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a host of fantastic restaurants, cafés and pubs – so make sure you bring a healthy appetite.
final look at this beautiful region – Bristol International Balloon Fiesta over the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
This wonderful city draws visitors back like a magnet year after year
Welcome, visitor!
May we congratulate you on your choice of destination – you’ve picked a great time to visit Bristol. With world-class attractions, great shopping, stunning nightlife, exciting festivals and a superb range of hotels it’s no surprise that Bristol has become one of England’s most popular tourist destinations.
Bristol has been described as a modern European city with a historic past. The city’s waterfront has been transformed in recent years to become a major leisure destination in its own right, with stylish bars, cafés, museums and galleries.
The city centre combines the historic charm of the old city with its medieval churches, castle ruins and bustling farmers’ markets with Bristol’s main retail area. Boasting more than 500 shops, including signature stores such as Harvey Nichols and M&S (from 2025) anchoring the ultra-chic Cabot Circus complex, Bristol’s city centre shopping area, is the fashion and leisure
capital of the South West.
Just north of the city centre is Clifton Village, with its elegant Georgian streets, designer shops and delightful cafés. It’s the location of Brunel’s iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge which spans the stunning Avon Gorge affording visitors spectacular views of the sweeping Downs and surrounding countryside.
Often described as a city of villages, Bristol is also Britain’s greenest city, with more than 450 open spaces, a network of cycle lanes, regular farmers’ markets and locally sourced food and drink available throughout the city, and has won an international award which saw it become European Green Capital in 2015.
Bristol can boast an enviable nightlife with many of the region’s best restaurants, live music venues, clubs, bars and pubs located in the city. So relax, recharge and enjoy your stay in this great city. ■
Bristol Harbourside
Bristol offers an abundance of things to do with days out and top attractions for the whole family to enjoy
Great days out
Looking for historic sites, a dynamic art scene and a lively calendar of live events? All this and more awaits in Bristol. This vibrant city is known for the offbeat character of its suburbs, where street art, community cooperatives and local festivals turn a simple walk into an exploration.
But Bristol is big on history and tradition too. Wander the genteel streets of Clifton, see Old Masters at the city’s art galleries and marvel at the might of Brunel’s SS Great Britain. Days out in Bristol are never boring. Beautiful, arty and full of museums and heritage houses, Bristol is a big draw for history and culture buffs. Learn about the city’s role in the slave trade, wander its historic
In August it’s the spectacle of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
harbour and dance yourself silly at a range of fun festivals and events.
From big Chinese New Year celebrations to twinkling Christmas markets, Bristol hosts an impressive array of events and festivals throughout the year. January welcomes Bristol Slapstick Festival to the city, giving audiences the chance to watch some extraordinary silent films accompanied by live musical scores. The screenings are introduced by prominent film historians, experts and comedians inspired by the comedy legends on screen.
Both the Bristol Bluegrass Festival and the Bristol International Jazz and Blues Festival take place around March. Come June there’s
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
Love Saves the Day, which showcases a diverse range of contemporary musical genres, combining the best of Bristol’s thriving underground scene with pioneering artists from across the globe.
The family-oriented Festival of Nature is held in June, while July brings the city’s famous Harbour Festival, featuring free maritime events, dance and live music.
In August, everyone looks to the skies for the world-famous spectacle of Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, which draws huge crowds each year. The annual, city-wide festival of sustainability, known as the Great Big Green Week, takes place every June.
Interactive games
For a supersonic day of family fun, get the kids down to Aerospace Bristol. Discover fighter planes, helicopters and space technology while the kids enjoy interactive games, Alfie Fox’s trail and a fantastic aeroplane play area. A real highlight is stepping aboard the last Concorde ever to fly.
Back in the city centre, get the low down on Bristol and its inhabitants at M Shed. This museum tells the city’s story from prehistoric times to the present day, through an eclectic mix of rare and quirky objects, personal memoirs and interactive displays.
Highlights include learning about Bristol’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and meeting Bristol’s very own dinosaur –Thecodontosaurus.
Outside the building, you can often take a ride on some of the larger exhibits, including steam trains, boats and the famous cranes –but check for dates and times beforehand to make sure they’re running.
Top attractions
Another of the city’s top attractions is the constantly evolving We The Curious, an innovative science discovery centre with countless hands-on activities. Head towards the Harbourside and look out for the giant mirrored sphere that houses the centre’s Planetarium, and you’ll soon find the entrance.
To get a peek inside a beautiful old gypsy caravan, meet Bristol’s dinosaur and see some real Egyptian mummies, make your way to Bristol Museum & Art Gallery at the top of Park Street. The museum offers free entry and includes a hands-on play area for younger children.
The gallery on the top floor is home to an impressive range of art, from European paintings by the likes of Thomas Gainsborough and John Constable to one l
M Shed, Bristol Museum
Nicholas Wylde realised his dream of starting his own business in 1987, opening his first shop in Bath at the age of 24. In 2010, he opened a second branch in Clifton Village, Bristol.
The leading designer jeweller has built up an unrivalled reputation for designing outstanding jewellery, from one-off commissions to larger corporate orders, all handmade with great passion in the workshop on the premises.
BESPOKE DESIGN / REMODELLING SERVICE
An appointment can be arranged with one of our designers where you will be seated and greeted with a glass of chilled champagne to discuss and bring your jewellery dreams to life. All as part of our complimentary service, our trained specialists will draw up their initial ideas in front of you, listening with great care to create the perfect piece to your specifications and budget, for a piece of jewellery that’s truly unique to you.
SAME DAY ON-SITE REPAIRS
We have an on-site workshop at our store, where we have talented goldsmiths who carry out all jewellery repairs. A quotation can be given for the repair of any item brought into the shop and most items are repaired on the premises.
Same day repairs are usually possible. Stones can be sourced and replaced where missing, rings can be sized up or down, chains can be soldered, clasps can be replaced and countless other repairs can be undertaken.
JONNY-ROCKS Chauffeurs, provide luxury chauffeuring services throughout the United Kingdom. Covering a total of 46 UK regions with experienced local chauffeurs.
of the finest collections of Chinese glass outside of Asia.
At The Georgian House Museum, which is also free, you get a snapshot of what a Bristol sugar plantation and slave owner’s home might have looked like around 1790. The four-storey home and its 11 rooms give visitors the chance to discover what life was like both above and below stairs – from the basic servants’ quarters in the basement to the elegant formal areas upstairs.
Historic house
To see what life was like in Tudor times, The Red Lodge Museum is a good bet. Found behind a bright red door, this historic house combines an original Tudor/Elizabethan building, built in 1579 to 1580, and additional buildings added from the 1730s through to the early 19th century. Visit the original guest house and entertainment lodge, the immaculately kept ornamental gardens and the building that became the first ever Girls’ Reformatory school, set up by Mary Carpenter.
If you’re down by the harbour you can’t miss Brunel’s famous SS Great Britain, which dominates the skyline. Want to see what’s inside? Well, you can. Visitors can explore the historic ocean liner and two interactive
museums to get a taste for seafaring life.
Climb into a bunk and imagine spending a night out on the ocean, hop on board an 1830s railway carriage and step into the mind of the famous engineer himself at the Being Brunel museum.
