From green spaces and urban villages to gastronomy, film locations and inspiring street art, it’s time to explore the UK’s most dynamic city
Whatever the season, whatever the day of the week, discover unmissable events during your visit to Bristol.
The city is renowned for throwing epic familyfriendly bashes, including beloved events Bristol Harbour Festival and Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. Music lovers are in for a treat in 2025, with the world-class Bristol Beacon concert venue back open for business with a packed events programme after a five-year refurbishment, and icons including Bristol's very own IDLES playing in Queen Square this year. Thought-provoking exhibitions, standup comedy, intimate gigs and live sports are staples throughout the year, too. Head to visitbristol.co.uk for event listings.
FILM & TV
A UNESCO City of Film, Bristol is home to Aardman Animations and a host of world-class film festivals Bristol doesn’t just make films: its stunning architecture and scenic harbourside landscapes are often the stars of the show. There’s a rich history of filming locations to discover, from Only Fools & Horses, classic teen drama Skins, The Outlaws (created by Bristolian legend Stephen Merchant), Sex Education, Jane Austen’s Sanditon, Boarders, and smash hit Rivals from Disney+. Bristol also has a long-running relationship with Doctor Who, most recently featuring in the show’s 60th anniversary specials and Ncuti Gatwa’s first season as everyone’s favourite Time Lord. Keep an eye out for the city’s next big roles in the upcoming series Young Sherlock on Amazon Prime Video, and The Seven Dials Mystery on Netflix.
Global award-winning studios Aardman Animations are based in Bristol, producing some of the world’s best loved animation including Shaun the Sheep and Wallace and Gromit. Get up close to some of the stars of the latest feature film, Vengeance Most Fowl, this summer as the Gromit Unleashed 3 sculpture trail hits the streets. Hollywood icon Cary Grant also hails from Bristol –look out for his statue on Millenium Square.
FILM FESTIVALS
• February’s star-studded Slapstick Festival is an annual celebration of silent film, with live events, screenings and plenty of silliness.
• Forbidden Worlds Film Festival returns in May to showcase fantasy, action, sci-fi and horror films from around the world.
• The Big Scream horror extravaganza takes place in October.
• Encounters Festival, held every autumn, is the longest-running competitive short film and animation festival in the UK, a qualifier for the Oscars™, and a great place to discover new talent.
• Afrika Eye, the South West’s biggest celebration of African cinema and culture, takes place every November at venues across the city.
• The year-round Bristol Film Festival offers classics and crowd pleasers in quirky locations from wine cellars to ancient churches.
• The annual Cinema Rediscovered festival in July shows some of the finest new digital restorations, contemporary classics and film print rarities from across the globe on the big screen.
• The Bristol Palestine Film Festival is set to return in December 2025
The city also boasts a strong independent cinema culture – including the pioneering Watershed’s inclusive experience, and alternative microplex The Cube We’re also home to 20th Century Flicks - the longest running video rental store in the world. For more, head to visitbristol.co.uk/film
Food & drink
Love food, love Bristol: one of the best places in the world to eat and drink
Big on street food, local markets, vegan restaurants, world cuisine and pioneering independents, Bristol has one of the UK’s most exciting food scenes to munch your way around. Award-winning restaurants are just part of the story. You’ll also find small producers using ethical ingredients alongside artisan gin distilleries, wine cellars and craft ales by the gallon: Wiper and True and Lost and Grounded Brewers are among the many, distinctive local breweries that make this one of Britain’s leading beer cities.
To get a flavour of what the city has to offer, head to St Nicholas Market in the Old City, where you can browse food stalls offering anything from pie and mash to Japanese dumplings, slow-cooked BBQ and Kurdish wraps. See if you can find the hidden gin distillery among the food vendors!
Eat your way around the best foodie independents in Wapping Wharf or North Street in Bedminster with Food Tours of Bristol, or book a street food tour of the Old City with GOOD: Stories in Food, who also run wine tasting jaunts around Somerset in the summer months. For more, head to visitbristol.co.uk/food
NEED TO KNOW
• Rolling in the ales: don’t miss the annual Bristol Craft Beer Festival in June, or take a tour of local brewery tap rooms on the East Bristol Brewery Trail
• Get a true taste of the West Country at Thatchers cider farm, or take a vineyard tour and tasting at Aldwick Estate, just outside the city (pictured).
• Discover Spirited on North Street, or take a tour of 6 O’clock Gin’s Thornbury distillery and enjoy some tasters of their gins and liqueurs. Don’t forget to visit their bar at The Glassboat on Welsh Back, too.
• Take to the water and enjoy a cream tea with Bristol Packet Boat Trips, a gin tour with Bristol Ferry or fish and chips aboard The Matthew.
• Don’t miss Bristol’s very own cider boat, The Apple
• Go to Feast On Festival in July to try Bristol's best restaurants and traders, see cooking demos, talks and music, too.
Summer festivals, bar-room jazz, dance, gigs on boats and open mics – Bristol rocks!
As well as musical legends playing big-gig venues, listen out for cosy jazz and blues nights, underground raves and pub gigs, alongside an eclectic programme of outdoor festivals including Dot to Dot and Love Saves The Day in May, Ashton Gate Presents BS3 in June, Bristol Harbour Festival, Bristol Pride and St Pauls Carnival in July, and the return of the inner city music festival FORWARDS in August.
Dancing feet? Club nights across the city range from disco and techno to drum and bass. DJ Mag named Motion ‘Best Large Club’ in its Best of British awards. Other venues include Basement 45, Lakota, and The Prospect Building. The city’s live music venues include The Fleece, The Louisiana, and The Old Duke pub where you can experience live jazz for free every night of the week. For more, head to visitbristol.co.uk/music
NEED TO KNOW
• Bristol Beacon, Bristol’s largest concert venue, has a stellar programme of concerts, comedy and club nights.
• In June, Bristol Sounds returns to the harbourside with Supergrass, Kaiser Chiefs Texas and Olly Murs, followed by Bloc Party celebrating their 20th anniversary at Siren Bristol on 25 July.
• St George’s Bristol boasts superb acoustics and a unique atmosphere that attracts the world’s best artists including the best in classical, chamber, world, folk, blues and jazz, and spoken word.
• Experience a gig or club night at the worldfamous floating music venue Thekla
• Former church Trinity Centre is home to a host of events, from gentle dance afternoons to skank nights.
