Bristol Activities

  • Watersports galore
  • Up, up, and away! The ballooning capital of Europe
  • A vibrant and culturally rich city, a hub of street art, graffiti and exciting festivals
  • Countless parks and green spaces to explore amongst stunning scenery and natural beauty
  • Clifton Suspension Bridge: a masterpiece of engineering and design
  • The UK’s first ‘cycling city’

Bristol is a historic seaport and harbour city that dominates the historic county of Gloucestershire, in the southwest of England, around 190km west of London and just a few km away from where the River Avon reaches the Atlantic Ocean.

Bristol was the epicenter of the 17th century spice trade, and it remains a lively and vibrant commercial center, with a reputation for fun and relaxation for groups of friends and families alike.  As a seaport, you can try your hand at watersports of all kinds, from paddleboarding, water skiing, canoeing, rowing, sailing, and more. If you prefer air over sea, you won’t be disappointed, as Bristol hosts an annual international balloon fiesta every summer – balloons of all colours and sizes fill the skies above Bristol, and you can take a trip up to get a bird’s eye view of the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside, a truly unique experience.

Although it boasts some excellent nightlife, with a plethora of lively bars and restaurants, the famous Motion nightclub being a draw for revellers from Europe and beyond, Bristol is also extremely family friendly and has vast green spaces, including parks, gardens, golf courses, and scenic cycling trails on which you can take in the stunning Clifton Suspension Bridge. It also hosts a wide range of festivals, to satisfy all tastes and curiosities, whether those be music, art, history, or even circus skills.

ACTIVITIES IN AND NEAR Bristol Activities

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Things to See & Do

Crossing the Clifton Bridge

Bristol’s Clifton Suspension Bridge, spanning the Avon Gorge and the River Avon and linking Clifton in Bristol to Leigh Woods, is considered a masterpiece of design and serves internationally as the city’s emblem. Its massive and awe inspiring wrought iron structure will surely enthuse you and is by far Bristol’s most impressive site. So, no matter how long you are planning to stay, make sure crossing the Clifton Bridge is among your top priorities.

Lazing in Bristol’s Gardens & Parks

Bristol has been described as a “city in the countryside”, teaming with parks and gardens (more than 400!) which are just ideal for spending a romantic afternoon with your sweetheart or a lazy day with your family and friends.

Castle Park, Brandon Hill, Queen Square and Clifton Downs are just the most prominent options, while Bristol Zoo Gardens is home to countless exotic animals – a favorite of kids and families. The Downs, described as the city’s lungs, attracts all sorts of people from dog walkers to sports enthusiasts while the Sea Wall, in the southwest, is the ideal spot for some jaw – dropping views of the Avon Gorge and the Clifton Bridge.

Another great option is Brandon Hill Park; after climbing the notorious spiral staircase all the way to the top of Cabot Tower, you will catch the best view of the entire city.

Activities

Exploring Bristol by Boat

Bristol’s waterways are one of the city’s most famed assets – so the best thing to do is hop on a boat and a river view of the city’s sights and attractions. Waterbus services operate 364 days a year and allow passengers to jump on and off as often as you chose, taking you from Temple Meads railway station, the oldest and largest station in Bristol, to the SS Great Britain, the famous museum ship, one of the most advanced for the 19th century and the 1st iron steamer that crossed the Atlantic.

Cycle yourself out!

As UK’s first ‘cycling city’, Bristol offers an array of great things to do on your bicycle. Besides heading to the vast green and open spaces and forested trails in and around Bristol, you can also explore the Railway Path to Bath – a 13 miles route of an old train line that cuts through tranquil landscape. Bristol’s hills can make things a bit more challenging, but special lanes around the city and bike tracks will lure even inexperienced bikers into action.

A Graffiti Lover?

Graffiti is Bristol’s favorite means of expression – from murals on shop shutters and public buildings, to ornate and highly artistic designs on vans, windows and fences. Dean Lane skate – park in Bedminster and the famed M32 flyover boast the best street art creations. There you will find street – artists devoted to their creations that will love to share with you their graffiti secrets and help you leave your mark in the city.

Since street art is your thing, you should visit Bristol during the Upfest, Europe’s biggest urban paint festival, attracting over 300 artists painting tens of venues every summer. Music stages, art workshops and other fun activities guarantee for a spectacular weekend!

A Goosebumps addict?

Bristol is old – really old – and almost every single district has its own ghost stories and spooky tales interwoven into historic buildings and sites. Those of you who find Haunted walking tours thrilling, take your friends (but not small children) to College Green at Friday night and join a group – inns, houses and cinemas, sagas of monks and dwarfs will make the 11/2 hour tour one of the most exciting memories of your visit in Bristol.

Sports & Adventure

The Forest of Dean

With numerous award – winning outdoor adventure activities available for all the family, enveloped by beautiful woodlands, the forest of Dean is an excellent choice for an adventure day out with your kids or friends, colleagues and stag or hen comrades that love forest adventures.

