89 best things to do in Bristol

Last updated on November 27, 2024

Bristol is well-known as one of the UK’s most creative and exciting cities. It often tops the charts of the best places to live in England and, after moving here in 2016, I have to agree. Londoners like me flock to Bristol, tired of the pace of the capital but still keen to have all the perks of city living, from an exciting food scene to cultural events of every stripe.

It’s a city famed for its liberal-mindedness and local activism, the home place of Banksy and drum and bass, and decked in a rich history that permeates the streets. And to top it off, it’s surrounded by the hills of South-West England, meaning you can be out in the countryside within moments of the city. Bristol has stolen my heart, and I though it was about time I shared some of it with you.

This article is all about some of the best things to do in Bristol. We teamed up with local blogger Lori at Wild and Grizzly to find out about some of her favourite places in Bristol, and we’re also sharing lots of our own. There’s a video with a round-up of the very best of what to do in Bristol, plus here’s a written guide with some more options added in.

Handpicked City Guide: The Best of What to do in Bristol

The Best Things to Do in Bristol

Explore the harbourside

Bristol maritime history stretches back many centuries, taking in impressive boat building as well as a more shameful past as a slaving port. You can explore some of this history down by the harbourside where the number one attraction is the SS Great Britain, a ship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It was the first ship of its kind to cross the Atlantic and is considered on of the most important ships in history.

Not far from the SS Great Britain is the Matthew, a replica of the ship John Cabot sailed on when he discovered Newfoundland in 1497. You can do sailing trips on the Matthew or just admire it from the harbourside.

While there, visit the M Shed, a museum that tells the story of Bristol and its people, and also hosts lots of excellent visiting exhibitions, from the Nat Geo wildlife photography of the year exhibit to lesser known cultural features.

And the harbourside isn’t only about maritime history, it’s also packed with great restaurants and cafes (most notably, the excellent Wapping Wharf, which you can read more about in the food section), as well as the excellent Arnolfini gallery of contemporary art, and the Watershed independent cinema.

A good walk along the harbour, stretches from the SS Great Britain all the way to the Watershed, which only takes about 20 minutes if not stopping, but there’s so much to see that it will easily take longer. If you’re doing a circular route, you can hop on a ferry at the SS Great Britain to take a different route back.

Take in the view from Cabot Tower

For a great view of Bristol, head up to Brandon Hill Park and Cabot Tower. The park itself is beautiful, and you can climb the tower for free. Once up there, you’ll see a panoramic view of the city, from Clifton to the water and beyond.

The park is just a few minutes away from the harbourside and centre of town, and it’s also right next to Park Street, one of Bristol’s most beautiful streets. The Bristol Cathedral is at one end, and at the top you’ll find the (Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, as well as the (Wills Memorial Building, part of the university and one of my favourite pieces of architecture in the city.

The Bristol Museum is perfect if you’re visiting with a family as it has a lovely play area and lots of child-friendly exhibits. And there’s also the Red Lodge Museum, a historic Elizabethan house on Park Row.

Explore the best of Bristol’s family attractions

Bristol is a great family destination with lots of options to choose from. You could go to We the Curious, which is filled with interactive exhibits and a planetarium. Or go to the Bristol Aquarium to be enchanted by the sea life.

Both attractions are on Millenium Square, which has a big wheel ride, plus fountains, which are fun to play in in the summer. 

There’s also the renowned Bristol Zoo, which has now relocated to the Bristol Zoo Project (formerly Wild Place) about 15 minutes outside the city.

Or for farm animals, go to the tiny, hippy-vibe St Werburgh’s City Farm, or the bigger and somewhat more impressive Windmill Hill City Farm (both are very cute!).

Be charmed by Clifton Village

Clifton Village is Bristol’s most charming spot. True to its name, it has a lovely village feel, and is a perfect place to wander while exploring all the little cafes, delis, boutiques and restaurants. The area is filled with elegant Georgian architecture, and be sure not to miss the impressive Royal York Crescent.

