Bristol's biggest library, though that doesn't mean its huge, has all you would expect. They've got…read morebanks of computers (that get filled up with students from City of Bristol college), obscure local archives, and a comprehensive fiction section. Unexpected bonuses include a wonderful room for working in upstairs, with rows of wooden desks. Silence reigns in this part of the library, and if you need somewhere quiet to get some reading done in the middle of the city, you can go here without having to buy a cup of coffee. They also have a good sheet music section, and a range of CDs and DVDs on offer - no need to go and pay at Blockbusters. A say 'in this part of the library' because its not necessarily the quietest of places. Keen on enticing the entire community, the kids section usually has a toddler screaming. I don't say this critically, libraries are better places when they're a bit lively, but bear this in mind when visiting. There's plenty to choose from here, and they have a catalogue that links up to the rest of the area, so they can order stuff in for you. If you visit for the first time remember to take along a utility bill so they can let you borrow. Bristol Central Library offers everything you'd expect and a few things you wouldn't in a friendly, convivial setting.

The central library is located next to the cathedral on college green and has an extensive…read morecollection of information in a variety of sources. The downstairs houses most of the non fiction material, and also has a small cafe/eating area, where you are also allowed to eat your own food. Upstairs is the reference section and main computer hub. Make sure you book an computer from the host one or you won't be able to log in. The library is pretty large, but just accommodates the amount of people it is required to, and can get pretty busy during the day - I too have been one of those printing out CVs and clogging up the photocopier. The staff here are really friendly and accommodating - they'll help you find exactly what you need to. Don't be afraid to ask!

This part of Clifton is called Clifton Village and the library here does feel like a village…read moreaffair. It's hushed inside, with a few OAPs reading today's newspaper at some of the desks. Innovations away from the traditional library so far stand at a photocopier - they've kep it it simple here. The village feel is enhanced by the small size of the place - there can't be more than 30 yards of book cases in the whole place and the range on offer isn't fantastic. That's not a problem in my opinion to be honest. I'll bring my own books up here just for the quiet here. It's on a busy high street, and simply by setting the building back the Victorian (I think) designer has ensured that none of the business gets in. Come here especially when the slighly ridiculous Clifton café culture gets too much and you want somewhere slightly saner, and without the blast of the coffee machine. Clifton library is an uncluttered community space which feels blissfully old fashioned.

Stepping into this library is akin to stepping into a time warp; old and murky, its Victorian…read morecharacter remains obstinately in tact. Although it is of modest size, the library still has a pretty wide selection of books, a few obligatory computers and, of course, a trusty photocopier. The staff are friendly enough and the place is usually quietly conducive to some silent reading or study time. However, I have witnessed a few excruciatingly noisy mornings here, whereby the venue undergoes a seeming metamorphosis into a crèche. As you can imagine, a group of screaming toddlers in a small space designed for studious pursuits does not bode well. If you have a high tolerance threshold, it's worth a visit...

During the summer months this place is only good for socialising, and collecting books. The ever…read moregrowing heat outside is brought inside by all the bodies which turns the top two floors into a sauna. The library supplies all the books that a student may need, provided you get there 2 weeks before any essay that you may need to get in. As a rule the people that work there are really nice, except the guys that come round and lock up, they are a bit arsey. The re-vamped downstairs is great and i am a big fan of the sofas etc.

The university library is the library for students and academics. Lots of rules and regulations and…read moreit is easy to build up a fine. I once forgot I had a short loan book for a week and had to pay back £30. oops. There is a good selection of books and all the core textbooks for any course can be found here. The only problem is that there is usually only one copy of each book. Fine during the term when nobody does any work but once essay deadlines start looming, you need to be quick and think ahead in order to even sneak a peek at course books. The staff are friendly and always able to help with any computer or library related trouble. The computer room is fairly small so isn't much use during term time. The library hours are great - opening at 7 am and closing at midnight. This means there really is no excuse not to do your homework!

This is Bristol's uber landmark - along with the suspension bridge and cabot tower, you could pop…read morethem all on a postcard and have a pretty good tourist notion of Brizzle. I'm quite a fan of this tower. It was begun in 1915, and finally completed in 1925, to commemorate Henry Overton Wills, the first chancellor of Bristol University and whose family were the owners of Bristol Tobacco, and as such were very wealthy. The architect, Sir George Oatley, was told to 'build to last', which he certainly has done. In a neo gothic style, the building dominates the Bristol skyline in a majestic way. On Open Doors day every summer there's a an opportunity to go inside the the tower for free. It is, without doubt, the highest point in Bristol and the view is just phenomenal from the top. It's not just a view though, as you can get up close to the massive bell that chimes each hour, and stand in the bell room as it does so (don't worry, they give you ear plugs, which you'll definitely need!). If you miss out on the open doors day, there's a guide who does a tour on the first tuesday of every month, I believe, though this won't be free but well worth the visit.