Tree Top adventures include flying down zip – wires, leaping off Tarzan Swings and tackling obstacles, while Forest Segway offers rugged all-terrain trails, ideal for hiking and biking.

How about Climbing?

Bristol has a reputation of a climber’s city. The best spot is of course Avon Gorge, which requires though climbing skills and experience above average. Indoor climbing centres cover the needs of beginners, but what is more interesting is that some of Bristol’s sites are also offered for climbing – such as Bristol’s Wild Place, the Bristol Zoo, or even Brunel’s ss Great Britain.

Golf in the city centre!

Yes, in the city centre -indoor golf of course, but equally exciting. If, on the other hand, you would prefer outdoor action, Bristol’s surrounding countryside and coastal areas boast a huge number of excellently preserved golf courses, open to visitors. Knowle Golf Club is among the best–known, considered by many as one of the finest courses in the south of England – a genuine green oasis in the heart of Bristol.

Ballooning

Actually, Bristol’s most unique and exciting activity is one of its most serene and relaxing.  Ballooning is indeed Bristol’s ultimate experience and home to one of the largest balloon festivals around the globe.

Balloons with baskets capable of taking up to 16 people are available to visitors, offering the best views of Bristol and its stunning landscapes: just picture yourself with your spouse or fiancée, in a romantic ride early in the morning or just before sunset drinking chilled champagne, over the forests, the Clifton Bridge, the waterways, the coasts. Such rides are also a stag and hen favorite as well as corporate daytrip option.

How about Driving a Steam Engine?

Just a few miles from Bristol’s city centre, you’ll have a genuine one in a lifetime experience: drive a 19th century steam engine through the gorgeous landscapes of the Avon Valley. After a small briefing and some safety training you will be ready to master a big vintage locomotive. Please, don’t miss it.

Water sports

Stand-Up Paddleboarding

If you love stand-up paddleboarding, Bristol is just the place for you. SUP Bristol gives you the chance to explore the city’s coastline historic harbour from a totally different perspective – paddling by the imposing shadow of ss Great Britain, alongside the famed Matthew and below hot air balloonists. It is fun, safe, perfect for families, friends, colleagues, or stag and hen gangs and easy to learn.

Bristol’s Watersports Centre 

With exceptionally organized premises and a recognised RYA training centre, Bristol’s watersports centre can easily be described as an asylum for watersports addicts. There you can enjoy canoeing, rowing, Dinghy Sailing, powerboating, kayaking or even windsurfing. In case you forgot to bring you gear, everything you will possibly need is available in affordable prices.

Fishing is also allowed in certain areas around the harbour, but you will have to to present an official rods license if requested. Angling is also a local favorite, especially along the shoreline and channel coast.

Triathlon Training Centre  

Bristol Open Water is a training venue designed for swimmers or triathletes who would love to improve their times and performance. The lake has a 600 meter swimming lap course, while a running track surrounds the lake. If you have family or friends with you, they can enjoy some cycling through the mapped cycle route around the lake.

Nightlife

Bristol surely is no stranger to partying, that’s for sure. Bristol’s city centre is bursting with lively bars, comedy clubs, stylish restaurants and casinos. But except for the usual options, Bristol’s nightlife boasts some more distinguishing, unique characteristics.

King Street area has been the lore of a recent craft beer revolution: some great joints have formed there the illustrious “Beermuda Triangle”, which keeps expanding. Another great drinking spot – and a student magnet – is the “notorious” Coronation Tap, mainly because of its exclusive Exhibition cider.

Offering a vast array of places to eat, drink and have fun, Bristol is an excellent choice for a wild weekend before marriage bonds get in the way!

Stags

Bristol is very stag friendly, combining terrific daytime activities, wild nightlife and excellent accommodation. Beside the standard wenching and partying sessions, stag weekends in Bristol often include life drawing, body platters, Clay Pigeon shooting and spirit tasting.

Hens

Bristol is also considered one of UK’s top 10 Hen destinations. Except for the dancing, life drawing, cocktail making, burlesque, and the so called “Afternoon teases”, one of the best parts about it is shopping, with Bristol’s Cabot Circus boasting a 93,000 m2 retail oasis.

Festivals

Bristol knows a thing or two about festivals. There’s something amazing going on in the city every single day, whether you’re into music, art, food or outdoor fun.

For example, you’ve probably heard of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta – the city’s most important annual event, held usually in August at Ashton Court Estate. This 4 day ballooning spectacle is Europe’s largest annual meeting of hot air balloons, attracting over 150 Hot Air Balloons from across the globe and is a sight that can only be seen in Bristol. Alongside the fantastic site of hot air balloons, you will find numerous trade stands, fairground rides and entertainment.

If you prefer a summer time maritime family fun, then the Bristol Harbour Festival is your choice. Arts, circus, dance, music, boats, nautical capers, good food and drink and great fun for all ages.

Summary

Bristol is an amazing city, boasting world – class street art, a vibrant nightlife, and a nice family friendly face. Balloon rides, steam engines, parks, watersports and ghost tales, all blended in a way that will fascinate and thrill visitors of all ages and tastes.