You could spend all your time in Bristol checking out world-class art, shopping and museums. But there’s plenty to do out in the open too, whether you want to explore the city’s waterways or get your outdoorsy fix in the stunning surrounding countryside.
Why take a normal bus when you can board a water bus? Bristol Ferry Boats have provided a scheduled service around Bristol’s unique Floating Harbour for 40 years. Visitors and locals alike can hop on and off their boats at any of their 17 stops, including Bristol Temple Meads, City Centre, Brunel’s SS Great Britain and many other stops. In the spring, there are trips up the Avon Gorge and under the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Rather take transportation into your own hands (and feet?). Gain a fresh perspective on the city on a stand-up paddleboarding adventure with SUP Bristol – they offer both evening taster sessions and weekend day courses in the UK’s fastest-growing watersport.
Also operating in Bristol docks is l
The iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge
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WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY
Photograph by Mike Lanning
A wild welcome
Discover this vibrant nature reserve, where rare Shrill Carder Bees play, Bitterns boom and Starlings swirl in the skies above. With scenic trails, fun family activities and a delicious café, you can be sure of a great day out.
Plan your visit today
Tyntesfield, Wraxall
All-Aboard Watersports, a charity that offers accessible ways to get on the water, including sailing, kayaking, canoeing, rowing, powerboating, paddleboarding and more.
If you fancy getting sporty indoors, head for inPlay Golf on Cathedral Walk where you’ll be able to tee off in a state-of-the-art simulator with real clubs and balls.
Clifton Suspension Bridge is a Bristol icon. Built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the gorge spans the River Avon and offers impressive views across Bristol and beyond. It’s bordered by the green, open expanse of Durdham Downs – the ideal spot for a picnic or some kite-flying on a fine but breezy day.
If you climb Observatory Hill, you can get a spectacular view of the bridge. Just follow the footpaths to the top, and, if you’re feeling brave, take a quicker journey back downhill using the well-polished Rock Slide –smoothed over hundreds of years by Bristol’s bottoms!
Green, open spaces are in plentiful supply whichever direction you choose to travel. You could wander amongst ancient trees and enjoy spectacular views at nearby Leigh Woods, a national nature reserve.
A little further west, Tyntesfield is one of the area’s best-loved National Trust properties – an impressive Victorian Gothic revival
house, surrounded by rolling parkland, beautiful gardens and a woodland play area. A National Trust rival that’s close to Bristol is Dyrham Park, home to an opulent 17thcentury baroque country house, gardens and deer park.
While in the area take a walk on the wild side at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, which offers a whole day’s worth of entertainment for the family. With more than 100 species of animals including African elephants, lions, white rhinos and gibbons.
Rare breeds
Alongside the large collection of exotic animals is the zoo’s farm animals with a focus of preserving rare British breeds. This collection includes Suffolk Punch horses, Bagot goats, Tamworth pigs and British white cattle who are all identified as ‘at risk’ and ‘priority’ by the Rare Breeds Trust.
Combine bucolic grounds with gruesome history at ancient Berkeley Castle. The Berkeley family have lived in this ancient fortress since their ancestor, Robert Fitzharding, completed the Keep in the late 12th century. The building’s main claim to fame? Edward II was brutally murdered here! If you have a passion for surfing, check out The Wave, an incredible inland surf l
Cocktails Social Darts ® Brunch
experience. Using the latest wave-making technology, up to 1,000 waves are generated per hour, with heights starting at 50cm and peaking at almost two metres. It’s an accessible surfing adventure for everyone, including young beginners, visitors with disabilities and professional surfers. Even Olympians train there.
South of the city, you can get your countryside fix around the lakes of the gently rolling Chew Valley. A little further out and you’re in the Mendip Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that offers superb views and endless opportunities for walking and cycling.
Rock climbing and caving
Spectacular Cheddar Gorge is 20 miles from Bristol but well worth the trip. Britain’s highest inland limestone gorge incorporates dramatic 450ft cliffs and stalactite caverns, offering superb opportunities for rock climbing and caving.
Be sure to visit Gough’s Cave, the burial place of 10,000-year-old ‘Cheddar Man’, once home to hunter-gatherers. And look out for herds of wild goats clinging precariously to tiny rock ridges.
If wild goats won’t cut it, Longleat packs in a whole host of wild attractions. On the
Safari drive-through you can brave Monkey Mayhem, hunt for the resident wolf pack and see cheetahs dashing over the grasses. Hop out of your vehicle for a walking safari and you can get up close to ring-tailed lemurs and giraffes.
The Safari drive-through is located in the grounds of a spectacular house which transports you back to Elizabethan times through its fine 16th-century architecture. Meanwhile, its grand rooms and artefacts date from the 16th century all the way through to present day.
Hot air ballooning
For something entirely different, book a hot air balloon experience with First Flight. This independent operator offers a range of packages including group flights, cider and cheese flights and even proposal flights, complete with champagne and flowers for the lucky person. Depending on the launch site, First Flight covers Bristol, Bath, the Chew Valley, Mendips and the Somerset levels.
Whether you choose to stay central or venture outside the city, days out in Bristol are bags of fun. From museums to street art to the good old English countryside, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. So get out there and explore! ■
Cheddar Gorge, Somerset
DON’T MISS
Our top things to see and do when visiting this picturesque region
1
Bristol Lido
For a touch of luxury, make a trip to Bristol Lido. Dating back to 1849, the Lido now includes a modern heated outdoor pool, a spa, a poolside bar and a beautiful restaurant. Overlooking the pool, the first-floor restaurant has a sliding glass wall to enhance viewing pleasure as you sip your drinks.
2
Tyntesfield I
Nestled amongst vast expanses of picturesque countryside, Tyntesfield has been in the hands of The National Trust since 2002. This extraordinary Gothic mansion boasts an intricate network of rooms waiting to be discovered. Delight in the awe-inspiring library, billiard room, and opulent Anglican chapel, or meander through the grandeur of the gardens and estate.
3 Aerospace Bristol
Experience the wonders of Aerospace Bristol and embark on a voyage through a century of remarkable accomplishments. Discover the rare opportunity to board the last-ever flying Concorde and relish its legacy. The expansive exhibition showcases over 8,000 artefacts, narrating the captivating tale of aviation history spanning two world wars, the space race, and modern-day advancements.
4
Hit the Shops
A trip to Bristol cannot be complete without some serious retail therapy at Cabot Circus. Shop ‘til you drop at more than 120 shops, including major flagship stores such as Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser, and the wonderful bookshop Foyles.
5
St George’s Bristol Open for lunchtime concerts, St George’s Bristol is acclaimed for its wonderful acoustics and exciting programme of international artists. Built in the 1820s, this Greek Revival-style church is the perfect setting for a bit of culture. Book tickets early and enjoy the best in classical, chamber, world, folk and jazz music.
6
Brunel’s SS Great BritainI Embark on a captivating journey aboard Brunel’s SS Great Britain. Undeniably one of Bristol’s premier attractions, this splendid vessel awaits you at the Harbourside, right where it was originally constructed and set sail. Crafted by the ingenious Isambard Kingdom Brunel, this ship stands as a maritime marvel and an absolute essential on any visit
to Bristol. For an immersive experience, the ‘Go Aloft’ adventure enables tourists to step into the shoes of Victorian sailors and ascend the rigging.
