tours of bristol

THE 10 BEST Bristol Historical & Heritage Tours

Historical & heritage tours in bristol.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Walking Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out

• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Stonehenge and Cotswold Villages Full-day Tour from Bristol

2. 4 Day Tour in Cornwall, Devon and Stonehenge from Bristol

3. Bristol Harbourside Self-Guided Walking Tour

4. Guided Walking Tour Suspension Bridge Clifton Splendour & City.

5. Brunel’s Bristol: A Self-Guided Tour from SS Great Britain to Clifton Bridge

6. Oxford and Cotswold Small-Group Tour from Bristol

7. Bristol Waterfront Outdoor Escape Game

8. 3-Day Mountains & Coasts of South Wales from Bristol

9. Guided Walking Tour of Bristol Old City and Harbour

10. Bristol’s Darkest Secrets Tour

11. Bristol Cheese Crawl with Cider!

12. Brunel Guided Tour in Bristol

13. Bristol Sketching Tour for Beginners and Improvers

14. Afternoon Bath City Tour - Private tour from Bristol with a local guide

15. Bristol’s Historic Highlights: A Timeless Journey

16. The best of Bristol walking tour

17. Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide Bristol

18. Exploring Bristol: A Private Walking Tour

19. Experience Bristol – Private Family Walking Tour

20. Bristol's Brilliant Pubs: A Self-Guided GPS Audio Tour of the Old City

21. Wells, Cheddar Cheese and Cheddar Gorge - Private Day Trip from Bristol

22. Inspiring Bristol – Private Walking Tour for Couples

23. Bristol’s Heritage and Suspension Bridge: Private Walking Tour

24. Bristol’s Best Brewery Taprooms: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

25. Bath City Tour & Fly a Hawk Experience - Day Trip from Bristol

26. Immersive Treasure Hunt Walking Tour in Bristol - The Secret City

27. 2-Day Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford & the Cotswolds from Bristol

What travellers are saying.

• Blackbeard to Banksy - The Ultimate Walking Tour of Bristol
• Stonehenge and Cotswold Villages Full-day Tour from Bristol
• St. Nicholas Market and Air Raid Shelter Walking Tour
• Fully guided Bristol Ghost Tours
• Brunel’s Bristol: A Self-Guided Tour from SS Great Britain to Clifton Bridge
• Blackbeard to Banksy the Ultimate Bristol Walking Tour
• Bristol A Pie
• Bristol Highlights Walk
• Walking Bristol
• Bristol Sketching Tours
• Bristol Packet Boat Trips

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Bristol Tours & Trips

Find the right tour for you through Bristol. We've got 22 adventures going to Bristol, starting from just 2 days in length, and the longest tour is 36 days. The most popular month to go is June, which has the largest number of tour departures.

22 Bristol tour packages with 129 reviews

• In-depth Cultural

2 Day Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford & the Cotswolds Small-Group Tour from Bristol

3-Day Mountains & Coasts of South Wales Small-Group Tour from Bristol

• Christmas & New Year

Taste of England

• Coach / Bus

Best of Devon and Cornwall (6 Days)

It was a great adventure and experience, especially due to our excellent director Helen, an extremely cultured and warmhearted woman with a lot of historical and literary knowledge, not to forget her humour. Very intense six days with a full but balanced programme, including nature, culture and good food and fellowship. Thank you!

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Amazing Britain (8 Days)

Enjoyable, informative, well organised.

Taste of South England and Wales

A great way to see some of the most popular and beautiful destinations in this part of the country. The itinerary includes stops in London, Bournemouth/Southampton, Exeter/Torquay, and Cornwall. One of the things I liked most about this tour was that it gave me the flexibility to set my own pace. I could spend as much or as little time as I wanted in each place, and I could also choose to do some activities on my own. This made the tour feel 100% personal and tailored to my interests. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in seeing some of the best that this part of Britain has to offer.

• Sightseeing

England in a Week (6 Days)

Highlights of Britain & Ireland

Expedition: Bike Across Britain: Land's End to John O'Groats

4 Day Cornwall, Devon & Stonehenge Small-Group Tour from Bristol

This was a very nice tour. The weather was unusually outstanding. Our guide Dan was an excellent guide and a great driver on these small English country roads. He reallly went the extra mile to make things work. I recommend this tour.

Castles and Kilts (10 Days)

Cornwall on E-bikes guided cycling tour

Tour South of England

Best of Devon and Cornwall (8 Days)

was a great tour except for the 4.5 hr delay on way to Bideford. We feel through no fault of our bus driver or guide, the switchback had caused at least 5 similar accidents this year. We waited 4.5 hours near the site during the late afternoon. The temperature began to drop and several of the elderly tourists were quite uncomfortable. A nearby rental cottage offered us some shelter which many took advantage. Our guide gave us water and distributed a couple of jackets. There seemed to be no emergency plan in place ie. school buses to transfer us to our next destination or a hotel or restaurant to await the recovery of the bus or whatever alternative. We were disappointed that Trafalgar offered us no alternative to a situation.

Amazing Britain (10 Days)

The trip was amazing, it was the first time we had been overseas and it would have been lovely to spend more time, the tour director was great, very helpful, we had a great time.

What people love about Bristol Tours

• to Europe (4)
• England Travel Guide | All You Need to Know

The Best Bristol Walking Tours, Incredible Routes

Interactive walking tours of bristol, bring the city to life..

• CityDays brings an immersive new way to have a walking tour in Bristol
• Discover Bristol's historic landmarks, secret sights & hidden gems
• Solve fun challenges & puzzling clues to unlock your way
• Optional breaks at top-rated pubs, bars and cafes
• Interactive private tour, you and your team, at your own pace
• Full money back guarantee. We know you'll love it

What to expect on a CityDays Bristol Walking Tour

Don't have a great time? Simply let us know why and we'll refund you in full.

Find Your Perfect Bristol Walking Tour

Each walking tour explores a different area of Bristol, find the route that suits you best or work your way through! All bookings are fully flexible, alter your booking freely.

The Painted City

The beating heart of UK street art… more

Clues don't require any prior knowledge and are made up of two parts:

1) Obscured directions that make reference to the city around you. Unravel their meaning and be guided by your surroundings.

2) A puzzle to be solved once you've followed the directions, search nearby to find your answers.

CityDays aim for an enjoyable, just-the-right-amount, level of difficulty that is inclusive for all! Help messages are available should you need a bit of support.

Guided by clues sent to your phone

• Receive snippets of history, quirky facts and intriguing stories about the areas you visit.
• Pub/cafe breaks along your hunt, all totally optional and some with discounts on food & drinks.
• Make memories at locations along the way, get inspiration from previous teams and share a clever snap!
• Go at your own speed, or go for top spot on the game leaderboard.

Bristol is a colourful tapestry of a city packed with the historic and modern culture.

Contemporary street art mingles with medieval architecture; landscaped and wild parks sit alongside maritime industry, while haunted inns hide among modern developments.

There's no better way to experience these fabulous collisions than with a CityDays walking tour

Our aim: for you to fall in love with Bristol too

Bristol Walking Tour Reviews

The great things our customers have to say about CityDays Bristol Walking Tours

Team Hammond

My wife and I had a fantastic day of exploring and refreshments. We will definitely be back!

