Bristol Air Raid Shelter & St. Nicholas Market Walking Tour

Underground shelters, rooftop views, and the city's best street food in one morning

This walking tour of Bristol gives you access to the city's WW2 air raid shelters and subterranean passageways (spaces the operator says only they can enter) followed by time in St. Nicholas Market, the nation's top covered market. A live English-speaking guide leads the route, which takes about two hours and includes all fees and taxes. Children from age one are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Bristol's air raid shelters and market

• Access Bristol's secret air raid shelters
• Explore subterranean passageways
• View rooftop vistas
• Visit rooms with historic music significance
• Finish at St. Nicholas Market street food

The experience

Bristol's air raid shelters sit underground where few visitors ever go. The tour starts in the Old Town, where your guide walks you through the historic building that once housed these wartime spaces, then down into the subterranean passageways themselves. You'll see the rooms where people sheltered during bombing raids and learn how the city survived the war. The route also takes in rooftop vistas of the surrounding area: a shift from the depths below that frames how the city has rebuilt and changed since the 1940s.

From there, the walk moves into St. Nicholas Market, where the day ends among street food stalls and local vendors. The market is covered, so weather doesn't interrupt it, and the guide points you toward the best places to eat and pick up gifts. Two hours is enough to move through the shelters without rushing and have time to browse or grab lunch before you leave.

The tour runs with a live guide who speaks English and knows the building's history, from its trading past through the 1960s to what Bristol looks like now. All entry fees and taxes are included in the price, so there's nothing extra to pay at the door. Public transport stops are nearby if you need them to reach the starting point.

What’s included

• Exclusive access to Bristol's air raid shelters and subterranean passageways.
• rooftop vistas of the Old Town.
• guided walk through St. Nicholas Market with recommendations for food and local gifts.
• live English-speaking guide.
• all entry fees and taxes.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour of the Air Raid ShelterGuide in English · 14:00, 14:30 and 15:30A dedicated tour of Bristol's largest public air raid shelter. This 75-minute tour focuses on WW2 and the Bristol Blitz. Blitz experience: you'll see signs of Blitz damage above the streets before going down into our underground air raid shelter!

Walking tour of St. Nicholas Market and the Air Raid ShelterGuide in English · 11:00

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday to SaturdayDepartures at 11:00, 14:00, 14:30 and 15:30

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 85 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by St. Nicholas Market and Air Raid Shelter Walking Tour.

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see parts of Bristol most visitors miss (the underground shelters are not open any other way), and you're comfortable with two hours of walking that includes time below ground. The fixed route and timing mean the shelters, rooftop, and market all fit into one morning without you having to plan the stops yourself.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

What exactly are the air raid shelters in Bristol?

The shelters are subterranean passageways and rooms built into a historic Old Town building where people took cover during World War II bombing raids. The tour operator has exclusive access to these spaces, which are not open to the general public.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not very fit?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it does involve walking and some time underground. It's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, so consider your own comfort before booking.

What is St. Nicholas Market like?

St. Nicholas Market is a covered market in the heart of Bristol known for street food vendors and local crafts. The tour finishes there, giving you time to eat, browse, and pick up gifts: all under cover if the weather turns.

How long does the tour take?

The tour lasts about two hours from start to finish, including time in the shelters, the rooftop views, and the market.

What's included in the price?

All entry fees and taxes are included. You'll pay nothing extra at the door. Lunch and refreshments at the market are on your own.