Shopping in Bristol
Bristol has two very different shopping experiences. The big brands are in the city centre and at Cribbs Causeway on the northern edge. The independent shops and markets are spread across the Old City and the city's neighbourhood high streets. Here is what each area is good for, and how to get there without the stress.
Cabot Circus and Broadmead
The main city-centre shopping area. Cabot Circus is a modern, partly open-air centre with fashion brands, a department store, restaurants and a cinema. Broadmead, right next to it, is the older pedestrianised high street, with the Galleries shopping centre and Bristol's historic Quakers Friars square.
- Good for: a full day of high-street shopping, with plenty of food and a film afterwards.
- Getting there: most city bus routes stop nearby, and the park and ride services from Portway, Long Ashton and Brislington run into the centre. It is about 15 minutes' walk from Temple Meads.
- Parking: Cabot Circus has a large multi-storey car park. Expect it to be busy at weekends and in December.
Cribbs Causeway
An out-of-town shopping centre just off the M5 at junction 17, in South Gloucestershire. The covered mall has large department stores and fashion chains. Around it are retail parks for furniture, homeware, electricals and DIY.
- Good for: big shops in one trip, especially if you are driving or furnishing a new home.
- Getting there: free parking is the main draw. Direct buses run from the city centre, and services also link it with Bristol Parkway station.
- Tip: the M5 junction can back up badly on Saturdays and in the run-up to Christmas. Go early.
St Nicholas Market
Bristol's historic covered market sits in the Old City, between Corn Street and Baldwin Street. It dates from the 1740s and is full of independent stalls selling jewellery, vintage clothes, books and gifts. The Glass Arcade is known for its street food stalls, and is a popular lunch spot for city-centre workers. On Corn Street, look for "the Nails", the bronze tables outside the Exchange where merchants once did business.
- Good for: gifts, browsing and a cheap, good lunch.
- Getting there: a short walk from the centre and Harbourside.
Independent shopping streets
For something more local, try:
- Gloucester Road: one of the longest stretches of independent shops in the UK, with greengrocers, butchers, cafés and bars.
- North Street, Southville: independents, cafés and pubs south of the river.
- Clifton Village: boutiques, galleries and cafés near the Suspension Bridge.
- Park Street: steep, lively and student-friendly, running up to the Wills Memorial Building.
Working in Bristol retail
Retail is one of the biggest employers in Bristol, from supermarkets and convenience stores to department stores and the shopping centres. There are plenty of part-time and evening roles, and recruitment often picks up from September for the Christmas season.