Daryls birthday

Really fun morning. Would definitely recommend

Bickle's Bongles

The clues were excellent - easy to follow without being too easy to solve! Took us on a very pleasant journey around Lo…

Donkeys@2pm

It was excellent. Only error we made was at the Plague for the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. This was because the bronz…

Jannie's jaunts

Great fun and a fabulous way to look around a city, our first time, but not the last

Had the most amazing time doing our murder mystery trail! Well thought out, perfect clues, and a lovely city to do it i…

Amazing day out!!

spectacular

Team Kataraang

Was a super fun day, even as Oxford students!It was great learning so many new things about the city and paying attenti…

Doctor and the Cats

Great fun and interesting places to discover, especially Mercato Market

This was so much fun, such a good idea and more people need to know about it! Highly recommend!

It was our first walk and we loved it! We have been in London for many years and have not seen some of the places befor…

A very fun, head scratching activity. A great way to explore the city without feeling like you’re walking for miles; gr…

Malyha Kristian and Zeb

Smooth trail. Good level of some things we needed to think about but didn't find too hard.

The DIscoverers

Very well planned - fun and interesting experience - will be telling everyone

Eggcelent eggstravaganza

I needed a last minute activity for me and my teenage goddaughter. We both go to london a lot (I work there) and we sti…

Right level of difficulty, lovely weather, fab company.

Rich&Topher

Awesome walk

Sisters of another mister

What a super fun adventure!!! Finished Murder on the rocks in 2:34 mins!Looking forward to doing the other ones

GC & JC

So fun! Was a blast solving clues and walking around the city, walking by cute locations and finding new spots to check…

Ready to see lots of smiling faces? Read all our customer reviews →

Ready? Book your Bristol Walking Tour today

See more, do more, learn more with citydays.

Welcome to Bristol, a once-upon-a-time pirate’s paradise turned artist’s retreat! 

The thriving city of Bristol is a labyrinth of secrets, untold stories and fascinating figures.

Whether you’re a Bristolian looking to scrub up on your West Country knowledge or a visitor hoping to spot some hidden gems, our walking tours of Bristol are here to take you further, teach you more and, most importantly, help you enjoy yourselves!

Get The Most Out of Your Bristol Walking Tours

Our Bristol walking tours are designed to take you above and beyond your typical sightseeing experience. We’re dedicated to showing you everything you’d expect to see in Bristol while also slipping in loads of cool hidden stuff along the way.

The best part? It’s up to you to find them! 

CityDays’ walking tours of Bristol get you interacting with and learning about the city’s streets, landmarks, history and famous figures. The only way to navigate the route is by looking up, down, left and right, answering puzzles, riddles and spotting clues based on your surroundings! 

Our self-guided Bristol walking tours transform you into detectives, explorers and tour guides, giving you the freedom to discover the city your own way, in your own time, with people you know and love. 

From the moment you start until you finish the tour, you’re guaranteed to learn, have fun, make memories and get some fresh air and exercise. 

The Best Walking Tours in Bristol

No queues, no waiting around, no hassle.

That’s part of what makes CityDays’ Bristol walking tours the best in the city. 

We’ve created a model that allows you to take charge of your Bristol walking tour. This ensures that you can walk at your own pace , take breaks whenever it’s convenient for you , and tour with whoever you want! Here’s how it works . 

Instead of inviting ourselves along, we take the backseat. All you need is a good pair of walking shoes, a fully charged phone, and a sense of adventure. 

We recognise that this is your day out - not ours. So it’s up to you how it plays out: compete for first place on our leaderboard or take your time and really soak up the sights. Either way, we’re only a text message away if you get stuck. 

Bristol History Walking Tours: Uncover Bristol’s Hidden History

From being the meeting point between the two Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex to the Bristol Bus Boycott and beyond, Bristol has seen its fair share of history - and we want to share it with you!

Our Bristol history walking tours take you on an exciting journey through Bristol’s historical timeline in a way that celebrates the city’s cultural quirks and mysterious facts. Along the way, you’ll discover street art, cosy pubs and much, much more. 

To give you a sneak peek at what you can expect from our historical Bristol walking tours, we’ve put together a few historical facts about the city!

Bristolians Sent 1000s of Shoes to German Children in 1947

Just two years after the Second World War, Bristolians rallied together to help German children struggling with economic and social disparity. 

In 1947, the Western Daily Press newspaper reported that in Bristol’s twin city in Germany, Hannover, up to 56% of children couldn’t attend school due to a lack of adequate footwear.

Many Bristolians put aside any lingering wartime resentment of Germany and its citizens by sending thousands of shoes, food, sweets and clothing to struggling children. 

A Suffragette Once Smacked Winston Churchill Over The Head with A Dog Whip at Temple Meads

The suffragette’s name was Theresa Garnett, and she was originally from Leeds, Yorkshire.

On 14 November in 1909, Winston Churchill travelled by train to Bristol to speak at a dinner that was to be held at Bristol Beacon (formerly known as Colston Hall). 

According to reports, Garnett approached Churchill while they were standing on a Temple Meads platform, cracked a dog whip across his face and shouted “take that, you brute!” or, in another version: “take that in the name of the insulted women of England!”

Bristol Once Held a Spelling Bee Where Less Than Half of The Words Were Spelt Correctly

According to the Western Daily Press, Bristol Rotary Club held a spelling bee in 1938 at the Grand Hotel where 24 out of 50 words were spelt correctly.

In fairness, some of the words are still considered tricky: “bureaucracy”, “omniscient”, “scion” and “ukulele” were among them. Best of all, a visiting Rotarian from Budapest was said to be in the audience and the papers described him as “a little bewildered”. 

Available Trails and Bristol Walking Tours

Interested in finding out more about the kinds of self-guided historical and Bristol street art walking tours we provide? Here’s where you get a tiny sneak peek into where you can find your next adventure…

Discover Bristol's rich tapestry of history and creativity on an immersive, puzzle-filled walking tour. Navigate medieval arches, mural-adorned streets, and Victorian gardens, unlocking tales from its diverse past through engaging challenges…

Highlights include 17th-century bronze 'nail' tables for merchant bartering, time-worn medieval marvels, engineering feats, and iconic street art including an original Banksy. Along the way, enjoy puzzles, surprises, and stops at unique venues like a candle-lit bar in a 16th-century townhouse and a traditional pub with flock wallpaper and a cosy fire. 

This escape game-style tour is ideal for friends who love to explore and play, offering a multifaceted glimpse into Bristol's vibrant culture.

Bristol Walking Tour Questions

Private! You can enjoy your tour solo or with your own group; take your time, take stops when you like - experience it your way!

No problem at all, just get in touch with us at [email protected] and we'll be happy to re-arrange your date or provide you with a full refund.

Our tours are delivered in English in a text format and will contain some wordplay that might be confusing to non-native speakers. If you have any problems just get in touch and we'll be happy to help! We can also provide examples of the types of clue you'll encounter.

Feel free to re-arrange with us last minute! You can also stop and start at your leisure, take extra comfort breaks and find some cover whenever needed.

If you've already started, you can come back another day and continue from where you left off.

Our tour takes visitors through historic areas which means there are cobbles and uneven flagstones. There are also some areas with sharp ascents. Unfortunately this means we cannot recommend the tour for those using mobility aids. We recommend good footwear and an average level of fitness - don't forget you can go at your pace. Comfort stops are built into our trails but you are more than welcome to take more breaks if you wish!

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Tours from Bristol

Tours from bristol - explore the west country and wales.

