Best Places to Visit in Bristol Over Summer

As Summer is here so are the Summer holidays. Whether you’re looking for activities to do for just yourself, friends or children we have accumulated the perfect mix of places to visit in Bristol over Summer. On a budget? Don’t worry we have you covered, we have a range of different places to visit in Bristol for different budgets. 

Bristol Harbourside 

Bristol Harbourside is the perfect way to enjoy the sun, you can do a circular walk starting at Prince Street Bridge down to Cumberland Basin and round. Along the way, there are several pit stops which takes you past places such as M Shed the historic SS Great Britain and plenty of bars and food places such as Revolucion de Cuba. M-Shed is Museum which holds exhibitions, family events, workshops and tours. 

Bristol Packet Boat Tours

Fancy exploring Bristol Waters?  Bristol Packet Boat Trips offer a range of boat tours and trips around different areas of Bristol. From Bristol to Bath, lunch trips to Beese’s, Avon Cruises and more! 

Bristol Aquarium 

The Bristol Aquarium is a perfect day for the family and is conveniently situated in Millennium Square along the Harbourside area of Bristol. The aquarium is more self-guided and is home to hundreds of native species which can be found off the UK’s water.  

Wild Place Project 

Whether you’re struggling to find ways of entertaining the children or simply love seeing animals visit the Wild Place Project. The Wild Place Project is a fun family attraction housing a collection of animals, creating emphasis around protecting habitats near us and around the world. They are home to the UK’s largest bear exhibit and have the world’s fastest land mammal, Cheetahs. They are open every day from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm in peak season and close at 4:00 pm offseason. Ticket prices range from £12.50 - £5.50 so it's an affordable fun day out. 

Clifton Suspension Bridge 

You can’t visit Bristol without making a trip to Bristol’s famous Clifton Suspension Bridge. The bridge spans from the Avon Gorge and links to Clifton and Leigh Woods. Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the amazing piece of engineering has helped to sculpt Bristol’s landscape since it opened in 1864. Today, the bridge is a popular tourist attraction and there are many spots which offer amazing views of Bristol and the bridge. 

St Nicholas Market 

St Nicholas Market is Bristol’s oldest market which was established in 1743. Filled with history in the Georgian architecture of the Old Town, surround yourself stalls of foods and goods from all around the world. They hold different markets throughout the week, you’ll find the farmers market and the street food market on Corn Street and Wine Street. 

Bristol Farmers and Producers Market - Wednesdays 8:00 am - 2:30 pm 

Street Food Market - Tuesday and Friday 11:00 am - 2:30 pm

Cabot Tower

Cabot Tower is located in Brandon Hill Park, it’s free to climb up and has amazing views of the whole of Bristol. The tower was built in 1897 to commemorate John Cabot’s famous voyage from Bristol and the continent of North America four hundred years earlier.  Although the 109 Cabot Tower steps are super small and very steep, the climb is worth it for the incredible views at the top.

Arnolfini

If you’re a lover of art then why not take a trip to the Arnolfini? Located alongside Bristol harbour, you can go for food and drink after without having to walk far. The Arnolfini display free exhibits of unique and modern art. They are also home to the Bristol Beer Factory cafe bar which is the perfect place for meeting up with friends and family. 

Leigh Woods 

If you prefer getting out into the countryside and going on walks, why not visit Leigh Woods? They have flat, dry paths to walk on and also plenty of cycle paths through the most picturesque woodlands. The woods also have an amazing viewpoint of Clifton Suspension Bridge. 

The Downs 

Located in Clifton, The Downs is one of Bristol’s most popular picnic spots with beautiful views of Bristol, especially in the Summer. Covering 440 acres, it’s one of the largest greenery areas in Bristol. You can also see the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Avon Gorge from another angle. 

The Downs are also hosts for some of Bristol’s biggest festivals; The Downs Festival and Foodies Festival.