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17 Fun and Unusual Things to Do in Bristol
Bristol is known for being a young and vibrant city. That’s why there are also so many quirky and unusual things to do in Bristol, from watching a movie in the last video rental place to sliding down an ancient stone slide, there will be something for everyone.
I have been to Bristol multiple times and I always love coming back because there are so many unique things to do in Bristol.
The 17 best unusual things to do in Bristol
1. Do a treasure hunt with your friends
Bristol used to be home to the infamous pirate Blackbeard. So, what better place for a pirate-themed treasure hunt?
Solve riddles on your phone while you explore the city and learn interesting facts about Bristol’s history.
All you need is a phone with internet connection and your friends. You can do this treasure hunt at your own pace and take as many breaks as you want. For example, you can have a pint in the pub, in which Blackbeard used to drink as well.
š¤© Check the Price of the Treasure Hunt!
2. Have a pint in the oldest pub in the city
The Hatchet Inn is the oldest still operating pub in Bristol. It was originally built in 1606 and it’s a Grade II listed building, meaning it’s under special protection.
It is said that the famous pirate Blackbeard, who was from Bristol, used to go drinking in the Hatchet Inn.
I did a guided tour through Bristol and according to our tour guide legend says that underneath the paint on the entrance door is the skin of convicts to ward off evil.
š¤© Learn more about the oldest pub on a walking tour through Bristol!
3. Walk the Treasure Island Trail
Not done with pirate-themed quirky things to do in Bristol? Continue on the Treasure Island Trail created by the Long John Silver Trust.
Treasure Island is a famous novel by the author Robert Louis Stevenson written in the late 19. century. In the story, the heroes meet in Bristol and learn about a hidden treasure.
It’s a short trail around Queen Square with 8 stops. At every stop, you learn a little bit about Bristol’s history.
4. Go for lunch at St Nicholas Market
St Nicholas Market is a very popular place among locals to get some lunch. There are multiple food stalls serving street food from all over the world.
Even though thereās no all-vegan food stall at St Nick’s market there are plenty of vegan options, from falafel to vegan paella and vegan curry.
I visited the market right after I had lunch at a vegan restaurant in Bristol so I didnāt try any food myself but it looked great. And if the queues are any indication the food must be really good for people to wait in line until they get something.
5. The Corn Exchange
Inside the historic Corn Exchange you can find one of the best markets in Bristol. Itās the perfect spot for some souvenir shopping or to get a gift for a friend or for yourself.
At different stalls, you can find clothes, bags, organic cooking ingredients and much more.
Even though Iām not much for shopping since Iām a minimalist traveller and try not to buy anything while travelling I enjoyed walking through the market in this beautiful historic building.
When you stand in front of the building take some time to have a closer look at the clock on the building. It has three hands since time was measured a bit differently in Bristol than in London.
š¤© Learn more about the clock on the Corn Exchange on a walking tour through Bristol!
6. Temple Church
I donāt know what it is but I think half destroyed churches from long ago have such a magical feeling about them. Temple Church got destroyed during the Second World War and today you can walk around inside the church without a roof or windows.
This church reminded me a lot of the abandoned church in Liverpool but the Temple Church in Bristol is even better because you can actually walk around inside it.
7. Play a board game at Chance & Counters
I love playing board games but while travelling I usually donāt get the chance to play a game. So, I was very happy to have found the Chance & Counters board game cafĆ©. Itās located in the prettiest alley in Bristol, Christmas Steps.
You have to pay 2Ā£ per person per hour for playing a game at the cafĆ©. The selection of board games is really big and the staff is very friendly and helpful.
We couldnāt decide what to play so a member of staff gave us a few recommendations. And they can even explain the rules to you but I opted for reading them myself because itās easier for me to understand rules if I read them as opposed to just hearing them.
You can also have some food before or after playing a game and they have some vegan options like pizza.
8. Watch a movie at the last video rental place
The last video rental place in the UK is in Bristol! At 20th Century Flicks you canāt just rent a wide variety of movies from international artsy movies to blockbusters you can also rent a tiny cinema room.
They show every movie they have on screen and you can bring your own drinks and snacks (everything except popcorn because they sell popcorn).
The price depends on which screening room you book, they have two, and on the number of people. You can check the prices online.
Itās one of the best unique things to do in Bristol with friends!
9. Eat lunch in a shipping container
One of the most unusual places to eat in Bristol is at Cargo1 or Cargo2. They are a punch of shipping containers at the Wapping Wharf just behind the M Shed which got transformed into restaurants and shops.