So many people never make it past London when touring England , and that’s a real shame. The West Country and the South of Wales are home to many treasures, incredible history, and more than enough photo opportunities.  Explore the West Country and Wales in all their glory when you book a tour from Bristol. The unique, vibrant flare this city has to offer is available for everyone and is only about a 30-minute drive from Bath and Somerset. 

Whether you like the arts and museums, or walking in the stunning countryside, our tours from Bristol have something for you to capture and take home to cherish. Experience the culture, lesser-known marvels, and the classic highlights for yourself when you join a small-group tour of England and Wales from Bristol.

Planning Your Tour from Bristol

On a trip from Bristol, learn about King Arthur and his links to the cliff top ruins of Tintagel Castle. Gaze upon the best nature has to offer in Dartmoor National Park. Tuck yourself away in one of the many bookstores in the world’s first book town, Hay-on-Wye in Wales. With so much to see, jump on one of our mini-coaches and visit the south starting in Bristol.

Travel Responsibly from Bristol

In 2015, Bristol was the first British city to be named as a European Green Capital for all the sustainable work they continue to achieve. As an award-winning tour operator providing trips from Bristol, we want to help towards this, which is why we make it our mission to travel responsibly on our small mini-coaches.

Did You Know?

- The very first bungee jump took place from the Suspension Bridge in Bristol. - Bristol is home to the world’s largest hot air balloon manufacturer. - Easter eggs were invented here. Who do we send our thanks to?

Don’t Miss Out

- Visit the historic King Street; a hub of vibrant bars, delicious restaurants, and the heart of the theatrical district. - You can’t go wrong with an iconic shot of the Clifton Suspension Bridge . - Cabot Tower was built in the 1890s to celebrate Italian explorer John Cabot’s voyages from Bristol.

Top Tours in Bristol, England

• Bristol Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Walking Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Blackbeard to Banksy - The Ultimate Walking Tour of Bristol

2. Stonehenge and Cotswold Villages Full-day Tour from Bristol

3. 4 Day Tour in Cornwall, Devon and Stonehenge from Bristol

4. Bristol Harbourside Self-Guided Walking Tour

5. The House Magicians' Comedy Magic Show at Smoke & Mirrors in Bristol (Sat 7pm)

6. Fully guided Bristol Ghost Tours

7. Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Bristol with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

8. St. Nicholas Market and Air Raid Shelter Walking Tour

9. Food & drink Tour: Bristol Hotspots & Hidden Treasures

10. Bristol Life Drawing Private Class for a Special Occasion

11. Guided Walking Tour Suspension Bridge Clifton Splendour & City.

12. Only Fools and Horses Tour of Bristol

13. Banksy Street Art Graffiti Outdoor Escape Game in Bristol

14. West Country Games - the most popular group activity in the South West!

15. The House Magicians Comedy & Magic Show at Smoke & Mirrors Friday 8pm

16. Brunel’s Bristol: A Self-Guided Tour from SS Great Britain to Clifton Bridge

17. Craft Cider Tasting at Urban Cider Tap Room in Bristol

18. Bristol Waterfront Outdoor Escape Game

19. Self-Guided Craft Beer Tour (Explore Old Market)

20. (9pm) The House Magicians Comedy & Magic Show - Smoke & Mirrors

21. 3-Day Mountains & Coasts of South Wales from Bristol

22. Guided Walking Tour of Bristol Old City and Harbour

23. Bristol’s Darkest Secrets Tour

24. (Thur 7pm) Comedy Magic Show includes 1x Pizza & 2 glasses of Prosecco

25. Sip and Paint Parties

26. Life Drawing Classes

27. Bristol Cheese Crawl with Cider!

28. Bristol Quest: Self Guided City Walk & Immersive Treasure Hunt

29. Brunel Guided Tour in Bristol

30. Cocktail Classes in Bristol, England

What travellers are saying.

• Blackbeard to Banksy - The Ultimate Walking Tour of Bristol
• Stonehenge and Cotswold Villages Full-day Tour from Bristol
• St. Nicholas Market and Air Raid Shelter Walking Tour
• Banksy Street Art Graffiti Outdoor Escape Game in Bristol
• Fully guided Bristol Ghost Tours
• Avon Valley Railway (AVR)
• Clifton Rocks Railway
• Blackbeard to Banksy the Ultimate Bristol Walking Tour
• Let Me Show You Bristol
• Bristol Street Art Tours
• Bristol A Pie
• Leap of Faith
• Adventure Bristol
• First Flight
• Haunted and Hidden Bristol Walking Tour
• Bristol Rum School
• Bristol Highlights Walk
• SUP Bristol
• Bristol Balloons
• Up & Under Adventures
• Bristol and Wessex Aeroplane Club

Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

Things to do in Bristol: A Bristol Itinerary and Planning Guide

Last updated: March 25, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 10 Comments

I almost went to university in Bristol, which would have been a great choice, as it’s a fantastically beautiful city. As life turned out though, I ended up at Nottingham, home to the oldest pubs in Britain. Which wasn’t a deciding factor, honestly.

Still, Jess and I have explored Bristol thoroughly as part of our mission to explore as many corners of the UK as possible. We visited when we were living in Edinburgh, and then we moved to Bath which is just a short drive away.

As a result of our time spent in Bristol over the years, we’ve put together our suggestions of some of our favourite things to do in Bristol.

This covers some of our favourite sights in Bristol as well as places to eat and a few photography locations you’ll want to visit.

We’ve laid this guide to things to do in Bristol out in the form of an itinerary for 2 days in Bristol to help you plan, but this list can be used for any length trip to Bristol of course.

Following this, you’ll find some advice on when to visit Bristol and other planning advice for putting together the perfect trip. Let’s get started!

Things to Do in Bristol

Things to do in Bristol: Day 1

1. Bristol Museum and Art Gallery

We’re starting off our two days in Bristol with a visit to the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery , which covers a wide range of subjects, from natural history through to Egyptology.

There are also exhibitions with a more regional focus, including work by local artists, information on the history of interesting fossil finds in the Bristol area, and a gallery which showcases how Bristol has changed over the centuries. For a more Bristol focused museum though, you’ll want to head to M-Shed, which is on the itinerary for the second day.

We particularly enjoyed seeing the Banksy statue “Paint pot Angel” and the dinosaur fossils, although there is a lot to see here with something for everyone. A good way to start off your Bristol adventure! Entry to the museum is free with a suggested donation. Special exhibits are separately priced.

2. Climb Cabot Tower

One thing I always like to do when visiting an unfamiliar city is to get to a place where I can get a good view of it, to help me get my bearings. In Bristol, the place to do that is at Cabot Tower.

This is a 19th century tower which commemorates the journey of John Cabot from Bristol to what later became Canada, in the year 1497. It’s found near the top of Brandon Hill, just a short walk from the Bristol Museum, and the 32 metre tower offers an excellent view of much of Bristol and surrounds, including the river area.

Climbing the tower is free, and you can see opening times here.

3. Georgian House Museum

We’re going to head towards the old city centre of Bristol now, but on the way you have the opportunity to stop in at the Georgian House Museum , which is on the way down the hill from Cabot Tower on Great George Street.

This house was built in 1790 for a man named John Pinney, who owned a number of sugar plantations in the Caribbean, as well as the slave labour that allowed these plantations to be so profitable. When Jess and I visited the deep south of the USA, we visited a number of plantations along the river road , where we learned a lot about the lives of plantation owners and slaves.