Now that it's free of all that scaffolding, Wills Memorial Building is once again standing bright…read moreand proud at the top of Park Street, hosting Bristol University graduations (including mine a few years ago!), exams (again, including mine!), and other grand university ceremonies. It's also got some teaching space here, particularly for the Law students, which is why you'll see many students hanging about here during the day. The patch of green in front of the building is a great place for a picnic, though not particularly quiet or peaceful, given that it's near the busy Triangle and that you'll be surrounded by gossipy undergrads. I came to sit here on my first visit to Bristol when I was looking around the university. I spilt a whole cup of boiling tea on my foot and it swelled up monstrously. I considered myself well and truly physically branded by my Bristol experience, and therefore decided to take up the offer to study here! The Memorial Building is truly beautiful inside; a big cathedral with vast stained glass windows. Walking up the big flight of steps inside really does provide that lovely feeling of hushed awe.

All my life I have greatly enjoyed reading books but almost as much as I enjoy reading them I enjoy…read morefinding them. Never been one to peruse the clean cut aisles of W H Smith or Ottakers for instance, or to click through pages of Amazon - oh no, I prefer the real mc coy. Book shops like this one are a dying race and it's a shame. These books are all pre-loved and you can really feel it; the notes in the margins, the underlining of key points or simply the messages in the inside cover. Avon Books is an old fashioned affair complete with well spoken gent behind the till and a musty smell of ciggies. The stock is mostly on the subjects of war, espionage, natural history and philosophy but you can root out a few gems too. Recently I found the entire Gray's Anatomy for just a quid! Try and beat that.

It was the owner sitting outside having a quiet smoke that made me want to have a look inside this…read moreshop. A proper old bookshop, run by a proper bookish booklover, it's lovely for browsing, and is well organised if you're looking for something specific. I love buying books this way, rather than brand new from shiny big high street bookshops, and Avon Books does a good job of providing a classic library atmosphere to satisfy the old-fashioned among us. True to its local name, it stocks a good section of books about Bristol's history, which I'm sure get picked up by tourists on their way back from the Suspension Bridge. The classics section is large, so students of English Literature, take note: this is a good place to come if you need to stock up on books from your reading list.

This small Waterstones is an invaluable resource to students too late to take books out from the…read moreneighbouring university library. Here, the friendly sales assistants can track down and order those important university textbooks for you to arrive within days. Don't forget to visit the nearby student cash machine before visiting - the books from here aren't cheap, but you can be assured you'll be buying and ordering the right editions for your syllabus. Non students are also welcome here, where they have a good range of mainstream books too.

I know, you're thinking, Waterstone's, books, yawn, we know what it does…read more However despite being in the middle of the brain-dead Broadmead shopping centre this shop is a little gem purely because of the passion of its staff. Yes I come here to get a book I know about, and it has a pretty good stock of classics and new books and they can order anything in you like. However, the love comes when you have time to browse. This is when you should have a look at the side shelves at the end of the sections and the tables in the middle. The staff carefully pick out titles on a theme - perhaps Russian writers or books about serial killers in America - and have little reviews underneath. Now I know all Waterstone's do this but this shop seems to have a knack for finding some very interesting books. I discovered The Master and the Margarita here (I know! What was I doing all this time?) and for that they will always have my respect.

City of Bristol College has city wide sites each offering different specialisms of study. At…read morecollege Green A levels and GCSE's are offered alongside diplomas in media studies, hairdressing and beautician, a wide range of computer literacy courses and many more. The college is accessible in terms of physical disability catering for wheelchair users, people with visual impairments and deaf people. If students have other learning support needs the learning services department will assess and offer appropriate support. Students range in age from 16 - 90. There are two on site cafes, a well equipped learning resource centre (library) a computer suite with PC's and macs. The site is situated very centrally, easily accessible by bus or on foot.

The City of Bristol College offers low cost hair and beauty treatments at several of its centres…read moreincluding College Green, Ashley Down and Bedminster. All treatments are carried out in their modern salons by the students who may take a little longer than a professional salon but offer an excellent service. The students are fully supervised and offer cutting, styling, colouring and perming. Students are trained in both men and women's hairdressing and also cater for Afro Caribbean hair as well as European. Some of the beauty services include waxing, massage, reflexology, manicures and facials and use quality products such as Dermalogica.

Everything in this shop is gorgeous, including second-hand books, vintage clothes and accessories,…read moreleather-bound notebooks, local postcards. "Booty", with its definition "treasure", is exactly the right name for the place; anything you pick up here feels like a little prize, something you uncovered by happy accident when wandering along this quirky street. This is the sort of shop I remember dreaming about as a teenager, yearning for a shop that would have the ideal combination of brilliant things all in one place. It's a great place to come for gift-shopping, as you're likely to find something far more original and meaningul (and easier on the wallet) here than you would in a conventional, specific "gift shop". The shop is very at home here in this part of Bristol, with a dozen unique small businesses along one stretch leading towards yet more as you start down the Christmas Steps.

Booty! The name says it all - this shop is pretty much like a car boot sale (this particular car…read morewould have a very big boot). There are tonnes of books, vintage jewelery, vintage flick out fans, sunglasses, clothes, leather bound Indiany books, cards, hats, records.. the list goes on, and boy does it go on. You feel like you're transported to many different shops while you're in here. You could be in the aisles of an old library in the book section, and suddenly you're in your grandmother's closet, and a few steps later, you're in a really old school record shop! It makes it feels so fun to shuffle around in here, peering at every item as you go along. A great shop to wander in on a lazy afternoon, when you feel like immersing yourself in some great vintage retail therapy.