You won’t have to spend a single penny on these 73 free things to do in Bristol, including impressive museums, independent markets and sweeping city views

Whether you fancy browsing the vibrant stalls at St Nicholas' Market, soaking up culture at the M Shed, or taking in the breathtaking heights of the Clifton Suspension Bridge, this definitive local guide proves you can experience the very best of our city on a strict zero-pound budget.

Clifton Suspension Bridge surrounded by hot air balloons, which you can visit for free — Credit: Jarred Kyle, Unsplash

Alice Lorenzato-Lloyd

– Staff Writer

· October 29, 2026

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I do love extravagant days spent at bottomless brunches, flashy restaurants and top-notch cocktail bars. But I don’t have an endless cash flow like some. When I’m feeling the pinch, these are the free things to do in Bristol I have in my pocket—and it’s a gurt lush list (if we do say so ourselves). So, give the debit card a break and dive into these brilliant free activities in Bristol!

Free museums in Bristol

View of the main hall in Bristol Museum on Jan 11, 2015 in Bristol, UK. Bristol Museum has a large collection of exhibits in fields such as science, art and natural history. — Credit: 1000 Words, Shutterstock

1. Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
2. M Shed
3. The Georgian House Museum
4. The Red Lodge Museum
5. Blaise Castle House Museum
6. Bristol Archives
7. Glenside Hospital Museum
8. George Müller Museum
9. Palestine Museum & Cultural Centre

Free gigs in Bristol

10. The Canteen
11. The Old Duke
12. The Gallimaufry
13. Blue Lagoon
14. No1 Harbourside
15. The Bristol Fringe
16. Golden Lion
17. Coronation Tap
18. Mother’s Ruin
19. The Eldon House
20. The Orchard Inn

Free markets in Bristol

Bristol, UK - June 12, 2015: People strolling around Saint Nicholas Market, Established in 1743 St Nicholas Market is the oldest and best loved market in Bristol. — Credit: Albert Pego, Shutterstock

21. St Nicholas’ Market
22. Tobacco Factory
23. Harbourside Market
24. Whiteladies Road Market
25. Temple Quay Market
26. Finzels Reach Market
27. Bristol Flea Market

Free art galleries in Bristol

Spike Island Open Studios — Credit: Spike Island

28. Arnolfini
29. Spike Island
30. Centrespace
31. Royal West of England Academy
32. Martin Parr Foundation
33. Castle Fine Art
34. Upfest Gallery
35. Clifton Fine Art Gallery
36. North Street Gallery
37. The Loovre Gallery
38. The Art Warehouse
39. Hidden Gallery

Free attractions in Bristol

A pig at Windmill Hill City Farm — Credit: Windmill Hill City Farm

40. Underfall Yard
41. St Werburghs City Farm
42. Windmill Hill City Farm
43. The Matthew
44. Ping Pong
44. The Slidey Rock

Free walks to go on in Bristol

man holding camera tripod standing near store — Credit Vanilla Bear Films

45. Bristol Free Walking Tours
46. Bristol & Bath Railway Path

Free views over Bristol

Brandon Hill as shown from the top of Cabot Tower in Bristol — Credit: S Parker Pictures, Shutterstock

47. Troopers Hill Nature Reserve
48. Cabot Tower
49. Clifton Observatory
50. Leigh Woods
51. Dundry Hill
52. The White Lion Bar
53. Wills Memorial Building
54. Narroways Hill
55. Victoria Park Pub

Beautiful places to visit for free

56. Clifton Suspension Bridge
57. Ashton Court Estate
58. Bristol Cathedral
59. St Mary Redcliffe Church
60. Bristol Central Library

Free parks and gardens in Bristol

A view of the historic Cabot Tower, located in Brandon Hill Park in the city of Bristol, UK. — Credit: chrisdorney, Shutterstock

61. Oldbury Court and Snuff Mills
62. Brandon Hill Park
63. The Downs
64. Castle Park
65. Greville Smyth Park
66. Arnos Vale Cemetery
67. University of Bristol Botanic Gardens

Window shopping in Bristol for free

Wapping Wharf's Cargo containers — Credit: Wapping Wharf

68. Gloucester Road & Stokes Croft
69. Clifton Arcade
70. Old Market
71. Cabot Circus
72. Wapping Wharf
73. Christmas Steps

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