The Georgian House offers a small insight into slavery in England. Bristol profited heavily from the slave trade and slave-run plantations. Slave ships were operated out of Bristol, running the infamous “slave triangle”, taking goods to Africa from the UK, slaves from Africa to the USA, and then the plantation products from the USA back to the UK. Ships were also built in Bristol, which further added to the city’s wealth.

The Georgian house shows what that wealth would have looked like to a man like John Pinney who profited from the slave trade. Eleven rooms spread across four floors reveal the luxuries available in the late 18th century, as well as the stark difference between life “above stairs” and “below stairs”. Entry is free, and is definitely worth some of your time.

4. Christmas Steps

Next on our list is going to be a photo stop, before we swoop into lunch. Christmas Steps is a small and narrow stepped lane in Bristol’s city centre, dating from the mid 17th century, and lined with beautiful old buildings.

It’s the centrepiece of the Christmas Steps Arts Quarter, eight streets filled with independent shops, bars, cafes and art galleries, many of which don’t seem to have changed too much over the centuries. It’s worth exploring and an excellent photo opportunity.

5. Lunch at St. Nicholas Market

There’s no shortage of places to eat in Bristol, but one of our favourites was definitely the Glass Arcade at the St. Nicholas Indoor Market , which you’ll find on Corn Street. Winner of the award for Britain’s best large indoor market in 2016, and in operation since 1743, this is Bristol’s oldest market, with over 60 stall holders.

But we’re here for lunch, so head to the Glass Arcade – a large open glass-covered area with seating that offers plenty of food stalls to pick from, cuisines that vary from local to worldly. Take a look at some of the stalls available here , to get yourself excited. I went with Moroccan from the Moorish Cafe , whilst Jess had a healthy salad option from the Olive Works . But whatever food you’re into, we’re sure you won’t be disappointed!

6. Explore the Old City

Since our itinerary has brought you down into the old city, our suggestion for your post-lunch activity would be to wander Bristol’s old city for a little while.

The crossroads of Corn Street and High Street was the centre of the medieval city, and as you explore this small area you’ll be able to see traces of the old city boundaries, including the walls and gateways that used to mark the edges of the city. Of course, today Bristol has expanded far beyond these old walls, but it’s fun to walk around and imagine what the city might have been like in the past.

Naturally, you can explore the old city on your own, but there are also other options. For example, this self-guided tour you can download to your smartphone is a cost-effective way to learn about what you are seeing in the city.

7. Take a Street Art Tour

Bristol is famous for its street art, not least because it was where legendary street artist Banksy first came into the public eye. It is also believed to be the childhood home of Banksy although there is still speculation about his identity. So we think it’s appropriate to spend some time exploring the street art of Bristol!

You can either do this by yourself, or you can take a specific tour like this .

If you choose to do it by yourself, we highly recommend dropping into a tourist office and picking up a copy of the Bristol Street Art Map by Where the Wall, which has detailed information about where to find all the most famous pieces of street art in Bristol, as well as popular areas to find new street art.

That was what I did, and I documented my adventures in my post on Bristol’s Street Art .

Alternatively, you might consider this interactive street art exploration game .

If you’d rather take a tour, then we suggest the Where the Wall street art walking tour company, who operate the longest running street art tour in the UK. Timings for their tours are up on their website, but based on our itinerary, we’d suggest going for their Banksy tour , which start at 2pm. They also do another tour , which starts at midday, so you’d have to re-arrange this schedule a little to accommodate that.

Whichever tour you choose, we suggest booking in advance and always checking tour times and information on the official website.

8. Watch Sunset at the Clifton Suspension Bridge

Depending on the time of your visit, sunset will be at varying times. But whenever it is, either before you eat or after, we highly recommend that you take the time to go up to the Clifton Suspension Bridge and enjoy the sunset from there.

This iconic bridge is the symbol of Bristol, with a design based on drawings by one of Britain’s greatest Victorian engineers: Isambard Kingdom Brunel . Whilst it is today accepted that the final version of the bridge differs from Brunel’s original vision, it is certainly the bridge that most associate with Brunel, and when built, had the longest span of any bridge in the world.

Today the bridge is still very much in use, and you can both drive and walk across it. We’d suggest that you head up to the park on the east side of the bridge though, where you’ll find the Clifton observatory, and lovely views of both the bridge, and the sunset. On warm summer days this is a very popular location with locals and visitors alike, who come up here to enjoy the evening warmth and views. A lovely way to end your first day exploring in Bristol!

Things to do in Bristol: Day 2

9. Bristol Cathedral

Our second day in Bristol has you starting off at Bristol Cathedral , seat of the Church of England in the city. This was founded as an Augustine abbey in 1140, although the version you see today largely dates from work undertaken in the 14th –16th centuries.Some parts of the original do survive though, including the Chapter House (dating from 1160!) and the Abbey Gatehouse.

In its present form the Cathedral is a stunning building both inside and out, with beautiful vaulting, medieval stonework and 14th century stained glass, to name but some of the features. It’s also one of the few churches in Britain to be designed as a “hall church”, where the nave, choir and aisles are all the same height. There’s an on-site cafe too, where you can grab a coffee to fortify you for the rest of your days explorations!

10. Bristol Aquarium

Down in the harbourside area just a short walk from the cathedral there are a number of excellent museums and attractions. Which of these you decide to visit will of course depend on your interests and who you’re travelling with, but we’re including a few highlights to give you ideas, ordered in a logical fashion.

First on that list is the Bristol Aquarium . This is home to over forty marine life displays, with everything from local specimens through to tropical environments on show. Unusually for an aquarium, there’s also a giant botanical house on site, that you walk through as part of the tour. The aquarium is open year round, and is an excellent attraction for families especially. Check out their official website for opening times, prices, and special events.

11. We the Curious (Bristol Science Centre)

Right next door to the Aquarium is We the Curious (formerly known as the At-Bristol Science Centre), which focuses on highly interactive science themed exhibits. There’s a lot of really hands on stuff here, and we had a lot of fun playing with the various displays.

There’s also a whole part of the attraction dedicated to animation. Bristol is home to Aardman Animations , the animation studio responsible for Wallace & Gromit as well as UK TV character Morph . This attraction was put together by Aardman, and lets you become an animator for the day – even creating your own TV show.

This is definitely a museum for people who like a more hands-on, interactive attraction, and you could easily spend a whole day here. Again, check the official website for opening times and ticket prices .

If you want to get deeper under the skin of what make Bristol tick, then a visit to M-Shed is an absolute must. This free museum, housed in a former transit shed, has exhibits that focus exclusively on telling the story of the city, from prehistoric times right up to the present day.

We don’t like to play favourites, but M Shed was definitely a highlight of the various museums and attractions that we visited. We loved how it explored the history of the city, with everything from the people to the geography to Bristol’s experiences in the war on show. There are even working exhibits on show, including the giant cranes outside the museum, and the museum even has its own Banksy on show. Not to be missed.

13. Visit the SS Great Britain

No visit to Bristol would be complete without a visit to the SS Great Britain – Bristol’s top visitor attraction. Designed by Brunel, the SS Great Britain was built in Bristol and launched in 1845. She was the first ship with both an iron hull and a screw propeller, and was also the longest passenger ship in the world.

