Bristol on a Budget

From zoos to museums to art galleries, Bristol has something for everyone. One of the best things? There are so many things to do for free in Bristol.

Budget Bristol for animal lovers

Bristol Zoo is a fantastic experience, but if money is a bit tight, Bristol also has a whole range of cheap (and free) options. Why not visit one of Bristol’s city farms instead?

St Werburgh’s City Farm is an inner-city oasis in the heart of Bristol. Home to a delightful farmyard and country café, it’s easy to escape the hustle of the city here – plus there’s also a great pub next door.

Image: St Werburgh's City Farm

Windmill Hill City Farm is a 4.5-acre green space in South Bristol, 20-minutes’ walk from Bristol city centre. There are so many facilities here, it’s easy to spend the whole day– not only do they have farm animals, a café and a farm shop, but they also run a varied series of events and workshops. For more information on location and opening times, visit their website Windmill Hill City Farm.

Free museums in Bristol

Bristol has a number of museums – and most of them are free! Here we’ve picked some of our favourites.

What better way to learn about the history of a place than by visiting the city museum? Bristol Museum is a treasure trove of artefacts that tell not just the story of Bristol but of the world around us. With mummies, dinosaur bones a Gypsy caravan and a stuffed gorilla,  Bristol Museum is a fascinating place to spend an afternoon. Best of all? It’s free!

Image: Bristol Museum and Art Gallery

You may have noticed that there is a strong maritime presence in Bristol. Housed in a dockside transit shed, the M Shed museum brings together the stories of the people of Bristol in a beautiful harbourside setting. For more details on opening times, visit the M Shed website.

Further down the harbour, with stunning views up to Clifton and the city is the Underfall Yard. Both a working boatyard and a visitor centre, explore the fascinating story of Bristol’s Floating Harbour through hands-on displays and a giant interactive map.

Image: Underfall Yard

Free Art in Bristol

Bristol prides itself on its creative, artistic vibe. There are loads of free galleries and exhibitions going on in the city.

Bristol museum is also the city’s art gallery. As well as the museum pieces, it is also home to paintings by Pissarro, Lucas Cranach and English masters such as Gainsborough and Constable. As well as stunning paintings, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery also has one of the best collections of Chinese glass outside of Asia.

Next to Bristol’s harbour is Spike Island, a dynamic arts centre that supports, produces and presents contemporary art and culture. With regular free exhibitions, Spike Island is home to a community of over 70 artists, designers, makers, artist-led organisations and creative businesses. Find out more about current exhibitions and opening times on the Spike Island website.

Bristol is also famous for its street art, which means most of the city acts as an outdoor gallery. Banksy has put Bristol on the map in terms of street art and there are a number of free self-guided walking tours suggested on the Visit Bristol website.

Image: VisitBristol

While Banksy might be Bristol’s most famous street artist, the other residents of this colourful city have added to the tradition. Wander down from Stokes Croft, through the city center and into Bedminster and you are surrounded by incredible murals. Host to the famous Upfest – Europe’s largest Street Art and Graffiti Festival we promise Bristol won’t disappoint any art lovers.