Bristol has so much more to offer than just the buzzing city centre (Picture: Getty Images/Jaya Agarwal)
Like any self-respecting Fresher, when I arrived in Bristol, the only thing I knew about the city was that it offered a top-class night out.
Most people though, know a little more about the place than I did at 18.
You’ve probably seen pictures of the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and you’d no doubt recognise some Banksy street art if you saw it.
And while they’re both tourist must-sees for a reason, there’s more to Bristol than the typical guidebook recommendations.
I spent three years living, studying and partying here, and while my student days are behind me, it’ll always have a piece of my heart.
Here are all the stops you should make during a trip to Bristol, from an honourary local.
A typically Bristol neighbourhood
The Tobacco Factory should be your first stop. A community hub set inside (and outside), you guessed, an old tobacco factory, its home to a lively café bar, farm shop, theatre and performing arts school.
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You could win a trip to explore Krakow’s UNESCO-listed Old Town (Picture: Getty Images)
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The Tobacco Factory holds events for families, groups of friends and uni students aliike (Picture: STILL MOVING MEDIA LLP)
There’s also a Sunday market, which runs every week from 10am to 2.30pm. My favourite retailer is Norts and Roses, a clothing brand which sells quirky jackets and funky earrings — among many other treasures your bank balance will suffer for.
The Tobacco Factory is committed to reducing its impact on the environment, so you’ll also find the likes of a solar-powered coffee machine here (which serves around 52,000 hot drinks a year) and all the ingredients used at the venue are sourced from their own farm. There’s bike racks on every floor to encourage people to cycle here.
The outdoor space of Tobacco Factory transforms into a sustainable market every Sunday (Picture: STILL MOVING MEDIA LLP)
Bristol felt like my home away from home very quickly after moving to university (Picture: Supplied)
Once you’ve mooched around, it’s time to head out into the Southville neighbourhood. Don’t miss North Street (between Southville and Bedminster), a busy road packed full of independent shops and bars. The Bristol Beer Factory is the spot for local beer, and Storysmith is an award-winning independent bookshop.
While many of Bristol’s streets are paint-splashed, that’s especially true in Southville. There’s murals and street-art aplenty, and every September, the South Bristol Arts Trail takes place in the area (one of a handful across the city).
Over 100 local artists exhibit in their homes, studios, and other public spaces. Learn about new artists, and pick up some of their work too — you never know, you might discover the next Banksy (more on that guy later).
Catch vibrant coloured houses dotted around Bristol (Picture: Getty Images)
You’re also in a great spot for some delicious food. Award-winning Sonny Stores is a beloved Italian, and their £15 wine and pasta lunch deal (on Thursday or Friday only) is a steal.
COR Restaurant is another eatery on North Street you don’t want to miss. Before indulging in small plates made for sharing, you’ll be impressed by the impressive botanical mural across the front of the restaurant.
From crab tagliatelle to cuttlefish with nduja to burnt leek vinaigrette, get luxury dishes here without the hefty Bristol price tag that can sometimes rival London.
More than just the Suspension Bridge
You’ll have heard of Clifton Village thanks to Brunel’s famous bridge, completed in 1864, which stands as a towering symbol of the Industrial Revolution.
The best view of the bridge is from Clifton Observatory. Go at either sunrise or sunset to make the most of the view. Pictures just don’t do it justice — you have to see it in real life.
The suspension bridge at dawn is a sight to behold (Picture: Getty Images)
There are many green spaces in Clifton where you can relax (or celebrate finishing a dissertation…) (Picture: Supplied)
Coffee shops, pubs and green spaces galore, you’ll never be out if things to do in Clifton Village. Just a walk through the gorgeous Georgian architecture will be an afternoon well spent.
Get your caffeine fix at Can’t Dance Coffee, an independent hidden gem nestled in the area. The mini coffee bar in an old shipping containers has a selection of pastries, and pops up every day from 7:30 to 4pm in Victoria Square.
How about chilling in a repurposed boat… with wheels? (Picture: Supplied)
If you’re more drawn towards a pint of cider than an Americano (though who says you can’t do both), check out trendy spot, Steam.
Just off Whiteladies Road, the beer hall is in an former railway station. Or, be one of the first to try out their new venue in Stokes Croft, which opened last week.