• Bristol's own post-punk heroes IDLES are playing their only UK gig of 2025 in Queen Square in August.
sTREeT ART
NEED TO KNOW
• Take a tour of Bristol’s famous murals and stencils with the award-winning Bristol Street Art Tours from Where the Wall.
• Find your inner graffiti artist in an immersive spray-can session with Graft
Banksy’s native city and the home of Upfest, Bristol has turned graffiti into a fine art
Among the hundreds of murals and stencils that adorn the city’s walls, Banksy’s iconic Mild Mild West in Stokes Croft and his Well-Hung Lover on Park Street are among Bristol’s biggest attractions. While Banksy is a global icon, Bristol has an incredible community of legendary artists: Cheo, Inkie, Hazard One, Tuco, Andy Council, Gemma Compton, Cheba, Paris, Silent Hobo and Paintsmiths among dozens of other. On landmark buildings or tucked away down side streets, painted walls form an outdoor gallery, most prominently on Stokes Croft, Nelson Street and Leonard’s Lane in the city centre, and North Street in Bedminster. During weekends and holidays throughout the year, the city’s awardwinning street art tours are a great introduction. South Bristol plays host to Upfest - Europe’s largest free festival of urban art, next due to take place in 2026. Visitbristol.co.uk/streetart
• Banksy’s Girl with a Pierced Eardrum is tucked away on a Harbourside backstreet. See if you can find it with the Banksy Bristol Trail App
• The large-scale works on Nelson Street are the legacy of Bristol's street art festival, See No Evil, in 2012. Keep an eye out for Inkie’s mural commemorating the event, repainted by the artist in 2022.
• Nearby Weston-super-Mare is also home to a thriving street art scene, with Weston Wallz, a sister graffiti festival to Upfest, due to return in 2025.
Love Saves The Day
Graft spray-can session
Upfest Six Sisters Bristol Beacon
EXHIBITIoNs
Classy collections & dynamic exhibitions
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery presents world class collections and high-profile exhibitions including Wildlife Photographer of The Year and Gender Stories. Make sure to visit M Shed for fascinating exhibitions, family events, workshops and tours.
Catch world-class visual art at RWA, with Bristol’s pioneering abstract artist Paule Vézelay showcasing her largest solo work until the end of April. 2025 marks the 85th anniversary of the Bristol Blitz, which Vézelay documented as an unofficial war artist.
This summer, Spike Island presents the first major survey exhibition of Guyanese artist David Locke. Keep an eye out for exhibitions events at Arnolfini which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in its current location this year. Make sure to visit Undershed, the new immersive gallery by Watershed, reopening this spring.
As well as being home to two fantastic photography galleries, The Royal Photographic Society and Martin Parr Foundation, the city also
has a series of big photography exhibitions and festivals including BOP Photobook Festival. With more exhibitions announced throughout the year, check visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on
Spike Island (above), Arnolfini
THEATRE
Blockbuster musicals and cutting-edge drama
Bristol Old Vic, the longest continuously running theatre in the English-speaking world, aims to inspire audiences with its own original productions while nurturing the next generation of artists. The 2025 programme includes Romeo & Juliet unaltered in its original text with rap and R&B. Tobacco Factory Theatres produces and presents an impressive roster of exciting shows, including Shakespeare, pop-up opera, comedy, puppetry and dance in unique, industrial spaces. Don't miss the in-house production of The Winter's Tale, running from 20 February to 29 March.
The Bristol Hippodrome, known as the city’s own West End theatre, shows everything from touring musicals throughout the year to its own annual Christmas panto. 2025 is set to be a year to remember, with West-End classics Moulin Rouge, Mamma Mia!, Kinky Boots and Chicago coming to the city. Be prepared to be amazed as Derren Brown returns to the venue in May for five nights of astounding illusions.
The Redgrave Theatre in Clifton presents family classics alongside shows from acclaimed stand-up comedians. Don't miss their Christmas panto this year, Sleeping Beauty. For wacky shows, storytelling and raucous comedy, head to The Wardrobe Theatre in Old Market, or check out improv classes and regular shows such as weekly at Bristol Improv Theatre in Clifton.
Whether you like to watch live sports games, or take part in them, Bristol is unmatched
Celebrate Austen 250 with a theatrical adaptation of the author’s unfinished novel The Watsons by Bristol Old Vic Theatre School at The Station and keep an eye out for shows performed in venues across the city. Comedy and magic can be found at Smoke & Mirrors. For more, head to visitbristol.co.uk/theatre
Football in Bristol is a divided affair: Bristol Rovers play at The Memorial Stadium and Bristol City at Ashton Gate Stadium where Bristol City WFC also play. The stadium is also the home of Premiership rugby’s Bristol Bears. In September the Women’s Rugby World Cup comes to town with two quarter-finals and both semi-finals taking place at Ashton Gate. Bristol Bears Women play games at Shaftesbury Park and Ashton Gate.
For cricket fans, Bristol-based Gloucestershire County Cricket Club is one of 18 first-class professional clubs in the UK. The Seat Unique Stadium is just off Gloucester Road and also hosts Western Storm matches. Gloucestershire will be defending their 2024 Vitality Blast trophy win this year. Catch England in Bristol with a Men’s IT20 vs West Indies on 8 June and Women’s WIT20 vs India on 1 July.
You can also watch basketball at Bristol Flyers home SGS WISE Arena, or Bristol Pitbulls ice hockey at Planet Ice, both located to the north of the city. Bristol's outdoor activities include stand-up paddleboarding with SUP Bristol on the harbour, climbing the Avon Gorge, cycling, golf and even surfing at The Wave. Head underground at Wookey Hole and Cheddar Gorge, as well as caving, climbing and skiing and more at Mendip Activity Centre
NEED TO KNOW
• Run, run, run: take part in the Great Bristol Run. An action-packed day with the 10K and Half Marathon both taking place on 19 May.
• Bristol offers bike hire, trails and off-road tracks. Look out for cycling events and bikes available to hire.
• For competitive socialising activities, try Sixes Social Cricket, bowling at Roxy Lanes, immersive mini golf at Treetop Golf or darts at Flight Club.
• The region boasts many excellent golf courses, including Bowood, Knowle and Shirehampton
• The Adventurous Activity Company can help tackle thrilling natural landscapes while Bristol’s indoor climbing centres offer the chance to climb whatever the weather.
