The Central Library has a beautiful main reading room and free internet access. A good place to read, study and reflect. It's possible to take a tour of the building. The haunted yarn given by the librarians sounds like they've seen the opening scenes in Ghostbusters one too many times.

College Green, BS1 5TL;
tel: 0117 903 7200;
www.bristol-city.gov.uk/ccm/content/Leisure-Culture/Libraries/central-library.en

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Dockside contemporary art centre built into a 19th century warehouse. Attached to the galleries is a cinema and an impressively stocked specialist bookshop. The provocative cafe bar, designed by artist Bruce McLean, has seating outdoors perfect for summertime. Next to the outdoor seating is a sculpture of Italian explorer John Cabot looking longingly to the harbour's exit and out to the sea beyond.

16 Narrow Quay BS1 4QA
www.arnolfini.org.uk

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Seminal photographic account of 1980s inner-city Bristol by Beezer, born in the city but now resident in Tokyo. Many of the images could be urban scenes in New York but this is resolutely Bristol and the scene which spawned The Wild Bunch.

www.beezerphotos.com

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More than just a second-hand books and vinyl trader. This shop also sells a range of hats and acts as somewhere you can find out about left-of-centre events going on in Bristol. The profits from their Banksy print t-shirts go towards local NGO Kiptik which supports development projects in the Chiapas region of Mexico.

82 Colston Street, BS1 5BB;
tel: 0117 933 0909
www.kiptik.buz.org

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