
Bristol is an old city, with city status dating back to 1542 – but it’s much older than that still. Nowhere better exemplifies Bristol’s age than the Old City. Filled with historic buildings and Georgian-era architecture, it’d almost feel like a step back in time if it weren’t for all the trendy eateries and hip bars. But it’s this blend of new and old that gives the area its unique personality.
Using this self-guided audio tour of the Old City, you can explore the oldest parts of Bristol and uncover the best places to grab a beer and a bite to eat. Along the way, you’ll learn all sorts of fun facts, like how the city began and happened to the now ruinous Bristol Castle. Who doesn’t love a bit of random pub trivia?
Bristol’s Brilliant Pubs: A Self-Guided GPS Audio Tour of the Old City also doubles as a bit of a pub crawl, stopping at just a few of Bristol’s traditional breweries, pubs and places to eat! Probably the most noteworthy has to be the oldest pub in Bristol, The Hatchet Inn – once a favourite haunt of the infamous pirate Blackbeard, this 400-year-old pub is still as lively today.

But you’ll also swing by The Christmas Steps and visit the quirky yet haunted street it is named after. Another notable pitstop is the Bristol Old Vic, the oldest continuously working theatre in the English-speaking world. Sitting on King Street, here you’ll find a whole load of exciting pubs to discover. One of our favourites has to be the jazz and blues pub, The Old Duke.
Outside of pubs, you’ll also stop by Brisol’s oldest market, Saint Nicholas Market, where you can grab a bite to eat from numerous food stalls; take in the sights of Bristol City Docks; and you’ll even pass through the last remaining city gate. From Bristol Cathedral and College Green to St Peter’s Church and The Nails on Corn Street, you’ll find a wealth of history in the Old City.

It’s not all about old things either. Street art lovers will also have plenty to discover. The city centre is heaving with giant murals everywhere you turn, but this audio tour will specifically take you to two Banksy pieces – Bristol’s biggest graffiti artist – Well Hung Lover and, the more difficult to find, You Don’t Need Planning Permission to Build Castles in the Sky.
If you fancy going on this self-guided audio tour, it will take approximately two hours – minus all the pub and food pitstops. Costing £4.98, start and wander at your leisure as you wander through markets, relax in the park and take in all the sights. To get your tickets to Bristol’s Brilliant Pubs: A Self-Guided GPS Audio Tour of the Old City head here.