It’s already well-known for its Banksy street art connection and vibrant arts, culture, and music scene – not to mention much maritime history – but there’s even more to Bristol than meets the eye. Not only is Bristol a buzzing university city, it’s also home of some of Britain’s quirkiest tourist attractions.
Indeed, it’s little wonder that in 2017 it topped a Sunday Times poll for ‘Best Place To Live’ in the UK.
Walks along the harbour or through The Downs, a public park overlooking Avon Gorge, are perfect ways to relax in between the excitement of a hedonistic 48-hour trip to this lively city, home to an eclectic art scene and the ever-present basslines of its famous music venues. Start your timer:
CHECK IN:
Stay among the hipsters and check into the Hotel du Vin at The Sugar House, a collection of restored historic sugar warehouses. Right in the city centre, it’s the perfect base from which to enjoy the best of classic Bristolian cool.
DAY ONE:
10:00 – Explore Europe’s most bike friendly destination: Join a tour or even hire a tandem to explore the city. If you prefer to do it yourself, you can download a cycling map from Better By Bike.
13:00 – Eat in a secret garden: Fill your rumbling tum with rustic fare at local favourite The Ethicurean where you can indulge in an ethically conscious feast of seasonal produce in its whimsical walled garden setting. It is half an hour by taxi from Bristol city centre (and only six minutes from the airport); note that it’s closed on Mondays. The mouth-watering dishes include modern British creations such as beef neck with purple sprouting broccoli to classic desserts like sticky toffee pudding. Diners can choose from an a-la-carte lunch menu or enjoy the ‘Full Feast Dinner’ served Tuesday to Saturday evenings (£28-£46 p.p.) ($47-$77).
15:00 – Head to the harbourside: Wander down to Bristol’s historic harbour and learn why the SS Great Britain, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was called ‘the greatest experiment since the Creation.’ The steamship, one of the longest and most powerful of its time, was designed to transport passengers across the Atlantic from Bristol to New York.
Get to know the vessel’s history at the Dockyard Museum. Step aboard the lovingly restored ship, adorned with flags as if ready for departure, and imagine what transatlantic travel would have felt like in Victorian Britain. The ship is contained inside a glass ‘sea’ to repel humidity and ensure minimal corrosion. In fact, the air inside the ‘dry dock’ that surrounds the ship is as dry as the desert!
19:00 – Dining on the water: Grab a table at the Glass Boat Brasserie. This floating restaurant, constructed from a barge, makes for an unusual dining experience and serves up classic French cuisine.
21:00 – Secret speakeasy: Get the party started and seek out one of Bristol’s ‘secret’ prohibition bars. Opposite the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, in the city centre, you’ll find Hyde & Co, Bristol’s original speakeasy. Grab yourself a pew at the bar and sip on Sucker Punch, a tropical mix of the bar’s own Hyde Scotch, with coconut, salted pineapple, lime and creole bitters.
DAY TWO:
10:00 – UNESCO City of Film: See why Bristol was named UNESCO City of Film and check out some of the city’s famous locations. From university rom-com Starter for Ten, to period drama The Duchess starring Keira Knightley, Bristol is a seriously starry city.
13:00 – Dine in a shipping container: Enjoy lunch at Cargo, at Wapping Wharf, a collection of restaurants set in old shipping containers. Other spots include the delicious taco bar Cargo Cantina or opt for the ultimate comfort food at Lovett Pies.
15:00 – Exit through the gift shop: No Bristolian adventure would be complete without a pilgrimage to places where the notoriously anonymous street artist, and Bristolian, Banksy, made his name in the early 1990s.
See some of his iconic works, such as ‘Paint-Pot Angel’ at the entrance to the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. You’ll come across many others on a self-guided Banksy walking tour or can download the Banksy Bristol Trail app for more.
His work attracts fans from around the globe, and was the subject of Banksy’s own Oscar-nominated film Exit Through the Gift Shop, about a street art-obsessed French immigrant living in LA.
17:00 – Boutique buys: Grab some last-minute buys and head back to shoppers’ haven Clifton, a picture-perfect Victorian suburb of Bristol. The area is packed with independent shops, and you’ll have the perfect opportunity to get that Instagram shot of Clifton Suspension Bridge too.
Extra time or different interests? There’s much more:
CULINARY
Bristol offers more than just regular dining experiences. Playing board games while enjoying locally sourced dishes is Chance & Counters’ speciality and at The Lanes signature hardshakes and pizza can be enjoyed while competing in a game of bowling or pool.
Psychopump Microdistillery: Gin Lovers can distill their own gin at the Psychopump Microdistillery, a small, independent distillery in Bristol which uses traditional handmade copper pot stills to produce craft distilled gin in small batches and limited quantities. They specialize in creating classic and seasonal recipes for their gin-loving customers and bespoke recipes with their partners. Every weekend they offer ‘Distil your own Gin courses,’ which include tuition, G&Ts, and a bottle of your own recipe gin to take home.
Cargo: Another shipping container initiative, Cargo is home to a host of independent eateries, shops and more as part of Wapping Wharf. Food from across the globe can be enjoyed from each container eatery, as well as craft beers, wine, and plenty of dessert options. Fresh sea food from the South Coast at Clifton Seafood company, authentic Spanish tapas at Gambas, or ethical baked goods at The Assembly Bakery can be tried, no one will leave hungry.
