away you’ll find Whiteladies Road, with a number of independent boutiques.
Clifton Arcade
And if you are into independent and unusual shops, head to the Clifton Arcade, home to more than 17 independent retailers. The arcade is also well worth a visit for its architecture.
The arcade was originally built in the 1870s by an architect called Joseph King – but it flopped, and he went bankrupt. The arcade spent a long time as a warehouse for a furniture company before it was restored in the 1980s and 90s, rebuilt in the Italianate style the architect had originally envisaged. It’s a gorgeous space – and though most of the shops were a bit out of our price range, we loved walking through it.
Clifton Cathedral
If you’re bored of conventional beauty and Georgian architecture, head to the nearby Clifton Cathedral. Somewhat out of keeping with the rest of the neighbourhood, this brutalist cathedral is beautiful in its own way and was something of a surprise find on our trip.
Made with lots of concrete, harsh angles, and topped with a very unusual spire, it’s well worth a look if you’re into brutalism or happen to be nearby. It was built in the 1970s – the only Catholic church built in this decade to be Grade II* listed (it’s also the newest major cathedral in the country!). Sadly it was closed when we visited, but we peered through the doors and the interior looked very impressive.
View my guide of the top 10 things to do in Bristol here.
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