Steam is no ordinary pub though. Stretch tents, party buses, and neon lit pods are just a few of the quirky features that draw drinkers here. That, and a huge selection of beers and ciders, including locally-brewed drinks. They also offer pizzas and pop-up food trucks.
Choose between a seat in the chic bar or the homely lounge (Pictures: Supplied)
Some of my fondest uni memories were made sitting in the cosy Steam lounge, sitting on comfy sofas adorned with throws and cushions, and chatting with my housemates till close.
It’s the perfect place to enjoy the evening with friends, perhaps with a mega-pint — 2 pints in one massive plastic cup, one of Steam’s specialities.
A vintage treasure trove
Also called ‘The People’s Market’, the M32 Flea Market is a lesser-known spot for those seeking a vintage bargain, or just an afternoon getting lost in the network of pop-ups.
It’s held on the last Saturday of each month on Stapleton Road, housed below a motorway bridge.
The market exists on the fringes, both literally and figuratively, and really is a melting pot of all the intersecting cultures that Bristol has to offer.
Pre-loved clothes encompassing Bristol’s signature fashion scene, crafts that tell a story, food stalls hosting food from across the globe and the rarest records can be found at this hub of creativity.
My friends and I would spend the good part of a weekend here. The selection of second-hand books is my personal favourite part of the market, where lesser-known poetry, plays and classics can be unearthed.
Walking tour of Bristol’s street art
Catching the iconic street art of Bristol is a great way to pass the time – but don’t be scammed by the countless companies offering walking tours for a hefty price.
Create your own route for free – that way you get to tailor it to your interest.
Some of my favourites include: Cosmo Sarson’s Breakdancing Jesus, Nick Walker’s Vandal and the collaborative Take the Money and Run.
Of course, Banksy’s murals are the reason why many come to Bristol.
‘Rose on a Mousetrap’ from the early 2000s is one of Banksy’s less famous pieces in Bristol, set on a a pink wall typical of the vibrant town (Picture: Henry Chadwick)
‘Mild Mild West’ from 1999 and Park Street’s ‘Well hung Lover’ from 2006 are two of the most famous Banksy murals in the city (Pictures: Henry Chadwick)
To save you the trouble, here’s a suggested route to see the key pieces:
- Start with the iconic The Girl with the Peal Earring on Hanover Place.
- Walk over the river to get to the graffiti text You don’t Need Planning Permission to Build Castles in the Sky.
- Catch the Well Hung Lover on the wall of a former sexual health clinic on Union Street.
- Then, either take a 25-minute walk, or catch a bus to the Mild Mild West in St Paul’s.
- Bus to the Cat and Dog on Robertson Rd, Easton.
- Walk down to the Valentines Day Mural in Redfield.
Wild Swimming in Clevedon
Okay, so Clevedon Marine Lake, spot isn’t in Bristol, being it’s own seaside town, but it is just off the outskirts. You can get there in 19 minutes by car, or catch the X6 or X7 bus form Bristol City Centre.
The Marine Lake is a great place to escape the noise of the city (Picture: Isabel Fraser)
As someone who loves swimming, who chose a uni away from the coast, I made it my mission to find somewhere I could travel to quickly for that truly free feeling of swimming outdoors.
‘Open access, open to all, all year around’ is what this public access space stands by. Strip down to your swimming costume and experience the joy of wild swimming, for free.
A unique tidal pool on the coast of Somerset, it gets filled with seawater from the Bristol Channel every spring tide.
A safe space to swim, play and boat, Clevedon is the perfect place to go to escape the busyness of Bristol centre. And the small town deep in the Southwest has much more to offer than just the chill of the water.
The Owl in the Oak is among the peaceful coffee shops you will find nearby. Why not get a pastry and a hot drink after exploring Clevedon Pier.
Enjoy Bristol for all the eclectic city has to offer.
Where to stay in Bristol
If you’re after luxury, stay at The Bristol Hotel. A high-end, boutique spot in the city centre’s Old Town, if you want comfort and class this is the place for you.
Right by the harborside, enjoy views of the Bristol docks while being well-connected to the rest of the city.
A classic room would cost around £162 for two nights, or splash the cash on a suit for around £306 for the weekend.
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly weekend, stay at The Washington Guesthouse.
In the heart of Clifton, so well-connected to many of the recommendations offered, you can take a short stroll to The Suspension Bridge.
You’ll only be set back £60 for 2 nights in a double room, or £75 to upgrade to king-sized.
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