Initially built as a transatlantic passenger ship, the cost of building and tweaking such a radical design combined with the cost of rescuing her after she ran aground ended up bankrupting her owners.

As a result she has a varied service history, including 30 years spent taking immigrants to Australia from Liverpool in the UK and coal-hauling. Finally, in 1937, she was scuttled and abandoned in the Falkland Islands.

Of course, the story doesn’t end there, as otherwise there wouldn’t be much to visit! In 1970, a great rescue operation took place, and what remained of her hull was floated onto a pontoon and returned to her place of construction in Bristol.

Following an extensive restoration process, she re-opened to the public, and today you can visit and tour her in a form that resembles her glory days as a transatlantic ship. Tickets are slightly cheaper if you book them online, which you can do online here .

14. Take a picture of the colourful houses

One thing that will catch your eye when you visit Bristol is the variety and colour of many of the homes and buildings in the city. This is one of Bristol’s signature features, and you definitely need to get a photo of these homes.

We actually visited Bristol during the Bristol Balloon Fiesta , and were lucky enough to go up in a balloon, and see all these houses from above.

But don’t worry if a balloon ride isn’t on the cards. If you walk a little further west along the south side of the river from the SS Great Britain, you’ll come to a lovely harbour area where many boats are moored. On the opposite side of the river, you’ll see a lovely selection of colourful houses for you to get a picture of.

15. Underfall yard

The last stop on our two day Bristol itinerary continues the marine theme. Underfall Yard is a historic Victorian-era boatyard in Bristol. The name “underfall” comes from the design solution that Brunel developed to resolve the issue of silt filling up Bristol’s floating harbour, which used a series of sluices to suck away the mud – a system that is still in use today.

Much of the original yard has been preserved, and is home today to a boat building cooperative, as well as various exhibits on the history of the floating harbour and the sluicing technology. I certainly learnt a few things that I didn’t know before, and I’m sure you will too!

With that, we’ve finished our ideas for how to spend two days in Bristol! Let’s take a look now at some practicalities for your visit.

Getting to Bristol

Bristol is a well connected city. There’s a fast train connection to London, which takes less than two hours, and of course it’s connected to a number of other cities in the UK as well.

Bristol also has an airport, with connections to a number of UK and European cities.

Finally, Bristol is easy to drive to, although in the city centre, we’d advise leaving the car safely parked somewhere else, as parking can be tricky to come by and fees can add up.

How to Get Around Bristol

Bristol is an easy city to get around, although it does have a few hills. The itinerary we’ve put together can be easily done on foot though, and it’s largely set up to have you travelling downhill for the most part.

Of course, there’s an excellent public transport network, as well as a ferry boat service that will take you to various points along the harbour.

Where to Stay in Bristol

Bristol has lots of accommodation options, pretty much something to suit every budget, from hostels through to boutique hotels and five star luxury.

There’s also a wide range of apartment rentals, and we opted for an apartment rental on our most recent visit as it gave us the flexibility to dine in as well as some working space and laundry facilities.

Check out all the Booking.com listings for Bristol, we find they usually come up with the best deal on a wide range of properties.

We also recommend Plum Guide if you’re looking for an apartment rental. Plum Guide carefully curate their listings so their options tend to be of a very high quality whilst still being available at a range of price points. We’ve stayed at a number of their properties around the world, and you can see our  review of the Plum Guide here . See their  listings for Bristol here .

For more vacation rental options in the UK, see our guide to our favourite holiday rentals websites in the UK .

When to Visit Bristol

Bristol is a pleasant city to visit year round, and there are plenty of indoor attractions to keep you entertained should the weather turn against you.

Probably the busiest time of year to visit is during the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta , which takes place in early August. Whilst this is a fantastic time to visit the city and see the skies filled with beautifully coloured balloons, it’s also definitely going to be a very busy time to visit as well.

We visited during the Fiesta, and had a wonderful time, but do be aware that accommodation, traffic and visitor levels are certainly higher at this time of year.

Otherwise, for the best weather we’d recommend visiting from May through to September. Also, do check out the official Visit Bristol website for all the events taking place throughout the year, to get an idea of what’s on.

Day Trips from Bristol

If you’re in Bristol for a little while and wondering if there are any good nearby spots for a day trip, then you’re in luck. Bristol makes a great base for exploring a number of nearby attractions, including the following.

• Bath. This beautiful Roman-era spa town is filled with beautiful Georgian architecture. It’s also just a 13-minute train ride from Bristol, so very easy to reach.
• The Cotswolds. This beautiful part of England is filled with postcard perfect villages and lovely countryside. Explore with your own vehicle or take a tour like this .
• Stonehenge . An incredible ancient monument, the origins of which are still debated to this day. Can be visited by car or public transport from Bristol, or as part of a tour like this .
• Cardiff. The capital city of Wales is easy to reach by train from Bristol, and offers museums, castles and plenty more to fill a day.
• Glastonbury & Somerset. Glastonbury is famous for its Tor and links to St. Arthur. A day out from Bristol can easily cover other highlights of Somerset as well, including Cheddar Gorge and the incredible cathedral at Wells. You can drive yourself, or take a tour like this .

Further Reading for your Bristol Visit

That sums up our suggested things to do in Bristol for two days! As you can see, there’s plenty to see and do in Bristol, and you’ll easily be able to fill two days – or extend your trip for a few more days!

We’re got more content coming up on Bristol, so do subscribe to stay updated. In the meantime, here’s a series of resources to help you plan your trip to both Bristol and the wider UK!

• The official Visit Bristol tourism page , which has loads of ideas on what to do, where to stay, transport information as well as event information.
• Our detailed guide to attending the Bristol Balloon Fiesta
• The official Bristol International Balloon Fiesta website
• The Rough Guide to Bath, Bristol and Somerset , which is available in both digital and physical book formats
• My guide to the best locations to find Street Art in Bristol
• Our detailed one week itinerary of the UK , as well as a two week version
• A guide to driving Scotland’s epic North Coast 500 , as well as accommodation options on the North Coast 500
• A guide to 10 of the best Stately Homes in England , to give you some ideas as you plan your itinerary
• We also have number of other guides to UK cities, including things to do in Cambridge , things to do in Edinburgh  and  things to do in Belfast , amongst others.
• For London, we have some detailed itineraries to help you plan your visit. These include a 1 Day London Itinerary , a Two Day London itinerary and a six day London itinerary
• The top Harry Potter sites in London
• Tips on Buying and Using the London Pass
• A guide to Visiting Oxford on a Day Trip
• Visiting Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds
• A guide to things to do in Portsmouth
• Getting online when travelling in a foreign country can be daunting – check out our guide to getting online when travelling to help you figure out the best options for your trip
• If you’re interested in getting better photos when you travel, take a look at my online photography course , where I’ll teach you everything you need to know about getting better photos – whatever camera you have!

And that’s it for our suggestions for the best things to do in Bristol over 2 days! Have you ever visited Bristol? Do you have anything you’d add to the above? Just let us know in the comments below!

So you know: For some of the attractions we visited in Bristol, Visit Bristol provided us with complimentary entry. We covered our own accommodation, transport, meals, and other expenses.

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28th January 2023 at 2:29 pm

Thank you so much for this wonderful itinerary! I’ll be traveling with my husband to Bristol from the US in about a month. It’ll be my first time in the UK. He’s going for his work so the first 4 days of our 10 day trip I’m on my own to explore. I may need to spread this out for 3-4 days vs. 2 but it looks like plenty to keep me busy seeing all the sights :)…Thank you!

