Bristol, a beautiful city in the Southwest of England with a rich history. Its former city centre is now a cultural hub, the Harbourside, where the M Shed museum explores local social and industrial heritage. With many cultural events Bristol is know for, you will never get bored in this vibrant city.
The harbour’s 19th-century warehouses now contain shops, pubs and also restaurants. These independent shops and bars are all in the middle of Bristol where you can find lots of street art.
Not only street art can be found here but you’ll also find the famous art gallery named ‘Arnolfini gallerie’.
In Bristol’s vibrant city, fueled by creativity and rich culture, it will ensures a constant buzz of excitement. Whether you choose for the wonderful offerings at the Harbour Festival, immerse yourself in diverse music and art festivals, or witnessing the renowned International Balloon Fiesta, there’s always something happening.
Whether you visit Bristol’s city with your family or go on a romantic break, Bristol offers a wide variety of restaurants, attractions and activities. Continue reading because I’ve compiled a list with the best things to do while visiting Bristol.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
The festival originally started during the weekend of September 7th-9th, 1979, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta originated as a modest gathering of like-minded balloon enthusiasts at the renowned ballooning venue, Ashton Court.
The inaugural fiesta featured a mass ascent of 27 balloons, captivating spectators with numerous flights over the weekend. Originating mainly from the West Country, balloons also arrived from Ireland, Luxembourg, and West Germany.
Since this humble beginning, the Fiesta has steadily grown into Europe’s largest free annual hot air balloon festival which makes it an amazing place to wander around. It’s one of the wonderful things to do and a must when taking a trip to Bristol in August.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge
The story of the Clifton Suspension Bridge is fascinating, starting in 1754. The Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust takes care of both the bridge and its historical records and artifacts. Founded in 1953, the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust operates as a not-for-profit charity with the primary purpose of serving as custodians for the bridge.
The mission revolves around the maintenance and preservation of this iconic landmark, showcasing collections that underscore the enduring significance of Bristol’s most celebrated structure which is a real piece of art.
Discover amazing views of the bridge from Observatory Hill, located just across on the Clifton side. Or watch the sun go down while taking a walk.
Follow the footpaths to reach the summit, and head over to the thrilling descent on the Rock Slide, smoothed over centuries by the adventurous souls of Bristol. This is really fun experience which can safely be done with the complete family.
There are various guided tours, events and exhibitions for you to book and discover. This should really be on your list of the things to do in Bristol, since its one of there most famous “attractions”.
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Do you love to learn more about earth’s vibrant history, and discover more about peoples lives, past en present? Then visiting Bristol Museum & Art Gallery is a must, this free to visit and easy accessible spot is located close to the Cabot Tower and it’s highly recommended to use public transportation or with take a Uber or taxi.
The Bristol Museum showcases a wide variety of things, like, Egyptian mummies, South West Wildlife but also dinosaurs, rocks and wildlife. But not only the history of planet earth, make sure you also visit their art galleries the stunning craftsmanship with paintings, pottery, glass and more.
Make sure you take the time to really explore this beautiful place and learn more about our beautiful history. This is also a great place to take your kids and learn them more about our planet.
Wills Memorial Building
Opened in 1925, the Wills Memorial Building is home to the University’s School of Law and the School of Earth Sciences.
It also hosts graduation ceremonies and various public events. Tower tours provide a peek behind the grand facade, allowing visitors to explore the Great Hall, Council Chamber, and ornate libraries. From the top of Wills Tower, 68 meters above Park Street, enjoy an unparalleled view.
Tour guides share a unique insight into the building’s history, opened by King George V and Queen Mary in 1925 and later damaged during the Blitz in 1940. This is something you should have on your list with things to do in Bristol, if you enjoy amazing architecture.
The admission fee for an adult is only 5 pounds but make sure you take cash with you since you can’t pay by card.
Shopping on Park Street & Queens Road
Fashion lovers should really visit this bustling shopping district that showcases leading brands, independent boutiques and some of Bristol’s best dining and drinking options. Since this area is rapidly evolving you will probably find the next hidden gem while exploring it.
If shopping for clothes isn’t your thing, get some culture at the art, music, record and bookstores that make Park Street their home. You can also find some of the best Bristol Hotels here.
You can easily spend the whole day and night here, but if you want to take some time out from shopping, eating and drinking you should wander through the areas incredible historical and cultural attractions to offer, one of them is the M shed which you can easily walk to.
This is a perfect way to incorporate some incredible history with a day of shopping.
