Bristol Harbourside Self-Guided Walking Tour

Millennium Square is on a site known as Canon’s Marsh. This was originally marshy land found where the river Frome, flowing from the North-East, joined the Avon, flowing from the East. The land was drained and built on in the early 18th Century. Dive deep in all it's rich history.

This is one part of the city where skateboarders are able to ride, whereas in other places you will see anti-skateboarding architecture. Learn all about the historical past and the importance of this awesome place here!

Pero’s bridge opened in 1999 and was named in honour of an important local figure in Bristol. But who was this important figure? Why the Bridge has a pair of horn-shaped sculptures? Helen will answer all these questions and give you the whole story on her tour.

This stood in the approximate location of the present-day fountains. Hear this awesome tale and some recommendations worth visiting around this beautiful area.

Here you will learn about an important Church (Abbey), some works of art of an extremely famous artist, another beautiful chapel and a museum. Tag along!

e of ship captains, traders and ship workers moving goods back and forth between boats and stores. Imagine these scenes while you hear Helen's awesome stories.

This area used to be marshland that was used for dumping rubbish and weaponry practice. Houses were built here from 1699, beginning with the south side of the square.

This area is a bustling hub in the evening, with bars and fine restaurants, some of which are on boats. But what about its unusual name? What does it say about it's history?

Castle Park is the site of the old castle and Bristol’s medieval settlement. Discover its bristling history with Helen.

nd St Mary Le Port churches in the background. The Bristol Bridge is believed to have been the place where the settlement of Bristol began. Relax, watch and listen to Helen's stories here.

This part of the city is called Redcliffe. The church that you see today is not the original; the church from Henry I’s time fell into disrepair and was rebuilt in the 14th century.

Redcliffe is named after the bright red Triassic sandstone rocks that can be seen from where you’re standing. Houses along Redcliffe Wharf are built above a cave system leading all the way back to St Mary Redcliffe church.

The Ostrich pub (at the entrance to the basin) was built around 1745. It would once have been used by sailors, dock workers and merchants.

The docks are therefore very different today from their very busy trading times of the past. If you look closely enough, you will find lots of evidence of what the city docks were like.

This surprisingly small replica ship sailed across the Atlantic to Canada in 1997 to mark the 500th anniversary of Cabot’s journey.

The M Shed is free to enter museum about Bristol. It is one of the few parts of the harbourside to retain all of its original features and is well worth a visit if you have time.

This location wasn’t always as pleasant as it is today. In the 1800s, Bristol Docks would have been packed with boats loading and unloading their goods.

The SS Great Britain was built on this dock. Built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, it was the largest ever and the first ship to be constructed using iron. When the ship was launched in 1843, it was said to be ‘the greatest experiment since the creation’.