• Don’t miss the world-renowned Badminton Horse Trials, just to the north of Bristol, 7-11 May (pictured).
Bears Women
Bristol Hippodrome
Bristol Old Vic (above), Tobacco Factory Theatre
For city centre map, see page 44
ToURs
NEED TO KNOW
• Get a taste of the West with a food tour or go behind the scenes at breweries, distilleries, vineyards and more (see page 5 for details).
• Discover the stories of Bristol and Somerset’s amazing food and drink scene with GOOD: Stories in Food (pictured), or get a gourmet tour of Bristol’s best foodie districts with Food Tours of Bristol.
• Learn more about the world’s longest continually-running theatre with Bristol Old Vic Heritage Theatre Tours
• Go on a behind the scenes tour of Bristol Hippodrome on selected dates throughout the year.
• Browse a selection of local experiences and tours on Yuup’s website, from a stroll around Bristol’s quirkiest corners, to a variety of history and food tours.
• Set your own pace on a self-guided tour with Treasure Hunt, Mystery Guides or the Banksy Bristol Trail app.
• Rabbies Tours run a selection of day and overnight trips from central Bristol to the Cotswolds, Stonehenge, Wales, Devon and Cornwall.
• Mad Max Tours offer a schedule of regional tours or private hire.
There’s no better way to experience the varied sights and districts around Bristol than with a tour, whether you opt to do one on foot, by bike or even by boat.
Don’t miss a chance to see the city from the water: Bristol Ferry runs a regular waterbus service as well as special events throughout summer, while Bristol Packet Boats, The Matthew and Number Seven Boats will give you a tour of Bristol’s harbour and further afield along the River Avon.
If you would rather view the city at a leisurely pace, book one of the city’s top-class walking tours, including the Blackbeard to Banksy Ultimate Bristol Walking Tour, Bristol Ghost Tours, and Bristol Street Art Walking Tours
2025 is the 85th anniversary of the Bristol Blitz - learn more about this period of Bristol history on the St Nicholas Market and Air Raid Shelter Walking Tour, which takes you around key areas of the Old City, including a hidden subterranean shelter.
Take an actor-led walking tour by Show of Strength Theatre Company such as their Blood, Blackbeard and Bucaneers, or Raising Cary Grant tours, among many others.
Get a bird’s-eye view of the city from a hot-air balloon. Bristol’s ballooning companies including Fly Away Ballooning and Virgin Balloons run flights throughout the season.
To learn more about day trips and excursions outside the city, head to page 46. For more, head to visitbristol.co.uk/tours
shopPing destinations
The Arcade, Broadmead Step back in time and explore this Grade II listed Victorian shopping arcade with its quirky shops and cafés.
Bedminster & Southville Just south of the harbour you’ll find the suburb of Bedminster, with East Street and North Street brimming with local shops, delis, markets and more.
Broadmead This pedestrianised shopping area is your destination for highstreet favourites as well as over 100 indie retailers and SPARKS Bristol, a retail, art and educational centre focused on sustainability.
Cabot Circus The ultimate shopping destination in the heart of Bristol, with over 120 highstreet names and restaurants.
Clifton Village This leafy urban village features pretty Georgian streets and garden squares lined with boutiques and cafes, plus the restored Victorian Clifton Arcade’s
unique collection of small, independent shops.
The Galleries Indoor shopping with over 70 stores plus a familyfriendly Food Court.
Gloucester Road This community neighbourhood has a huge variety of independent shops, bustling cafés, food and drink shops, pubs as well as vintage and pre-loved stores.
The Mall At Cribbs Causeway Just off junction 17 on the M5 motorway, this indoor shopping centre houses more than 150 shops including department and high-street stores, restaurants and cafés.
Park Street & The Triangle
Popular for its mix of vintage, fashion, furniture, books and independent labels.
Quakers Friars Harvey Nichols and high-end shopping set around a lovely piazza with restaurants such as Côte Brasserie, L’Osteria and Six By Nico.
St Nicholas Markets Glass covered market dating back to
the 1700s with Bristol's largest collection of independent stalls. Sister markets include the Bristol Indies' Market and Street Food Market.
From top: SPARKS, Wapping Wharf and Cabot Circus
sACRED BRIsToL
Explore the extraordinary architecture and rich history of these places of worship
St James Priory is the oldest church in Bristol still in daily use. Dating from 1129, the former Benedictine monastery has been used as a place of worship for almost 900 years.
St John on the Wall was built into the original city walls in the 12th century and features beautiful Jacobean features. Visitor interpretation helps uncover its history.
The Lord Mayor’s Chapel on College Green, directly opposite Bristol Cathedral, is hidden away behind an unassuming entrance.
John Wesley’s Chapel is the oldest Methodist building in the world. The chapel’s ‘New Room’ features a fascinating multimedia visitor centre which tells the story of John and Charles Wesley. Bristol Cathedral originated as an Augustine Abbey in the 12th century. The grade I listed cathedral is one of the world’s finest examples of a hall church with a medieval Chapter House, a peaceful garden, a new café and a track record as a film location for costume dramas.
St Mary Redcliffe has been a place of worship for more than 800 years. A beautiful Grade I listed church, St Mary Redcliffe is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with a slender, soaring spire 89 metres high.
PULLEN
St Mary Redcliffe
Lord Mayor's Chapel
For city centre map, see page 44
THE HARBoURsIDE
Explore the city’s bustling waterfront with its mix of restaurants, bars, boat trips, family attractions, art, movies and maritime history
HISTORY OF THE HARBOUR
Bristol’s history as a trading port stretches back to 1051 when it was listed in the Anglo Saxon Chronicle. By the early 14th century, its importance was second only to London. The city’s role during the triangular slave trade is well documented and is featured in an exhibition at M Shed, the museum on the Harbourside that tells the story of Bristol.
In 1809 Bristol was transformed by the opening of the Floating Harbour. Built to overcome the challenge of the second highest tidal range in the world, the harbour became increasingly unable to manage the growing size of ships and the commercial port eventually moved to Avonmouth.
Learn more about the history and workings of the Floating Harbour in the visitor centre at Underfall Yard, while enjoying gorgeous views of the harbour and colourful houses of Cliftonwood.
The old City Docks finally closed to commercial traffic in 1975 and is now a lively leisure destination packed with visitor attractions, adventure and water sports, restaurants, bars and, on occasional weekends, a working steam railway.
