The Compass, Bristol, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Compass stands on Welsh Back, a quayside street on the waterfront in the old centre of Bristol. It sits in the part of the city that grew rich on trade by water, which is why it makes a good place to pause and read the streets around it.

The story behind it

Welsh Back belongs to Bristol's old harbour district, where ships and boats once loaded and unloaded goods in the heart of the city. The waterfront here is closely tied to the Society of Merchant Venturers, a body of Bristol merchants that has been part of the city's trading life since the 16th century and was set up to promote and protect trade.

Like many old merchant bodies, the society has attracted its share of rumour and speculation over the centuries. Stories about what went on behind closed doors make good walking conversation, but the solid history is the trade, the quays and the people who made their living from the water.

What to look for

• The water of the harbour beside the street, where you can picture the quay busy with cargo and boats.
• The mix of old and new buildings along the waterfront, which shows how the working harbour has been reshaped over time.
• The view along the water towards the neighbouring parts of the old centre, a good spot to get your bearings.
• The street name itself, Welsh Back, a reminder that this waterfront was a place of exchange and trade.

Tips for your visit

• Allow ten to fifteen minutes for the stop itself, longer if you want to stroll the quayside and take photos.
• Early morning and early evening are pleasant for a walk by the water, with softer light and fewer crowds.
• King Street, Queen Square and Redcliffe are all close by, so it is easy to combine this stop with a wider walk through the old centre.
• If you plan to go inside, check current opening hours first, as they can change.

See it on a quest

Playing Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in Bristol is a good way to see this part of the waterfront. You walk to The Compass as one stop on a longer route through the area, the app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle based on what is in front of you. One ticket covers the whole group.

Bristol Detective Mystery: Infiltrate a Secret Society. suits anyone drawn to the city's tales of merchants and secrecy. You reach this stop on foot as part of a wider route, hear about it from the app on the spot, and work out a puzzle on location. One ticket covers the whole group, and you can start whenever you like, with no guide and no group to join.