Top Bristol museums

A great introduction to the city and king among Bristol museums, the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery is housed in a grandiose Edwardian-Baroque building. Sections on local archaeology, geology and natural history are joined by an important collection of Chinese porcelain and some magnificent Assyrian reliefs from the eighth century BC. Those in search of something a little more modern, fear not: there are artworks by local boy Banksy to marvel at, too.

Curious by name, curious by nature: occupying a corner of the sleekly modern Millennium Square, We the Curious deals with all things science. It’s chiefly aimed at children, but there’s enough interactive wizardry here to entertain everyone. There are opportunities to view the blood in your veins, freeze your shadow and create your own short films. The planetarium - a spherical, stainless steel structure attached to one side - has up to eight shows daily. Prepare to feel your mind expand.

Housed in an old harbourside transit shed, the superb M-Shed is dedicated to Bristol itself, past and present. It’s one of the best museums in Bristol, full of memorabilia and anecdotes and casting light on everything from the city’s mercantile history to its festivals and street life. Explore Bristol’s development, including its experience during World War II and its unsavoury links with the transatlantic slave trade and - more positively - the ordinary folk who have shaped the city. Once you’ve had your fill, head out to the long terrace for awesome harbour views.

Swash-buckling sailors delight: Harbourside’s major draw, and one of Bristol’s iconic sights, the SS Great Britain was the first propeller-driven, ocean-going iron ship in the world - built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1843. She initially ran between Liverpool and New York, then Liverpool and Melbourne - circumnavigating the globe 32 times and chalking up over a million miles at sea. Her ocean-going days ended in 1886 when she was caught in a storm off Cape Horn. On board, you can see restored cabins and peer into the immense engine room, while the adjoining museum gives the background of the vessel and of Bristol’s long shipbuilding history. And in the unlikely event your name happens to be Isambard, you go free!

If you’ve a head for heights, make for Bristol’s most famous symbol: its mighty suspension bridge, 702ft long and poised 245ft above high water. Another Isambard Kingdom Brunel job, it actually wasn’t completed until five years after his death. Hampered by financial difficulties, the bridge never quite matched the engineer’s original ambitious design, which included Egyptian-style towers topped by sphinxes at each end. You can see copies of his plans in the Visitor Centre at the far side of the bridge, alongside designs proposed by Brunel’s rivals - some of them frankly bizarre.

Lovers of historic houses should prioritise this out of all Bristol museums. Built in 1791, the large Georgian House is the former home of a local sugar merchant, its spacious and faithfully restored rooms filled with sumptuous examples of period furniture. The basement gives particular insight into the domestic times past, while upstairs, illustrated panels tell the story of the family’s dealings in the West Indies, including their involvement in slavery.

Another one for the history buffs, the Blaise Museum - set in the beautiful parklands of Blaise Castle - explores how people lived in bygone days. Its extensive collection includes a wonder wardrobe of historic outfits and an enchanting toy box of dolls’ houses, teddy bears and tin soldiers dating back to the 1800s. Prepare to have your imagination fired.