7
Watch Glass Blowing
The world-famous Bristol Blue Glass has been in Bristol since the 17th century. With a vast collection of predominantly blue glass on display, visit the factory, visitor centre and shop and watch the glass blowers in action.
8
Enjoy a Boat Tour
The best way to see the city sights is by boat. Scheduled tours (complete with commentary) include a sensational summertime trip from the Harbourside to the Avon Gorge cruising under the splendid Clifton Suspension Bridge and through Brunel lock.
9
Festival Fever K Bristol plays host to a number of great festivals throughout the year. Bristol Sounds is a multi-night midsummer gig series on Bristol’s iconic Harbourside which takes place in June. The amphitheatre is an incredible setting for live music. Bristol Harbour Festival is a free dance, music and arts extravaganza and the Balloon Fiesta is another popular event that attracts more than 500,000 visitors over four days.
10
Get Creative
Whether it’s an exhibition at the Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery; modern art at Arnolfini or the Royal West of England Academy; a private viewing at Spike Island or an exhibition at M Shed, there is plenty to keep inquisitive minds happy in Bristol. ■
SHOPPING
Shopaholics will love this region for its eclectic mix of boho-chic boutiques, high-street staples and quirky independents
Bristol’s vibrant, offbeat nature draws visitors from far and wide – and many of them come to shop. Join them and you can browse the elegant boutiques of leafy Clifton, the alternative shops lining Gloucester Road, the independent boutiques in St Nicholas Market and the high-street brands of Bristol’s city centre. Just make sure to pack your credit card and a sturdy pair of shoes!
This is a city that’s full of quirky, offbeat vibes, but sometimes you just want to browse familiar high-street names or hit an airconditioned mall. And Bristol is happy to
Cabot Circus is the city’s flagship shopping mall
accommodate. Both the city centre and out-of-town malls provide plenty of bigbrand bargains.
The city centre alone is home to several interconnected shopping areas, each with a distinct personality – from the characterful shops of the Old City to designer names and famous high-street brands at the architecturally striking Cabot Circus.
The modern hub of Bristol’s shopping, known as Bristol Shopping Quarter, incorporates two covered shopping areas, Cabot Circus and The Galleries, which are
connected by Broadmead, a pedestrianised thoroughfare lined with yet more shops.
Cabot Circus is the city’s flagship shopping mall, a sprawling, airy space which provides rain protection thanks to its shellshaped glass and steel roof. Along with the neighbouring uncovered area known as Quakers Friars, you’ll find more than 120 shops in this patch of the city, plus numerous restaurants, the 13-screen Showcase Cinema de Lux and Jungle Rumble Bristol.
Cabot Circus houses major outlets including Zara, H&M, Hotel Chocolat, Cos, Schuh, Next, & Other Stories, Oliver Bonas, and branches of both Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser department stores. It’s also home to popular booksellers Foyles and a whole host of restaurant chains, such as Wagamama, Nando’s, TGI Fridays and The Real Greek.
On the opposite side of Penn Street, the Quakers Friars area is known for upmarket stores such as BOSS as well as high street names including FatFace. There’s also a popular Apple Store for all your electronic needs.
Shopping mall
The Galleries, an older shopping mall with more than 80 shops, is also dominated by household names. There are branches of The Entertainer, Boots, Argos, Jack Wills, Trespass, Waterstones, Claire’s Accessories and WHSmith. If you need to stop and refuel, you can pick up some fast food at Burger King and Greggs, or settle down for a coffee at Caffè Nero.
If you have wheels, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway is the obvious out-of-town shopping choice for more mainstream high street brands – particularly on a cold, rainy day when you want to stay warm and undercover. Situated on the M4/M5 interchange, Cribbs is a huge mall with free parking and an excellent range of shops including department stores John Lewis and Marks & Spencer, alongside Joules, FatFace, Next, New Look, H&M and River Island.
When you need a break from shopping, there are loads of places to grab a bite, from fast food favourites KFC and Burger King to popular restaurant chains like Café Rouge, TGI Fridays, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Itsu and Nando’s.
Love chasing a bargain? Don’t mind heading further afield? Get in the car and drive out to Clarks Village. Some 28 miles from Bristol, this lively village is home to some 90 renowned brands offering up to 60 per cent off RRP every day. Retailers on
site include Barbour, Ben Sherman, Calvin Klein and White Stuff. As well as getting your fashion fix, you can take a break in one of the restaurants and cafés and wander the spacious landscaped gardens. For families with little ones, the centre offers the perfect pit stop – St Arthur’s adventure outdoor play area, where the kids can climb, slide, swing, and play.
Looking for vintage threads, foodie finds or some hand-made homewares? You’re in luck. Bristol has some of the best independent shopping in the UK, with one-off, quirky boutiques, craft stores and markets spread throughout the city. So get out there and get ready to work out your feet and your wallet!
Vintage clothing store
Just off Broadmead look out for the Grade 2-listed Arcade, where you can find some cool independent businesses such as Card Shack for gifts and greetings cards, Shakeaway for indulgent milkshakes and Horological Underground, for some seriously cool watches. You can get your child’s hair cut at specialist EK Hair, shop for vintage and reworked clothing and accessories at Sobey’s Vintage Clothing store or grab a bite to eat at Taste of Napoli.
Just around the corner on Nelson Street is the very cool music store Rough Trade, which goes all out to celebrate music culture, incorporating a little café, bar and live performance room, alongside music and books.
Bristol’s Old City is a maze of narrow streets lined with historic buildings and centred around the Grade 1-listed Corn Exchange Buildings on Corn Street, which today house St Nicholas Market, known locally as St Nick’s. Established in 1743, the market is undercover and open six days a week. l
L Clarks Village, Somerset j Cabot Circus
Christmas Steps
It packs in more than 60 colourful stalls selling a whole array of goods, from clothing, jewellery and accessories to Fair Trade gifts, art, cards and bric-a-brac.
At the rear, the beautiful glass arcade is dedicated to street food stalls and tiny eateries, showcasing mouth-watering cuisine from all over the world – whether you fancy Moroccan tagine, Caribbean wraps or a hot chilli you won’t go hungry.
Independent traders
For more market action, the largely trafficfree streets surrounding St Nick’s are home to Wednesday’s Bristol Farmers’ and Producers’ Market, the Street Food Market on Tuesdays and Fridays and Bristol Indies’ Market, on Fridays and Saturdays, which showcases products from about 30 independent traders, including original artwork, photography, vintage clothing and hand-crafted jewellery.
On Corn Street itself, you can pick up vintage clothing from independent store Urban Fox, which includes a great selection of vintage Levi’s jeans, jackets and other clothing.
Stroll to the end of Corn Street, and you’ll spot the central fountains and lively Harbourside area to the left. A short stroll from here takes you to a much older part of
Bristol, known as the Christmas Steps Art Quarter. This cluster of unique streets packs in a diverse range of art galleries, bars, cafés and independent shops. Wander along Perry Road, Lower Park Row, Colston Street, St Michael’s Hill and Christmas Steps, through a tangle of narrow, tucked-away alleyways, and you will stumble across all kinds of interesting gems.