SHIP AHOY!
Brunel’s SS Great Britain has two anniversaries connected to her remarkable past. In 1845 she arrived in New York for the first time, setting a transatlantic speed record and marking a new era for passenger ships and luxury travel. Fast-forward to 1970 and Bristol triumphantly welcomed the Victorian ocean liner after an 8,000-mile journey from the Falklands where she had been abandoned years earlier. Restored to the dock where she was originally built, she has now been back in Bristol for 55 years.
ATTRACTIONS
Hands-on science centre We The Curious is a playground of creative exhibits and home to a 3D Planetarium. See tropical marine and freshwater creatures from around the world in naturally themed habitats at Bristol Aquarium, which also runs daily talks and seasonal activities, plus adult-only evenings.
The area is packed with museums and galleries, including former tea packing factory Spike Island, which presents free exhibitions of contemporary art and is home to a café and more than 70 artists’ studios. Arnolfini is an internationally renowned centre of contemporary arts with gallery exhibitions, live performances, bookshop and café. Independent arts cinema Watershed regularly hosts talks, film festivals and special screenings, as well as immersive artworks in its new gallery Undershed. The venue also has a café and bar serving food all day.
No visit to Bristol would be complete without a visit to the Victorian masterpiece that is Brunel’s SS Great Britain . Included in the same ticket, museum Being Brunel celebrates the life and work of the great engineer.
EXPERIENCES
The best way to get to know the Floating Harbour is by boat. Bristol Ferry Boats and Bristol Packet are among the companies who operate trips around the Harbourside and beyond including visits to country pubs, sunset gin cruises and even a tour with a cream tea!
Take a trip on The Matthew, a replica of the boat sailed by John Cabot when he discovered Newfoundland in 1497, from fish and chip evenings to river tours which pass under Clifton Suspension Bridge. Back on dry land, Millennium Square is a great outdoor spot which regularly plays host to events, and where children paddle in the fountains during the warmer months. Practise your swing on the crazy golf courses at Par 59, or step up to bat at Sixes Social Cricket.
Clockwise from the top: We The Curious, Bristol Aquarium, Sixes Cricket and SUP Bristol
food & drink oN THE HARBoURsIDE
The Architect Stylish bar serving fine wines and craft beers, with cheese and charcuterie boards.
CARGO Repurposed shipping containers at Wapping Wharf house a diverse collection of indie food and drink including Magari pasta restaurant, Gambas tapas bar, and Japanese soul food from Seven Lucky Gods.
The Cottage Cosy interiors, tasty pub grub and some of the best views of the harbour.
Finzels Reach Buzzing riverside district, home to Bocabar, Left Handed Giant’s Brewpub, The Wellhead and a twice weekly street food market.
The Grain Barge Drink a Bristol Beer Factory brew on board a boat afloat.
The Granary All-day dining and cooking over fire in one of Bristol’s most beautiful buildings.
Noah's Further down the harbourside is this family-run seafood restaurant popular with locals and acclaimed critics.
Mud Dock Cycleworks & Café Nutritious seasonal food with a terrace overlooking the harbour.
No.1 Harbourside Casual dining in a quirky café-bar, with regular events and live music.
views from its large terrace and balcony.
Three Brothers Burgers Hot dogs, loaded fries and burgers on a boat with craft beer and shakes.
Rick's Leisurely brunch with live jazz at weekends, or classic cocktails in the evening with waterside views.
Riverstation Relaxed riverside restaurant with scenic
Za Za Bazaar Sample food from across the world, with live cooking and seasonal specialities.
The Ostrich Historic pub with a large riverside beer garden and cosy interiors.
Finzels Reach Market, Riverstation
oLD CITY
This quaint but lively district boasts a handsome selection of indie traders, cool bars and the UK’s oldest theatre
FOOD & DRINK
• 6 O’clock Gin at The Glassboat Perfectly made G&Ts using local gin with unbeatable waterside views.
• Brozen Frozen cocktails and boozy ice cream made on the spot with liquid nitrogen.
• Chez Marcel Authentic French creperie, serving galettes and a variety of crepes.
• Cosy Club Casual dining and cocktails in the grand setting of a former bank on Corn Street.
• The Cow & Sow All-day chophouse on Queen Square, also serving up top cocktails and weekend brunch.
• The Granary Club Historic cellar bar hosting regular comedy and live music nights, plus cocktail masterclasses.
• The Milk Thistle Three storey speakeasy with beautiful decor and even better cocktails.
• St Nicholas Market Go around the world at food stalls ranging from Pieminister pie and mash to curries, paella and more.
JULIAN PREECE
The cobbles of King Street are home to the historic Bristol Old Vic, where visitors can enjoy performances, behind-the-scenes tours or pretheatre dinners. Celebrated jazz venue The Old Duke pub is just a moment away and offers free live music any night of the week. Browse the city’s largest collection of small traders within the historic St Nicholas Market. Other independents stud the surrounding streets, from bookshops to vintage clothing stores. A five-minute walk from St Nicks is Queen Square, a popular park set against a backdrop of Georgian houses which hosts annual Bristol events like the Bristol Comedy Garden and Bristol Harbour Festival. It’s also the perfect place to take a breather and spot the many filming locations. Learn more about the oldest part of Bristol by doing a self-guided Walled City Walk, or booking
• The Strawberry Thief Relaxed bar with over 70 local and international beers, plus a seasonal menu of beer-infused dishes (pictured).
on to the St Nicholas Market and Air Raid Shelter Walking Tour. Visit the Palestine Museum on Broad Street to see its permanent exhibition of Palestinian heritage, culture and daily life.
CITY For city centre map, see page 44
CENTRAL & PARK sTREeT
If West End shows, live music and street style pubs are your thing, head to the bright lights of Central Bristol
Take a steep stroll up Park Street, which offers everything from vintage clothes shops to great nightlife. The area has a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene too, with bars and clubs including OMG and Queenshilling.
Just behind Park Street is Brandon Hill, home to Cabot Tower. Built in 1897 to commemorate John Cabot's voyage to America 400 years earlier, the tower is free to enter and offers panoramic views of the city from the top. You can also experience skyhigh views in a tower tour at Bristol University’s Wills Memorial Building, the striking Gothic-style tower at the top of Park Street.
Close by you'll find Bristol’s oldest art gallery, the Royal West of England Academy (RWA), while
FOOD & DRINK
• Alcotraz Smuggle in your spirit of choice for custom-made cocktails at this prisonthemed experience.
