Explore Bristol like a local
Welcome to 'A local's guide to Bristol' blog post! This video was originally part of my boyfriend, Jon, and I's application to be WOW Air travel guides. Alas, like thousands of others, we were unsuccessful, but we did make a pretty cool video and travel guide to one of the most vibrant cities in the UK.
We had a great weekend filming around our beautiful city and it was our first attempt at video blogging and we both learned a lot! It's packed full of top transport, tourist and foodie tips to help you get the most out of your visit to Bristol and live like a local!
BRISTOL ESSENTIALS
Local phrase: Gurt lush! = “Very good” in the Bristolian dialect
Local drink: Cider
Local food: Fish and chips
Local person: Banksy
Local music: Trip hop
GETTING AROUND
- Download the First Bus app and buy a day pass for £4 giving you unlimited access to buses around Bristol
- Download the Yo Bike app and hire one of the cities’ communal bikes for just £1 a journey
- Download the Bristol Map and Walks app and get pay-as-you-go access to 12 different walks around the city
- Go to the Visit Bristol website to find a variety of tip-based and paid for walking tour options
- Download the UBER app from iTunes or Google Play and use it around the city
CULTURE VULTURE
- M shed is a museum all about Bristol. Explore the city through time: its places, its people and their stories. Free entry.
- Arnolfini is one of Europe's leading centres for the contemporary arts.
Free entry.
- Bristol Museum is a treasure house of Egyptian mummies, art, dinosaurs and nature in a beautiful building. It also regularly hosts art exhibitions from some of the world’s most famous contemporary artists including Banksy and Grayson Perry.
Free entry.
- Watershed is a cultural cinema and digital creativity centre at the Bristol Harbourside.
- We The Curious has hundreds of hands-on exhibits to explore, live shows and a Planetarium, making it one of the UK's biggest and most exciting interactive science museums and it’s perfect for kids (and big kids!).
OUT AND ABOUT
- The Harbourside is home to many of the museums and cultural centres mentioned above and is a great place to walk around and enjoy the sun.
- Boat trips are available to suit every budget and itinerary. From full-day excursions to one-way ferry tickets costing as little as £1.30, you have to get out on the water when in Bristol!
- Cabot Tower, built in 1897, offers 360° views over Bristol. Beware though, this 105ft climb is not for the claustrophobic!
- The Downs are a huge, public green space easily accessible from the city centre. It’s the perfect place to relax on a sunny day and you can get involved with many of the sports on offer. With jogging, football and even Quidditch being played (!!!) there is something for everyone to enjoy!
- Clifton Suspension Bridge is the world’s first ever suspension bridge and was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It is a Bristol icon and is free to visit. If you’re there at the weekend you can also catch one of their free tours to find out more about its fascinating history.
FEELING PECKISH?
- St. Nicholas’ Market has been voted as one of the 10 best markets in the UK and is a great option for a mouth watering lunch on a budget!
- Primrose Cafe in Clifton Village is a cute cafe offering some of the best late breakfast and brunch options in the city. Even better, there is a roof terrace for when it’s sunny!
- Anna Cake Couture has beautiful Instagram-worthy cakes! Not so budget-friendly but really rather unique.
- Clifton Village Fish Bar serves up award-winning and sustainably sourced fish and chips- enough said! Grab yours and eat it overlooking the Clifton Suspension Bridge!
BEER O'CLOCK!
- Mud Dock is a great bar and cafe with a roof terrace overlooking the harbour where you can watch all of the boats go by!
- White Lion in Clifton is not so budget -friendly, but is worth splashing out for as it’s the only bar in the city with a terrace that overlooks the suspension bridge.
- The Apple Cider Boat does exactly what it says on the tin: Cider. On a boat. It has one of the best ranges of local cider in Bristol and is a great place for a drink in the sun.
- The Old Duke is a pub which has become world famous for its live traditional, New Orleans inspired Jazz music. Definitely one to put your dancing shoes on for!
- The Llandowger Trow on cobbled King’s Street is one of the oldest timber-framed buildings in Bristol and the novel Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson was written here!
- The Gallimaufry is a staple of a night out on Gloucester Road. Boasting seasonal British food, local beers and live music most nights, you have to drop in for at least one drink!
- The Bootlegger is the place to dance the night away at the weekend on Gloucester Road. With a speakeasy vibe, 2 for 1 cocktail offers and the most energetic DJ we’ve ever seen, this is a firm favourite for us!
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