St Nicholas Market
An indoor and outdoor market in the old town, centered on an exchange building from 1743. Street food stalls and antiques shops make it a Bristolian lunch favorite.
St Nicholas Market is in the old town around Corn Street. Its core is the Georgian-style Exchange building completed in 1743 and the glass-roofed arcade behind it. About 60 independent stalls sell secondhand books, vintage clothing, handmade jewelry and tea. The most popular spot is the 'Glass Arcade' street food area, which brings together quick eats from Portuguese, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and other cuisines at affordable prices. At the Exchange entrance, four bronze 'nail columns' remain, said to be the origin of the English expression 'pay on the nail' (meaning to pay cash immediately). It is open Monday to Saturday, with a surrounding farmers' market on Wednesdays and street food markets on Fridays and Saturdays.
Opening hours
Mon–Sat approx. 09:30–17:00; closed Sundays
Nearby sights
- Bristol Old Vic
- St Mary Redcliffe
- We The Curious
- Bristol Harbourside
- Stokes Croft
- Banksy's Well Hung Lover
- Bristol Cathedral
- Cabot Circus