Christmas Steps, Bristol, Somerset

If you decide to spend a day in the city when you’re on your large group holiday in the West Country and you go to Bristol, do go and see Christmas Steps, just a couple of streets away from the city centre. It’s such a charming part of the city and if you like Harry Potter, you’ll see the allure – it’s a bit like Diagon Alley; quirky buildings line the street, half timbered, old-fashioned bow windows, austere Victorian brickwork, and right at the top there are almshouses with turrets and spires and tall chimneys.

Christmas Steps was originally called Queen Street in honour of Queen Elizabeth 1’s visit to Bristol in 1574; quite how it became Christmas Steps isn’t known for sure but the consensus is it was probably named so by locals simply because the steps are right next to Christmas Street.

These days, the Steps are part of Bristol’s Arts Quarter where there are several little alleyways and what feels like secret passages to explore. As you’d expect it's all quite kooky, with independent shops, galleries, studios, workshops, even a theatre and a cinema, as well as pubs, restaurants and cafes. Whether you go during the day or at night when the soft lamplight adds to the ambience, you can’t help wanting to take it all in, to be a part of this unique part of Bristol. Go and explore.

All information correct at the time of writing

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