swimming

Singular experiences and a laid-back liveliness await in Bristol.

Discover Local in Bristol

Epicureans will feel right at home at Stokes Croft. This inspiring neighbourhood just up north of the city centre is Bristol’s cultural and artistic hub and packed with lively art, cool cafes, quirky pubs, vintage shops and more. Stokes Croft has a palpable sense of subculture, community and artistic drive that few other neighbourhoods in the UK can match. Head to the local Stokes Croft Museum, admire the colourful street art, go to one of the restaurants or pick up a handcrafted treasure from the Market at the Moon. End your day enjoying live music from talented local musicians in one of the many bars and clubs.

Experience the culture of Stokes Croft

Head to Bristol’s historic city centre to find one of its most interesting (and interestingly named) streets. The unique art and shopping area exists above and along a set of steep steps constructed in 1669, giving the area its name. Long ago, the area was home to six inns frequented by seafaring men in search of a strong drink. While a great beverage is still available, the district is now known for its unique collection of shops, galleries, and studios. Ceramics, hats, clothing, art in all mediums – you can find someone making and selling them in the heart of the district. It’s an ideal way to spend an afternoon. Stop by one of the many cafes and restaurants before you peruse the shops. No matter who is waiting at home, you’ll find the perfect gift for them along the picturesque Christmas Steps.

Bring home the best gifts from Christmas Steps

Take a step into the past and experience something that feels like it dropped in from the future. Since William West installed and opened it in 1828, the Camera Obscura at the Clifton Observatory has delighted and amazed visitors. Using genius Victorian-era engineering, the camera projects a room-sized live image of the surrounding countryside and Bristol. Once you’re behind the camera, turn it 360 degrees for a panoramic view that has continued to inspire wonder long past the onset of photography. The camera sits on a hill nearly 340 feet above the nearby river and is one of only three working cameras obscura in the United Kingdom. On your way to the camera, be sure to visit the museum to learn more about the history of the camera and observatory. You’ll be shocked by how something so old can feel so new!

See Bristol in a new light with the Camera Obscura

For centuries, Bristol’s greatest asset has been the docks and floating harbour around which it is built. From pirates and sugar traders to the pleasure-seekers of today, the waterways at the heart of the city have brought people from all walks of life to Bristol and helped shape it to the place we all know and love today. The area is alive with the buzz of Sunday markets, waterside restaurants and bars and a whole host of sports and activities including yachting, paddle boarding, cycling and rowing. This lively location will definitely excite you!

Where it all began: Bristol Harbour

One of the most exciting things about Bristol's food and drink scene is the abundance of breweries. On almost every corner you can try a locally-made beer, whether it’s while visiting one of the city's vibrant pubs or brewery tap rooms, or going on a beer tour around town. Our favourites are breweries like Bristol Beer Factory, Moor Beer and Wiper and True. Also, several pubs in town brew their own small batches for you to try, including King Street Brewhouse and Zero Degrees. Keep an eye on the local calendars, as Bristol is home to several beer events throughout the year, including the East Bristol Brewery Trail, Bristol Beer Week and the Bristol Craft Beer Festival. Many local pubs also hold their own mini beer festivals throughout the year. This is beer heaven!

Enjoy Bristol's craft beer breweries

Bristol Lido is quietly tucked away down on Oakfield Place. Built back in 1850 and re-opened in 2008 after closing for almost twenty years, Bristol Lido has been fully restored with spa facilities and a new restaurant and café. The eyecatcher is the 24 metres long outdoor swimming pool. At around 22 to 25 degrees Celsius, it allows for comfortable swimming all year and is a wonderfully refreshing contrast to the heat of the other spa facilities – the sauna, steam room and hot tub. If you are looking to visit Bristol Lido and would like to use the pool and enjoy a meal or have a massage, there are some packages available to book. Please note all the packages are for adults only.

The Lido, Bristol