St. Nicholas Market is a vibrant area of shops and covered and uncovered stalls in Bristol’s “old city.” It’s a delightful place to grab lunch, find a bargain, or simply spend an hour or two browsing. The market started life in 1743, and today remains surrounded by handsome Georgian architecture. In 2010, it was named as one of the U.K.’s top 10 markets.
St. Nicholas Market, known locally as “St. Nicks,” is open daily Monday to Saturday. The setting is under a glass Georgian arcade. Independent traders sell anything from books or wine, to art or souvenirs. Three extra weekly markets take place every Wednesday is the Farmers Market. On Friday, the Food Market sets up. On Friday and Saturday, the “Nails” arts and crafts market takes over.
On the first Sunday of every month, three additional markets join forces the Book Market, Slow Food Market and the Art Market.
The Nails Market derives its name from the brass pillars on Corn Street. Traders used to conduct business between these pillars, or “nails” as they were called. The commodity of the past was sacks of corn but today the Nails Market focuses on arts, crafts, jewellery and clothing.
At the Farmers Market and Food Market, you can put together a picnic to go and eat by the river in nearby Castle Park. Cheese, bread, chicken and organic juice are just a few of the products available. Produce is sourced locally, within a 40-mile (64-kilometre) radius of Bristol. If you’d rather eat in, there are a number of pubs and eateries close by.
St. Nicholas Market is based on Corn Street in the centre of the old city. The visiting markets also take place here, and on nearby streets. It’s a five-minute drive or 10-minute bus ride from Bristol Temple Meads, the main station in the city.
St Nicholas Market
Visit St Nicholas Market
Reviews of St Nicholas Market
3/5 - Okay
Was this the market in town centre? It was good.
Popular places to visit
St. Peters Church
This ruined 12th-century church stands as a World War II memorial and features a garden filled with varieties of medicinal plants.
Bristol Hippodrome Theatre
This historic theater offers a wide variety of entertainment, from West End productions and Broadway shows, to traditional pantomimes and opera.
Castle Park
Ancient castle ruins, memorial gardens and public art pieces decorate the lush lawns of this city center park.
Watershed
Movie screenings, festivals, art exhibitions and live music present a busy schedule of events at this digital media center.
Lord Mayor's Chapel
See dedications to former city mayors, the tombs of ancient knights and exquisite stained glass at this 800-year-old church.
John Wesley's Chapel
Discover the life of a pioneering family of the Methodism movement at a hands-on museum set inside the rooms of an historic 18th-century chapel.
Top Hotel Deals
Check availability on hotels close to St Nicholas Market
- Holidays and getaways similar to St Nicholas Market
- Hotels Near St Nicholas Market, Bristol City Centre
- Hotels near popular Bristol Attractions
- Hotels near Ashton Gate Stadium
- Hotels near University of Bristol
- Hotels near Roman Baths
- Hotels near Bristol Hippodrome Theatre
- Hotels near Clifton Suspension Bridge
- Hotels near Aztec West Business Park
- Hotels near Bath Spa University
- Hotels near Royal Crescent
- Hotels near Bristol Cathedral
- Hotels near University of Bath
- Hotels near Jane Austen Centre
- Hotels near Bath Rugby Stadium
- Hotels near Southmead Hospital
- Hotels near Noah's Ark Zoo Farm
- Hotels near Bath Racecourse