Arty and free-spirited, with eco credentials to be proud of, laid-back Bristol feels like a little slice of Amsterdam, right here in the UK. Here’s what to see, do, eat and drink for two amazing days here
An eco-minded city that thrives on creativity and community, Bristol is buzzing with independent arts spaces, cafes, bars and clubs. Named as the best place to live in the UK last year, it’s definitely worth paying a visit to this offbeat south-western gem, even if just a flying one. However you choose to explore this free-spirited city, a “gert lush” time is guaranteed for all – just don’t forget to find the perfect Bristol crash pad on Airbnb.
- Jamaica St Stores. Lead image: Peoples Republic Stokes Croft; by the waterfront outside Arnolfini; M shed; Idle Hands record store. All photographs: Laura McCluskey
Day one – cider, shopping and street art
Kickstart your trip with a caffeine hit from Little Victories. This harbourside hangout in Wapping Wharf serves some of the city’s best coffee and uses local Bristol roasters. It’s just around the corner from Cargo, a network of shipping containers home to independent retailers, including the award-winning Bristol Cider Shop.
- Arnolfini; Wapping Wharf; Japanese inspired wave street art by artist Phlegm in Stokes Croft
Next, wander over to Stokes Croft, one of Bristol’s trendiest neighbourhoods and the city’s cultural and artistic hub. This is where the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft are based, the collective behind some of Bristol’s most iconic street art and murals. They’re particularly famous for their unusual decorative china.
While you’re in the area, grab a drink at the Bell. A trusty Bristol classic with an outside seating area, the pub is located just a stone’s throw away from the main Stokes Croft strip and is a magnet for the city’s artists and eccentrics. Or stop by Jamaica St Studios – it’s ethical, seasonal menus, from a reckoned team including former River Cottage Cafe head chef Charlie Jame, has “no culinary boundaries”.
- Peoples Republic, Stokes Croft; Little Victories; the waterfront near Arnolfini
Take a 20-minute stroll down to Bristol’s historic Old Market and fuel up at Fi Real for tasty, reasonably priced vegan Caribbean cuisine and a canteen-style vibe. Enjoy a spot of shopping while you’re there – the Old Market quarter is a mecca for vintage stores – or stop for a pint at Bristol’s gay village. Hydra Books is also well worth a visit – it’s a community bookshop and cafe that doubles up as a public meeting space and embodies the city’s progressive spirit.
Hop in a cab to the north-east central area of the city for some dinner and pre-drinks at one of Bristol’s quirkiest pubs. Nestled away off the beaten track in St Werburghs, the Duke of York is a mural-covered, fairy-lit pub complete with a tenpin bowling alley – it’s the kind of one-off you could only find in Bristol. When you’re suitably fed and watered, make Cosies your final stop of the night and throw yourself straight into the heart of Bristol bass culture at the intimate cellar venue.
- Cafe Kino; Arnolfini
Day two – brunching, galleries and record shopping
Obliterate your hangover with a hearty breakfast from non-profit Cafe Kino in Stokes Croft. This vegan eatery, community space and workers’ co-op hosts everything from untutored life-drawing classes to punk shows – it’s peak Bristol and a vital part of the city’s DIY fabric.
- More of Bristol’s waterfront: the West Country’s answer to the riviera
Take a detour through Castle Park and cross the bridge to the city’s first natural wine bar, Bar Buvette. The bar and restaurant was opened by local chef Peter Taylor and offers a relaxed atmosphere and delicious cheese. A short distance from here, down by the harbour, sits the renowned Arnolfini. “Free thinking since 1961” – it is a Bristol contemporary art institution and the perfect summer hangout for a harbourside beer. Check the gallery’s programme of events to see what’s in store for your trip or just meander on down. There’s also a new exhibition on Bristol Music at M Shed in Clifton (until September), tracing seven decades of the city’s sound.
Round off your Bristol adventure with some record shopping. Dance music is written into the city’s DNA and while its heritage largely belongs to drum’n’bass and the trip-hop-aligned Bristol sound, artists from the area continue to experiment and innovate with sound. These days, a wealth of underground artists, labels and club nights define what is still a diverse and varied scene.
- Idle Hands records; M Shed
Initially launching as a record label in 2009, Idle Hands opened up a store in 2011 and it’s now one of the city’s most beloved record shops for electronic music fans – head to City Road to see for yourself. There’s also Wanted Records – a paradise for cratediggers – which you’ll pass on your way down to the station, along with neighbouring reggae specialists Payback Records.
Don’t leave town on an empty stomach – pop down to Hart’s Bakery by Temple Meads station. Check the bakery’s Twitter account for its specials and feast on everything from Persian noodle soups to kung pao chicken sandwiches and more. There’s also a special seating area that allows customers to watch the bakers while they work, so you can rest your weary legs after another jam-packed day adventuring in this culture-rich city.
Experience the best of buzzing Bristol. Find homes in the historic Old Market quarter, picturesque Clifton, and beyond on Airbnb
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