• Allstars Sports Bar Pool tables and massive screens to watch sports of your choice.
• Bocabar Stone-baked pizzas, burgers, mezze plates in Finzels Reach.
• Cappadocia Turkish grills and sharing platters in a colourful and chic setting.
• Colonnade Modern European restaurant set within the historic Bristol Beacon.
• Hotel du Vin & Bistro Comforting French classics and an impressive wine list.
• Pieminister Award-winning pie and mash with a selection of craft ales.
• Pizza on the Park Roman-style pizza with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options.
• Swoon Dreamy homemade gelato, sorbetto and Neopolitan coffee
• Zerodegrees Work your way through their range of craft beers, all brewed on site.
music lovers can catch a gig at Bristol Folk House or at St George’s Bristol. Culture vultures will also enjoy Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, The Georgian House and Red Lodge museums or explore the grand medieval Bristol Cathedral on College Green, which is a regular venue for outdoor events in front of City Hall
Towards the bottom of Park Street, see if you can spot Banksy’s cheeky Well Hung Lover, or take a walk along nearby Nelson Street which reveals some of the city’s most ambitious outdoor art. Visit Roxy Lanes or Whistle Punks for some competitive socialising, close by.
Uncover the quirky shops and cafés of the 17th century Christmas Steps Arts Quarter before heading to the large terrace at Bambalan, where you can enjoy Mediterranean style dishes and pizza. By night, take your pick from a range of entertainment. Bristol Hippodrome attracts major musicals from the West End while Bristol Beacon is the home of live music. Tucked away on Denmark Street, Smoke & Mirrors is a comedy and magic theatre pub, open six nights a week.
CLIFToN
Georgian terraces, fine dining, boutique shopping and one gurt big bridge
VILLAGE EXPERIENCE
With its chic boutiques, Bath-stone terraces and leafy garden squares, Clifton is one of Bristol’s most beguiling neighbourhoods.
Discover the sweeping curve of Royal York Crescent, one of the longest terraces in Europe; spy on the world from a magical camera obscura at the summit of the Clifton Observatory; or gaze at the spectacular Avon Gorge from the dizzying heights of the Clifton Suspension Bridge: a feat of engineering designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and completed in 1864. Walk or cycle across (only drivers pay the toll) to reach the museum at the gateway to Leigh Woods. Explore the vaults of the bridge on a special hard hat tour.
THINGS TO DO
Clifton is filled with independent shops. Check out the Victorian Clifton Arcade and Wylde Jewellers on The Mall. On Oakfield Place, Bristol Lido offers year-round outdoor swimming, spa treatments and award-winning dining.
Experience a high energy performance at The Bristol Improv Theatre, or take your pick from family shows, musicals, comedy or magic at the Redgrave Theatre
GREEN SPACES
An area of protected parkland on the northern fringes of Clifton, the Downs is home to the University of Bristol Botanic Garden with its Mediterranean Collection, Tropical Zone and West Country habitats. Just across Clifton Suspension Bridge is the 850-acre Ashton Court Estate, where you can hire mountain bikes and learn skills from Pedal Progression
The Mall Gardens is a peaceful oasis in the heart of the village.
FOOD & DRINK
• 1 York Place Cosy bistro serving modern European dining with an excellent wine list.
• 360 Café The glass café at Clifton Observatory with a spectacular roof terrace.
• Ashwell & Co Vintage boutique and tearoom.
• The Aqua Grand Café A chic restaurant inspired by the great cafés of Paris.
• Bar 44 Clifton A relaxed and flavourpacked Spanish dining experience.
• The Clifton Sausage Comforting British food in an informal setting.
• Coppa Club A stylish spot for all-day dining, from brunch to evening cocktails.
• Cosmo Choose from over 100 dishes inspired by cuisines from across the world.
• Côte Brasserie Affordable French dining.
• The Ivy Clifton Brasserie The first Ivy outside London is right at home in Clifton Village.
• KIBOU A taste of Tokyo in Bristol.
• Bristol Lido Poolside dining with a Mediterranean-influenced menu.
• The Metropolitan Flavourful small plates in a contemporary setting.
• No.4 Clifton Village Delicious à la carte menu and afternoon teas at The Rodney Hotel.
• Papadeli Award-wining deli, takeaway and cookery school.
• Racks Bar & Kitchen A top spot for Sunday roasts.
• White Lion Bar Enjoy your drinks on their stunning terrace overlooking the Avon Gorge.
• The Whitmore Tap A Butcombe Brewery pub with delicious food.
Clifton Suspension Bridge
EXPLoRE MoRE...
Venture beyond the city centre and discover street art, independent shopping, craft beer and sport
OLD MARKET
Just a few minutes’ walk from Bristol Shopping Quarter, Old Market is a bohemian corner of the city that combines history, diversity, a friendly gay village and a vibrant nightlife set against a backdrop of interesting old buildings. As the name suggests, it was once the city’s main market street; now it’s home to a cluster of independent shops, galleries, cafés and local pubs, as well as the impressive Wiper and True Taproom, which hosts regular community events alongside brewery tours. For live music, performances and more, try Trinity Centre (a converted church) or The Wardrobe Theatre, housed in café-bar The Old Market Assembly Old Market is well known for its strong connections to the LGBTQ+ community and popular venues include The Old Castle Green. Cabaret, burlesque and ‘Drag Queen Bingo’ are run of the mill around here.
ST MARK’S ROAD
Get a flavour of real Bristol life on a visit to this small but thriving street in Easton. Here’s where 'churches and mosques rub shoulders with local restaurants, cafés and independent shops (including the legendary Bristol Sweet Mart and East Bristol Bakery ). The street is also home to Thali Easton, renowned for authentic South Indian food and a novel tiffin takeaway scheme. Get there by train, alighting at Stapleton Road station, or hop on a bike via the Bristol and Bath Railway path.
SOUTHVILLE & BEDMINSTER
Bedminster is home to Upfest, the largest festival of urban art in Europe, which is set to return in 2026. Regular tours of the area tell the story behind the festival and murals –book via Yuup’s website. Or if it’s gruesome history you’re into, join a Blood & Butchery in Bedminster tour. Tobacco Factory Theatres stages everything from Shakespeare and stand-up comedy to opera, puppetry and dance. Its café-bar serves up good food, local ales and a Sunday morning market.
