Bristol is a vibrant, bustling and diverse city, rich in maritime history and bursting with creativity and culture. The city has fantastic shopping, from high street names to small independent shopping areas like Park Street, Gloucester Road and Clifton Village. Whether you’re wandering the streets and small alleyways looking at the street art and the stunning Georgian architecture or simply relaxing at the Harbourside with delicious food and drink watching the ferries and boats drifting by, there is certainly something for everyone on holiday in Bristol!
Where to stay
Mendip View Camping, Winford
A small and friendly certified Camping and Caravan rural campsite near Bristol with views across the Chew Valley to the Mendips. Roughly 9 miles from Bristol, it is within walking distance to Bristol airport where you will find bus links to the city.
Avon Valley Camping, Keynsham
Nestled within the heart of the glorious West Country, Avon Valley Camping is home to an abundance of wildlife and fun for the whole family. Pitch up on the 60 acre parkland of Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park, among the park’s animals. Free entry to the Adventure and Wildlife Park is included with your pitch fee.
Knights Folly Campsite, Bitton
Knights Folly is a small independent site, listed with the Camping & Caravanning Club, situated on the edge of the village of Bitton between Bristol and Bath.The site has 20 pitches, both hard standing and grass, all with electric hook up. Overlooking the Avon Valley Steam Railway and Bristol/Bath cycle way, with easy access to both, it is ideal for both walkers and cyclists.
Bristol Days out
Best for families: SS Great Britain
The SS Great Britain stands proud in its dry dock on Bristol Harbourside. Here, in one of the most important ships in history, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, you can step back in time and discover what life was like aboard this iconic ship. Take time to go below the glass sea, around the dock yard and (for the brave) climb the 25ft high rigging of the SS Great Britain.
Best for water fun: The Wave
The Wave is the first inland-surfing destination of its kind, where people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities can experience the joy of surfing. Surf on consistent, safe waves all year round, with a fantastic variety of waves to suit all levels of surfer, from beginner to expert. With a clubhouse and pop up food outlets you can stay all day soaking up the atmosphere and listening to the waves.
Best for history: M Shed
See amazing films and photographs, listen to moving personal stories, encounter rare and quirky objects and add your own memories of Bristol through the interactive displays. From prehistoric times to the present day, M Shed tells the story of the city and its unique place in the world. The M Shed is part of Bristol Museums and free to enter. Other museums to visit are Bristol Museum and Art Gallery and The Georgian House.
Best for sunny days: Blaise Castle Estate
A 650 acre Grade II* registered parkland with a children’s play area, museum and castle. Find out about the history of the house, the landscaping of its estate and enjoy the beautiful Picture Room. Explore the formal gardens or walk in the parkland where you will discover the folly built in 1766, lovely views and a river side walk.
See this
Clifton Suspension Bridge
Bristol’s iconic Suspension Bridge spans the Avon Gorge and was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1831. Head up to Clifton Village, through stunning Georgian architecture and independent shops, to walk over the Bridge. Visit the Observatory, built in 1766, featuring one of the few camera obscuras open to the public, venture into the caves below! Nearby is the vast public open space called The Downs, stretching from Clifton to Stokes Croft. A great place for picnics, playing games, walks and lovely scenery. Head to the Sea Walls near Sneyd Park where you will get a great view of the gorge and the Suspension Bridge.
The view from Cabot Tower
Set in Bristol’s oldest park, Brandon Hill, Cabot Tower was built in 1897 to commemorate John Cabot’s voyage from Bristol to the continent of North America four hundred years earlier. This 105ft tower with its spiral staircase is worth the climb at the top. You will be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view over Bristol, its Harbourside and beyond.
Arnos Vale Cemetery
Step into a secret world and discover a unique heritage site in the heart of Bristol, as you enter 45 green acres of spectacular Victorian Garden Cemetery. Find out about the history of Bristol, the people buried and the wildlife within these walls with either self guided walks or organised tours and talks.
Graffiti and street art
You can’t go far in Bristol without seeing a wall covered in street art or hearing the name Banksy, the elusive graffiti artist who has an enormous collection of artistic works on Bristol walls. Upfest festival in the summer brings together some of the best artists for a weekend of street art, music, crafts and food around the streets in BS3. If you can’t wait until then, there is plenty of stunning art to see around Bristol city centre, Bedminster, Southville and Stokes Croft.
Do this
A boat trip
Bristol Harbourside has plenty of boat trips to offer, whether it’s a quick hop across to the other side or a longer trip up the river, the river taxis run everyday. One trip offered by Bristol Ferries, Bristol Packet and No7 Boats is a lovely relaxing river trip to Beeses Riverside Tea Rooms and Bar, beautifully set on the side of the River Avon, with a gert lush garden offering cream teas, cakes, lunches and Sunday roasts.
St Nicholas Markets
Located within Bristol’s old city, St Nicholas Markets, known as St Nicks Market, has Bristol’s largest collection of independent retailers. A vibrant and buzzing market set in a Georgian arcade with a maze of quirky stalls, incredible street food and historic architecture.
A hot air balloon flight
Most summer evenings in Bristol if you look up you will undoubtedly see one, if not half a dozen, hot air balloons gently drifting across the sky. Each year in August one of Europe’s biggest international balloon fiestas takes place at Ashton Court, where balloons of all shapes and sizes fly to create a spectacular sight only seen over Bristol.
There are a number of companies in Bristol that offer flights, such as Elite Air Ballooning, Bailey Balloons and Bristol Balloons, so take the opportunity when planning to visit Bristol to book a balloon flight.
Eat this
Cargo and Wapping Wharf
Gaol Ferry Steps is the tree-lined, pedestrianised route running through Wapping Wharf, with retailers located along either side and Cargo, a new retail yard made of converted shipping containers. Wapping Wharf is rapidly becoming a new independent food and drink quarter for Bristol. From sourdough pizzas to organic fruit and vegetables, freshly baked bread to specialist coffees.
Bristol Lido
Set beside a renovated Grade II listed Victorian building is this 24 metre heated outdoor swimming pool, restaurant and bar. With menus inspired by Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine, you’ll definitely get that holiday feeling.
Drink this
White Lion
The White Lion Bar in Clifton is a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike. With one of the largest terraces in the south west, you can enjoy panoramic views of the world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge and the hills of Somerset.
The Grain Barge
Originally an engineless barge built in 1936 to carry barley and wheat from Bristol to Cardiff across the Severn Estuary, The Grain Barge has spectacular views of the harbour and the SS Great Britain. It’s easy to sit and watch the river life glide past whilst enjoying craft beers, local cider or a cool drink on a summer evening. For chiller days you can sit inside in the warm, where the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly.
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