On Christmas Steps, you can browse jewellery from I Am Acrylic, and admire brass and woodwind instruments at Trevor Jones Brass & Woodwind. If you have time during your stay, you could also drop into 20th Century Flicks to book their tiny private cinema for a film evening with a group of friends.
Cool boutiques
Head to Colston Street and the cool boutiques keep on coming. They range from secondhand bookshop Bloom & Curll to skateboard and urban clothing retailers Fifty Fifty Store.
Don’t miss Makers, a gallery and shop that’s filled with unusual hand-made items, or Urban Fringe Dispensary, where you can pick up herbal tinctures, medicines and natural ingredients. Other options include flowers from Les Fleurs, new and used bikes at Bike Workshop, and handmade l
ceramics at Blaze.
On Perry Road you’ll find vintage Japanese imports at KimonoKimono; violins and cellos at Cremona House Violin Shop; hand woodworking tools at Bristol Design; regional modern and contemporary art at Clifton Fine Art; and Japanese antiques and arts at Amelie and Melanie Japanese Antiques.
As you huff and puff your way up the steep slope of nearby Park Street, you’ll pass the three-storey art and stationery shop, Cass Art; independent creative clothing, accessories and gift store, Illustrate; and the city’s longestrunning vintage clothing store, Uncle Sam’s Vintage, which opened in 1984, importing hand-picked stock direct from California.
The Bristol Guild – a small, independent store established in 1908 – is a mecca for design junkies. With kitchenware, toys, toiletries, jewellery and ceramics to choose from, it’s a great place to hunt for unique gifts, including iconic, Bristol-themed homeware made by established designers, and lovely traditional children’s toys.
Independent shops
Once you’ve exhausted the shops in the city centre, head a little north to Stokes Croft –known for its street art, including some of Banksy’s most famous pieces – then wander along Gloucester Road. There are more independent shops here than any other street in the country, and there’s a fun, alternative vibe to boot.
Check out the massive range of Dr. Martens footwear at KBK Shoes; woodwind and brass instruments at Headwind Music and games and comics at Area 51. You can also pick up used books at The Amnesty Bookshop as well as wonderfully imaginative toys at Playfull Toyshop.
If chic boutiques and gourmet goodies are more your speed, mosey on up to elegant Clifton Village. Perched next to Brunel’s famous Clifton Suspension Bridge, Clifton is a popular shopping detour, known for its highend boutiques selling antiques, jewellery, clothes, homeware, gifts and quality West Country-inspired souvenirs. This elegant suburb has a distinct identity and a villagey atmosphere, despite being just a few minutes’ drive from the city centre.
Focus on the Past is one of the oldest shops in Clifton Village and offers a wide range of antiques, furniture and collectables over two floors. Friendly, helpful staff are always on hand to give advice to customers and source items whenever possible. Also in Clifton Village is Clifton Ceramics & Fine Jewellers which offers contemporary Moorcroft
plus Nicholas Wylde jewellers, Elliot Hall Enamels, Dennis Chinaworks and Hidden Gallery.
On the opposite side of town, immediately south of the centre, you’ll reach fashionable Southville and neighbouring Bedminster, where the main shopping streets to explore are East Street, West Street, Bedminster Parade and North Street, which is home to shops selling Fairtrade gifts right through to locally produced deli treats and health foods.
Pick up original ceramics and pottery tools at Trylla; original art at Casper; 1950s to 1970s clothing, homeware and furniture at Rhubarb Jumble; new books at Storysmith; quality wine at Corks of North Street; and new and used vinyl at Friendly Records.
Tobacco Factory Sunday Market
There are heaps of cafés and bars where you can sit, eat and drink, and watch the world go by – and there’s quite often something happening at the Tobacco Factory if you have some spare time, including the popular Tobacco Factory Sunday Market.
Bristol’s first zero-waste shop, Zero Green, is located on North Street, and offers an incredible range of products, including loose items to decant into your own containers (such as cereals, pasta, nuts, seeds, beans and pulses). You’ll also find eco-friendly household cleaners, liquid soap, shampoo bars, toothpaste, plastic-free deodorants, water bottles and coffee cups.
Bristol is firmly in place as one of the UK’s shopping hot spots, and no wonder. Hit the streets to discover big-name brands, designer boutiques and sprawling malls. Or spend your time browsing markets, vintage stores and second-hand bookshops in Bristol’s offbeat suburbs. Whatever you choose, shopping in Bristol is never a disappointment! ■
John Lewis, Cribbs Causeway
Pottery,
EATING OUT
Bristol is a foodie’s paradise with a host of fantastic restaurants, cafés and pubs –so make sure you bring a healthy appetite
If it’s diverse, exciting food you’re after, Bristol delivers and then some. Adventurous diners will find quirky, independent eateries jostling for their attention, both in the city centre and in the bohemian suburbs. In search of a bit of glamour? Refined dining is easy to find too. As are fancy delis, street food trucks, chain restaurants, lively summer food festivals… whatever your foodie fantasies you can
indulge them here!
Bristol’s restaurants and cafés don’t shy away from celebrating local produce. At eateries throughout the city, you’ll find stunning British food, both traditional and innovative. And you can eat it at all kinds of venues, from humble pubs to swish fine dining spaces.
If you’re arriving by train, sniff out freshly baked pastries, hand-
made sourdough and seasonal cakes at Hart’s Bakery, a tiny place tucked away under a Victorian railway arch at Temple Meads station. Open for breakfast and lunch, this bakery is a local legend, and everything they sell is prepared and baked on their premises. Order a takeaway or grab one of their few tables and watch the Bristol folk go by.
For waterside dining with a vibrant atmosphere, get down to
The Canteen, Stokes Croft
Bristol’s twinkling Harbourside. There’s always something interesting going on, whether it’s a food festival or a music event, watching the boats on the water or listening to buskers playing on the quayside. What can you eat here? There’s a mixture of modern chains and successful independent restaurants serving everything from pizza to Latin American to traditional British cuisine.
You’re dining by the water so eating fish is a good start. Get stuck into beer-battered fish and chips, fish and seafood dishes and even mallet-cracking shellfish at FiSH Restaurant and Bar. The menu changes daily depending on the fresh catch brought in each day from local boats in Brixham, Newlyn, and Plymouth.
The arty Watershed venue has a thriving warehouse-style café bar overlooking the Harbourside, which is open from early in the morning until late at night, for breakfast, lunch and evening meals. The chefs are big on fresh, locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. There’s also a tasty children’s menu.
In Bristol’s Totterdown area, Southside Bar and Kitchen is a relaxed and friendly restaurant with cool, industrial décor, serving up great food accompanied by choice music and delicious drinks – including a menu of cocktails. The food on offer changes regularly with the seasons, and there’s a great selection for vegetarians.
A welcome newcomer to Totterdown is BANK. By day, the menu focuses on speciality coffee and brunch, while the night-time menu offers small plates and a carefully curated selection of craft beer, wine and seasonal cocktails.
