Things to Do in Bristol
Discover 38 activities and experiences in Bristol, United Kingdom — from outdoor adventures to cultural events. Curated from real traveler recommendations.
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Showcase Cinema
Bristol's first multiplex cinema, the Showcase has been open since at least the mid-1990s. Compared with the Vue cinemas, it's beginning to look a little tatty, but it does offer cheap tickets on Tuesdays -£3.75 all day. The Showcase is situated on the Avonmeads retail park, off the spine road that runs between the Lawrence Hill roundabout (take the exit before Junction 2 signposted as the A4320 to Bath) and the Bath Road in Brislington.
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Jump
Bristol Jump has enormous adventure play-frames: a space zone, a galleon and an enchanted castle. At 22,000sq feet it is the largest dedicated indoor soft play centre in England and they only tucked away in the back of Cribbs Causeway! There are also huge inflatables, an indoor football pitch, ten pin bowling and an enormous zone just for toddlers. They also offer themed party rooms, a café and different activities every day.
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- 22 Concorde Road, Cribbs Causeway, BS34 5TB
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- Everyday: 10AM-6:30PM; School Holidays: 9.30-6PM
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- Babies: £1.00; 1 to 3 Years: £5.50; 4+ Years: £6.50; Adults: £1.75; OAPS: £1.00 (on production of a bus pass)
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Victoria Rooms
The University of Bristol's Department of music. A wide range of music is presented in their free Wednesday lunchtime concert series, often given by established professional performers. Other [evening] Concerts include the universities' symphony and chamber orchestras. Times and prices vary, contact the department for more information.
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- Whiteladies Rd
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Vue Cinemas
There are two of these Warner Village cinemas in Bristol, one near the Mall out-of-town shopping center at Cribbs Causeway (near the M5/M4 junction) and the other in Longwell Green, off the A4174 Ring Road. Both are modern multiplex type cinemas with approx 10 screens.
More info -
The Comedy Box
Usually hosted above the Hen and Chicken pub on North Street, Southville but sometimes at the nearby Tobacco Factory (especially for more popular acts). Has hosted a number of major stand-up acts, including Mark Thomas, Sue Perkins, Ed Byrne and Marcus Brigstocke.
More info -
Cube Microplex
Hidden away not far from the bus station, this small non-profit making co-operative venue is housed in a beautifully shabby 1960's theatre. It's run entirely by volunteers and specialises in experimental film, music and performance. A unique experience.
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- Dove Street South
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Ferry Boat Co.
Catch a ferry and enjoy the exciting world of Bristol's Historic Harbour - for a round trip tour, hop-on and hop-off, or getting from A to B; and to many of the harbourside attractions. Timetables are available online and at many places in the city.
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- Welsh Back (Ferry stops all around the city)
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- Throughout the day
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Pirate Walks
Join Pirate Pete for a 1 hour guided walking tour of Bristol's historic harbourside. Walking tours of Bristol's 16th, 17th and 18th century Maritime History of discovery, trade , slavery and piracy (always call before visiting).
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- Meet at Millennium or Anchor Square.
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- Adults £6.00 Children £3.50
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Arnolfini
Right on the water's edge at Narrow Quay, this contemporary arts center includes a cinema showing alternative and arthouse films. And the quayside is a great place to soak up the sun with a beer from the cafe!
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Alma Tavern Theatre
Theatre located on the first floor of the Alma Tavern & Theatre pub in Clifton, a short walk from Whiteladies Road. The theatre seats 50, with the bar on the ground floor.
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- 18-20 Alma Vale Rd
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Tobacco Factory Theatre and Brewery Theatre
A hidden gem outside the city centre, in the Southville area of town. Well known for being involved in some of the most cutting-edge theatre in the city.
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- North St
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Full Moon & Eclipse
Formerly an important Metal and Punk venue but has now become a backpacker hostel with some music events targeted at their guests.
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- North St./Stokes Croft
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Bristol Improv
Bristol University's only improv troupe put on free and paid shows each month, with a regular show at The Hill
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- 31-35 Cotham Hill, BS6 6JY
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Anson Rooms
From Comedians to live music, many renowned artists as well as the universities' students often perform here.
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- Queens Rd
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The Louisiana
Bands that have played here include, Coldplay, the Whitestripes, Kings of Leon, Keane and many, many more.
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- Wapping Road/Bathurst Terrace
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The Croft
The croft has a policy of supporting new music of every style and scheduling mainly homegrown talent.
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- Stokes Croft
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- Free before 10PM Mon-Wed and then a charge on Thur-Sun
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Redgrave Theatre
320 seat theatre hosting amateur drama, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School productions and concerts.
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- Perceval Road, Clifton
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Thekla
The famous club on a boat, sporting a Banksy graffiti work and prime location by Queens Square.
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- East Mud Dock
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Watershed
The primary hub for art-house film in the city centre with a lovely (WiFi enabled) cafe too.
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- Canons’s Rd
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Kelvin Studios
Home to the Kelvin Players Theatre Company, an amateur theatre group on Gloucester Road.
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- 253b Gloucester Rd
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Wickham Theatre
University of Bristol's theatre, hosting both student and professional performances.
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- Cantocks Close
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Black Swan
A pub that regularly hosts alternative liberal, electronic dance, rave music events.
