
A two day city break in Bristol
From Maisie Williams to Massive Attack, the city of Bristol is the birthplace of tons of artists and creatives, including its most famous son, Banksy. Watched over by rows of brightly painted houses, the southwest is awash with history in Bristol Harbour and miles of impressive street art to snap for your Instagram. Whether it’s shopping in the sophisticated Clifton Village, staying in a rooftop caravan or surfing the waters at The Wave, there are plenty of things to do in Bristol, making it a must for your next city break.
Day 1
Grab breakfast and spicy gifts
- Shopping
- Recommended time at location: 1-2 hours

Fill up on coffee and a fully-loaded breakfast roll from Crafty Beans Cafe and then browse a maze of quirky stalls at St Nicholas Indoor Market. It’s open every Monday to Saturday and you can pick up everything from hand-crafted kitchen goods to Bristol-inspired artworks. We love the Hot Sauce Emporium - it sells spicy condiments from around the world. Try a few samples, if you're brave enough!
Spot a Banksy or three on a street art tour
- Guided Tour
Make you you put time aside for a guided art walking tour. You’ll see bold, beautiful street art by both local and international artists as well as several of Banksy’s most recognisable (and somewhat controversial) works dotted around the city.
Grab lunch at Wapping Wharf
- Eatery
- Recommended time at location: 1-2 hours
A 10-minute walk east brings you to Wapping Wharf, an eclectic hub of food vendors and independent shops housed in converted shipping containers. Carnivores can dig into pork-centric fare at Pigsty, while vegetarians (and veggie lovers) will find plenty to savour at Root, where vegetables take centre stage and meat plays a supporting role.
Rewind time at Bristol Harbour
- Sightseeing
- Suggested time at location: 2 hours

Explore Bristol’s maritime heritage aboard the SS Great Britain, a Victorian passenger boat – and the world’s first great ocean liner – that dominates Bristol’s historic harbour. As well as learning about the life and legacy of the ship’s designer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel you can experience the sights, sounds and smells of life on board the ship itself. Be sure to check out the nearby M-Shed too, one of Bristol’s top museums.
Relax in a rooftop airstream caravan
- Accommodation
- Suggested time at location: Overnight

Every wanted to stay in an airstream caravan in the sky? Bristol has you covered. Head to the top of boutique Brooks Guesthouse and keep going until you reach the rooftop Astroturf garden. Up here you’ll find a small collection of metallic caravans huddled together overlooking the rooftops of Bristol’s Old City. These classic trailers are the city’s take on glamping, each with double beds, eco-heating and LED mood lighting.
Top tip - Subterranean steak at The Ox
- Eatery
- Suggested time at location: 2 hours
Book a table at The Ox, an intimate steakhouse tucked beneath the buzz of Corn Street and just short stroll from Brooks Guesthouse. With wood-panelled walls and low lighting, this seductive spot is known for its ox-cured meat board and perfectly crisp triple-cooked chips. We recommend booking ahead – it’s frequently named among Bristol’s best restaurants.
Top tip - Sustainable tapas at Poco
- Eatery
- Suggested time at location: 1.5 hours
Poco serves up seasonal set menus that mark it as one of the best restaurants in Bristol. From Forest of Dean wild boar to Cornish fish, lots of its ingredients come from the UK, with most of its veg sourced from community farms in Bristol. On top of that, Poco is keen on being zero waste, meaning almost 100% of its rubbish is composted and recycled and ingredients are ordered daily to curb an excess of produce.
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Day 2
Explore a Georgian village
- Shopping
- Suggested time at location: 1.5 hours

A short bus ride or a 40 minute walk from the city centre (if you feel like seeing the city on foot) brings you to a very sophisticated pocket of Bristol, Clifton Village. You can Invest in a new watch or pair of earrings from one of the independent goldsmiths along The Mall or stroll down Clifton Arcade for a peep into a collection of unique shops, selling everything from vintage clothing to framed art and antiques. It is also home to plenty of top-rated coffee shops and cafes, if you need a pick-me-up.
Chill out at Bristol Lido
- Sightseeing
- Suggested time at location: 2 hours

If you fancy taking it easy, book some ‘me time’ at Bristol Lido. This stylish outdoor pool, tucked away down a residential street in Clifton, dates to the Victorian period. Enjoy a few laps in the elements, indulge in a spa treatment, feel the heat in the sauna and finish with a slap-up lunch overlooking the pool.
Reach for the skies
- Sightseeing
- Suggested time at location: 1.5 hours
The modern jewel in Bristol museums’ crown, Aerospace Bristol is full of supersonic family fun, interactive trails and larger-than-life airplanes (including the very last Concorde to soar the skies and which also appeared in the raunchy TV show Rivals). Looking for a more immersive experience? You can take to the skies in a Red Arrows simulator to see the famous flying squad in action, as never before.
Mollie's
- Accommodation
- Suggested time at location: overnight
Make an overnight pitstop at Mollie’s for a slice of Americana. Inspired by retro roadside motels, Mollie’s mid-century style bedrooms have top-notch beauty gadgets (GHD straighteners and Dyson hairdryers, anyone?) and its sleek diner glints with chrome fixtures and Cadillac-style booths. Enjoy all-day eggs, Texan pork belly and double cheeseburgers while slurping a thick milkshake - it’s like a trip back in time!
Top tip - Go inland surfing
- Sightseeing
Just 10 miles from Bristol’s city centre you’ll find The Wave – the first inland surfing destination of its kind, where water babies of all abilities can tussle with the waves.
Top tip - Catch a show
- Show
See West End productions at the Bristol Hippodrome and catch up-and-coming stars and famous comedians in gorgeous Georgian surroundings at the Bristol Old Vic; the oldest continually working theatre in the country.
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