Queen Square

Queen Square, Bristol BS1 4LH

Introduction

Queen Square is an impressive Georgian square within the heart of Bristol city centre. It is 2.4-hectare public open space of level lawns and wide gravel paths. It has a fine historic statue as its centrepiece and a perimeter of mature plane trees. The backdrop of magnificent Georgian town houses dominates views across the square.

In recognition of its cultural and leisure importance, it was subject to a £4 million Heritage Lottery Fund restoration project in 1999. It is now a destination green space, has high levels of informal use and is animated by an exciting annual events programme.

Admission and opening times

Admission is free and Queen Square is open at all times. There will be an admission fee to some events and please note that access may be restricted during larger events.

Location and access

Situated in the centre of Bristol, BS1 4NH, it is a wide-open park with level gravel pathways and lawns. The paths are all wheelchair accessible and there are over thirty benches for public use. 

It is close to well-serviced city centre bus routes, is on the city centre cycle route and there are pay and display parking bays around the site.

Plan your visit:

City Map of Queen Square

Journey Planner | Travel Bristol

Events

Queen Square is utilised as a dynamic outdoor event venue. It hosts a broad range of local, regional and national events that animate the square and offer great attractions to visitors and residents.

What’s on in 2012?

• Wednesday 25 April to Monday 7 May:
  Eat, Drink, Bristol Fashion
  
  
• Friday 20 to Sunday 22 July
  Harbour Festival
  
  
• Saturday 28 to Sunday 29 July
  Thai Festival
  
  
• Tuesday 4 to Sunday 9 September
  Comedy Garden Festival

For information about events in Bristol view What's on in Bristol

Using Queen Square as an event venue

Contact our Event Licensing Team in the first instance if you are interested in using Queen Square for an event, or use the Event site license application toolkit and see the Queen Square event guide and conditions (pdf, 421 KB) to help you with planning for your event.

Management

Queen Square is owned and managed by Bristol City Council. It has its own management plan that sets out a 'vision' for future management, identifies aims and objectives, action plans and the process for ongoing consultation and performance monitoring.

View or download: 

Updated Queen Square Management Plan 2007-12 - Appendices

Green Flag Award and Bristol in Bloom

In recognition of Queen Square being managed to a high standard, it has been a Green Flag Award winning open space since 2008. The square forms part of the successful annual Bristol in Bloom judging route.

View or download:

Green Flag Awards

Bristol in Bloom

Crime and anti-social behaviour

The square is regularly patrolled by Police Beat and Community Support Officers and visited routinely by the Estate Wardens.

Report crime and anti-social behaviour:

Contact:

Online: Avon and Somerset Constabulary - Report a crime or incident

Telephone: Emergencies: 999

Telephone: Non-emergencies: 101

Community engagement

The Queen Square Association >is a local business group that welcomes local involvement and works in partnership with the Council to assist with the management of Queen Square.

History

Queen Square is an important heritage feature with cultural significance.  Explore a range of historical information in our related documents section.

Wildlife

Queen Square is part of Bristol’s City Centre Nature Trail – for further information download a guide or visit the Avon Wildlife Trust website.

Awards

Queens square has won or been nominated for a number of awards:

Keep Britain Tidy, Green Flag Award 2008 to 2012

Royal Town Planning Institute planning award for the Built Heritage (RTPI National Award 2003)

National Civic Trust Award 2004

The Landscape Institute 2009 Heritage and Conservation Award

Academy of Urbanism – A great Place Award finalist (2012)

Publications

Queen Square Bristol; a detailed and well-illustrated history of the square by Andrew Kelly, 2003. Redcliff Press Ltd. ISBN 1 900178 84 2.

The History and Development of Queen Square; a comprehensive and illuminating historical study by Bristol City Council, funded by English Heritage, 1996, prior to the Heritage Lottery Fund application.