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- 438 Stapleton Rd, Eastville
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St George's
Wide variety of acoustic music including classical, world and jazz.
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- Great George St
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Cineworld
Notable for showing at least one Bollywood film per week.
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- Hengrove Leisure Park, Hengrove Way
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Oppo Comedy
Sunday evenings from 8:30PM, hosted by Mark Olver
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- Channings Hotel, Pembroke Rd
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- £2+
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Exploring Bristol: A Traveler's Guide to Activities
Bristol rewards curious travelers with an exceptional range of experiences. Whether you have a weekend or several weeks, the city's 38 documented activities cover the full spectrum — architectural landmarks and world-class museums at one end, local neighborhood festivals and underground cultural scenes at the other. The activities listed on this page come from Wikivoyage contributors who have personally explored Bristol and written detailed, practical descriptions to help you plan your visit.
The most rewarding way to experience Bristol's activities is with company. Solo travelers who arrive without plans often find that meeting a fellow traveler at a hostel, cafe, or through the Nomax app opens up entirely new itineraries — a museum visit becomes a half-day exploration, a street food crawl turns into an evening of discovery, a day trip to a nearby site becomes an adventure. Bristol has an active traveler community, and the city is designed to reward those who explore it with open curiosity.
When planning what to do in Bristol, consider mixing well-known attractions with neighborhood-level experiences. The city's most photographed sights are popular for good reason, but Bristol's character lives in its quieter corners too — the local markets, the parks where residents spend their weekends, the small performance venues where the next generation of artists and musicians are finding their voice. The 38 activities on this page include both categories, ordered by the richness of their traveler-written descriptions.
How to Get the Most from Bristol's Activities
Timing matters in Bristol. Many of the city's best attractions have shorter queues and better atmospheres on weekday mornings. Major cultural sites — museums, galleries, historic monuments — often run free admission windows on certain days or evenings; check before booking. Outdoor activities and walking tours are best enjoyed in the morning before the city heats up or fills with tour groups.
Budget-conscious travelers will find that Bristol has a strong free-to-access layer. Public parks, open-air markets, architectural walking routes, and many community events cost nothing. The price information included with activities on this page (where available) helps you plan a realistic daily budget. A mix of free and paid activities across a week in Bristol is entirely feasible for most traveler budgets.
For travelers who want to do more than just sightseeing, Bristol offers organized activities through local guides, tour companies, and traveler apps like Nomax. Group activities — cooking classes, cycling tours, kayaking excursions, photography walks — are a natural way to meet people while experiencing the city. Many travelers who use Nomax in Bristol coordinate these types of group experiences together, splitting costs and building memories that last beyond the trip itself.
Activities for Different Travel Styles
Not every traveler wants the same experience. History enthusiasts will gravitate toward Bristol's museums, heritage sites, and guided historical walks that reveal the layers of the city's past. Outdoor and adventure travelers will focus on the parks, cycling routes, climbing areas, and day trips to surrounding natural areas. Food travelers will treat Bristol's markets, restaurants, and food tours as the primary activities of each day. Culture seekers will fill evenings with concerts, theater, gallery openings, and street performances.
The 38 activities documented on this page span all these categories. Use the numbered list above to browse in order of description quality — longer descriptions generally mean more detailed, firsthand traveler knowledge. For each activity, the address and opening hours (where available) give you everything you need to plan your visit without needing to search elsewhere.
Connecting with Travelers in Bristol
One of the best things about traveling to Bristol is the community of international travelers already there. Backpackers, digital nomads, long-term expats, and short-trip tourists all share the same city at any given moment. Nomax makes it easy to find who is in Bristol right now, see what activities they are joining, and coordinate plans. Whether you want a hiking companion, someone to split museum entry with, or a group for an evening out — the app connects you to people with the same itinerary in minutes.
Download Nomax before your trip to Bristol to set your travel dates and start discovering who else will be there at the same time. The app is free, requires no subscription, and works across all the major traveler destinations worldwide — meaning the community you build in Bristol often extends to your next destination too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Bristol?
Bristol offers 38+ activities and experiences for travelers. Top highlights include Showcase Cinema, Jump, Victoria Rooms, and much more. This page lists every documented activity in order of description quality, so you can find both the major attractions and the hidden gems.
Are there free things to do in Bristol?
Yes — Bristol has a strong selection of free activities. Public parks, open-air markets, walking routes through historic neighborhoods, and many cultural institutions offer free admission on specific days. Scroll through the list above and look for activities marked with free or no price information — these are often the city's most authentic experiences.
How do I meet other travelers while exploring Bristol?
Download Nomax — a free travel companion app that shows you other solo travelers currently in Bristol. You can join group activities, chat with travelers at the same spots, and plan outings together. Many travelers in Bristol use Nomax to find companions for day trips, museum visits, and evening activities.
What activities can I do with travel companions I meet in Bristol?
Bristol has activities for every interest — guided tours, food experiences, outdoor adventures, cultural events, and nightlife. Use Nomax to coordinate with other travelers: join a group for a walking tour, split a day-trip cost, or simply explore the city together. The app makes spontaneous plans easy.
Explore Bristol with fellow travelers
Download Nomax — find travel companions, join group activities, and chat with solo travelers in Bristol right now. Free forever.
Travel tips by Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA 3.0). Content may have been updated since publication.