You might have heard about Clifton’s elegant architecture, stunning views and prosperous residents. But it’s also one of the city’s dining hot spots. If you’re looking for charcoal-flamed meat and seafood, try The Spiny Lobster. Or, for maximum atmosphere go for the Kings Arms, where you can dine on inventive tapas by candlelight. Fancy ramping things up a notch? The Ivy Clifton Brasserie
serves up the London original’s classic brasserie menu at a beautiful, sophisticated space in Caledonia Place.
If you fancy some pampering, you could treat yourself to a swim or treatments at the elegant Bristol Lido before enjoying a relaxed dining experience at its awardwinning restaurant, which is set in the historic viewing gallery of the Clifton Pool.
Combining original Victorian character with modern floor-toceiling windows, the restaurant gives diners a great view over the pool as well as a delicious menu. Food is prepared in an Italian clay oven and includes a fantastic selection of dishes with hints of the Moorish and of the Mediterranean and a strong Spanish influence.
Prefer to keep things super casual? Try tasty hand-made burgers at hipster favourite The Burger Joint on Whiteladies Road. If you’re bored of beef you can go for venison, wild boar, lamb or vegan options, and even choose what kind of bun you’d like.
Just outside the city centre is The Canteen, set in the bohemian arts quarter of Stokes Croft. This hip café bar is housed on the ground floor of Hamilton House, a former office block that’s found new purpose as a non-profit creative community hub.
The Canteen is known for hearty, home-made food that’s delicious,
contains no nasties and is bought at a fair price from producers. They’ve been awarded the Sustainable Restaurant Association’s highest rating of three stars for their commitment to local and ethical suppliers and for their care of people and the planet. Naturally, there’s an excellent choice for vegans and vegetarians.
For more food that’s high on flavour but low on impact head to Bulrush Restaurant in the Cotham/ Kingsdown neighbourhood. The passionate foodie owners serve innovative, modern British cuisine made using foraged ingredients, such as native sea vegetables and common hedgerow foods. They also have a Michelin star, no less!
In the Cheltenham/Gloucester Road area, The Grace is a wellestablished, friendly local pub that is popular for its tasty Sunday lunches. It’s not all about roasts, though. You can enjoy a whole host of other simple, freshly made dishes washed down with real ales, craft beers and great cider or wine – with the option of dining outside in the courtyard garden in fine weather.
Take a short walk south of the city centre to the Bedminster and Southville suburbs for even more delicious dining. On North Street you’ll find a branch of The Burger Joint for delicious burgers with a wide choice of toppings, The Spotted Cow for classic British gastropub meals and the l
Pizza on the Park, Berkeley Square
Hen & Chicken for burgers, stonebaked pizzas, and Sunday roasts.
Oowee Diner on North Street offers vegan burgers alongside chicken and beef options, plus tasty fries and sides. There are all-vegan branches of Oowee Diner located on Baldwin Street and Picton Street.
It’s no surprise that a city as dynamic and international as Bristol has a dining scene to match. There are restaurants, cafés and street stalls serving food from all corners of the globe. So get out there and sink your teeth into everything from curry to tapas to Hawaiian.
Bristol’s Wapping Wharf is a fantastic place to eat innovative international food. Try Cargo Cantina for tapas, Loki Poké for Hawaiian poké bowls, Persian and Middle Eastern eats at Jigaraki and Japanese drinks and small plates at Seven Lucky Gods. Bandook is a recent addition to Wapping Wharf, serving top-notch Indian street food in an intimate and informal setting.
If you’re after Spanish cuisine,
make for Gambas Tapas Bar, which has a terrace on two sides and great river views. The menu of good-value small plates showcases great-quality produce, and dishes arrive as they’re ready from the open kitchen.
For an incredible choice of international flavours all in one location make sure you try some of the food outlets at St Nicholas Market on Corn Street. Great-value, comforting Portuguese cuisine is available from Portuguese Taste, authentic Moroccan dishes at Café Atlas and Japanese gyoza at Eatchu. You could also try goat curry and ackee and saltfish at Caribbean Wrap. Or set your sights on Vietnamese restaurant Foodie Vietnam, which has a range of authentic dishes on the all-day menu.
Matina’s is particularly popular but don’t let the lengthy lunchtime queues put you off – this place serves up generously sized and delicious Middle Eastern wraps.
The market usually closes its
doors at 5pm, with many food outlets selling out some time before. It also opens on occasional Friday evenings for the St Nick’s Night Market. There’s usually live music as well as circus performers to add to the spectacle, creating a lively ambience right in the heart of Bristol’s Old City.
If you want Chinese cuisine, Mayflower stands head-andshoulders above the rest. There’s no pretension here – just simple Cantonese dishes prepared with care and served until the early hours. Perfect for those night owls!
Head cross the central Hippodrome area of Bristol and up the steep incline of Park Street and you’ll find another fantastic range of places to eat – handy when you’ve worked up an appetite climbing up the hill! Try Toro Noodle Bar or Yakinori for topnotch Japanese cuisine.
Or continue just beyond the top of Park Street to upmarket Clifton Triangle, where you’ll find l
Gambas Tapas Bar, Bristol
Clifton Village Welcomes Fish Tales
Clifton Village, a charming enclave known for its vibrant cultural scene and historic charm, is about to welcome an exciting new addition to its culinary landscape. Fish Tales, the brainchild of renowned Chef Takvor Terlemezyan is set to make waves as it opens its doors in the heart of the village. From the 7th of July experience this seafood haven that promises to be a feast for the senses.
Nestled in the transformed space formerly occupied by New Moon Tapas, Fish Tales offers a fresh and innovative take on seafood dining. With a decade of success at New Moon Tapas, TK has decided to shift his culinary focus to bring the finest and freshest seafood to Clifton Village. This new venture promises not only exquisite cuisine but also an immersive dining experience, thanks to the artistic touch of Malcolm Golding, a celebrated painter whose sea-themed visuals have breathed new life into the restaurant.
Caribbean Croft, Stokes Croft
Krishna’s Inn for Keralan cuisine, The Coconut Tree for cocktails and Sri Lankan street food and Yoyo Burger for gourmet fast food.
If you’re hankering after a thin and crispy Roman-style pizza, get over to Pizza on the Park on Berkeley Square, close to the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.
Rather have a curry? Haveli The Yard is located on the former site of The Bristol Yard, on Colston Street, and offers Indian classics alongside chef’s specials and a sweeping cocktail menu.
You’ll find a creative menu of modern and classic Indian cuisine available at The Mint Room, a stylish, contemporary restaurant with a reputation for great service and food. You can expect innovative dishes using local, free-range ingredients, served in sophisticated surroundings.
Nearby, Bento Boss serves up Japanese cuisine, including sushi, and you can enjoy Thai food at the traditionally styled Clifton Thai.
Flour & Ash is a well-respected pizzeria offering a wide range of vegetarian and vegan choices, plus delicious home-made ice creams for dessert.
Nutmeg is a vibrant Indian restaurant based in Clifton Village. Its menu is inspired by the diversity of India’s 29 states, from the Himalayas to tropical Southern India.
Also in Clifton Village is stylish pan-Asian restaurant KIBOU, which serves a range of classic and contemporary Japanese dishes, including steamed bao buns, handmade gyozas, rich ramen, crisp tempura and katsu curry.
