THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Discover Bristol's rich history and hidden WWII air raid shelters on this engaging walking tour of St. Nicholas Market. Uncover secret passageways, rooftop vistas, and local legends for a one-of-a-kind city experience.
Discover Bristol's rich history and hidden WWII air raid shelters on this engaging walking tour of St. Nicholas Market. Uncover secret passageways, rooftop vistas, and local legends for a one-of-a-kind city experience.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by St Nicks Tours · Bristol, England
easy.
2 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; a moderate walk involving some stairs and uneven surfaces.
Yes, the tour is family-friendly and suitable for children of all ages.
The walking tour lasts approximately 2 hours, including visits to the market and underground shelters.
Most parts of the tour are accessible, but please inform us in advance for accommodations.
Yes, numerous food stalls within the market offer a wide range of local and international cuisines.
The underground shelters involve enclosed environments; please contact us to discuss accommodations.
Yes, advanced booking is recommended to secure your spot and tailor the experience.
The air raid shelters beneath Bristol date back to the 1940s, offering a raw glimpse into wartime life, while the market has operated since the 19th century, reflecting Bristol’s commercial evolution.
Efforts are ongoing to preserve the historic shelters and maintain the market’s vibrant community role, ensuring the area's rich history remains accessible for future generations.
St Nicks Tours is a Bristol-based tour operator specializing in guided walking experiences that explore the city's St. Nicholas Market and the WWII air raid shelters beneath the old town. Founded to showcase Bristol's trade, culture and wartime history, St Nicks Tours offers two signature experiences: the St. Nicholas Market + Air Raid Shelter Walking Tour (approximately two hours) and the Air Raid Shelter Tour (about 75 minutes). Guides are local historians and experienced interpreters; the shelter tour is led by a trained World War II air raid warden who presents original artifacts and first-hand accounts where available. Tours depart from and conclude in the covered market area and include access to hidden passageways, rooftop views, intact wartime rooms and authentic memorabilia. Visitors learn about Bristol's trading heritage, wartime civil defence, and market culture through measured storytelling and onsite context. The tours are suitable for history enthusiasts, market visitors, and small groups seeking an immersive local perspective. Safety and preservation are observed while accessing historic shelter spaces; guides brief visitors on conduct and site rules. St Nicks Tours maintains transparency about tour duration, meeting points and content, and highlights the market's food and shopping options as part of the visitor experience. The operator's focus on knowledgeable, location-based guides and tangible artifacts supports credibility and delivers an informative, grounded exploration of Bristol's civic and wartime past. Guests may also encounter local lore, including Margaret, the friendly ghost associated with the market. Booking information and accessibility notes are provided on request online.
Book with St Nicks Tours