15 Best things to see & do in Bristol

An annual celebration of all things graffiti, Upfest takes place for two weeks each summer, transforming the neighbourhood of Bedminster and bringing together international artists.

The streets of Bristol – the city Banksy calls home – are synonymous with subversive street art, best discovered on a guided walking tour or during the Upfest Festival of Street Art and Graffiti.

St Nick’s, as it’s known to locals, is a maze of stalls and shops selling antiques as well as global foodstuffs – everything from Bristol’s finest pies to fabulous pasties de nata (custard tarts).

The revamped museum and planetarium now known as ‘We the Curious’ puts a big focus on interactive and hands-on exhibits, exploring science and philosophy’s biggest conundrums.

Set on College Green in the heart of the city, Bristol Cathedral dates back to the 12th century, and is famous for its spectacular stained glass windows.

An eclectic collection of treasures and good seasonal exhibitions await inside one of Clifton’s most beautiful buildings. Entry is free – a nice destination on a rainy afternoon.

Feeling peckish? Pick up the workings for a very Bristolian picnic with goodies from this smart deli, which stocks specialist artisan cheeses with a focus on Southwest-made goodies.

If you’re after a buzzy vibe for supper, look no further than Wapping Wharf, where great street food, kooky boutiques and happy crowds all pack into old shipping containers by the harbourside.

Historic dockyard and museum ship – come aboard the world’s first great ocean liner, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Bristol’s most famed engineering export.

Lovingly restored, the city’s 150-year-old public hot tub is now a sleek spa and restaurant complex – the heated outdoor pool is worth a visit alone for its charming Victorian decor. Adults-only packages.