Some of my favourite spots in the village are Catley’s Bakery, Anna Cake Couture, which has some of the best cakes in Bristol; and Mercy Mercy Mercy, perfect for sitting outside on a sunny day. Go to the nearby Clifton Wood to see some particularly colourful houses.

Marvel at the Suspension Bridge

Bristol’s most iconic sight is the suspension bridge that sits high above the Avon Gorge, just next to Clifton Village. It’s a spectacular site from every angle, whether you’re down below in the Cumberland Basin, or high above on the Bristol Downs. The Clifton Observatory on the Downs is a good option, and also includes access to the Giant’s Cave, a natural cave in the Avon Gorge.

But my favourite spot for bridge gazing is the beautiful terrace at the White Lion Bar in the Avon Gorge – it’s perfect on summer nights and even better during the Balloon Fiesta when, if the wind is in your favour, you can see the balloons sail right past you. 

Get a taste of the countryside without leaving the city

One of the best things about Bristol is the countryside that surrounds it. Drive in any direction for about 15 minutes and you’ll be in the depths of it, but there are also some great options even closer to the city centre. Two of my favourites are Leigh Woods and Ashton Court.

On the other side of the suspension bridge, they’re both just a 15-minute walk from Clifton Village, but feel miles from city life. Ashton Court is also home to the annual balloon fiesta and has an 18-hole golf course too.

And for something even closer to the centre, there’s the Bristol Downs, which have amazing views of the suspension bridge and are a lovely place for a dog walk or a picnic.

There are so many green spaces to choose from in Bristol, but a few more favourites are: Snuff Mills, Blaise Castle and Ashton Hill.

Explore the city’s street art

Bristol has a thriving street art scene and is also the home of Banksy, so you can see a few of his originals around the city. Stokes Croft is one of the best places in Bristol’s street art scene, featuring everything from graffiti to huge murals. If you head to the Canteen bar, you’ll see a Banksy just outside, as well as a huge mural of Jen Reid who famously stood on the plinth after Colston’s statue was destroyed. There are also some particularly nice murals on and around Picton Street.

There are street art tours run by people who know Banksy, and if you’re around in the summer, head to UpFest, Europe’s largest street art and graffiti festival, which is held in Bedminster. The artworks done during the festival stay up all year, so Bedminster is another great place to see street art.

Delve into Bristol’s food scene

One of my favourite things about Bristol is the food. It’s one of the things I was afraid I’d miss about London, but Bristol has easily compensated. There’s something for every taste, from Michelin-star food to amazing burgers. A few of my favourites are: Caper and Cure for brunch; Bosco for pizza; Swoon for gelato; Jean’s Bistro for down-to-earth authentic Thai food, Pasta Ripiena for Italian, and Cargo Cantina or Condesa for Mexican.

Cargo at Wapping Wharf is a brilliant foodie hub, with lots of shipping containers filled with local restaurants. I’ve also written a guide to the best brunches in Bristol, the best restaurants in Bristol, the best Bristol cafes, best Bristol bakeries, and the best food delivery in Bristol.

For third wave coffee, head to Small Street Espresso, Little Victories, Interlude or Full Court Press. And my favourite cafe of all is One B Coffee House, which you can’t beat for neighbourhood vibes.

If you’re with kids, don’t miss Boston Tea Party, a small chain of friendly cafes that has a perfect kids’ menu and has won awards for its sustainability (they no longer serve any single-use coffee cups and have lots of other waste-reducing initiatives too).

Sample the city’s nightlife

Bristol is famous for its drum and bass scene that peaked in the 90s, and nowadays it continues its reputation for having a lively clubbing scene. Lakota, Motion and Cosies are three of the favourites.

There’s also no end of pubs and bars, including a burgeoning craft beer scene at places including The Beer Emporium and Left Handed Giant. And you can also visit the taproom at the popular local brewery Wiper and True.

The city has become well-known for its cocktail/speakeasy scene, including bars such as Hyde & Co and The Milk Thistle and Filthy XVIII.

