10 things to do in Bristol for under £10

Bristol is a bustling city in the South-West with loads to do. Here are some budget-friendly things that students can do for a tenner or less!

1. Watch a movie at the Watershed

Calling all film lovers! Located on Bristol harbourside, the Watershed is an independent cinema and creative technology centre that always has a selection of funny, interesting and thought-proving films playing. Even better, they offer £5 concession tickets for a variety of people including students and those aged under 24.

2. Explore Bristol Museum and Art Gallery

Bristol Museum and Art gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday and offers free entry. It’s super near the University of Bristol campus so if you’ve got some time between lectures or just fancy a trip, pop into the museum and get lost in a labyrinth of art, bones and ancient Egyptian mummies. They’re currently showcasing a Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit, which has over 100 incredible photos and costs £9 to visit.

3. Visit M Shed

Want to learn more about Bristol city? Another harbourside stop, M shed is a museum showcasing Bristol’s history from the prehistoric age to the modern day. It’s also free to enter but (just like Bristol Museum and Art Gallery) donations are welcome. You can even book a free historical walking tour (they’re currently doing one on the 1831 riots) that has a suggested donation of £5.

4. Pop into The Last Bookshop

A place I spend far too much time in, The Last Bookshop has everything from comics to cookbooks, pocket novellas to great tomes, all for under a fiver. As an English student, I find it a great place to look for course texts. If you’re searching for something or just looking to browse, you’re sure to discover some cheap treasures in The Last Bookshop.  The only downside is you’ll have to traipse up Park Street to get there. But the hills are worth it in the end!

5. Pay a visit to Wake the Tiger 

Wake the Tiger Amazement Park is the UK’s largest immersive art experience. It offers a self-guided fantastical journey through over 40 interactive experiences. Discounted student tickets start at £10 per person.

6. Take in the views at Clifton Observatory 

Located near the iconic suspension bridge, Clifton Observatory offers amazing views of Bristol city, as well as the river and Avon Gorge. Perfect for a Sunday walk, you can grab a bite to eat, explore Giant’s Cave and get a stunning view of the Clifton suspension bridge.

7. Arnolfini

There’s always something new going on at the Arnolfini, Bristol’s centre for art and culture. They have a variety of free exhibits that change throughout the year, so keep an eye on their website for updates.  One of their current exhibits showcases Japanese photographer Rinko Kawauchi’s images, which capture the beauty in everyday life. They also have a community height chart where you can record your height.

8. Roxy Lanes

A lively bar in Bristol city centre, Roxy Lanes is dedicated to bringing spectacular music, entertainment and gaming. With everything from bowling alleys to baseball, this place truly has it all. Even better, they offer select bowling and games tickets for £10 or less per person. Head to their website for more information and book a slot.  

9. Discover Bristol Light Festival 

Bristol Light Festival is returning for 2025. From 31 January – 9 February 2025 Bristol Light Festival will adorn the city with 10 days of spectacular light -based artworks. Dotted all around the city, they’re free to visit and are especially dazzling at night. If that’s not exciting enough, the popular Swing Song (a series of gigantic light-up swing sets that play music) is back for another year. If you’d like to see the lights from the water, take a ferry along the River Avon and buy a hop-on-hop-off ticket from £3-5.

 10. Take a ferry trip along the Avon

If you fancy a ride around Bristol’s river hop on a waterbus and get a tour around Bristol Harbourside. You can spend up to 40 minutes on board for £8. They currently don’t accept bookings and operate on a first come first serve basis. As mentioned previously, they’re offering a 45 minute boat tour of the Bristol Light Show, giving you the chance to see the spectacle from a whole new perspective. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your friends and head over to one or more of these awesome attractions! If you’re looking for somewhere local to head to in the evening, check out our article on the top ten student bars in Bristol.