Arty and diverse, Stokes Croft has some of the best value international dining in the city. You will find food from across the islands at Caribbean Croft, as well as an extensive selection of rums to make the night go with a buzz. Also based in Stokes Croft is Sri Lankan restaurant Nad, which celebrates the delicious flavours and spirit of Tamil culture
– think hoppers (rice and coconut milk pancakes shaped like a bowl), black pork curry and fish grilled with mango and garlic.
If you like your Spanish food to be ethically produced, try Poco Tapas Bar. Their impeccable eco credentials have won them multiple awards.
A little further north is the fiercely independent Cheltenham/ Gloucester Road area, famous among locals for its many eating options. Eat Lebanese chargrilled meats and meze dishes at Lona Grill House and Juice Bar and try an unusual combination of Persian and Korean dishes at Per & Kor, thanks to the multicultural husband-andwife team behind the establishment.
From vibrant street markets to fine dining to vibrant suburbs full of international cuisine, Bristol offers fabulous eateries at every turn and to suit every budget. So come with a sense of adventure, hit the streets and prepare for your tastebuds to be wowed! ■
Only here for the weekend? Fear not! Here are some ideas for a memorable short break
WEEKENDER
DAY ONE
Start your visit by hopping onto a ferry and taking a trip around the Harbourside. Many of the Harbourside’s industrial buildings have been converted into trendy restaurants, bars and galleries.
A pre-booked trip with Bristol Ferry Boats can take you all around the Harbourside, past Brunel’s SS Great Britain and out onto the River Avon to the magnificent Avon Gorge and Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Jump off the ferry at the SS Great Britain and take a tour of this magnificent ocean liner – Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s masterpiece, restored to its former glory complete with cabins, engines, and a dining saloon to explore. For lunch, hop onto a ferry again and alight by the city centre.
Just a few minutes away is Arnolfini. One of Britain’s leading centres for contemporary art, take a browse and nip into the wellstocked bookshop. Either have lunch here or check out one of the many great food establishments nearby.
Follow lunch with a little retail therapy. For pure indulgence head to Cabot Circus and discover more than 120 shops.
Once you’re all shopped out, take an early dinner in one of the many stylish restaurants around the Harbourside. Check out what’s on at Bristol Beacon and Bristol Old Vic or head over to Southville to the Tobacco Factory Theatres.
After such a busy day you deserve to chill out in a relaxing pub. But if energy levels permit, put on your dancing shoes and dance the night away in one of the city’s trendy nightclubs.
DAY TWO
Venture out of the city centre and head up to leafy Clifton Village – actually not a village at all, but the area around Bristol’s famous Suspension Bridge boasting wonderful Georgian architecture and independent shops and boutiques.
Start the day with a trip to Primrose Cafe, arguably one of
the great Bristolian breakfast institutions. Then take a walk across one of Bristol’s favourite open spaces – the Durdham Downs. On the far side of The Downs, as locals refer to it, you’ll find great views across the River Avon and the Avon Gorge and back to the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
If you’d rather put your feet up, head to Bristol Lido. Dating back to 1849, the Lido offers spa treatments, a restaurant and poolside bar as well as a heated outdoor pool, sauna and steam room.
Out onto the River Avon to the magnificent Avon Gorge and Clifton Suspension Bridge
Before dinner, wander back into town and take in the breathtaking architecture of Bristol Cathedral. Then head towards the Christmas Steps to pick up some unique and quirky mementos at the surrounding independent shops and galleries.
For a special place for dinner, try the nearby Hotel du Vin on Narrow Lewins Mead. A winning mix of great style and sophistication, housed in a magnificently restored 18th-century sugar house, this gorgeous establishment never fails to impress. ■
Clifton Suspension Bridge spans the Avon Gorge
Culture vultures assemble! Bristol offers the perfect mix of galleries, museums, exhibitions and festivals
Culture Club
If it’s culture you’re after, Bristol has it in spades. There are major concert halls, diverse museums, art-house cinemas, striking architecture and wonderful art galleries. Some parts of the cityscape have even become life-sized canvases for some truly inspired urban street art. Whatever your cultural preferences – from Shakespeare to Banksy – Bristol will tickle your tastebuds.
Cool, creative and colourful, Bristol is a fabulous place to get your cultural groove on. So get down to the art galleries to see everything from classical to contemporary,
wander the museums to learn about the city’s history and soak up street art in vibrant suburbs.
The Harbourside area of Bristol is packed with cultural venues. Arnolfini – the city’s international centre for contemporary arts – has a fantastic waterside location and an exciting programme of changing visual arts exhibitions, plus film screenings, dance, performances, talks and great family events.
The converted warehouse also holds an impressive arts bookshop, as well as a popular café and bar serving local and seasonal produce.
Entry to the building and exhibition spaces is free, and there are some seats with a prime waterside view outside on the quayside if you fancy a drink on a sunny day or evening.
Another major arts venue in this area is the Watershed, the South West’s leading film culture and digital media centre. With a strong focus on film, media and digital technologies, Watershed puts on screenings across its three cinemas, as well as an array of festivals and events.
Spike Island is home to a buzzing co-working space, where artists
Bristol Hippodrome
and other creatives practice their craft in affordable artists’ studios. The public are welcome to browse the on-site gallery and there’s a year-round programme of public exhibitions, talks and activities.
Set in a grand Victorian building, full of light and space, The Royal West of England Academy on Clifton Triangle celebrates the best of historic and contemporary British art. If you’re looking for a smaller, alternative arts venue, check out The Cube. It’s an independent cinema, but it also presents music, cabaret, discussions, amateur filmmakers’ nights, children’s events, performance art and comedy.
Graffiti and street art fans, come on down! Bristol is home to one of the world’s largest outdoor art exhibitions. See No Evil is a unique project set up by artist Inkie and Bristol music promoters Team Love, who together managed to get permission from the local council to transform the façades of 10 multistorey buildings along the once-
Arnolfini – the city’s international centre for contemporary arts – has a fantastic waterside location
bland Nelson Street into enormous murals. They were so popular that they’ve become a permanent feature of the cityscape.
If that’s not enough street art for you, a new self-guided Banksy phone tour from Where The Wall features commentary from John Nation, the internationally recognised authority on the global graffiti art movement and a central figure in the Bristol and Banksy story.
At historic Underfall Yard, which forms part of a working boatyard, you can get to know Bristol’s ship-building past, present and future through a variety of hands-on displays and a giant interactive map.
While you’re in this part of the city, check out M Shed, a free, modern museum housed in a historic former warehouse on the Harbourside. This unique attraction squeezes a wide range of exhibits between its walls – from vintage double-decker buses to models of hot-air balloons suspended from l
Arnolfini – the city’s international centre for contemporary arts
the ceiling – vividly relaying Bristol’s story from prehistoric times right through to the present day.
M Shed also houses the statue of slave trader Edward Colston, which was pulled down in June 2020 during a Black Lives Matter protest, and was placed on display temporarily in the museum. The statue is currently in the museum’s collection store.