And don’t forget to go for half-pint at the infamous Coronation Tap in Clifton Village (it’s sold in small glasses because it’s so strong!).

Favourite pubs include the Christmas Steps and The Hillgrove.

Go to the theatre

Bristol has a thriving performing arts scene. The Bristol Old Vic hosts world-class theatre productions, you can see cutting-edge shows at the Tobacco Factory and Redgrave Theatre.

Bristol Beacon and O2 Academy hold gigs by international artists, and you can see travelling west end shows at the Hippodrome.

There are also smaller venues like the Wardrobe Theatre in Old Market. And finally, do look out for events at the Passenger Shed, an event space that’s particularly atmospheric when hosting plays. And if you’re lucky, you might catch something at the Mount Without, which is one of the most beautiful venues in Bristol, housed in an old church.

Do some independent shopping 

Bristol has a proud independent business scene, and some of the finest can be found on Lower Park Row, Colston Street, Christmas Steps, Gloucester Road and North Street. A few favourites are 20th Century Flicks, an old school DVD shop with an 11-seat private cinema, Mon Pote for gifts and homewares, and Fox + Feather for clothes.

You can also find lots of vinyl shops, including Prime Cuts and Friendly Records.

And for food, the local chain of Better Food markets is a great place for organic and locally sourced foods (although you’ll also find plenty of other local options in each area of Bristol). Also head to St Nicholas Market, which has over 60 stalls selling everything from food to antiques. 

See my guide to the best independent shops in Bristol.

See the city from the water

A great way to see the city is from the water. Hope on the 364-days a year Bristol Ferry Boat, which travels from the SS Great Britain to Temple Meads. Or do a guided boat tour with Bristol Packet boats (there’s even an option with a cream tea!).

See the city from a balloon

Perhaps the ultimate way to see Bristol is from a hot air balloon, the mode of transport the city is most famous for. The best time to come is during the balloon fiesta when the sky is filled with balloons of all shapes and sizes, but you can go up in a balloon year-round, so long as the weather conditions are favourable.

Cycle the Bristol to Bath bike path

Following an old railway line, the 13-mile cycle path from Bristol to Bath is by far the most scenic way to travel between the two cities and a perfectly pleasant way to spend the day. There are even spots where you can stop beside the river and do a bit of wild swimming.

Relax your cares away at the Lido

One of my absolute favourite things to do in Bristol is go to the Lido, a beautifully restored 1850s swim club, complete with a spa, outdoor pool and hot tub, tapas bar and restaurant. It’s a members club, but you can pay for day swim passes or go for a treatment in the spa, plus the cafe and restaurant are open to anyone.

It’s a little oasis of tranquility in the city, and the perfect way to feel refreshed (not least because the pool is only heated slightly, so you always have a bracing swim!).

It’s notoriously hard to get a membership because the waiting list is so long, but I did manage to get one after a 5-year wait!! And it was very much worth that wait.

Go to St.Pauls Carnival

One of the most famous events in Bristol is the St Paul’s Carnival, which has been going since 1968. The day-long street party is a celebration of African-Caribbean culture and includes a big parade. Bristol also has plenty of other festivals throughout the year, including the Harbour Festival, Simple Things, Forwards and Love Saves the Day.

Catch a film at an indy cinema

My favourite cinema in Bristol is the Everyman where you watch films from the comfort of a sofa and can have drinks and snacks delivered to your seat. It’s the ultimate luxury cinema experience. Other good options are the Watershed, which I already mentioned, Scott Cinema, and The Cube (a tiny cinema specialising in independent and cult cinema).

I hope you love Bristol too!

So that’s a quick run-down of some of the best things to do in Bristol if you’re visiting the city for the first time or want to get to know it better. There are tons of things I’ve had to miss, but I’ll be sure to write some specialised versions, focussing on different elements of the city in the future. For now, this should be enough to get you started.

I hope you’ll love the city as much as I do.

Enjoy!

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