Bristol lives up to its reputation for creativity, with some of the country’s best music venues, galleries and theatres. The Bristol Old Vic is a fantastic playhouse that stages some of the region’s most acclaimed productions. Bristol has had a thriving live music scene for decades, and venues such as The Fleece and Bristol Academy host regular performances by exciting new acts from around the world. Bristol is a fascinating city to explore by foot, with interesting independent shops, stylish bars and sophisticated restaurants around every corner.
Bristol harbour side One of the city’s best-loved events is the Bristol International Balloon Festival , which takes place every August. This spectacular four-day event attracts hundreds of dazzlingly coloured balloons and thousands of visitors.
If you love food, you’ll be in your element in Bristol, which is home to award-winning restaurants, traditional pubs and stylish cafes. The Ox is an elegant restaurant which specialises in steak and cocktails. In the centre of Stokes Croft is a favourite among Bristol residents, The Canteen, a former office block which has been transformed into a creative community hub, which serves a variety of healthy, affordable dishes. Eat A Pitta is another Bristol favourite, where you can order massive pittas packed with falafel, salad, hummus and pickles. Wallfish Bistro is a good option for delicious, beautifully presented dishes such as rabbit and lobster pie. Alternatively, try Flinty Red, a sophisticated eatery where care is taken to use the finest local ingredients. You can expect a range of fresh, tasty dishes, including roast quail with parsnip, yoghurt, pomegranate molasses and walnut.
Bristol is a great place for a night out, whether you’re in the mood for a rustic old pub where you can settle down with a pint of ale or one of the city’s lively nightclubs, where some of the country’s top DJs regularly play. The Llandoger Trowl is one of the city’s oldest pubs, and a lovely place to sit outside and watch the world go by. Bristol has some great live music venues, including Mr Wolf’s, The Louisiana and Thekla, a unique venue, housed in an old wooden boat.
“Bristol’s distinctive combination of off-beat culture and elegant, historical architecture makes it a fascinating city to visit.”
One of Bristol’s most distinctive landmarks is Clifton Suspension Bridge, which spans the epic Avon Gorge, connecting Bristol with Somerset. Visitors can enjoy spectacular views across the gorge, and an excellent visitor centre, which provides an insight into this towering structure.