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Bristol Harbourside Self-Guided Walking Tour

10 Reviews 4.70 out of 5 stars Based on 10 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 90% of travelers | Bristol, England

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On average, this is booked 29 (0) days in advance.

2 to 3 hours (approx.)
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Overview

Discover Bristol's rich history with Helen's self-guided walking tour of the city's harborside. Led by a local expert with 25 years of experience, she'll take you through the heart of the city, showcasing its vibrant culture and fascinating past.

From the ruins of the old castle to the SS Great Britain, you'll experience firsthand the transformation of the city over the centuries. With insider recommendations on the best places to visit, eat, and drink, this tour offers a unique and immersive way to explore Bristol.

Our self-guided tour allows you to explore at your own pace, take breaks when you need to, and even revisit your favourite spots. The app is designed to provide a seamless experience, with offline maps, audio commentary, and insider recommendations for you to get the most out of your visit.

Whether you're a history buff or just looking to experience the city like a local, Helen's Bristol Experience is the perfect way to discover all that this vibrant city has to offer.

What's Included

  • Audio guide, videos, pictures, recommendations and all the info you need
  • Email with instructions to activate your tour (booking reference isn't the code!)
  • 3 weeks unlimited access to this Self-Guided Tour on the app
  • In-person Guide
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

C9XX+WRR Bristol
UK

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Great Western Dockyard
Gas Ferry Road, Bristol BS1 6TY, UK

The tour ends in a central area of the city centre so you can wander around with the recommendations provided at the end.

Options & Pricing

Opening Hours • Daily Midnight - 11:30 PM

What To Expect

Millenium Square

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.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Bristol Amphitheatre & Waterfront Square

The amphitheatre is popular with skateboarders and you may see some whilst you are here. 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!
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Pero's Bridge

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.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Cascade Steps (Pass By)

During the Middle Ages, a harbour was developed along the riverside at the confluence of the rivers Avon and Frome. This stood in the approximate location of the present-day fountains. Hear this awesome tale and some recommendations worth visiting around this beautiful area.
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College Green

College Green is a popular area for people to congregate in the city. 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!
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

King Street

In the past, King Street would have been a busy place, with the hustle and bustle 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.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Queen Square

Queen’s Square is a Georgian park surrounded by trees and cobbled streets. 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.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Welsh Back

This would have been a busy area in the past and remains busy to this day. 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?
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Castle Park

Castle Park is the site of the old castle and Bristol’s medieval settlement. Discover its bristling history with Helen.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Bridge Quay

This stop has a good view of the Bristol Bridge, with St Peter’s, St Nicholas’ and 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.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

St Mary Redcliffe Church

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.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Redcliffe Caves

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.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Bathurst Basin (Pass By)

Bathurst Basin lost its water supply as the New Cut was dug out in 1809. 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.
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Princes Wharf

Almost all of the city docks are now closed to cargo ships. 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.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Matthew of Bristol (Pass By)

The Matthew of Bristol is a replica of the original Matthew that John Cabot sailed to the Americas in 1497. This surprisingly small replica ship sailed across the Atlantic to Canada in 1997 to mark the 500th anniversary of Cabot’s journey.
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M Shed

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.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Wapping Wharf

Wapping Wharf was formerly used for shipbuilding and repair. 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.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Brunel's SS Great Britain (Pass By)

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’.
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Show 16 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Frequently Asked Questions

(5)

Q: What's included in the price?

A: The following is included: Audio guide, videos, pictures, recommendations and all the info you need.Email with instructions to activate your tour (booking reference isn't the code!).3 weeks unlimited access to this Self-Guided Tour on the app.Helen will guide you through an audio guide (no computer-generated voice!).Map, directions, GPS route and stops of each tour. The following is NOT included: In-person Guide. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

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Activity code: C-329930P14

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Reviews

4.70
10 reviews

Average 4.70 out of 5 stars based on 10 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 29 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Audio guide, videos, pictures, recommendations and all the info you need
  • Email with instructions to activate your tour (booking reference isn't the code!)
  • 3 weeks unlimited access to this Self-Guided Tour on the app
  • Helen will guide you through an audio guide (no computer-generated voice!)
  • Map, directions, GPS route and stops of each tour
  • In-person Guide

Additional Info

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Check the "Before You Go" Section of your ticket!

Report Product Issue

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

Cancellation Policy

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

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American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

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