Studying at the University of Bristol you can’t avoid coming across two of the major Bristol landmarks: Bristol Cathedral on College Green (also check out the old Central Library, the Abbey Gatehouse, the statue of Raja Rommohun Roy and the tree with the skater shoes) and Will's Memorial Building on top of Park Street which is part of the University – so don't hesitate to take a look inside and be amazed by the Harry Potter-like interior before you have to go there to sit exams!

You can even look down on the Will's Memorial Tower from nearby Brandon Hill. To get magnificient views overlooking large areas of the city, climb up through one of Bristol's oldest parks until reaching Cabot Tower or at least the benches at the top of the climb. Devine on summer evenings or spring days.

The Centre

The first thing you need to realise is that there are two city centres St Augustine’s Parade and St James Barton.  If you are heading down to Broadmead, the The Mall Galleries or the City Centre in general, don't forget to visit some of Bristol's oldest spots. Behind the Galleries, check out Castle Park and the nearby Bristol’s own Leaning Tower of Bristol, the Templar's Church. Corn Street and High Street, form the old city centre, where a row of stunning old buildings can be found. Don't miss browsing through the many stalls and the fabolous food on offer at St. Nicholas Market. To get to the centre from University try the route via Christmas Steps! If you are really into shopping try out the newly opened Cabot Circus, it’s designer shops, Harvey Nicks, Carluccios and Raymond Blanc’s latest Brasserie – that is if your student loan stretches that far.

One of dozens as important as beautiful open spaces is Queen Square where 1831 Bristol Riots took place. It is enclosed by listed buildings and has an equestrian statue of William III in the middle. Already enough of history? Then at least walk past the Welsh Back once to see the old Llandoger Trow pub where the beginning of Stevenson's novel "Treasure Island" is said to be set. The waterfront in this area is lively with pubs, bars and restaurants. For Jazz lovers try the Old Duke opposite the Landoger.

The harbour makes a great Sunday destination. Absorb all that late night booze at the Brunel Buttery, between the Steam Crane and the SS Great Britain. The best bacon butties in Bristol. Walk around the new developments of luxury houses and flats ending up back in the city below the Cathedral.

Clifton is probably the most interesting quarter of Bristol not only because it is close to most of the University's facilities and a few of the Halls of Residence. It is sourrounded by the biggest imaginable open area of land, the Downs, which is borded by Westbury Park in the north, Stoke Bishop and the river Avon with Brunel's Suspension Bridge – to the west and Hotwells and the Floating Harbour in the south and Westbury Road in the east. In-between lies the posh but lovely Clifton Village with its small shops, pretty houses, the famous Royal York Crecent, the Zoo, nice traditional pubs, restaurants and boutiques. If you want to know more of the history of Clifton see our History section. Those of you living in Stoke Bishop Halls will soon walk the walk down to University and those of you who are energetic will get to play sports there. There is a nice but not particularly cheap cafe near the Watertower.

In Autumn especially, but beautiful during all seasons, St. Andrew's Churchyard is inviting for romantic strolls between old gravestones with squirrels providing the wildlife leading to a lovely view of the colourful houses in Hotwells. It can be as easily found as missed. If you walk up up Queen's Road past the hideous Student Union building towards Victoria Square it is on your left just before the Victoria Square Hotel.

A great view of the Suspension Bridge can be had from the Bristol Observatory with its Camera Obscura and Cave in the Cliffs or for those of you needing the comfort of a glass in your hand – why not try the terrace bar at the Avon Gorge Hotel – great for summer sunsets.

For the really energetic don‘t forget you can cross the Suspension Bridge and enter the lovely surrroundings of Leigh Woods. Take the first right after the Bridge and follow the road round with the houses on your left – see how those Bristol Merchants used to live – until you reach the entrance for Leigh Woods. A great autumn stroll with good viewpoints which look back across the Gorge. Alternatively keep straight on when you leave the Bridge and at the end of the road cross and enter Ashton Court with its golf course, deer park and Mansion.

For rainy days try the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, the RWA and its exhibitions, the Georgian House in Great George Street and the Red House on Park Row.