Culture lovers, travellers and school children alike can explore Bristol’s heritage, street art, galleries, historic museums, music and top attractions online, with virtual tours, podcasts and playlists. Here’s our round-up of the best ways to virtually visit Bristol.
Brunel’s SS Great Britain
Take a virtual wander around Brunel’s iconic Victorian luxury ship, the SS Great Britain. The world’s first great ocean liner is one of the city’s top visitor attractions today, lovingly restored to her former glory after an incredible rescue from wreckage and homecoming (more on that here). Hover over the blue flags for additional sensory information and learn about this ship’s pioneering past.
Image - Brunel's SS Great Britain
We The Curious
Both kids and grown-ups love playing with the 300+ interactive exhibits and experiments at We The Curious, there to test out mind-bending ideas and surprise you with things you never knew about the inner workings of the world. Marvel at what’s on offer through their virtual tour, from a ball run through a hungry skeleton to giant whisper dishes that carry your messages metres away.
Image - We The Curious, credit Paul Blakemore
A 360 view of Bristol attractions
Featuring Brunel’s SS Great Britain and We The Curious along with Bristol Aquarium, Bristol Zoo Gardens, M Shed and Leigh Woods, get a snapshot of these awesome attractions with locals sharing what makes them so special.
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Enter the magnificent Bristol Museum building in their online tour. Housed here are all kinds of treasures, some of which can be spied on your virtual way round, including Banksy’s Paint Pot Angel, a Bristol Boxkite and the Egyptian and Assyrian galleries.
Lose yourself in the online exhibitions archive for Bristol Museum and M Shed too, revisiting past exhibiitions or experiencing them for the first time. Those available online include Masters of Japanese Prints, Empire through the Lens, and death: the human experience.
Google Expeditions
You can also use Google Expeditions to access Bristol Museums' wider collection. Once downloaded, search for ‘Living as a Georgian’, ‘Blaise Castle House Museum’ and ‘Elizabethan life in Bristol’ to find tours of Georgian House Museum, Red Lodge Museum and Blaise Castle House Museum.
Image - The Georgian House Museum,
Bristol Old Vic Theatre
If you're missing trips to the theatre, keep an eye on Bristol Old Vic's 'On Screen' programme. Usually projected on the foyer wall every night before a show, you can also watch the motion mapped video Aardman and Limbic Cinema created for the theatre on YouTube. Over on Soundcloud, listen to the Women of Bristol Old Vic sound installation, featuring interviews and stories bringing the voices of women in theatre to the forefront and celebrating their achievements across history.
Bristol Cathedral
Bristol’s beautiful and historic Cathedral has almost certainly stood on the site for over a thousand years, but it came to prominence in 1140 when Robert Fitzhardinge founded the Abbey of St Augustine. Before the lockdown, Bristol Cathedral was streaming their services live, but as this is no longer possible, you can still see The Cathedral's spectacular stained-glass windows and find out about its history via their online tour. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for live-streamed services and pre-recorded videos too.
Clifton Suspension Bridge
Clifton Suspension Bridge's lockdown resources page offers loads of activities, challenges and educational resources. Also, their history pages are full of stories about the iconic bridge. On their YouTube channel, you are able to go on a virtual tour of the Leigh Woods Vaults. Their archives have been digitalized for you to explore!
The New Room
The world’s oldest Methodist chapel is a historic 276-year-old Grade I listed church originally built by John Wesley shortly after he arrived in Bristol in 1739. You can visit it virtually via The New Room’s online tour and see inside this historic chapel, which was also used as a filming location for Poldark.
Image - The New Room
Banksy tour
Bristol is world-renowned for the vibrant street art that adorns its walls, including many of born-and-bred Bristolian Banksy’s earliest and most famous pieces. To see some of the anonymous street artist’s marvellous murals from your phone, including his latest 2020 Valentine's piece, download the Banksy Bristol Trail app. It gives you the lowdown on the early history of Banksy as well as articles with photos about the Banksy vs Bristol Museum show and his Dismaland exhibit.
Image - The Girl with the Pierced Eardrum by Banksy
Hotel hop from home
See which Bristol hotels take your fancy for future visits with the virtual tours on offer. Sneak a peek at the Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel, with decor inspired by the local art scene; the atmospheric Hotel du Vin & Bistro, based in a converted sugar factory; and the modern Cleyro Serviced Apartments in the Finzels Reach quarter.
Image - Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel
Bristol History Podcast
Brush up on your Bristol history through the back catalogue of this podcast, made in collaboration with Bristol Cable, a magazine produced by locals. The podcast has several episodes and interviews outlining the city’s history including the role of Caribbean migration in the city, Polling Day in 18th century Bristol, natural history of the West Country, Bristol’s overseas trade in history, street art and many more topics to delve into from your sofa.
Bristol music on Spotify playlists
As the birthplace of ground-breaking music from legendary acts such as Massive Attack, Portishead, Roni Size and Tricky, Bristol is well known for its rich music heritage. Listen to this Spotify playlist to rediscover some of Bristol’s iconic sounds, or hear the new sounds from the city including Beak>, IDLES, Heavy Lungs, Fenne Lily and Harvey Causon.
St John on the Wall
The hidden church built into the Old City wall is offering several virtual activities. Firstly, their online 360 tour lets you explore the 12th century chruch from the comfort of your sofa. Secondly, they offer you a free virtual audio tour.
St Thomas the Martyr
The Church of St Thomas the Martyr is a fine Classical building dating back to 1792-93. It was designed by James Allen and, with its handsome east end fronting onto a busy commercial street, has something of the style and impact of a church in Rome. You are now able to experience their virtual 360 tour from your sofa!