Nearby Ashton Gate Stadium is home to Premiership rugby with Bristol Bears, and football with Bristol City FC and Bristol City WFC, while it also hosts summer concerts including Ashton Gate Presents BS3.
The North Street strip offers a lively mix of independent shops, cafés and bars. Try contemporary small plates at COR, wine tasting at KASK, whisky flights at Spirited, tasty pizza (and stand-up comedy) at the Hen & Chicken. Bristol Beer Factory’s brewery taproom is the place to go for locally-made pints; they also hosts an ever-changing food line-up and events in their adjoining venue Studio BBF
Windmill Hill City Farm is a voluntary community project that runs social, environmental and educational activities alongside seasonal events with a farming theme. Victoria Park has a children’s play area and great views of the city. Urban climbers can tackle state-of-the-art Redpoint, which is based in an old cinema.
STOKES CROFT
Stokes Croft is home to some of Bristol’s most celebrated street art, including Banksy’s famous Mild Mild West. The Cube Microplex on nearby Dove Street is a cinema and arts venue presenting film, music and cabaret. Legendary nightclub Lakota is here, along with some of the city’s best-known bars and live-music pubs, including The Canteen, which serves an all veggie menu and hosts free live music five nights a week. Look out for Stokes Croft China – makers of radical English bone china that encapsulates the mood of this vibrant neighbourhood.
GLOUCESTER ROAD
This high street is a thriving part of the community with wide pavements decorated with plants and flowers and crowded with cafés, bars and interesting shops. There are some great places to eat and drink, including artisan bakeries and atmospheric pubs serving craft ales from local breweries. For live music, try The Gallimaufry or The Golden Lion . Nearby, St Andrews Park has children’s playgrounds and open spaces. Just off Gloucester Road, the George Müller Museum tells the story of this Victorian cleric’s pioneering homes for orphans. Gloucestershire County Cricket Club and Bristol Rovers Football Club are also in the area.
Lakota, Stokes Croft
EXPLoRE MoRE...
Head out to the suburbs, where the city meets country parks, green spaces and great attractions
ARNOS VALE AND BRISLINGTON
Arnos Vale is home to the Original Bristol Blue Glass Factory and Shop, a thriving creative enterprise which continues the city’s long tradition for glassmaking in striking blue: see glassblowing demos in the studio workshop or blow your own bauble. Directly opposite, Arnos Vale Cemetery has been the final resting place for some of Bristol’s most notable citizens since opening in 1837. This arcadian garden cemetery has a Green Flag award for its mix of wildlife and urban woodland and offers leisurely walks among ornate Victorian tombs and picturesque landscaping, plus regular events, a self-guided Discovery Trail and cafe. Nearby Paintworks is home to the Martin Parr Foundation’s gallery, which presents talks and exhibitions dedicated to the art of photography. Hang out in the lively Bocabar for casual dining, cocktails, DJs and live music, or at the Lost &
Grounded Taproom, which hosts regular food popups to complement their selection of craft beers. Hop across the river to the world’s first ‘Amazement Park’ Wake the Tiger, a fantastical immersive experience for all ages, which also hosts regular adults-only after-hours events.
BLAISE
Blaise Castle House Museum and Estate is a 19th century mansion set in 400 acres of parkland and is home to the city’s social history collection. Collect a key from Blaise Castle to access the nearby Kings Weston Roman Villa. Blaise Hamlet is a group of nine charming 19th century cottages centred around a ‘village’ green complete with its own pump. Originally built for the estate’s servants, the hamlet was given to the National Trust in 1943. The picture-perfect cottages, which are still lived in, feature tall brick chimneys and decorative thatch.
For city centre map, see page 44
FISHPONDS & FROME VALLEY
Fishponds Road is a thriving suburban high street, popular with locals and a great place to join the cycle path that runs between Bristol and Bath. Nearby, the beautiful Oldbury Court Estate combines woodland and riverside paths with historic parkland and children’s play areas. Beyond the parkland, follow the path down to the River Frome, where trails lead towards Frenchay and its Village Museum or, in the other direction, to Snuff Mills. Look out for wildlife: this is a great place to spot kingfishers, herons, foxes, owls, bats and even deer.
AVON VALLEY
Family friendly Avon Valley Railway (pictured) at Bitton runs steam train rides throughout the year. In nearby Keynsham, Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park offers indoor and outdoor play areas, farm animals and exotic species set in 50 acres of countryside, plus an annual FEAR Scream Park during Halloween season. Join Bristol Packet Boat Trips for one of their cruises along the River Avon. Enjoy a cream tea on board or hop off at Beese’s Bar and Tea Gardens for lunch or drinks.
Clockwise: Wake The Tiger, Bristol Packet Boat Trips, FEAR Scream Park
south gloucestershire & south cotswolds
From castles and medieval villages to surfing, cycling and bears in the woods
MARKET TOWNS
Picturesque medieval market towns and villages are scattered throughout the countryside to the north and east of Bristol. The medieval town of Thornbury is home to Thornbury Castle, where King Henry VIII stayed with Anne Boleyn in 1535. The High Street is lined with independent shops and gastropubs, while the nearby Mundy Playing Fields offer facilities for children including a paddling pool. The 6 O’clock Gin Distillery is also based here. A Tourist Information Centre is based in Thornbury’s Town Hall. The charming market town of Chipping Sodbury was founded in the 12th century and features medieval architecture and 17th century Cotswold stone. A Tourist Information Centre is based in the clock tower on the High Street.
OUT AND ABOUT
Bristol Zoo Project offers animal adventures inspired by different corners of the world, from ancient Britain to Madagascar. Be sure to visit Bear Wood and roam alongside European brown bears, lynxes, and wolves on fully accessible treetop walkways. In the nearby village of Easter Compton, The Wave – the first inland surfing lake of its kind in Europe - offers a seaside experience in a rural eco-environment, and the 27-hole Kendleshire Golf Club is one of several local golf courses. Wolfridge Alpaca Barn is close by with alpaca experiences and café. At Aerospace Bristol in Patchway, you’ll discover the story of Bristol’s aviation history, including a chance to explore Concorde Alpha
Foxtrot, the very last of its type to fly. Just off the M5 motorway at Junction 17, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway combines shopping, restaurants, free parking and entertainment, including the Planet Ice skating rink, home to Bristol Pitbulls. Try a masterclass or take a tour at Jekka’s, a family-run herb farm at Alveston. Walkers and cyclists can enjoy traffic-free routes along the National Cycle Network, including the popular Bristol & Bath Railway Path, which passes through the village
of Warmley with its historic signal box, tea gardens, and former estate of 18th century metallurgist William Champion. The southern banks of the River Severn are also a perfect spot for hiking, with the area home to a range of scenic walking routes and pretty villages.