Laurence Norah says

29th January 2023 at 9:05 am

It’s my pleasure! I think you will easily be able to spread this out over a few days. However, as you have 4 days I can highly recommend jumping on the train and riding for 11 minutes or so from Bristol to the historic town of Bath which is a world heritage site and well worth a half day or full day of your time. It’s very different from Bristol, all Georgian architecture and lovely streets. Well worth it!

Safe travels!

Macarena says

13th January 2023 at 12:45 am

Thanks you so much for this guide! My husband and I are visiting UK for the first time from Argentina, and I was not very sure about including Bristol in our itinerary, but reading your blogue has convinced me! best wishes!! Macarena

14th January 2023 at 10:08 am

Thanks Macarena, have an awesome time in Bristol and the UK 🙂

17th December 2022 at 1:39 pm

This is a lifesaver! My girlfriend is coming to Bristol for the first time over Christmas, and I had no clue where to take her until reading your blog. Thanks again. Any to-do lists for Bath? 🙂

18th December 2022 at 11:45 am

It’s my pleasure! So we lived just outside Bath for three years, but haven’t really written much about it! However that’s not to say we don’t have recommendations. Obviously the town centre is pretty to walk around, and sights like the Royal Crescent, Circus and Bath Abbey are a must to see. There is an excellent free walking tour that meets most days in front of the Abbey that is worth doing. If you like walks, the Bath Skyline walk is really lovely. The Roman Baths are also of course worth a visit, and there also the thermal spa if you prefer a more relaxing experience. That should get you started hopefully!

Have a lovely Christmas 🙂

Mahmud says

1st January 2022 at 8:53 am

thank you so much Laurence and Jessica. We are on our way now. It was a fantastic blog really helpfull.

Thanks Mahmud & Şendül

1st January 2022 at 12:31 pm

Hey Mahmud & Şendül! Thanks so much guys 🙂 Have an awesome time in Bristol, what a great way to start 2022 🙂

All the best,

Dory Merriman says

8th May 2021 at 7:56 am

Thank you so much Laurence and Jessica for taking the time to put together this fantastic guide. It has helped me greatly for my forthcoming short visit to Bristol. Best wishes Dory

8th May 2021 at 11:18 am

Thank you so much Dory – have a wonderful trip to Bristol!

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13 Incredible Day Trips from Bristol, England

Are you looking for the best day trips from bristol from tours to stonehenge to hiking cheddar gorge, this is what to do near bristol..

Bristol is a place nestled in a glorious countryside of rolling hills, dramatic gorges and coastal villages. If you can drag yourself away from the city, there is so much natural beauty to enjoy.

From ancient monuments, old-fashioned towns with historic pubs, to grand landscapes, safari parks and underground adventures, you’re sure to find day trips from Bristol that suit all budgets and interests.

What’s even better is Bristol has great public transport connections, and there are plenty of tours from Bristol too. That means you’ll be able to get to many of these places listed here even if you don’t have your own car.

Bristol embodies the beauty of the west country, and there are so many unique activities nearby. From feeding a giraffe at Longleat Safari to exploring Glastonbury, you’re in for an amazing time whatever you choose to do.

So, if you’re headed this way and you’re looking for what to do near Bristol, here is my list of recommendations. Pick one of these things and I guarantee nothing but good times ahead.

We’ve got lots of other tips for trips to Bristol, so don’t miss our guide to the best brunches in Bristol , best walks near Bristol and Chloe’s Bristol day trip itinerary .

Day trips from Bristol

Stonehenge tours from bristol.

Ahhh, the mysterious beauty of Stonehenge. For the last 4000-5000 years, the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge has delighted people from all over the world. As one of the most iconic monuments in the United Kingdom , a trip to Stonehenge is always one of the most popular day trips from Bristol.

Let someone else take over the driving and take advantage of the Stonehenge tours from Bristol. Both private and group tours can be arranged and prices include entry, transport and audio guides. Some tours even include a trip to Lacock and Avebury, or to Salisbury. You can check out these tours either with Greenman Tours or Mad Max Tours .

Alternatively, you can pick up a ticket to Stonehenge that includes a queue jump here. This is great for those of you who are short on time and like planning ahead.

Bristol boat trip with afternoon tea

How does learning about the fascinating maritime history of Bristol while taking in the sights from the water and indulging in a scone and a nice cup of tea sound to you? If you answered “Great!”, then the Bristol boat trip with afternoon tea is for you.

The afternoon tea cruise sails for 2 hours and is known for its humorous and informative commentary.  You’ll understand what we mean by that once you’ve taken the tour.

Tours from Bristol’s Wapping Wharf normally run on Wednesdays, Sundays and bank holidays. Be sure to book in advance to avoid being disappointed.

Longleat Safari and Adventure Park

Koalas, hippos, lions, cheetahs, monkeys, zebras and Anne the rescued circus elephant are all waiting to greet you at the Longleat Safari and Adventure Park .

Just 30 miles away, this safari will provide one of the most unique day trips from Bristol for the whole family. You can purchase a ticket for the on-site bus tour, or feel like you’re on a real adventure and drive your own vehicle through.

Aside from an abundance of animals, the park provides mazes, boat cruises, Longleat house and gardens, and a kid’s adventure playground. You can even hand feed birds and giraffes too. It goes without saying, but this really is one of the best activities for kids around. There are so many learning opportunities for them, so it’s fun and educational.

Loneleat has a very good ethical and ecology record too. They are a very sustainable organisation and their animal welfare is top notch.

Westonbirt Arboretum

Located in the Cotswolds, the Westonbirt Arboretum boasts an amazing collection of trees from all over the world. Spend your day exploring some of the many nature trails, identifying flora and fauna using the Westonbirt Arboretum’s Plant and Flower Spotter’s Guide, or snap drool-worthy photos along the Picture Perfect trail.

While this is an amazing place to cool down in summer, there are also fun activities for all seasons, including a Christmas light show, a tree top walkway and Gruffalo trail for the kids. The site also features an on-site shop, restaurant and outdoor play areas. Basically, there really is something for everyone here which is why we love it!

Cheddar Gorge

Cheese and nature lovers unite and make your way to Cheddar Gorge! At 137m (449ft) deep and 4.8km (2.98 miles) long, Cheddar Gorge is the largest gorge in England. This is also the place where Cheddar Man, the oldest complete human skeleton in Britain was found. Two records in one!

Surrounded by natural beauty, the best way to enjoy this gorge is by taking a circular 4-mile walk. The national trust recommended route takes you past the pinnacles and caves, and provides stunning views.

After some good fresh air, make your way to a cheese making tour and learn the history of the iconic cheese named after the area. Don’t forget to try a few samples too.

Glastonbury Tor Walk

Free day trips from Bristol can provide breathtaking views and a full day’s entertainment without splashing any cash. The Glastonbury Tor Walk, for example, is one of the best hikes in Somerset, and that’s saying something! This popular walk takes you from the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey to the summit of Glastonbury Tor.

The circular walk is around 2 miles and there is a fairly moderate climb to the top of the hill. At the top you’ll find St Michael’s Tower, an old 15th century church tower with some of the best views of England.

One of the best bits about this walk is you’ll end up in Glastonbury itself. That means you can finish off your walk with a pub lunch or afternoon tea.

