10 Awesome Things To Do In Bristol

The South-West city is the new London and here's 10 reasons why.

1. Swim in the heart of the city.

Clifton Lido / Via lidobristol.com

Clifton is deemed one of the nicest parts of Bristol and here's a reason why. The Clifton Lido was built in the 19th century and recently reopened after 20 years closed. The facility is now fully restored with a swimming pool, spa facilities, a restaurant and a cafe. Now residents and tourists alike can relax by the pool, have a bite to eat and enjoy a variety of spa treatments right in the heart of the city-centre.

2. Take in a show.

Rob Brewer

Bristol is home to some of the greatest theatre spaces in England, from the grand auditoriums of the Bristol Old Vic and the Hippodrome, to the more intimate playhouses such as the Tobacco Factory Theatre and The Wardrobe Theatre. The public can take in a range of different shows from glitzy musicals to grand Shakespeare productions to charming indie performances. There really is something for everyone.

3. Try the local favourite.

KEW

As with most places in the West Country, Bristolians always have a desire to drink a nice bit of silent. The King Street area in particular holds a range of pubs from Kongs to the Famous Royal Navy Volunteer and even The Apple at the end of the street by the waterfront. If there was ever a place for a pub crawl, King Street would be a first priority.

4. Track down a hidden secret.

The craze of secret bars has well and truly made it to Bristol, with a few hidden gems located around the city. The Milk Thistle on Colton Avenue brings 1920s America to England, whilst Hyde & Co is hidden behind a simple sign of a bowler hat. These secret locations offer a respite from the loud nights out Bristol bars usually bring and offer a quieter, classy experience.

5. Paint the town red.

Bristol is home to a variety of different nightclubs. The 02 Academy turns into the club night Ramshackle every Friday night whilst Motion turns a converted skate park into a hot spot for Bristol party people and creates a style reminiscent of 90s raves. Another highlight is Thekla, a club located on a disused boat that features bands and club nights nearly every night

6. Explore the waters.

Bristol was a city built on trade from spices to sugar to slavery. These days are more or less gone but the water in and around Bristol remains. Running all around the year, Bristol Ferry Boats acts as a water taxi around the town, offering a unique view on your journey.

7. Appreciate the local art.

One of the most visible aspects of Bristol that you'll see all over the town is graffiti. Bristol is absolutely covered in the stuff from the heart of the city centre all the way to the outskirts. Banksy is from Bristol and a large amount of his work adorns the streets and is a key photo opportunity for tourists.

8. Festival season = all-year round.

The city hosts a grand amount of festivals over the course of the year, especially in the summer months. From music festival Love Saves The Day, where tourists attack Bristol to see local talent and big name acts, to assembling for the Balloon Fiesta and getting drunk while you watch them launch, there really is something for everyone in Bristol with these events

9. Get active on The Downs

From the Suspension Bridge to the top of Whiteladies Road, The Downs give Bristol that feeling of the country in the heart of the city centre. Dog walkers, joggers, sports teams and people just wanting a suntan descend daily to enjoy the lush area. The Sea Wall also gives a sublime view of the Avon Gorge that is a key photo opportunity for anyone

10. Learn the history.

Richard Bryant / Richard Bryant/arcaidimages.com

The M Shed is nestled just by the waterfront and is a museum focused on telling the story of Bristol through its unique exhibits. Highlights at the moment include the city of 'Briswool', a replica of Bristol in knitted form and coming soon is the 'Pyronaut trips' where the public can see Bristol's fire boat perform a show

So come on down to Bristol, where there really is something for everyone and discover the secrets this great city has to offer!