We all know that Bristol is a modern city offering all activities a person may need. You’ll have access to hundreds of restaurants, different bars, nightclubs, shopping centres, etc. However, there’s one part of the city that’s truly magnificent, and that is the Bristol Old City. That is the place where you’ll learn more about the city’s history.
You’ll stare in awe at the numerous spectacular buildings with medieval architecture and peculiar design. The small antique-styled pubs are located along the paved-stone streets. If you wish to know more about Bristol old city, make sure you read our blog post until its very end.
Corn Street: A Key Destination In Bristol Old City
Corn Street is undoubtedly one of the most prominent streets you can take a walk on while in Bristol Old City. The peculiar name is believed to originate from the legend that this was the street where people used to trade corn daily. Since the 13th century, Corn Street is believed to be one of the most business-oriented streets in Bristol.
Today, Corn Street is an incredibly favoured destination not only by tourists but by residents of Brizzle, as well. Not only does the street shelter numerous historic buildings, but there you’ll also find a number of cute cosy restaurants and coffee places. Not to mention the Farmers and Producers markets that are held weekly and welcome everyone to join. The Street Food markets are also popular, and they are organized twice a week.
If you are lucky to find yourself on Corn Street during one of these festivals, you’ll surely enjoy a diversity of homemade products and various delicious meals. Art lovers will also appreciate the “Nails” market held semi-weekly. There, you’ll have the chance to see magnificent art pieces, such as paintings, photographs, hand-made jewellery, and clothing.
Have A Break in the Wonderful Queen Square
Queen Square in the Old City of Bristol is the perfect location to have a break from the hours-long walks around the beautiful streets. The greenish square, however, was not as lovely as it is today. Back in the 1830s, the now relaxing location was a centre of a serious and violent riot, and many buildings got demolished. That disturbance was provoked by the arrival of Sir Charles Wetherell in Brizzle.
Wetherell’s antipathy towards Bristollians’ support led to him being welcomed by flying stones. Fortunately, however, in the upcoming years, the Queen Square got reformed, and today, it’s one of the nicest destinations in the Bristol Old City. When the weather allows it, people get to enjoy outdoor activities, such as watching movies on large cinema screens, live music performances, and exhibitions. Estimations show that the average number of visitors per year exceeds 1.5 million.
Prepare for A Shopping Adventure at St Nicholas Market
The Bristol Old City is said to be one of the best shopping places in Bristol. Whether you like buying clothes, jewellery, shoes, food – you’re promised to find what you’re looking for there. St Nicholas Market is the oldest and probably the most notable shopping area in Bristol. It’s home to various small shops, bars, bakeries, coffee shops, and restaurants.
At St Nicholas Market, you’ll also get to walk around the piled-up bookshelves in Beware of the Leopard Books. The number of second-hand books exceeds 20,000, and you’re very likely to find a piece you’ve been looking for for ages. Retro toy shops and records shops are also open for visitors, offering an immense variety of goods. The other traders’ stalls are packed with great items, such as jewellery, vintage clothing, artworks, etc..
Try the Tasty Street Food in Bristol Old City
Bristol Old City is the location where you’ll find the greatest diversity of delicious and fresh street food. Sweets, ice cream, baked goods, pizzas, burgers – it’s all there. Not the mention the oldest sweet shop you can visit, namely the Treasure Island Sweets. The diversity of candy includes more than one hundred different flavours. The authentic pubs The Crown and The Rummer Hotel have been existent since 1741, and today, they’re two of the most visited bars in the city.
Whether you prefer eating clean, or you enjoy having junk food every now and then, the food stalls in Bristol have everything to offer. Many places offer freshly squeezed juices and healthy snacks, such as salads and bars. On the other hand, the majority of food stalls grab passengers’ attention thanks to the mouth-watering meals, including but not limited to pulled pork, wraps, cakes, and burgers.
In Bristol Old City streets, you’ll find cuisine from all over the world. Without any problem, you’ll get to try out peculiar and traditional dishes from many different countries, such as:
- Japan
- Mexico
- Japan
- China
- India
- Peru
One of the best places to discover new meals is St Nicholas Market. The place is known not only for the shops’ variety but for the immense number of food stalls, as well. Harbourside Market is another place to explore unknown foods during the weekly festivals.
Final Words
Without a doubt, we can conclude that Bristol Old City is a location that needs to be visited by every Bristol first-timer. The great historical place will not only help you learn more about the history of the city but will also provide you with the chance to explore hundreds of wonderful locations.
