15 Best things to see & do in Bristol

Architect and engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s beautiful masterpiece has become a true symbol of Bristol, and the view of its cables stretched tight between two brick towers over the gaping Avon Gorge is a breathtaking one.

Begun in 1831 and finished in 1864, the bridge was originally designed for horse-drawn carriages and pedestrians, but a whopping 12,000 cars now cross it daily on the journey from Clifton Village to Leigh Woods. A separate pavement allows pedestrians to safety stand tall and take in panoramic views, 75 metres above the River Avon.

Free guided tours and an interpretation centre unravel the history of this Grade I listed glory.

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.

The city’s smartest postcode is home to cobbled streets, elegant Georgian townhouses and great boutiques and delis, all crowned by the Suspension Bridge – the perfect bolthole in busy Bristol.

Bristol is synonymous with vibrant street art. We aren’t talking graffiti daubs here – hundreds of beautiful and thought-provoking illustrations are painted on walls throughout the city, and what’s on display is ever-changing. From Stokes Croft to Montpelier to Bedminster, the walls tell stories of the history and culture of the city.

Bristol’s most notorious export is the elusive graffiti artist known only as Banksy. His work has been lauded as the beginning of a revival of ‘intelligent graffiti’, and his anti-establishment cartoons and slogans have popped up all over Bristol and the world.

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.

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).

Perhaps Bristol’s most colourful festival, each August the city’s skies fill with balloons launched from Ashton Court. Climb on board for a dawn ride or catch the Night Glow display after dark.

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.

Science buffs shouldn’t miss this careful chronicling of the history of air and space travel. The museum showcases a remarkable collection of aircraft and artefacts, including vintage planes, jet fighters, and helicopters. The highlight is the chance to climb aboard a retired Concorde.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A pocket of wild in the city home to herds of red and fallow deer, this sprawling wooded country estate is a wonderful spot for a picnic and a stroll.