Whether you’re staying in Bristol as a staycation or if you’re flying in, we’ve got the best and quirkiest places you have to visit and things to do.
We’ve picked a range of hipster cafes to lesser known museums and attractions and hold up… is that Gromit?
Bristol’s a great place to visit, so let’s dive right in! Remember you can always browse the latest attractions in Bristol with our Amenities and Attractions page.
Yurt Lush
Clock Tower Yard, BS1 6QH
22 mins drive/ 40 mins on the train
Dive into frothy coffees and warm Mongolian soups and sandwiches
What’s Yurt Lush Bristol all about?
- Mongolian Yurt (nope, we’re not kidding)
- Has a great festival feel like glamping at Glastonbury but with proper brewed coffee and not a portaloo in sight (they’re in the metal shipping containers instead)
- It’s located just behind Temple Meads Train Station so it’s a great place to visit if you’ve taken the train into Bristol from the airport
- The menu includes Mongolian favourites that you’ve never tried but will instantly love: Shakshuka, wraps and toasted Sarnies with Dukka (also includes good English favourites if you’re not feeling as adventurous)
- There’s often a lit open fire in the Yurt so look out for the smoke if you get lost (how traditional!)
The Old Bookshop
65 North Street, BS3 1ES
16 mins drive/ 28 minutes on the bus
Have a look at The Old Bookshop for something a little quirky
What’s to see (or eat?):
- Piano built into the bar, trumpet chandelier from the ceiling… casual
- Intimate gig venue most saturdays and pub quizzes
- Boatyard Garden, ‘perfect for gingers and goths’ (so say the owners)
- Quirky retro feel with urban art
- Great food – skin on fries to cornbread pancakes with bourbon maple syrup
- They do incredible evening tapas and cocktails. Place to be if you’re looking for a chilled night out with friends.
- Includes Brenda (the staff doggo who is looking for hugs)
M Shed
Princes Wharf, BS1 4RN
16 mins drive/ 43 mins on the bus
Shouting about M Shed?
- This is one of Bristol’s central museums focussed on their industrial, maritime and musical heritage
- What gives it an extra west country hipster vibe, is that the museum is in a metal container shed
- You can enjoy an access-all-areas, behind-the-scenes tour
- We recommend it as it makes a great introduction to Bristol
- It’s something different and avoids the main hustle and bustle of the city’s central galleries and heritage museums
- Free entry (donations welcome)
- It’s located by the Bristol docks, so you can see the modern day maritime and urban seafare around you
Stokes Croft
Stokes Croft, Cheltenham Road, BS1 3QY
20 mins drive/ 50 mins on public transport
Stokes Croft is the hipster neighbourhood of Bristol. You can find anything from laundrette-coffee-shops to some of the city’s best street art here.
What makes Stokes Croft so special?
- The seasonal events are great fun. From free yoga workshops to full on street parties, it’s the place to be!
- The whole street is lined with the most hipster restaurants, bars and cafes to suit any taste. Discover great international street stalls serving Lebanese-Jamaican wrap at Biblos or enjoy a coffee with a twist with At The Well Cafe and Laundrette.
- The Cube Cinema shows the latest and quirkiest films and shows – ideal if you’re looking for something vintage.
- Have a game of table tennis while while browsing Bristol’s Best Gluten Free menu with The Canteen. How sweet is that!
- Enjoy some food out with friends and drink in the live music at No. 51 Stokes Croft.
- Some say that the street art here is better than any gallery. Most open spaces here are covered in pictures, paintings and political statements. Look out for Disney’s Mickey Mouse, the Girl with the Pearl Earring and many more
Bristol Charity Trail
All over Bristol
20 mins drive/ 37 mins via public transport
Aim of the game is to spot Gromit from Aardman’s Wallace and Gromit (woof!)
For something a little different, check out The Gromit Bristol Charity Trail!
We couldn't resist sharing a few more of our favourite snaps from yesterday! Thank you so much for your wonderful messages. We have been overwhelmed by the response and cannot wait to share more with you over the coming weeks. #GU2 pic.twitter.com/Ef2kJ6rNSf
— Gromit Unleashed (@GromitUnleashed) May 17, 2018
Why does Wallace and Gromit make our top quirky attractions?
- Fun way of discovering Bristol’s hidden streets and dockside
- Until September 2018, there will be over 60 unique fun designs to spot around the city; can you spot Shrek, the noble knight or Paisley styled Gromits?
- It’s totally exclusive to Bristol! Where else can you play a live Where’s Wally style game with Aardman’s famous canine sidekick?
- Since 2013, the game has supported the Emergency Department at Bristol’s Children’s Hospital, having raised £6 million already. By exploring Bristol and their Gromit trail, you’ll be supporting a great cause.
- There are also 120 sculptures of Shaun the Sheep around the city as part of their “Shaun in the City” campaign which comes with a Sheep-Spotter app. How nifty is that!
- If you like the look of a design, you can buy the sculpture at the end of the campaign. Last year, the Pixar based Gromit Lightyear sold for a bargain £65,000!
- You can find their merch online with smaller figurines for £40-50, and even a monopoly board for under £20 and glitter pins for £2.50 (all proceeds going to the hospital).
Tyntesfield National Trust
Wraxall, BS48 1NX
19 mins drive/ 1 hour 10 mins via buses
Tyntesfield is one of the National Trust’s many hidden gems.
What can I see and do near Tyntesfield?
- This one breaks away from the city and gives you a rounder view of the local area
- It’s a revived gothic mansion owned by the national trust with acres of parkland and woods to explore
- Makes a perfect day out to take the kids and stretch those legs after or before a long flight from Bristol Airport
- They run a series of seasonal events including firework displays, easter hunts and concerts throughout the year
- Like the M Shed museum, it gives a different historical insight to Bristol, Avon and Somerset through the ages (The house dates back to 1863 and the park is even older!)
- Like many National Trust houses, Tyntesfield is a popular filming location. BBC Sherlock was partly filmed here, so it’s time to get those magnifiers and deer stalkers out!
Bristol Balloon Fiesta
Ashton Court Estate, BS41 9JN
17 mins drive/ 1 hour on public transport
This is an annual event that will blow you away
Let’s fly away with Britol’s Balloon Fiesta and watch the skies as never before
Just what is a balloon fiesta?
- It’s an annual event, the 2018 dates are 9th-12th August.
- This is an international hot air balloon festival, so people from all over the world will be joining you to wonder as hundreds of manned balloons will take to the skies
- Get ready to see some weird and wonderful ballons. Anything from giant Despicable Me Minions to stripes, spots and flags
- It’s on Ashton Court Estate which is a great outdoor space to take a picnic and enjoy the event with it’s food tents and family activities
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