Walk steeply uphill from Harbourside towards the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery for exhibits covering everything from rocks and fossils to dinosaurs to ancient Egypt. You could also visit The Georgian House Museum and The Red Lodge Museum, both of which are historic houses offering a snapshot into Bristol lives during a different time.
In Broadmead – right at the heart of Bristol’s modern shopping centre – you can visit the oldest Methodist chapel in the world. This historic building, known as the New Room or John Wesley’s Chapel, was built
in 1739 by John Wesley, and in 2017 witnessed the greatest change to the building since the 18th century – the opening of a new three-storey visitor centre.
Located just a short stroll south of the city centre is another iconic building – St Mary Redcliffe Church. This Gothic masterpiece was constructed from the 12th to the 15th centuries and was described by Queen Elizabeth I as “the fairest, goodliest, and most famous parish church in England”.
For a bit of alternative history, check out the beautiful Arnos Vale Cemetery, and don’t worry, it’s not at all morbid. Situated close to the heart of the city, it’s spread over 45 acres, and offers walks, wildlife, historic architecture, talks, tours and seasonal events.
Many notable people are also buried there too, including the educational and social reformer Mary Carpenter, and Georgian geologist Samuel Stutchbury, who named the Thecodontosaurus,
sometimes described as ‘Bristol’s own dinosaur’.
You can see live music every night of the week in Bristol, whether you’re into classical, pop, rock or jazz. Add to that a vibrant calendar of festivals and a dynamic theatre scene and you’re all set for some magical evenings out.
Just a few minutes’ walk from Nelson Street, one of the city’s largest and best-loved cultural hubs is Bristol Beacon, which is more than 150 years old. Hosting an eclectic mix of jazz, classical, rock, folk and world music, the building is an iconic part of the city’s skyline, thanks to its gleaming copper façade and contemporary foyer. Even if you aren’t heading there for a ticketed event, you can pop in to see if there’s anything free happening in the foyer, which often puts on one-off gigs, craft markets and family events.
Just around the corner from Bristol Beacon is the historic Bristol Hippodrome, a Grade 2-listed
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
building best known for its touring West End theatre shows and annual pantomime – although it also welcomes regular visits from the Welsh National Opera, the English National Ballet and other leading international performers.
The domed theatre was designed by Frank Matcham for Australianborn British theatre manager Oswald Stoll, and opened on 16th December 1912, creating a stage that remains one of the largest outside London.
World music
Head around the corner and up Park Street and you’ll come across St George’s Bristol, tucked away along a leafy side road. This former church-turned-concert hall was built in the early 19th century and today hosts more than 200 events every year – from jazz to world music to opera.
Bristolians love a festival, and perhaps the most famous of all is Bristol International Balloon Fiesta,
which happens over four days in August, creating a spectacle in the skies above the beautiful Ashton Court Estate.
Bristol Harbour Festival is a huge, free event that happens each July, celebrating the city’s maritime culture down by the Harbourside, with music, food, stalls and water-based demonstrations. In the autumn, the Docks Heritage Weekend sees historic cranes, trains and bridges spring into action, alongside a fascinating programme of family events.
Taking place every two years, Circus City, the UK’s biggest contemporary circus festival, presents awesome shows from all over Europe, from aerial acrobatics and risky ropework to adult satire and children’s interactive play.
Love a summer music festival?
Time your visit for the summer months and you could find yourself at Love Saves the Day, Bristol Pride or the St Paul’s Carnival, which celebrates the city’s African and
Caribbean heritage.
Luvvies can get stuck into the city’s theatre scene, which is as diverse and dynamic as the people who live here. Alongside the famous Hippodrome you’ll find a whole host of exciting venues, including The Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Tobacco Factory Theatres and the Redgrave Theatre all of which offer a varied calendar of performances.
In fact, Bristol Old Vic is said to be the longest continuously working theatre in the Englishspeaking world. Since it was set up in 1766, the theatre has endured riots, financial decline and war –surviving them all! Notable alumni include Sir Daniel Day-Lewis, Olivia Colman CBE, Jeremy Irons, Mark Strong and Josh O’Connor.
If awards were given for the UK’s most cultured city, Bristol would be a strong contender. So get out there and experience everything it has to offer – from theatre, to galleries to fantastic festivals. ■
Bristol Old Vic
After dark
The night-time economy is thriving, packed with clubs, pubs, bars and music venues
Bristol’s creative talent shines through in its rich and vibrant nightlife. The city is full of musicians, producers, actors and DJs and has a lively bar, club and theatre scene to match.
When night falls, the main spotlight lands on the area around the Harbourside, Park Street and Corn Street, which is dotted with cocktail and pre-theatre bars, live music venues, pubs and clubs.
Outside the central hub you can while the night away with the hipsters in offbeat bars and clubs along Whiteladies Road, Stokes Croft and Gloucester Road. Or keep things chic in fashionable suburbs such as Clifton and Bedminster.
Cool, creative and cutting edge, Bristol cuts a dashing figure on the UK’s nightlife scene. But if you tire of hip bars and creative cocktails, there are plenty of good old-fashioned pubs in which to sink a pint in peace.
Fancy cocktails
Bristol’s bar scene is suitably eclectic – whether you’re looking for a laidback bar with club music or fancy cocktails in plush surroundings. Park Street is a good place to start, Reina Bar is intimate yet vibrant, with sets by the best DJs in the city. The fabulous cocktail menu includes chocolate martini and peach bellini.
Head further up the street and you’ll hit the vast Bristol & Bath Rum Distillery. Sprawling across three storeys it serves 150 different rums from all over the world, including the famous Dead Man’s Fingers spiced rum. If you prefer table service, head straight to the second floor.
At the top of the hill is Clifton Triangle, home to a further cluster of trendy bars. The Peter Paninspired The Cocktail Club is one of the most recent additions, with an enchanted-garden theme that pulls in the crowds – make sure to reserve a table at weekends.
Browns Brasserie & Bar has bags of appeal. It’s housed in one of the Triangle’s most striking and beautiful buildings, which was modelled on the Doge’s Palace in
Hyde & Co is Bristol’s original speakeasy, inspired by the Prohibition era
Venice. Inside, the décor is stylish, while outside on the terrace and steps, you can drink and peoplewatch on balmier evenings.
For fine cocktails in a gentleman’s club-style setting, complete with a piano, low lighting and vintage lampshades, Bristol’s original speakeasy bar is Hyde & Co, where many of the drinks on the menu are inspired by the Prohibition era.
For a unique tipple, Her Majesty’s Secret Service (HMSS) has a regularly changing menu of innovative cocktails, many of them with a humorous nod to the British Isles.
Bristol has its fair share of traditional pubs, alongside modern microbreweries, where you can find excellent craft beers. BrewDog Bristol is popular with discerning drinkers who want to sample rare beers from all over the world. There are hundreds of varieties to choose from and you can order a stonebaked sourdough pizza to help soak up the booze.
At The Beer Emporium, a laidback cavern in the heart of the old town, you can sample 30 draught lines (28 keg and two cask) and a wide choice of bottled beers. There’s also a shop so you can continue your beer journey at home!
Just down the road, the rustic, 31-tap Small Bar showcases small, independent beer companies through a carefully selected range of draught and bottled beers. As an added bonus you can order some of Bristol’s finest buttermilk fried chicken from resident eatery Wing’s Diner.
