Bristol City Docks
Bristol City Docks
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
1,027 reviews
Excellent
552
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418
Average
48
Poor
5
Terrible
4
permia
Ireland68,229 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
From their trading apogee almost a couple of centuries ago the scale of redevelopment is impressive. As has been happening in many such cities.
Warehouses used to store traded goods have either been demolished or used for different roles today. One such is the Arnolfini Arts Centre that is at home in Bush House, a 19th-century tea warehouse that is Grade II Listed.
Many fine historic ships are stationed along the keys. Most notably the tremendous Brunel's SS Great Britain.
There is a notorious dark side to the harbour and port, the odious slave trade. Bristol was a major British port in use for the traffic of slaves across the Atlantic.
It has been estimated that Bristol Merchants were responsible for the transportation of around 500,000 enslaved African people to the Caribbean and North America.
Warehouses used to store traded goods have either been demolished or used for different roles today. One such is the Arnolfini Arts Centre that is at home in Bush House, a 19th-century tea warehouse that is Grade II Listed.
Many fine historic ships are stationed along the keys. Most notably the tremendous Brunel's SS Great Britain.
There is a notorious dark side to the harbour and port, the odious slave trade. Bristol was a major British port in use for the traffic of slaves across the Atlantic.
It has been estimated that Bristol Merchants were responsible for the transportation of around 500,000 enslaved African people to the Caribbean and North America.
Written July 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brmusicman
Chicago, IL3,154 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
This area of Bristol, accessible on foot and within a relatively short distance of the train station, is worth visiting if you’re making a day trip to the city. They’ve got a cool mix of ‘new urban’ and ‘old industrial’ vibes.
The scene is pretty, with the water and the city of Bristol (with its classic colorful houses, etc.) rising on the cliffs about the water.
There’s an interesting museum about the history of the area. And you can visit some historic boats.
The area made for a nice walk at the end of my day in Bristol. If you want time in the museums, though, you should head here towards the beginning of your Bristol visit.
All in all, interesting and fun.
The scene is pretty, with the water and the city of Bristol (with its classic colorful houses, etc.) rising on the cliffs about the water.
There’s an interesting museum about the history of the area. And you can visit some historic boats.
The area made for a nice walk at the end of my day in Bristol. If you want time in the museums, though, you should head here towards the beginning of your Bristol visit.
All in all, interesting and fun.
Written October 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
futtock21
London, UK17,277 contributions
Apr 2021 • Solo
Not quite Bristol’s answer to London’s Canary Wharf because the latter has transformed itself from one trading hub to another whereas what was once Bristol’s City Docks is now a sprawling museum and gastronomic leisure and tourist attraction. Where else can one visit proud relics of a maritime past such as Brunei’s SS Graat Britain and a replica of the caravel in which John Cabot sailed to North America in 1496 alongside double decker containers housing cheek by jowl some of the best and trendiest of Bristol’s eateries? Whereas many of the residents of London’s new East End have been forced out by the megaliths of international commerce, Bristol’s docklands have been primarily regenerated by new residential developments. Particularly extraordinary is the access to the ultra-modern flats and eateries through the moth of the entrance to Bristol’s medieval gaol, some of whose walls flank recent residential blocks. Both London and Bristol have their Wapping wharves. Both have docklands museums. Bristol’s is housed in a giant warehouse strangely prefixed by an M, the interior of which looked a bit deserted today although its cafe with an outside cafe was doing a roaring trade this sunny Friday afternoon.
Written May 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
apophisguard
Staffordshire, UK3,142 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
A nice enough walk along the former docks on a sunny day, but I can imagine it's quite dour in inclement weather. Most of the former buildings have been converted into bars/cafes and even a decent museum. If you like boats, there's plenty to see here and it's also the home to "The Matthew" - the replica Tudor ship subject of a television series a few years ago.
If you're visiting Bristol, it's worth an hour or two just to people watch and visit one of the cafes.
If you're visiting Bristol, it's worth an hour or two just to people watch and visit one of the cafes.
Written February 23, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abid S
Huddersfield, UK31 contributions
Aug 2021
On our visit to Bristol, we felt there was something missing, something about this famous city that we just hadnt explored. Yes we went around the centre, the parks, the museums and the missing component which really made our visit memorable was going to the harbourside. We parked up at the Millenium square, came up the lift and as soon as the lift opened to our suprise there was a fairground, some rides and hook a duck stalls. Great for the kids, i exclaimed to myself, yes i did it, finally found the missing piece to summarise our journey. It had a science museum and an aquarium within a short walk, we strolled across on the banks of the docks, seeing some lovely boats parked up, and just enjoyed the lovely scenery. What i loved about the docks is that theyve modernised it and there are plenty of restaurants etc. Add this beauty to you iterniary, you wont regret it !
Written September 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JTJD
United Kingdom1,058 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
Wow! We simply loved this part of Bristol, really loved it.
So interesting to see something of the cities industrial past. Huge old cranes loom over the old docks & storage sheds have been renovated into bars, restaurants & museums. It has a lovely vibe, great to stroll around by the water, take photos & relax.
So interesting to see something of the cities industrial past. Huge old cranes loom over the old docks & storage sheds have been renovated into bars, restaurants & museums. It has a lovely vibe, great to stroll around by the water, take photos & relax.
Written November 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cymro
Coimbra, Portugal3,305 contributions
Feb 2020
I parked my car at the Pay & Display parking area in Museum, just passed the railway sidings, and then walked along the docks. There are a few cafés along the dock side and the views were interesting. When there a visit to the M Shed, the Museum of the City of Bristol, is a must. At the end of the docks you can walk over the Prince Street Bridge into the city centre.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JuneBug1939
Weston super Mare, UK4,743 contributions
Jan 2022
We walked 15 minutes from Bedminster Station to the fairly-new development at Wapping Wharf. What an eye-opener! I never realised what delights we would find behind the M Shed. There are restaurants galore, Italian, Mexican eateries, fish restaurants, exotic fruit shops, gift shops, a fabulous bookshop (Bookhaus) where I bought a book for my daughter's upcoming birthday, and the whole development is very atmospheric and so different around there. We thought we were abroad somewhere! Highly recommended
Written January 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seaside41748273942
Hereford, UK32 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Visited Sept 17th, walked all the way round the dock lands and had no idea what a special place this was. Loads of History, the SS Great Britain, a Steam Train going up and down, great atmosphere and loads of places to drink and eat. Even a Ferry to help you across if you want to skip the long walk to the bridges. Absolutely beautiful settings and will be going back soon, love this place.
Written September 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
baz653
London, UK91 contributions
Sep 2020
the docks have been transformed into an amazing place ,lots of marinas with modern flats been transformed all around there ,many cafes.restaurants serving nice cuisine so much history going on .what a lovely time i had
Written September 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you park over night in the park and ride carpark?
Written September 26, 2023
Lois B
Fleet, United Kingdom
Could you give me directions from the M4 and also the post codes
Written March 13, 2015
Take the M4 on to The M32 Follow to the End of M32 and Turn Left follow duel carriageway and the signs to the Docks U cant miss it or get lost at docks plenty of carparking
Written October 27, 2016
Lois B
Fleet, United Kingdom
Could you please give me directions to Bristol Docks from the M4 motorway
Many thanks
Lois Bailey
Written March 13, 2015
Hi.you need to get onto the M5 from the M4 then get off at junction 18.Take the A4 Portway and continue to Hotwells . Follow the signs from there to the City Docks. Enjoy !
Written October 30, 2016
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