Just north of the area, family-friendly attractions include the historic 11th century Berkeley Castle, the spectacular Westonbirt Arboretum, and WWT Slimbridge, where you can be at one with the wild.
For regional map, see page 46
NoRTH soMERsET
For woodland walks, scenic cycle paths and vibrant seaside towns
Cross the Clifton Suspension Bridge for Leigh Woods, the National Trust-owned woodland that sits on the edge of the Avon Gorge. A few minutes further on, Ashton Court Estate provides off-road cycling routes (hire a bike from Pedal Progression), pathways for walkers, acres of green space and a high ropes course (Adventure Bristol). Hot-air balloons take off here – and don’t miss the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in August. A little further on you’ll find Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, home of big zoo animals and National Trust’s Tyntesfield, a Victorian Gothic Revival house with extensive gardens.
PORTISHEAD & CLEVEDON
Roughly 10 miles from Bristol, Portishead has a 420-berth marina with a public arts trail and Lake Grounds, where there is an open-air pool and a boating lake. Nearby Clevedon boasts an elegant Grade I listed pier constructed in 1869, Clevedon Marine Lake popular for open-water swimming and stand-up paddleboarding as well as the Curzon cinema, dating from 1912.
WESTON-SUPER-MARE
Further south and less than 30 minutes from Bristol by train, this Victorian beach resort offers various seaside and cultural attractions. Discover miles of sandy beach, a Marine Lake for paddling and boating, watersports, incredible street art and fabulous sunsets. Weston is home to the famous Grand Pier which offers visitors amazing rides and experiences. The annual spectacular fireworks display: Fireworks at Sea is not to be missed. Weston-super-Mare is also home to the biggest event in the UK off-road calendar Weston-superMare Beach Race. Other cultural events to add to your calendar include: Whirligig Festival of Outdoor Arts, Weston Wallz and Weston
Carnival. Along the coast, Brean Leisure Park offers a great day out with a waterpark, theme park, golf course and country club.
WALKING & CYCLING ROUTES
Walkers should take a saunter along the Clevedon coast path to Portishead, part of the West Mendip Way, or head for the National Trust’s Sand Point. If you prefer getting around on two wheels hop on a bike on the new Pier to Pier Way, a 13-mile cycle route linking Weston to Clevedon. Or try the Strawberry Line from Yatton to Cheddar, a traffic-free cycle path that takes in Congresbury, Sandford, Winscombe and Axbridge, or the Brean Down Way cycle route from Weston to the National Trust’s spectacular Brean Down.
FOOD & DRINK
• Aldwick Court Estate Tour the vineyards and taste award-winning English wines.
• Butcombe Brewery Go behind the scenes at this local brewer and visit some of the finest country pubs in the area.
• GOOD: Stories in Food Enjoy a day out in the West Country, learn about local wines and cheese made in the region.
• Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill Situated within Doubletree by Hilton Cadbury House hotel, this restaurant offers a lively atmosphere and exquisite food.
• Thatchers Cider Take a tour and see how they make their ciders. Combine it with a visit to their pub, The Railway Inn (pictured).
• The Maple A relaxing and family-friendly restaurant that uses locally-sourced ingredients from the South West.
• The Canteen by Yeo Valley a great spot for breakfast, a cuppa and cake or lunch with brilliant views of Blagdon Lake.
Marine Lake in Weston-super-Mare
Front top: Pedal Progress and the Grand Pier
further south
Don’t miss an opportunity to venture out into the glorious Mendip Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty popular with walkers and cyclists. Wookey Hole is the UK’s largest show cave and a dazzling sight to behold – explore more of the caves with Wild Wookey. Stay on site at the Wookey Hole Hotel or nearby Mendip View Lodges. Cheddar Gorge & Caves is a spectacular natural sight with a hilltop gorge walk, dramatic cliffs, crags, pinnacles and caverns. Thrill seekers can sign up for rock climbing, abseiling or
escape room sessions. Mendip Activity Centre offers a huge range of family activities including frisbee golf, archery and climbing, as well as skiing or snowboarding on their dry slope. Myth and legend swirl around nearby Glastonbury Tor, and England’s smallest city, Wells, is known for its Medieval architecture and quaint streets including the famous Wells Cathedral. Head south-east to experience the drivethrough Safari and house tour at Longleat, as well as events throughout the year.
For regional map, see page 46
BATH
Georgian elegance, World Heritage architecture and steamy thermal spa waters set in the green hills of Somerset
COMPACT & PICTURESQUE
Bath makes an ideal day trip as part of a short break to Bristol. The two contrasting cities complement each other perfectly, and are closer than you might think: Bath is just 12 minutes by train from Bristol Temple Meads. For a more leisurely journey, you can cycle along the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, a 13-mile car-free route connecting both cities. The surrounding countryside is also great for bike rides and walking. From the magnificent Bath Abbey and the famous Roman Baths – one of the best-preserved Roman sites in the world – to the handsome crescents and terraces of its World Heritage architecture, the city’s many attractions are easily explored on foot.
ART & CULTURE
For more on Bath’s historic past, explore some of its museums. Celebrate the 250th birthday year of the city’s most famous former resident at The Jane Austen Centre , where you’ll learn about the
author and her time in Bath, then step into the dark world of fellow author Mary Shelley and her greatest creation at neighbouring at Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein . You can also head into No.1 Royal Crescent (a popular setting for period costume dramas such as Bridgerton) for a slice of Georgian life.
For art lovers, The Holburne Museum combines classic and modern art in an opulent setting; the Victoria Art Gallery’s exciting programme of temporary exhibitions highlight the work of talented artists throughout history, and the Museum of East Asian Art represents over 7,000 years of artistry and craftsmanship. The Herschel Museum, based at the same address on New King Street at which the family lived and worked in the 1700s, is dedicated to William and his sister Caroline’s achievements in astronomy and music.
Just outside the city, the American Museum & Gardens houses a huge collection of Americana
set in 125-acres of rolling topography, while the recently refurbished Beckford’s Tower offers views over Bath.
