The very best shopping in Bristol

Head off for a great day’s shopping in the West Country with the best shopping centres, department stores, big-name brands and independent shops in Bristol

The bustling city of Bristol is revered for its nightlife, but it’s just as vibrant and exciting during the day. The city boasts all your favourite big name stores, alongside the famous Gloucester Road, the longest street of independent stores in the UK, making it one of the best places in the country to go on a shopping spree. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find options aplenty whilst on a city break in Bristol. Here are some of the city’s retail highlights.
Cabot Circus
Cabot Circus is an enormous, sprawling shopping centre right in the centre of Bristol. As well as a comprehensive list of the biggest high street names in fashion, tech, beauty, toys and more, it also boasts a 13-screen Showcase cinema and a wide selection of restaurants and cafes for mid-spree food breaks. The centre’s piazza is surrounded by food spots including Côte Brasserie and Brasserie Blanc, and hosts regular events. Each July it is adorned by deck chairs for tennis fans to kick back and catch up with Wimbledon on the big screen. One of the centre’s biggest draws is the western outpost of the House of Fraser department store, which is spread across three floors. Other big names include Apple, Carphone Warehouse, The Body Shop, All Saints, Foyles, Hollister, Levi’s, Mango, Next, Office, Reiss, River Island and Topshop.
The Mall at Cribbs Causeway
Cribbs Causeway lies just a half an hour north of Bristol and is home to an enormous array of shops, restaurants and department stores, making it an all-encompassing, one-stop shopping destination, all under one roof. It’s also located where the M4 meets the M5, so it’s perfect if you’re en route to Bristol and need to stop off and indulge in some retail therapy or grab a bite to eat in its many restaurants. Its two main department stores are two of the biggest names in the UK, Marks & Spencer and John Lewis, while big name shops include Apple, Gap, HMV, Crew Clothing, H&M, Halfords, B&Q, Jack Wills, Jigsaw, JD Sports, Lakeland, L’Occitane, Lush, Next, Oasis, River Island, Smyths, Waterstones and Whistles. There are also many food options ranging from fast food such as KFC, Burger King and Pizza Hut to restaurants such as Carluccio’s, Café Rouge and Pizza Express. Entertainment options include a 12-screen Vue cinema and Hollywood Bowl bowling alley.
Independent shops
Anyone on the hunt for something a bit unique and different will want to spend a day wandering up and down Gloucester Road, the longest road of independent shops in the UK. This stretch of one-of-a-kind shops takes in everything from fireworks to brewing supplies. Its highlights include the great organic food shop Scoopaway, local art outlet Room 212, artisan bakery The Breadstore, vintage sweetshop Scrumptiously Sweet, and Grape & Grind, an unpretentiously brilliant purveyor of excellent wine, craft beer and artisan spirits. However, Gloucester Road doesn’t have a monopoly on great independents. Music fans should make a particular point of heading to Rise on Queens Road, a record store that picked up the mantle from Fopp when it closed and quickly became a local favourite. And this being the West Country, you can’t leave without some cider. Stop by Bristol Cider Shop on Wapping Wharf and marvel at their numerous fruity wonders.
Markets
If stalls are more your thing, Bristol has several excellent markets open all year round. St Nicholas Market on Corn Street is only a short stroll from the centre of Bristol. It’s a popular one with locals and was named in The Guardian’s best markets in the UK. The weekend Harbourside Market is another local favourite, while Christmas visitors to Bristol will want to spend some time exploring the Mile of Markets that runs from the Harbourside to the Shopping Quarter. 
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