Millennium Square

From railway yard to public square

The square sits on land that once handled rail cargo for Bristol's docks and later served as a makeshift car park. It was laid out in the late 1990s as part of the harbourside regeneration, designed by Alex French Architects and part-funded through the Millennium Commission. A two-storey car park lies underneath, which explains the ten ventilation towers around the edges. The site was opened up as part of a wider push to bring people back to the old docks.

Statues and water

Look for Graham Ibbeson's bronze of Bristol-born actor Cary Grant, unveiled in 2001, and Lawrence Holofcener's seated bronzes of William Penn, William Tyndale and Thomas Chatterton. On the east side, William Pye's Aquarena has fountain walls and stepped cascades that children treat as a paddling pool on warm days. The mirrored sphere of the planetarium appears to float in the reflecting pool.

How to use it

The square works best as a stopping point between harbourside sights. We The Curious is right next to it, the aquarium and Upside Down House are a short walk away, and the big screen shows major sporting events and state occasions. During the Bristol Harbour Festival it hosts free music, so expect crowds that weekend.

Highlights

• Bronze statue of Cary Grant by Graham Ibbeson
• Seated bronzes of Penn, Tyndale and Chatterton
• William Pye's Aquarena fountains
• Mirror-clad planetarium sphere of We The Curious
• Big screen for sport and national events

Good to know

• Free to visit and open as a public space.
• An underground car park sits directly beneath the square.
• The Aquarena fountains are popular for paddling in hot weather, so pack a towel if you have children.

Frequently asked questions