How to get here
The University is based in Clifton in the heart of the city of Bristol. Each of our open days attracts over 15,000 visitors: some of the roads around the campus will be closed to vehicles on the day and parking close by is extremely limited. We strongly advise you use the free University open day park and ride service, or public transport.
If you are arriving the day before the open day, please visit our where to stay page and our information about the city.
School and college coaches and minibuses
Please refer to our information for schools and colleges.
Road closures
Please note that North Woodland Road, Tyndall Avenue and Priory Road will be closed, with enforced traffic-calming measures in place.
Travel directions
The University will be running a free park and ride service from the shopping centre, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway (junction 17 of the M5) which is clearly visible as you leave the motorway. Please follow the blue RAC signs for the University of Bristol open day to Coach Park H. For Sat Nav users the postcode for The Mall is BS34 5DG.
Please allow at least an hour for this service. We urge you to use the park and ride service as car parking in the city is very limited and can be expensive.
The University park and ride service will only be operating on open days (26 and 27 June and 14 September). If you are visiting at other times, please see our maps and travel page.
Stewards in red T-shirts will be at The Mall to help with queries and register your arrival.
Coaches from The Mall to the University, with the option to go via student halls at Stoke Bishop, will be available from 8.30 am with the last coach leaving the University at 5 pm.
Park and ride maps
There are two train stations in Bristol: the University is much closer to Temple Meads, and we recommend you arrive at this station.
A free shuttle coach service from Temple Meads to the University (Woodland Road) will operate from 8.30 am throughout the day, with the last shuttle leaving Woodland Road for Temple Meads at 5 pm. At busy times there may be a short wait for this service.
If you would like to visit halls, the shuttle bus will leave from Woodland Road on the University campus, from 9.30 am - 3 pm (with the last return shuttle at 4.30 pm).
The University's shuttle coach service from Temple Meads will only be operating on open days (26 and 27 June and 14 September). If you are visiting at other times, please see our maps and travel page.
Stewards in red T-shirts will be at the station to help with queries and register your arrival.
City bus services 8 and 9 operate between Temple Meads and the University. The number 8 stops by the Berkeley pub on Queen's Road opposite the Wills Memorial Building, while the number 9 continues from the Berkeley pub up towards Tyndall Avenue.
Please allow 30 - 45 minutes for these bus journeys.
The University is a 30-minute walk from Temple Meads station. The route is marked on our walking map (PDF, 3.1Mb) which will be available from Stewards at the station and from the registration point for your return journey.
Marlborough Street Bus and Coach Station is in the centre of Bristol, close to the University campus. From the bus station you can either take a taxi (the taxi rank is outside the bus station) or walk to the University (this takes about 15 minutes: please note that the route is quite steep in places). At the top of Woodland Road is a crossroads - cross Tyndall Avenue and the registration point is on the left, across the zebra crossing.
From Bristol Airport
Bristol Airport is nine miles (13 km) south of the city, along the A38. The Bristol International Flyer service, services A1/A2, run approximately every ten minutes at peak times between the airport and Triangle South, in the Clifton area, a short walk from the University campus. Please allow 45 minutes for this journey.
Airport shuttle
Map showing Bristol airport shuttle stops (PDF, 291Kb)
From London Heathrow
There is a direct National Express Coach Service between Heathrow and Bristol. Alternatively, you can take the Heathrow Airport Express to London Paddington and a Great Western train from Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads station. For information on how to get from Bristol Temple Meads to the University please visit how to get here by train.
Travel notices
Throughout 2013 the following roadworks mean delays are likely:
- M5 between junctions 15 and 17
- M4 between junctions 19 and 20
To help you avoid any traffic congestion on the day, please use the following websites: