The Best of Bristol

Caption: Stroll along the waterfront in Bristol

Bristol is a brilliant and bustling city and, at just a little over half an hour by train from Swindon, it's the perfect spot to enjoy a day out. Flanked by sea and separated by a river, there's plenty to do next to the water where it's wonderfully atmospheric and moody on a rainy day, just as it is beautiful on a bright one. We've got some suggestions that will keep everybody happy, whether shopaholic, fanatical foodie, young, old, or anything in between.

Make Friends with the Animals

Start off the day with a wonderfully wholesome activity down at one of Bristol's two tiny farms. You'll find one in Saint Werbughs and the other at Windmill Hill, with plans for a third in Hartcliffe, though you'll have to be patient a while before that one materialises. The farms are small in scale, meaning that they fit easily within the inner city environment. Despite their small size, you can still expect to see all of the things you would on a proper working farm, including plenty of adorable animals. Whether goats, pigs, sheep, chickens, or ducks are your thing, you'll be well catered for at either site. Both sell animal feed so if you've got any budding farmers in your party then they will be able to feed the animals too.

See Bristol by Boat

Caption: The waterbus gives views of the city that you might not have seen before

There's so much water in Bristol and it makes the perfect place to get a really good look at this picturesque city. Always one step ahead of the game, Bristol council recently decided that diesel cars would not be welcome in their city center. So, if you're needing a way to get around then you'll be pleased to hear that they welcomed a bid from Bristol Ferry Boats to operate a waterbus service around Bristol Harbour. The waterbus travels from the Temple Meads station all the way around to the SS Great Britain, with plenty of stops along the way. Of course you can use it to hop on and off for travel around the city, but it's also a lovely and very cost-effective way to get a tour of Bristol from the water. If you're in the mood for more marine adventures then ride the waterbus to Underfall Yard. Here they have a working boatyard, which is fascinating for any keen gongoozlers, as well as a handful of visitor exhibits that detail Bristol's marine history. There's also information on some of the different kinds of boats that you'll spot in the harbour.

A Break from the Sun

Although Bristol is beautiful when the sun shines - especially lately as we've seen record temperatures - it can be a little oppressive. If you're looking for somewhere to get out of the heat and into some air conditioning then the Grosvenor Casino is a fun option. They offer all kinds of games here from roulette to blackjack and, of course, plenty of slot machines. The friendly staff are available to give pointers at quieter moments, but if you want to arrive feeling confident then practicing some games online first can be a good idea. Roulette is a great option to start with, as it's very simple to pick up. At PokerStars Casino there is a huge range of variants, so you can find the one that you're most comfortable playing. American Roulette has two zero squares on the board, meaning there's a larger house edge than European roulette where there is just one. You'll also find High Roller roulette that will allow you to place larger bets than the other variants. Having a round or two of each game will help you to feel confident in your abilities and know which game you prefer before you step foot in the casino. Of course, if you just want to cool down then go right ahead, you'll be able to pick things up in no time.

Time for Some Retail Therapy

Bristol is known for its vibrant scene of artists, musicians and creatives which has, in turn, given rise to lots of independent retailers selling their wares. Whilst there are plenty of independent shops all over Bristol, the largest congregation of them is on Gloucester Road. So large is this street of shops, it is in fact the largest strip of independent retailers in the whole of Europe. There are far too many stores to name each and every one of them, but expect a wide variety of cafes and eateries, serving excellent coffee and homemade fare inspired by culinary cultures from around the world. Once you've grabbed some refreshments, you can browse through stunning artworks, bohemian fashion, house plants, ceramics and more along this picturesque street.