Walk a little south of the centre l
The intimate interior of Hyde & Co
to lively Bedminster to join some of Bristol’s creatives at the effortlessly cool Tobacco Factory. Settle down and sink a pint that’s been brewed just over the road at Bristol Beer Factory, using locally grown malt and hops.
If you’re into furry felines, check out the quirky Bag of Nails, an oldfashioned pub in the Hotwells area of the city centre. Its claim to fame is the number of resident moggies, most of whom are luxuriating on the bar or asleep under the tables. That aside, the pub also serves a decent selection of real ales and other drinks and has friendly bar staff.
In keeping with its West Country roots, Bristol is a great place for cider lovers. The Apple is a relaxed cider boat housed in a beautifully converted Dutch barge in the heart of Bristol’s Old City – with a fine selection of 40 different ciders and perries, alongside beers, wines and spirits.
The cobblestoned, quayside terrace is a suntrap, drawing cider drinkers in their droves on sunny summer afternoons and offering great views of the boats passing through the Floating Harbour. Night owls, get ready! When the pubs are winding down, Bristol’s nightclubs spring to life, with places to suit virtually every musical taste. Clubbing not your scene? You’re spoilt for choice with live music
venues, festivals and events.
Bristol’s most legendary super club is Motion, which regularly earns a place in DJ Mag’s annual list of the world’s best nightclubs. Housed in a historic industrial warehouse near Temple Meads railway station, the club has a raw, urban feel thanks to its skate-park roots. Parties rave on into the early hours – and there are live gigs in The Marble Factory area.
Lakota is another big, underground dance club, set in an old warehouse just off Stokes Croft. Made up of four rooms spread across three storeys, the club attracts renowned international and local artists, collaborating with young promoters to put on a variety of club nights.
Also in this area is The Love Inn, a cosy bar hosting live music and DJs, plus rotating pop-up kitchens, Japanese cocktails and a garden area. The doors are open until late during the week, and even later into the night at weekends.
Get down to the Harbourside area and you’ll find Thekla, a former cargo ship that houses a unique club and live music venue –complete with artwork by Banksy. A diverse range of artists have graced Thekla’s live stage over the years, from Massive Attack, Portishead and Roni Size to Calvin Harris, Metronomy, Ozric Tentacles and
The Wonder Stuff. It’s always worth checking what’s on if you fancy seeing some live music at an unusual city-centre venue. Thekla also hosts regular club nights, which are popular with fans of drum and bass, indie, alternative and disco.
A five-minute walk away from Thekla is The Louisiana, housed in a former seafarers’ hotel. With a capacity of just 140, it’s a familyrun, atmospheric venue, where music fans can discover new bands to watch out for, often when they’re on their first national tour. They’ve welcomed many legends over the years, from Placebo to The Chemical Brothers to Florence and the Machine.
If heavier live music is your thing, see what’s going on at the O2 Academy Bristol on Frogmore Street, which hosts regular indie and rock concerts.
If you’re looking for something totally different, you’ll find plenty of weird and wonderful entertainment to choose from – whether you fancy a live magic show or a horrorthemed evening that will give you nightmares for weeks!
Live music
For close-up magic at your table, plus live music, burlesque, standup comedy and comedy magic shows, Smoke & Mirrors is a popular pre-theatre pub tucked down a narrow back street near the O2 Academy, the Hippodrome and Bristol Beacon.
To ramp up the spook factor to the max, head to Hell in A Cell Escape Rooms for their underground horror experience. Book in to enter the dark and creepy depths of the Old Crown Court’s prison cells, right in the heart of the city, where you’ll need to stay cool, calm and collected if you want to escape a series of horror movie scenes to regain your freedom! Whatever type of night-time adventure you’re looking for, you’ll find something exciting to do in Bristol – from partying hard at one of the city’s super clubs to savouring real ale, supping cocktails, head banging to live music or chilling out with a sophisticated crowd. ■
Motion, Bristol’s legendary superclub
Bristol has more than enough to keep you busy, but a journey further afield can be an exciting adventure
Time to explore
With great road and transport links, Bristol is a fantastic base for exploring some of the surrounding counties and attractions. Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Devon, Dorset and even South Wales are relatively close by and no more than an hour away.
City hopping is easy from Bristol with Bath, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Cardiff all just a short drive or train ride away. Smaller, nearby places include Bradford-on-Avon and the charming small city of Wells with its beautiful cathedral.
One of the most picturesque villages in the area is Lacock. Owned by the National Trust, this picture-postcard village has been used as the backdrop for various television and film period dramas, including the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice while the abbey featured in the Harry Potter movies.
Twenty five miles from Lacock you’ll find the fascinating ancient site of Stonehenge, in Wiltshire, where there’s visitor centre complete with a word-class exhibition, Neolithic houses to explore and a café.
With the Bristol Channel nearby there are a number of coastal towns worth visiting. Clevedon has retained its Victorian elegance and includes a stunning pier whereas Weston-super-Mare offers all the traditional seaside attractions, miles of clean sandy beach, and a level promenade boasting superb views over the Channel.
If you prefer the countryside to the coast, then your choice in this part of the country is endless. The Cotswolds, Mendips and Quantock Hills are all within easy reach of Bristol and offer impressive views and interesting activities for the more energetic. Based near the Quantock Hills AONB, hop aboard
Quantock Hills are all within easy reach of Bristol and offer impressive views
the West Somerset Railway to enjoy 20 miles of scenic countryside. Just across the Severn Bridge in South Wales are the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. Nearby Tintern Abbey and Symonds Yat are certainly places to visit if venturing into the Forest of Dean.
Other natural sites not to miss include Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole Caves. At Cheddar Gorge & Caves you can visit Britain’s highest, inland limestone cliffs rising up 450ft and explore the depths of stunning stalactite caverns below
Quantock Hills, Somerset
that were created by Ice Age meltwaters over millions of years.
For more cave action make a beeline for Wookey Hole, where you can take a guided tour, meet the Witch of Wookey and wander around a 19th-century paper mill.
For the more adventurous, there are three national parks within striking distance of Bristol – Exmoor and Dartmoor national parks in Devon and Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) in South Wales.
Great family destinations out of Bristol include Longleat House
and Safari Park. The house itself transports you back to Elizabethan times through its fine 16th-century architecture. The grounds include the well-known Safari Park with its mischievous monkeys, a miniature railway, endless playgrounds and a hedge maze.
Between Bristol and Bath is the fabulous Dyrham Park. Built at the end of the 17th century, this National Trust property is set in huge grounds, with pleasant gardens, delightful ponds and a deer park.
Another nearby National Trust
property is Tyntesfield. A unique Victorian house and estate located in Wraxall, Tyntesfield has had a complete restoration. The end result is stunning and the gardens are not to be missed.
If you like gardens Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, is just a short distance. One of the most spectacular tree gardens in the world, the arboretum boasts 3,000 different tree and shrub species.
Whatever your taste, there’s plenty to see and do when exploring a little further afield from Bristol. ■
PHOTO-FINISH
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta over the Clifton Suspension Bridge
