Bristol has become a significant tourist spot as a place of art and culture. And this guide will help you find the best theatre in Bristol.

This ceremonial county and unitary authority in England is a hidden jewel for being a hub of historical culture.

The guide has listed below some of the most beautiful theatres in Bristol. Along with it, you’ll also find nearby attractions to help you plan the perfect day.

1. Bristol Hippodrome

The Bristol Hippodrome is one of the most famous performing arts theatres. The most popular participants here are London’s West End and the Welsh National Opera, who frequently host shows here.

Furthermore, this is a Grade II-type designated building and has a capacity of 1,951 seats over three levels.

1.1. History

Frank Matcham built The Bristol Hippodrome in 1912. This building had a water tank in front of it back in those days, and it was of great size.

Hippodrome survived the World War II. But soon, a fire destroyed this place. After rebuilding, it returned to business with one of the biggest stages out of London.

One of the most famous acts here was in 1960 by Eddie Cochran, who lost his life in a road accident only an hour after the show.

Other top shows include The Phantom Of The Opera, Cats, Les Misérables, and Wicked.

It is also home to famous comedians like Russell Howard, Ricky Tomlinson, Frankie Boyle, and more. Moreover, this theatre celebrated its centenary in 2012 and hosted Thanks For The Memories.

The performance featured the Bristol Light Opera Club. They were joined by the Bristol Musical Youth Productions as well.

1.2. Other Attractions

This theatre in Bristol is in a place called The Centre. It is a popular public open space and a tourist attraction in Bristol.

Here, you can also visit the Magpie Park. It has a bronze statue of Edmund Burke, a Member of Parliament, built by sculptor James Havard Thomas.

St Mary On The Quay, a Roman Catholic Parish church in Bristol, is also here. Next to it, you’ll also find St. Stephen Church and the Colston Tower.

2. Watershed

The Watershed, established in 1982, is the UK’s first centre dedicated to media. It is on Canon’s Road, Harbourside, Bristol, and you can access it by bus or ferry. Along with having three cinemas, the Watershed also has various events, concerts, and conferencing spaces.

It is near the beautiful River Avon and overlooks the Floating Harbour and St. Augustine’s Reach, adjacent to the Center.

The Guardian rated it the fifth most popular independent cinema in Britain in 2002.

2.1. History

The place started attracting around a million tourists every year. Along with that, it also went through a significant refurbishment, making the building more accessible to the general public.

The Watershed is home to various festivals, including RESFest 2002, The Lesbian And Gay Film Festival, Depict!, Black Pyramid Latin America Week, VisionSign, Encounters Short Film And Animation Festival, Slapstick Film Festival and more.

Other than this, this theatre in Bristol also holds evening classes, film events, film discussions, screenings and more.

It also hosts the Keeping It Reel series for teens and gives them a chance to see what goes on behind the scenes.

2.2. Other Attractions

The Watershed is in the beautiful port of Bristol called the Harbourside. It is a hub of educational institutions and tourist attractions of Bristol. It is seventy acres around the River Avon, and this place is often called the Floating Harbour. In July, the Bristol Harbour Festival is also held.

3. Everyman Cinema

The Whiteladies Picture House was reopened as The Everyman Cinemas in 2016. It is on Whiteladies Road in Clifton, Bristol, England.

This three-screen cinema is widely known even among tourists. Here, you can consider night shows as well.

3.1. History

The Whiteladies Picture House, established in 1921, was initially a public entertainment space. It even had a ballroom, billiard room, and restaurant. It went through a renovation in 1978 as a three-screen cinema.

Though most of the original features of the Whiteladies Picture House are gone, the Everyman still has retained some of its creating a magnificent venue.

Now, it offers various events like movie screenings, music screenings, live events and more.

3.2. Other Attractions

The Everyman cinema is in the Whiteladies and is one of Bristol’s well-known areas. Moreover, it is a community favourite for having the freshest seasonal produce, local food and drinks and more.

4. Orpheus Cinema

The Orpheus Cinema is another three-screen cinema in Bristol. It is in Westbury Park and is also known as Scott Cinema. This place is over 80 years old and frequently pays homage to the classic and golden age of film.

4.1. History

The Orpheus, built in 1938, was a 1400-seater cinema. But it had to close down in 1971 and was demolished the following year. However, it returned to business in 1974 under Scott Cinemas by incorporating modern technology.

Although to pay homage to its prior glory, some features are still preserved, and classic films are still shown here.

4.2. Other Attractions

The Orpheus is in the beautiful suburbs of Henleaze. This residential inter-war development is now a part of the Westbury-on-Trym.

Nearby, you can also find Westbury Park. You can enjoy a fun day out here with kids and family. Moreover, you can also visit the famous Durdham Downs.

5. Wardrobe Theatre

5.1. History

The Wardrobe Theatre is one of the more modern theatres in Bristol. Established in 2011, the founders were a bunch of young artists.

It is famous among young tourists and hosts various events and exhibitions. They also have job opportunities for those interested in this field and give ideas on it.

This place puts a particular emphasis on featuring the young and rising artists of Bristol.

Moreover, the Wardrobe Theatre in Bristol is the centre of the fringe scene.

5.2. Other Attractions

The Wardrobe Theatre is in Old Market Street, Bristol. However, the old market is a listed conservation area of national significance too. This ancient marketplace is also home to the famous Bristol Castle.

Moreover, you will also find the Norman castle built for defence extremely interesting.

2. FAQs

2.1 What Is Bristol Famous For?

Situated in the west of England, Bristol has some of the most famous historical pieces. Furthermore, it is also a hub of architectural culture, educational institutions, music and performing arts theatre, and more. Some notable attractions that you can find here include Clifton Suspension Bridge, Harbourside, Bristol Hippodrome and more.

2.2 Is Bristol in England?

Bristol is in southwest England, near the banks of River Avon. The nearby cities are Gloucestershire and Somerset.

Also Read: Theatre in Liverpool: 4 Best on The List

Endnotes

That was everything about the most extraordinary theatres in Bristol. This city is notable for its many historical sites, and the theatres are among them. Furthermore, it is ideal for having a trip with friends and family.

Now that you have read about these fantastic places, you can decide which can be considered the best theatre in Bristol. So when you visit Bristol, make sure to check out all these places.

Last Updated on March 5, 2024 by Joshita