You will find two world-class universities in Bristol: the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England.

university of bristol

Located in the heart of the city, the University of Bristol is considered by many to be amongst the finest universities in the UK and is a significant part of Bristol’s history. More than 15,700 students from 130 different countries attend the school, receiving an intellectually-demanding education from academics with international reputations in their fields. The University of Bristol has a diverse, vibrant community and graduating students are highly sought-after by employers.

the university of the west of england (uwe)

This university offers more than 600 courses at undergraduate, postgraduate, professional, and short course levels to more than 30,000 students from around the world. Many of these courses are influenced by their partners in business and industry.

The University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) has a research community that aids in the development of Bristol and the surrounding area by contributing to advances in industry, public services, and commerce.

As a student in Bristol, you will want some activities to fill your time outside of your studies, but you may be on a tight budget. Fortunately, among the many sights and activities that Bristol offers, many are inexpensive or even free, including:

Bristol Museum And Art Gallery

The Bristol Museum and Art Gallery features 19 galleries over 3 floors, dedicated to art, archaeology, geology, and natural history. You’ll find over 1200 works of art from the 19th century to modern times, all housed in this beautiful building, along with other fascinating displays.

Underfall Yard

This working boatyard called Underfall Yard has a free visitor centre with a giant interactive map of the city’s floating harbour and water system, as well as many hands-on displays. Restored in the 90s, Underfall Yard has been designated as a nationally important archaeological site.

The Matthew

The Matthew is a reconstruction of the ship that brought John Cabot to Newfoundland in 1497. The replica took two years to complete at a cost of approximately 2.9 million pounds. The ship is 24m in length with a beam of 6.25m and draft of 2.1m. Visitors can climb on board, climb to the upper decks, and imagine how things looked to sailors long ago.

Banksy Walking Tour

Bristol is the hometown of street artist, political activist, and film director Banksy. As you might expect, there are many examples of his work throughout the city that can be seen by downloading the Banksy Trail app.

From cosy pubs to Michelin-starred restaurants, Bristol has something for everyone. When you are looking for a bite to eat, why not consider one of these locations:

purezza

If you think that plant-based mozzarella that tastes and melts like the real thing is simply not possible, the staff at Purezza would like a word with you. This plant-based pizzeria opened its Bristol location in 2020, giving locals a taste of their award-winning pizzas. Definitely worth trying!

the hatchet

The Hatchet is one of the oldest pubs in the city, with tremendous history. According to legend, the front door—which may be more than 300 years old—is lined with the skin of executed criminals. While this is highly doubtful, the thought of it was enough to prompt a visitor in the 1960s to offer a large sum of money for it. Despite the grisly tale, the Hatchet is a great place to grab a pint, though it’s BYO when it comes to food, so grab something on the way.

bulrush

Since opening in 2015, Bulrush has established itself as a great place to go for its wonderful dishes, which have earned it a coveted Michelin star. Set on two floors, it’s recommended to stay downstairs to make the most of its relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

So, you have visited some cultural sights and had a great meal. Now that the moon has come up, what can you expect from Bristol’s nightlife?

To begin with, you can expect top DJs in some of the huge clubs, underground live gigs, comedy shows, karaoke bars, and much more. If you are looking for a good time, Bristol is the place to be. You will find many excellent bars and pubs and a thriving craft beer scene.

Bristol is well-known for several of its clubs, such as the floating boat club Thekla and The Fleece, a famous live music and club night venue. It’s also home to Motion, voted one of the best clubs in the world.

How can you go wrong?

With tremendous nightlife, fascinating history, rich culture, and of course, world-class education, Bristol is waiting for you

bristol international balloon fiesta

Bristol’s August balloon festival attracts hot air balloons from around the globe, making it the largest of its type in Europe. You will see more than 100 hot air balloons take to the sky at dawn and at dusk, as well as the Night Glows, featuring balloons that light up in the sky in sync with music.

berkeley castle

This castle, begun in 1117, remains the home of the Berkeley family to this day. It is a beautiful castle that makes for a great day out, providing a glimpse into the distant past. The castle hosts special events on bank holidays and school holidays.

clifton suspension bridge

The Clifton Suspension Bridge is a world-famous symbol of Bristol, spanning the Avon Gorge and River Avon. Designed in 1831 by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, he did not live to see its completion in 1864. Built for pedestrian and horse-drawn traffic, it was so brilliantly constructed that today it remains safe for vehicles, carrying around 4 million across the 76-metre gorge each year.

red lodge museum

This historic Elizabethan house features a magnificent walled garden that was restored in the 1980s. Once inside, you will experience more than 400 years of history and discover—as workmen accidentally did in 2010—the Red Lodge well, a private water supply that was probably built around 1580.