St Nicholas Market: One of the 10 best markets in the UK and home to the largest collection of independent retailers in Bristol, St Nicholas’ Market, also known as St Nicks, has been trading since 1743 and is now home to several permanent food stalls which showcase delicacies from across the globe. On top of their permanent stall holders, the market has a great calendar bringing variety to visitors, from a street food market with all the classics and international flavours every Tuesday and Friday and an Indie market every Friday and Saturday. Exploring their maze of stalls will most definitely tempt one’s hunger with worldly cuisine.
The White Lion: A favourite in Bristol and as soon as guests step out onto the large al fresco dining terrace, they’ll see why. The heated terrace is overshone by the panoramic views of Brunel’s Suspension Bridge, Avon Gorge, and the rolling hills of Somerset. Inside, the recently refurbished interior is paired with a classic yet favourite pub menu including burgers, pizzas and curry, with several vegan and vegetarian alternatives, and is situated inside the Hotel du Vin & Bistro which is in the top 10% of hotels in the city. This restaurant offers a classic pub experience with the twist of the most luxurious and far-reaching view, one for all to enjoy and marvel at.
Chance & Counters: Bristol’s very own board game café, Chance & Counters, allows guests to explore over 850 games from brand new to old school classics, while proudly offering a seasonal and locally sourced menu as well as craft beers and ciders. It’s an eating and drinking experience like no other: practicing board game skills in the cozy spot while digging in to a hearty meal, or just going along for the craft beers and cocktails, everyone is sure to have fun and leave feeling full in all senses of the word.
The Lanes: The Lanes is an independent bowling alley and has more of a party on the cards than just a traditional bowling game. Expect live music, pizza and lots of drinks, including their signature hardshakes. With a ‘50s diner-style décor and jazzy atmosphere, the Lanes house five bowling lanes, a karaoke room and pool tables, ready for all groups of guests and celebrations. The food is inclusive and offers a variety of meals and bites that will be well deserved after a few games and a hardshake or two.
ICONS WITH A TWIST
Up fest: In 2022, after three years’ break, the annual celebration of street art returns to the streets and parks of south Bristol with a date to be confirmed. Up fest is Europe’s biggest free street art and graffiti art festival, and attracts 250 international artists and over 25,000 visitors.
Balloon Fiesta: Bristol’s largest free fiesta returns in August at Ashton Court Estate in Bristol. Over 100 hot air balloons gather for mass ascents, tethered displays and the highly anticipated Night Glow spectacles at the largest event of its kind in Europe. Held over four days, there are market stalls, live music, fairground rides and street food stalls that also help attract over half a million people to the fiesta each year.
Gloucester Road: A staple story for Bristol is how they showcase independent retailers, with markets and streets full of small and local suppliers which are much loved by visitors and regulars alike. A particularly well-clustered area of Indie shops can be found along Gloucester Road and Stokes Croft, whether visitors are keen shoppers or just like to browse, these streets offer a great opportunity to wander a hugely popular area of the city, while supporting local.
Bristol Lido: Built in 1850 and having re-opened in 2008 after near 20 years of closure, the Bristol Lido is a beautiful outdoor swimming pool with a top-notch restaurant attached. Now a fully restored Lido with spa facilities and a new restaurant and café, visitors can lounge by the pool mid-city break and enjoy the views and spot of fresh air. Some of the highlights are their massages, sitting back in the sauna, and grabbing some tapas at the bar or heading up to the more upmarket viewing gallery restaurant.
OUTDOORS IN THE CITY
SUP Bristol: A stand-up paddle boarding club with a host of events to cater to all groups of travellers is located on Spike Island. Bristol’s SUP club is headed with a team of experts and allows you to experience Bristol from the river Avon. Visitors can float in the shadow of Brunel’s ss Great Britain and wave at passing hot air balloonists, or join one of the special events, previously including a Yoga SUP session.
The Wave: A short drive from the city centre, the Wave is the first inland-surfing destination of its kind, and is welcoming to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities for them to first-hand experience the joy of surfing, as well as its many physical and mental health benefits. The Wave puts emphasis on chilling out, being outdoors with nature, reconnecting with friends and families, and looking after your well-being. The venue offers spectator passes to simply enjoy the surfing, the relaxed vibe, and the good food at their minimal waste restaurant, while keen or beginner surfer can book lessons and sessions, or just ‘play in the bay’ times for a bit of what they call ‘blue health’. It’s a real all-round venue with something for everyone just moments from the popular city.
Sherlock: The Official Outdoor Game: Visitors can awaken their creativity, team work skills, and explore the hidden side of the city with the Sherlock outdoor mission. They can take on the challenge as they work their way across the city to uncover a series of clues, conundrums, and codes that need to be cracked in this original Sherlock-inspired outdoor detective challenge. Helped along the way by the cast of the hit BBC show, including videos, voice mails and texts, the game is a two-hour adventure which covers 3-4 km of the city with accessible routes. Groups have to score points and complete the challenge while seeing some of the Bristolian sights from the series, including St Mary Magdalene Church, Goldney Hall, and Cathedral and Queen’s square.
The Banksy Walking Tour: The tour gives visitors a chance to visit the iconic art work around the city Banksy calls home, as well as a few secret works for fans to spot. The world-famous artist has made sure his own city has not missed out on his talent, with works appearing around locations which would have been part of his childhood, making for a great self guided walking tour. There are nine locations featuring on this tour, each with its own story and art from early Banksy to more recent works, as well as features from other extremely talented graffiti artists. This walking tour is not one to miss for street art fanatics, and to take in the beautiful Bristol views.
HOW TO GET THERE
• By air: Bristol Airport is approximately 30 minutes by express bus to Bristol Temple Meads station.
• By rail: Bristol Temple Meads is under two hours from London Paddington.
• By road: Bristol is 2.5 hours from London via the M4.