REST & RELAXATION
Bath has been a leading destination for rest and relaxation since the Romans constructed the baths 2,000 years ago. The natural thermal springs that lie beneath the city still produce over a million litres of mineral water every day. At the thoroughly modern Thermae Bath Spa, relax and recuperate in the steamy waters of the rooftop pool and soak up spectacular views of the city. Bath gained its second UNESCO World Heritage award in 2021 as part of the Great Spa Towns of Europe.
BEYOND BATH
Like Bristol, Bath is within easy reach of picturesque scenery, with the beautiful landscapes of Somerset and Wiltshire on its doorstep. Head east of the city and go for a wanderalong the pretty Kennet & Avon Canal, explore the charming market town of Bradford-on-Avon, the historic village of Lacock, and see one of the most famous wonders of the world, Stonehenge
Thermae Bath Spa
GETtING To BRIsToL
TRAIN
Bristol’s two mainline railway stations are Bristol Temple Meads, situated in the city centre, and Bristol Parkway, situated in the north of the city. Bristol is one of the best-connected cities in the UK, with easy access by train to other major cities in England, Wales and Scotland, as well as several rural destinations from both of these stations. Bristol also has several local railway stations convenient for getting around the city and its surrounding areas, including the Severn Beach Line with stops including Clifton Down and Montpelier. A journey planner is available via the Travelwest website.
Frequent high-speed services from London Paddington are operated by Great Western Railway (GWR) and take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Bristol's various city centre and Harbourside attractions are easily accessible on foot or ferry from Temple Meads Station.
BUS
Bristol is well served with local, regional and national bus services. Most local services are run by First Bus and passengers can tap-on-tap-off with a payment card to secure the best fares. National Express run regular services to Bristol
city centre from across the country, dropping off at Bristol Bus Station.
AIR
Bristol Airport is approximately 25 minutes south of central Bristol and offers direct scheduled flights across Europe and connections worldwide. Bristol Airport Flyer express bus runs a frequent service, or taxis are available from departures.
GREAT WEST WAY®
Bristol sits at the Western end of England’s Great West Way®. As well as travelling by bicycle, walking the landscapes, relaxing on waterways, or taking the road, you can also take advantage of the Great West Way® Discoverer pass from GWR offering unlimited train and bus travel along the route from London to Bristol – see more on the Great West Way website ®
ROAD
Visitors are encouraged to use public transport to get to Bristol, wherever possible. Park & Ride services are available at Parkway Station, Yate, Lyde Green, Portway, Long Ashton and Brislington. Check online for fares, operating hours and schedules.
GETtING ARoUND BRIsToL
TRAIN
Access local trains to rural and city locations via Bristol Temple Meads in the city centre. Bristol has several local railway stations convenient for getting around the city and its surrounding areas, including the Severn Beach Line with stops popular with visitors such as Clifton Down and Montpelier. Use Stapleton Road station to visit St Mark’s Road. A journey planner is available via the Travelwest website.
BUS
First Bus operates the majority of bus services in Bristol, and their handy app allows passengers to buy digital tickets for all services and track buses in live time. Physical tickets can also be purchased on board all buses by cash or card. Day tickets are usually the cheapest option for getting around. Passengers can tap-on-tap-off with a payment card to secure the best fares.
CYCLING, SCOOTERS AND BIKE HIRE
Bristol features a wide range of cycle lanes and routes, many of which are off-road and car-free. Bikes of all different types can be hired from various businesses and locations around the city, including the Brompton Dock at Temple Meads station, Pedal Progression at Ashton Court, and Bristol Tandem Hire in the city centre. E-Scooters are available to hop on across the city.
BOAT
Bristol Ferry Boats offer a year-round service with stops all around the Harbourside from Temple Meads station to Hotwells. Bristol Packet offer scheduled tours.
There is a crossharbour ferry running from Hannover Quay to Brunel’s SS Great Britain.
See our map on pages 44-45 for ferry landing locations. See the tours on page 12 for more information about pleasure cruises around the Harbourside and further afield.
ACCESSIBILITY
Bristol can be explored on foot, although some steep hills and cobbled streets can be difficult for wheelchair users and those with mobility issues to access. The Visit Bristol website features accessibility audits of the city’s accommodation and attractions, with most meeting the needs of all visitors, including neurodivergent people and those with physical disabilities or impairments. Wheelchair and scooter hire are both available from Shopmobility, located in Cabot Circus.
TAXI
Hackney carriage taxis are painted in ‘Bristol blue’ and can be found at designated ranks across the city or hailed from the street. There are also private hire companies operating in the city and app based taxi services such as Veezu, Uber and Bolt.
CAR
Driving in Bristol? Make sure you know about the city’s Clean Air Zone. The zone will help make Bristol a healthier place for everyone. Check your vehicle now or pay the charge at www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones
Bristol city centre map
Railway station Ferry
stages Hospitals
Hotels: For a digital version of the city centre map, including
scan theQR code or go to: visitbristol.co.uk/your-visit/maps
Regional map
Mainline train station Park & ride
DAY TRIPS
Make Bristol a base for exploring the wider region. There are numerous National Trust properties just a short distance from the city, including Tyntesfield to the south or Newark Park and Dyrham Park to the north.
at Salisbury Cathedral in neighbouring Wiltshire and board the shuttle bus to Stonehenge.
Mainline Train Station Park and Ride Hospital
Take a dip in natural spa waters, marvel at Georgian architecture and join in Austen 250 celebrations in Bath, just 12 minutes away by train (see pages 38-39 for more details). Cardiff is just under an hour away: combine with a visit to the Royal Mint or the beautiful Wye Valley South Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds hold some of the most beautiful towns and villages in the country, as well as some significant historic sites (more on pages 32-33). Take a direct train to discover the Magna Carta
Explore the historic sites of Somerset, from the the beautiful Wells Cathedral and neighbouring Bishops Palace, to the medieval ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, which is just a short walk from Glastonbury Tor, where you can enjoy unrivalled views of the Somerset Levels. Discover the attractions of North Somerset on pages 34-35.
Roughly an hour south-east of Bristol is the Longleat estate with its Elizabethan house, grounds and famous safari park.
If you want to take the hassle out of planning your journey, book an excursion with local tour guides such as Mad Max Tours or Rabbie’s Tours, who will drive you to each location in comfort.
