48 Hours in: Bristol
Day 1 18:00 – 00:00
First thing’s first, you want to make sure you’re staying in the centre of the city so that you can make the most of your weekend. Bristol’s a very walkable city, so we suggest Hort’s Townhouse, a stunning Grade II listed boutique pub with 19 rooms located right in the heart of the city. Beautifully restored to its former glory, no two rooms are quite the same, which obviously means we’ll need to come back and visit another time.
The Hort’s team made our welcome extra special with homemade sweet treats and a little tipple of port in our rooms, kicking off the staycation state of mind. Whilst the pub downstairs is gorgeous, it’s time to drop your bags and walk over to King Street for some pre-dinner drinks.
King Street is always buzzing but never more so than Friday night. This street is home to Bristol’s craft beer scene, as well as the Bristol Old Vic and some of the most historically important architecture in the city. Start at one end and work your way down on your very own pub crawl, where you’ll be able to try some of the best craft beer from across the South West. We’d recommend ending up at King Street Brew House, who have their very own micro-brewery on site and up to 16 of their own beers on draught at any time. Head Brewer Simon has been there since day 1 and alongside GM Wally, has turned King Street Brew House into a real Bristolian icon since first opening the doors in 2016.
Once your thirst feels suitably quenched, it’s time to head to Rudy’s Pizza, for some truly delicious Neapolitan pizza. Luckily the team there have now opened table bookings online so we’d recommend booking ahead but there’s always a few spots for walk-in tables.
Day 2
Today is all about sightseeing and taking in the best of Bristol’s art and heritage. Opt for a leisurely breakfast in the bead at the hotel or head to one of the city’s many incredible bakeries for some brekkie and coffee on the go. We headed to Mokoko and Farro during our visit and can highly recommend both.
Then we’re heading slightly out of the city centre to the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and can be best viewed from the Clifton Observatory Viewpoint. But first (depending on how much of a lie in you had!), you’re going to stop off at Bristol’s Museum & Art Gallery at the top of Park Street.
After taking in the panoramic views of the city, you’re off to spend the afternoon exploring Gloucester Road, the longest road of independent shops in the UK. You can either jump on a bike and cycle across or there’s a few different bus routes which will take you to North Bristol where this vibrant road is located. Spend the afternoon browsing through the indie shops, thrifting your next fave purchase and of course, eating your way down the street at the cafes, restaurants and pubs. This is also the perfect time to seek out some Banksy artwork, as several of their famous street pieces are located here.
Once you’ve suitably shopped till you’ve potentially dropped, it’s time to head back to the city centre and a well deserved tipple in the Hort’s bar downstairs.
If you can, we’d recommend using this evening to visit the Bristol Old Vic just about 10 minute walk away. A key player in the UK’s theatre scene, the Old Vic also regularly throws its doors open and hosts pop-up collaborations with other artists and collectives, such as Sofar Sounds, who highlight upcoming and established artists through their secret gigs across the country.
Day 3
On your final day before catching the train or driving back home, it’s time to head to St. Nicholas’ Market, just around the corner in the old town part of the city. Open every day, this indoor market champions the independent spirit of the city with rotating vendors selling everything from books to clothes to fabrics to flowers to food and more. Get lost in the winding aisles and you’re sure to find a gem to bring home with you.
After the markets, head towards the historic harbour side for lunch at The Riverstation which overlooks the iconic colourful houses of Cliftonwood. Nabbing a table by the huge windows means you’ll be able to people watch the harbour below, which is busy with tour boats, kayaks, wildlife and rowers (no matter the weather!). Head Chef Ollie recently won the Chef of the Year award at the Young’s Awards in 2025, for curating a refined dining experience in a relaxed, gorgeous space and using the very best local produce. We’d recommend the catch of the day and the bergamot cured trout.
After a long, leisurely lunch, there’s just enough time to head across the harbour to M Shed, which tells the story of Bristol and its people and places. From its industrial roots to it’s revolutionary spirit, you’ll learn about the activism that has been integral to the identity of the city and the important groups and individuals along the way. M Shed isn’t to be missed so definitely make time for it in your itinerary.