With its gorgeous 18 th century Georgian architecture, Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage City, in fact the only one in the UK. Located just 13 miles away, Bath is very easy to get to from Bristol. What makes this day trip even better is that there are great public transport connections between the two cities and it is very easy exploring Bath on foot, so you don’t need a car for this one.

The Roman Baths are of course a key place to visit, however Bath offers so much more. While you’re here, take a stroll through Queens Square, enjoy the architecture of the houses in Circus and Royal Crescent areas, visit the Bath Abbey and enjoy the views at Pulteney Weir.

One of the best ways of experience Bath is on a walking tour of the city . On a tour like this you’ll see all the top sites – this tour also includes entry into the Roman Baths afterwards too which is a bonus.

Have you been picturing yourself tiptoeing down cobbled streets, surrounded by quaint stone houses with thatched roofs? Or perhaps taking cream teas by the river? Then the Cotswolds are the villages near Bristol to visit for you.

Located 55 miles north-east of Bristol, the Cotswolds are made up of many villages and towns, each seemingly more gorgeous that the last! But where to start?

With a small river running through the centre, boutique shopping and cream teas a plenty, Burton-On-Water is a great pick. For quintessential cobbled streets, stone houses, thatched roofs, and English pubs, make your way to Castle Comb. Go to Stow-on-the-Wold for tea rooms, manors and museums, or Tetbury for a round of antiquing. You can discover the best villages in the Cotswolds in our blog post here.

Llanddwyn Island, Anglesey

Llanddwyn Island isn’t quite an island – it’s just about attached to the mainland – but it does offer some of the best views of the stunning North Wales coastline.

One of the highlights here is the Tŵr Mawr lighthouse (that’s ‘Great Tower lighthouse’ in English). This is an old lighthouse that dates back to 1845 and it’s become one of the most photogenic spots in Wales.

It’s also the perfect place to spot some wildlife. Seals are often seen relaxing in the sun on the rocks below. Also, if you’re lucky, you can see dolphins and occasionally minke whales in the area too. This is genuinely one of my favourite spots in Wales. If you get here on a hot and sunny day it definitely does not feel like you’re in the UK at all!

Weston-Super-Mare

Just 18 miles south-west of Bristol, and conveniently connected by public transport, sits the Victorian seaside town of Weston-Super-Mare. Providing long stretches of beach, ice cream stands and donkey rides, a day trip here should be on your list of what to do near Bristol. Especially during the summer when it is a real holiday hotspot.

The town itself also offers plenty to keep you entertained. For example, visiting The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens which is complete with moat and drawbridge. Or visiting The Grand Pier, an indoor amusement park set over the water, great for families on rainy days.

Wookey Hole

Looking for fun day trips from Bristol for families? Then come and explore the world from underground at Wookey Hole . Wookey Hole’s main attraction is a system of underground caves. In fact, they are the largest show caves in England!

Now lit up and equipped with walking paths, this system of caves was once home to cavemen thousands of years ago. More than just caves, admission includes access to mini golf, mirror mazes and a fairy garden. You can also walk through the valley of dinosaurs, play on vintage penny arcade machines and enjoy indoor and outdoor play areas. As I said, this is such a great place for families – all you big kids will love it too.

The city of Salisbury, on the south eastern side of Wiltshire is steeped with history. In fact, the Salisbury Cathedral is home to one of the original Magna Cartas! The medieval cathedral itself is the place of pilgrimage for hundreds of thousands each year, and it has the tallest spire in Britain.

Be sure to take some time wandering the streets and admiring the buildings that have stood here for hundreds of years. Including a stroll through the High Street Gate, built in the early 1300s and was once used to lock up convicted criminals. Then head over to 700-year-old The Haunch of Venison for a spot of lunch that will delight your taste buds.

Tintern Abbey

Just over the border in Wales on the banks of the River Wye sits the Tintern Abbey. This majestic ruin was founded in 1131 by Walter de Clare, Lord of Chepstow for Cistercian monks.

In 1537 the abbey was dissolved and has since been left to nature’s forces. Though roofless, the walls are standing and you can still spot many distinctive features of this Early English to Decorated Gothic style structure.

Take a guided history tour, wander through the surrounding countryside and enjoy refreshments at the on-site cafe.

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Wapping Wharf Gourmet Food Tour

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Wapping Wharf is one of Bristol's foodiest neighbourhoods and home to some of the best independent food spots in the city. On this guided Bristol food tour you'll eat and drink your way around one of Bristol's most visited areas and take part in a progressive gourmet meal over the three-hour tour.

Your host Miguel has been working on Wapping Wharf for the last 2 years and has formed friendships with the passionate people who run the businesses in this close-knit community.

He'll be taking you behind the scenes as a VIP, as you visit 8 restaurants and food vendors on this tour. Most importantly, you'll be eating curated tastings at each stop!

Some of the Bristol food tour stops include:

• Bertha's Pizza: Home of delicious sourdough pizzas
• Loki Poké: Award-winning poké
• Clifton Seafood Company: Fresh seafood from the South Coast and beyond
• Tare Bistro: Carefully crafted tasting menu restaurant

Along the way, you'll hear the stories of how these places came to be and learn more about the food you'll be enjoying. You'll partake in a progressive meal over the 3-hour experience and will leave feeling full and satisfied.

There will be history peppered throughout the tour as well, so you can learn more about the heritage of this area.

This tour is suitable for meat eaters, pescatarians and vegetarians. Unfortunately, the tour cannot accommodate vegans or gluten-free guests at the moment.

Your host will do their best to accommodate allergies but is unable to guarantee a replacement tasting. Please let your host know of any allergies ahead of booking.

This tour requires a minimum of 4 people to operate.

Food Tours of Bristol also offer bespoke private group tours.

Whether it’s a corporate team outing, a hen-do or just a reason to get together with friends, Food Tours of Bristol can tailor a food tour just for you! With over 10 food & drink partners on Wapping Wharf, they can customise a tour to fit your needs and budget. Private tours are also available in French or Spanish.

Get in touch with Food Tours of Bristol below or drop them an email at [email protected] to discuss in further detail.

Age restrictions: 18+

Available dates

What people are saying.

Bought this experience for a friends birthday and we had the best time! Miguel is so lovely and k...

We had the best afternoon. The food was amazing and the whole tour was well planned, with enough ...

I bought this experience as a gift for my brother & sister in law. They loved it & said the host ...

Lovely tour of some great restaurants in Wapping Wharf. Our host, Miguel was excellent and very k...

Bought this experience for a friends birthday and we had the best time! Miguel is so lovely and knowledgable, the pacing of everything was great and the food was amazing. Would definitely recommend this tour.

We had the best afternoon. The food was amazing and the whole tour was well planned, with enough time to relax at each stop, despite including many different restaurants. Miguel was a great host and knew a lot about the history of each restaurant. I felt that the dishes were well selected and the wines chosen complemented the food nicely. I would highly recommend this tour.

I bought this experience as a gift for my brother & sister in law. They loved it & said the host was really friendly & knowledgeable & the food and whole experience was brilliant.

Lovely tour of some great restaurants in Wapping Wharf. Our host, Miguel was excellent and very knowledgeable. We had a variety of delicious tasters from different restaurants and we were very full by the end! Would totally recommend as a gift or date.

A great tour of Wapping Wharf taking in excellent tastings across lots of venues. Highly recommended.

