What to do in Bristol when it rains
Bristol's harbourside museums, aquarium and indoor markets — plus some of the UK's best indoor climbing — shrug off the rain.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Wake The Tiger Bristol Wake The Tiger, 127 Albert Rd, Bristol BS2 0YA, UK
- Bristol Museum & Art Gallery Queens Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1RL, UK
- Brunel's SS Great Britain Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Rd, Bristol BS1 6TY, UK
- M Shed Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol BS1 4RN, UK
- We The Curious 1 Millennium Square, One Millennium Square, Anchor Rd, Bristol BS1 5DB, UK
- Clifton Observatory Litfield Place, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LT, UK
- Arnolfini Arts Bush House, 16 Narrow Quay, House, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK
- Royal West of England Academy Queens Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1PX, UK
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- Bristol Museum & Art Gallery Queens Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1RL, UK
- Watershed 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX, UK
- Arnolfini Arts Bush House, 16 Narrow Quay, House, Bristol BS1 4QA, UK
- Strange Brew 10-12 Fairfax St, Bristol BS1 3DB, UK
- Lost Horizon Arts Centre & Bar 1-3 Elton St, St Jude's, Bristol BS2 9EH, UK
- Royal West of England Academy Queens Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1PX, UK
- St Anne's House – Community And Creative Hub St Anne's Rd, Brislington, Bristol BS4 4AB, UK
- The Bearpit St James Barton Roundabout, Bristol BS1 3LY, UK
Aquarium
The aquarium is a reliable rainy-day winner, especially with kids.
- Bristol Aquarium Anchor Rd, Bristol BS1 5TT, UK
- The Aquatic Store 28 North St, Southville, Bristol BS3 1HW, UK
Food halls
Settle into a food hall and work your way around the stalls while the rain blows over.
- Tesco Extra Tesco Stores Ltd, Eastgate Rd, Eastville, Bristol BS5 6XU, UK
- St Nicholas Market The Corn Exchange, Corn St, Bristol BS1 1JQ, UK
- Tesco Superstore Tesco Superstore, Lime Trees Rd, Bristol BS6 7XW, UK
- Tesco Extra Tesco Stores Ltd, Callington Rd, Brislington, Bristol BS4 5AY, UK
- Tesco Express 90-98 Broadmead, Bristol BS1 3DW, UK
- Tesco Express Tesco, The Paragon, 32-34 Victoria St, Redcliffe, Bristol BS1 6BY, UK
- Tesco Petrol Station Tesco Stores Ltd, Eastgate Rd, Eastville, Bristol BS5 6XU, UK
- Tesco Express Blenheim Court, Marlborough St, Bristol BS1 3LA, UK
Indoor climbing
Burn off some energy at an indoor climbing centre.
Indoor art spaces
Seek out the indoor art and street-art spaces dotted around the centre.
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 26 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.