Visiting Bristol: Discover the Famous Bristol Bridges

From fun festivals and a first-class food scene to being the birthplace of Banksy — Bristol is iconic for many well-earned reasons.

Bristol is a city positively brimming with a rich and diverse history and an effortlessly cool culture, making it popular with families, daytrippers, solo explorers and more. The innovative engineering background of the city can be seen through the extensive range of Bristol bridges. And it’s not just about the famed Clifton Suspension Bridge — in fact, there are 45 walkable Bristol bridges — but here we’re going to be sharing with you a couple of our favourites we think you’ll love exploring.

The best part? All these amazing Bristol bridges are accessible from the Aztec Hotel & Spa. We’re perfectly placed for local sights and adventures, while also offering a comfortable and welcoming place for you to relax, eat and unwind.

Pero’s Bridge is a pedestrian bascule bridge that spans Bristol’s harbour and has been open to the city since 1999. This famed Bristol bridge was designed by the Irish artist Eilis O’Connel and was named in honour of Pero Jones, an enslaved African who lived and died in Bristol.

The construction of this bridge has long been a point of interest to visitors and locals alike. With two fixed spans and a central section that can be raised to allow tall boats to pass through. Although the most distinctive and photogenic features are almost certainly the horn-shaped sculptures, which also act as counterweights for when the central span lifts to allow boats through.

Pero’s Bridge is a common meeting place in Bristol given its central location and access to the harbourside, as well as linking two Bristol hotspots; Queen’s Square and Millenium Square. So, whether you’re looking for some quiet, green space or popular city attractions, this Bristol bridge is a great place to start.

This Grade II listed bridge has a prime location between the city’s Arnolfini art centre and M Shed Museum from Prince Street to Wapping Road.

Not just a great setting, there’s a rich history behind this iron Bristol bridge. It was built in 1879 and previously had a toll house for traffic, which was burned down during the Bristol riots of 1831. Most impressively, Prince Street Bridge is hydraulic water-powered and remains one of the busiest Bristol bridges for river-based traffic as it’s the lowest bridge you’ll find in the city’s floating harbour.

The award-winning Meads Reach Bridge — affectionately known by locals as ‘the Cheese Grater’ — is a pedestrian and cycle bridge. The stainless steel Bristol bridge is a 55-meter long structure that forms a connection to the city’s Temple Quay area.

Aptly named after being opened around February, the neighbouring Valentine Bridge snakes across Bristol’s floating harbour behind Temple Meads Station. Just a three-minute walk apart, his modern, cable-stayed Bristol bridge is a popular feature of the city’s Temple Quay development. Both of these Bristol bridges are open to both pedestrians and cyclists.

Start your day with a scenic drive or train ride to the city and start your tour at any bridge you like; Bristol bridges are connected via a circular walking route that, if you feel up to a challenge, is 48.6km and takes an average of less than 12 hours to complete. It’s generally considered a moderately challenging route and is a popular trail for locals to run, walk and enjoy too. The trail is open all year-round and if you’ve brought your four-legged friend to stay with us at the Aztec Hotel, dogs are welcome on the trails too as long as they’re kept on their leads.

Bridges on Bristol’s Harbourside offer up endless choice when it comes to attractions, cafes and outstanding views. The vibrant area is alive with the buzz of markets, waterside restaurants and bars and a whole host of sports and activities including windsurfing, paddle boarding, cycling and rowing.

Exploring the floating harbour is easy by foot or by bike, but is really special when done via the water, so we’d recommend checking out local boat trips, paddleboarding or canoeing sessions if you’re in the mood for a little more adventure.

Millennium Square just off Pero’s Bridge acts as a central hub, with fountains and a big screen as well as access to top city attractions such as We The Curious, Bristol Aquarium and Spike Island art centre.

Look around on your tour and you may even catch a couple of Banksy artworks around the harbourside, including The Girl with the Pierced Eardrum by Bristol Marina, or The Grim Reaper on display at M Shed.

You’re never short of options when it comes to eating and drinking around Bristol’s historic Floating Harbour. Many restaurants and bars boast picturesque views from the waterside terraces, while Wapping Wharf has plenty of spots on the water’s edge. If you’re done exploring, why not let the world pass you by whilst dangling your feet over the edge with a cold glass of something delicious in hand?