A great way to spend the afternoon. Miguel was an excellent host and took us on a tour of Whapping Wharf with tastings at a wide range of restaurants, helping to broaden our palette. This is a great introduction to the many restaurants around the area and left us with lots of inspiration for future date nights and meals to cook at home. Would highly recommend.

We had the best afternoon on our tour with Miguel. The range of food was amazing and we were definitely stuffed by the end of it!! Miguel is a very knowledgeable and friendly guy, who definitely made the tour. We would highly recommend this tour to all food lovers! Thank you Miguel.

I purchased this as a gift for my Dad and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. Miguel was an amazing host, so friendly and welcoming. All the food was incredible and I have already recommended the tour to loads of friends. I thought the selection of venues/tasting were superbly curated and introduced me to a couple of placed I hadn't yet tried. Look forward to visiting Berthas and Tare again and will keep an eye out for any more events hosted by Miguel!

Exceeded our expectations! Miguel an excellent and very knowledgable guide into the Wapping Wharf food scene.

This tour was fantastic. I would highly recommend. The host, Miguel was excellent, the tour was very well organised and informative. We ate at 8 different venues in Wapping Wharf which meant the selection of food was vast. Thanks Miguel!

We had an amazing time! Really great, varied selection of food and also a good amount of food, definitely left feeling full. Super knowledgeable and friendly host, would definitely recommend!

This was the best food tour I have done! The food was incredible. The host was delightful and you could tell the thought and care he put into the tour. The small group size made it a friendly experience. Will be back to Wapping Wharf to enjoy the food scene again.

Cant recommend this food tour enough. Miguel was incredibly knowledgeable and his passion for both food and the restaurants made the tour really enjoyable. Miguel had chosen a great variety of cuisines and the food was amazing. The tour was well paced, we left feeling full and satisfied. We got to chat with the staff and owners along the way, and learn about the history of the area also. My advice would be to turn up hungry! Thanks Miguel

How to get there

• Please dress appropriately for the weather with some comfy shoes. There will be short walks between stops, so if it's raining an umbrella will be handy!

Changes happen, don't worry

You'll be hosted by, food tours of bristol.

Food Tours of Bristol brings together Miguel's experience of working in the Bristol food scene and the relationships he's built with the people who run it, to provide an experience that takes you behind the scenes! Discover unknown stories behind some of the best food and drink establishments in Bristol and eat your way around one of the tastiest cities in the UK!

Miguel Alzugaray (He/Him)

Miguel is from Canada and has been living in Bristol for 4 years. Before moving to Bristol he led food tours in Vancouver for 3 years and it unearthed his passion for storytelling and showcasing the city’s best food spots!

For the past 2 years, he’s been the restaurant manager at Bertha’s Pizza on Wapping Wharf. He has a close relationship with other local independent restaurants, breweries, distilleries and food vendors around the city.

Join him and eat your way around Wapping Wharf!

Any questions?

Ask your question directly to Food Tours of Bristol.

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Tour de Bristol

Our ever popular ride has now sold out! If you'd still like to join us for Bristol's biggest charity bike ride and pedal for patient care, please add your name to our wait list. Please note, we will not be accepting new sign ups on the day of the event.

Join the wait list

Choose from three different routes - 40, 65 or 100km - all starting from the UWE Centre for Sport and heading into the Gloucestershire countryside. Take in the stunning scenery and enjoy feed stations along the route, chip timing and a medal at the finish line.

40km – the perfect route for beginners or those looking to get back on their bike

65km – push yourself further and soak up even more of the stunning scenery

100km – make the ultimate impact with our exciting updated route for 2024

Or take on our virtual challenge by choosing a route and date that suits you.

Whether you ride in memory of a loved one, for fun or to smash a personal best, all the money you raise will support patients going through the darkest of times.

UWE Centre for Sport Coldharbour Lane BS16 1QY

13 Apr 2024

Entry Fees:

100km - £37

Your Ride (take part virtually at a time and place that suits you) - £20

Minimum age : 14 years old. All 14-17 year olds must be accompanied by a participating adult at all times.

Contact: Molly, [email protected], 01275 391428

Please take a few moments to read the Terms and Conditions for taking part.

Event Sponsors

Thank you to our headline sponsors The Bristol Port Company

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St Vincent announces 2024 UK and European tour with Heartworms

The run of dates includes a huge show in London this summer

St Vincent has announced a UK and European tour with Heartworms – you can find all the details below.

• READ MORE: St Vincent shares “gnarly” ‘Broken Man’ with Dave Grohl and tells us about “agony and ecstasy” of new album ‘All Born Screaming’

The singer-songwriter – aka Annie Clark – is due to return to these shores late next month in support of her seventh album ‘All Born Screaming’ , which is released on April 26 ( pre-order here ).

Clark will take to the stage at SWX in Bristol on Friday, May 31 before heading to London the following day (June 1) for a show at the historic Royal Albert Hall.

From there, the artist will head to Europe for headline dates in Luxembourg City (June 3) and Antwerp (4) ahead of festival appearances at Best Kept Secret in the Netherlands (7) and NorthSide in Denmark (8).

UK/EU All Born Screaming Tour Dates Announced. Tickets on sale Friday, 12 April at 10am local. https://t.co/nIyRVBnil4 All dates with @iamheartworms . pic.twitter.com/q7ux77DSNM — St. Vincent (@st_vincent) April 8, 2024

Tickets for St Vincent’s UK and European headline concerts go on sale at 10am BST this Friday (April 12) – you’ll be able to buy yours here (UK).

Alternatively, fans can access a pre-sale at the same time on Thursday (11) by signing up here . Various pre-sales will go live via Ticketmaster throughout the week. See the list of dates below.

St Vincent’s 2024 UK and European tour dates are:

Recommended.

MAY 31 – SWX, Bristol (with Heartworms) 

JUNE 01 – Royal Albert Hall, London (with Heartworms)  03 – Den Atelier, Luxembourg City (with Heartworms) 04 – De Roma, Antwerp (with Heartworms) 07 – Best Kept Secret, Hilvarenbeek 08 – NorthSide, Viby

The announcement comes after St Vincent shared details of a North American headline tour for this year. Find any remaining tickets for those dates here .

Clark has already shared two singles from the forthcoming ‘All Born Screaming’ in the form of ‘Broken Man’ and ‘Flea’ – both of which feature Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl on drums .

During an interview with NME recently , St Vincent shared some details about the follow-up to 2021’s ‘Daddy’s Home’ . “For me, the record is black, white and all the colours in the fire, because it’s about life and death,” she said.

“Life and death is pretty binary – you’re alive or you’re dead. The record’s about what is to be alive and to embrace that agony and ecstasy… On the record, you have to go through hell to get to some semblance of heaven. The record to me is structured that way.”

• READ MORE: Heartworms: defiant, goth-inspired post-punk that draws strength from the doubters

As for how the musician will showcase the LP on stage at her live gigs, she told NME : “I’m gonna fuck ‘em up. I’m gonna fuck ‘em up.”

Meanwhile, Heartworms released the single ‘May I Comply’ last November. The song followed the band’s 2023 EP ‘ A Comforting Notion’ , which earned a five-star review from NME .

Reviewing the group’s London show late last year , NME wrote: “This is not just a pastiche of what you’d expect from ‘UK GOTHIC POST PUNK’, this is already a fully-rounded world delivered with courage and intent. 2024 will belong to Heartworms.”

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