Visit Glastonbury Festival
If you’re a music lover, this should be on the top of your list. The Glastonbury Festival is a festival which originated in 1970 and since then grown to a capacity of over 200.000 people.
With artists like Little Simz, Bille Eilish, Diana Ross, Sir Paul McCartney and Kendrick Lamarr all being on stage here in 2022 across 20 different Areas and stages there is no room for disappointment. The Festival is held in Pilton, England, this is a 55 minute drive from Bristol’s city, so very easy to go to when visiting Bristol.
The fact that this is the biggest outdoor Festival in England makes this a must on your list of things to do in Bristol, make sure you get your tickets as early as possible since the sell out quickly. The festival always hosts around the Summer, most of the time it hosts in June.
If you want to visit Bristol or England in general and enjoy this amazing festival, make sure you visit around June.
Visit the Ashton Gate Stadium
The main stadium in the city is called: ‘The Ashton Gate Stadium’, home for the Bristol City football club. This stadium holds a capacity of 27.000 people, and is the home of Bristol City football club and the Bristol Bears rugby union team.
You can ofcourse visit one of the games or take a tour when non of the teams are playing, go behind the scenes of Ashton Gate and experience the excitement of running out of the Players Tunnel.
A guided tour of the stadium. Experience it as a player from arrival at the Players Entrance, to walking the tunnel, sit in the dug-out and see the Players Dressing Room, Press Conference Room and the TV studio. This tour is one of the best things to do in Bristol for a real sports lover.
Experience The Nightlife In The City Centre
Bristol is known for its buzzling nightlife with many pubs and clubs available, something that should really be on your list of things to do in Bristol.
When enjoying Bristol’s nightlife, I would recommend you to go to one of these places but make sure you check out all the other fun bars around since you’ll find plenty in town.
PRYZM
This club holds a capacity of over 2500 people, and is one of the biggest places to party in the South West. Frequently joined by some of the best in the music business, Oceana provides fantastic drinks deals and an atmosphere big enough to keep you going all night.
Pitcher And Piano
Located at the busier end of Harbourside, The Pitcher and Piano is a great bar to start your night. It’s buzzing atmosphere and great location in the heart of the city make it a favorite for many locals. The perfect place to enjoy a drink while you watch the boats pass by in the beautiful floating harbour of Bristol.
Whether it’s bubbles over brunch or a relaxed Sunday roast, after work drinks or a night to remember, this bar really brings something unique.
Gravity Nightclub
This nightclub offers a wide variety of VIP packages to really make your night out special. Don’t fancy a VIP-table? No problem, they offer normal and VIP tickets to every party, so this great place is making sure that there is always something for your to enjoy!
Visit the M Shed museum
The museum focuses on the social and industrial history of the city. The name “M Shed” refers to the building’s former use as a transit shed on the historic Bristol harbour, where goods were once unloaded from ships.
M Shed showcases a variety of exhibits, artifacts, and stories that highlight Bristol’s past, including its maritime history, industrial development, and cultural evolution. The museum often features temporary art exhibitions alongside its permanent displays.
Visitors can expect to find collections related to trade, technology, people, and the city’s role in the slave trade. The best part is that this museum has a free entry, and a great way to educate your kids about Bristol’s cultural evolution and life in general.
The Bristol Zoo
Bristol Zoo, located in Clifton, Bristol, is a well-established zoo that has been entertaining and educating visitors since it first opened its doors in 1836.
Bristol Zoo is committed to saving endangered species and actively participates in breeding programs. You can explore a variety of animals from around the world, including gorillas, monkeys, seals, penguins, and more.
You can not only witness these beautiful animals but also learn about wildlife conservation through interactive exhibits, talks, and demonstrations which will dive deep into their ‘life’.
Your visit helps fund Bristol Zoo’s conservation efforts, which already makes it on the list of things to do in Bristol and a great way to round up your trip.
My Honest Review Of Bristol
I really enjoy spending time in the UK, the country itself offers a wide variety of activities and has a rich culture. This is something you’ll all find when visiting Bristol, I visit this city once a year and always enjoy spending time here. The vibe this city has, from the beautiful street art and friendly people makes me returning every time. I hope you’ll like it as much as I do!
BONUS TIP: If you like street art, you should visit Bristol’s graffiti festival (Upfest) which attracts over 50.000 visitors yearly.
1 thought on “The 10 Best Things To Do In Bristol”
I really appreciate your website, but you should review the spelling in several of your posts. Many contain numerous spelling errors, which is quite concerning for me to point out. However, I will definitely return in the future.