One container contains a vegan fast food place, unfortunately, it was under reconstruction when I visited.
10. Slide down the Ancient Stone Slider
The Clifton Suspension Bridge is one of the most famous landmarks in Bristol and is one of the main attractions. One of the hidden gems in Bristol is located on Clifton Hill close to the suspension bridge: the ancient stone slider.
The ancient stone slider is a natural slide down a small hill. Over the years the stone got completely smooth from people sliding down it.
To be completely honest, I was a bit scared of sliding down a rock because I worried about getting too fast and hurting myself. In the end, I scraped my hand a little bit from braking.
11. Take a look at the Bristol Camera Obscura
Inside Clifton Observatory you can find one of only three working Camera Obscuras in the United Kingdom. It was built in 1828 and shows panoramic views of Bristol.
A Camera Obscura projects an image on a wall and is a predecessor of the modern camera. At the time of its invention, it was an incredible scientific marvel.
The Clifton Obersavory is also the perfect place for a great view of the Clifton Suspension Bridge going over River Avon.
12. Stroll through Clifton Village
Clifton Village is a great place to just stroll through and go for a coffee. The village is filled with independent shops and cute coffee shops.
A lovely place to have some coffee and a vegan snack is the East Village CafĆ©. It’s a popular spot since they have a great outdoor seating area.
13. Relax at College Green
To be completely honest College Green doesnāt look like much, itās just a patch of grass between the Bristol Cathedral and the Bristol City Council but itās so popular amongst locals that it’s one of the best alternative things to do in Bristol.
So, bring a picnic blanket or just sit down on the grass, enjoy the view and relax. Thatās one reason why I love Bristol, people use the green spaces in the city to meet up with friends and hang out sitting on the ground.
When you’re lying on the grass don’t miss looking up to the roof of the City Council house where you can see two golden unicorns.
14. Walk up Cabot Tower
Brandon Hill is a beautiful park just outside Bristol city centre. Itās nice for a stroll on a sunny day but the highlight of the park is Cabot Tower.
Cabot Tower was built in 1890 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot’s journey from Bristol to North America.
The tower is located on top of a hill and I couldnāt believe that there is no entrance fee. So, it’s one of the best things to do in Bristol for free.
The stairway is very narrow and the steps are really small. So, be careful while climbing the stairs and be ready for it to be very windy once you reach the top. But itās so worth it.
You have the best view of Bristol and the surrounding countryside from the top of the Cabot Tower. And you can even see some street art pieces from the top since theyāre so big you can easily see them from afar.
15. Go for a walk on Spike Island
Spike Island is surrounded by the Avon River and it’s a great place for a walk. You can walk next to the river and enjoy the view of the colourful houses on the other side of the river.
On Spike Island, you can also find the famous SS Great Britain. At the time of construction in 1845, the SS Great Britain was the largest ship in the world. The ship was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the transatlantic journey between Bristol and New York.
Today the ship is a museum and one of the best places to learn about Bristol’s rich history.
16. See your own reflection at Millennium Square
To me, Millennium Square feels like the modern centre of Bristol. There are countless historic buildings in the city centre and surrounding Bristol harbour and then suddenly you’re on a big square with reflecting modern structures.
Millennium Square is also a popular place for events.
17. Hope that a festival is on
Bristol is an ideal place to listen to live music or live performances. Just check online what events are going on at the time of your visit.
And when you’re lucky there will be one of the unique festivals on during your visit. One of the most unique things in Bristol is the Jack in the Green festival which is celebrated in spring to welcome the summer.
Final thoughts: Quirky things to do Bristol
Even though there are so many alternative things to do in Bristol, like the last video rental place in the UK, don’t forget to do the popular things as well, like admire the amazing Bristol street art or go to the Bristol Museum.
Whatever you end up doing, Bristol is an amazing city and I’m already looking forward to the next time visiting.
Read more:
- 17 Fun and Unusual Things to Do in Bristol
- The 11 Best All-Vegan Restaurants in Bristol
- 7 Absolute Best Day Trips from Bristol
- Amazing Day Trip to Bath from Bristol
- Top 10 Best Cities to Visit in the UK: Donāt Miss Out!
- Best Day Trip to Cardiff from Bristol by Train
- 10 Best Free Things to Do in Cardiff, Wales
- Is Cardiff Worth Visiting? Pros and Cons of Walesā Capital
- Best Day Trip from Bristol to Stonehenge With Extra Stops
- Is Stonehenge Worth Seeing? Why I Donāt Think It Is
- 10 Best Things to Do in Bath England
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