Visiting Bristol for the first time? Here are 5 things you must do

Bristol is a lively city located in the southwest of England that has a long history – and happens to be one of the UK’s coolest cities to visit right now.

That’s thanks to a large young student population, a wide cultural diversity and being an affluent centre for media, digital and creative industries.

Firstly, here’s how to find it:

Bristol is situated on the River Avon, about 120 miles (190km) west of London.

It is the largest city in the South West of England, is just a few miles from the Bristol Channel and the sea, and is near the border with Wales.

Bristol is on two motorways, is a major port and has an international airport, making it a hub for commerce and travel. It’s easy to reach on mainline trains and coaches too.

What about Bristol in the past?

Bristol rose to prominence as a medieval port. It then played a big role in British colonial endeavors.

Cabot sailed from Bristol to claim New Foundland in Canada and the city docks and harbours were once thriving centres for world trade. Huge old warehouses still line the watersides.

Modern Bristol

In recent years, Bristol has gained a reputation for its diverse culture, arts scene, and progressive politics. The city hosts loads of festivals, and has far more art galleries and theatres than normal provincial cities.

Part of the reason for that is that it is home to prestigious colleges, including the University of Bristol and University of the West of England.

Bristol has a thriving music scene and is considered the birthplace of trip-hop, with artists like Massive Attack and Portishead originating there. And it has a reputation for being environmentally conscious and progressive in social and political issues.

What to do

Bristol's combination of historical significance and modern culture makes it an intriguing city to visit. It’s compact too, so it’s easy to explore its diverse neighbourhoods, cultural attractions, and major sights.

If you're visiting Bristol for the first time, there are several must-see and must-do activities. Here are five of the best things to do:

Walk across Clifton Suspension Bridge

Clifton Suspension Bridge is an iconic symbol of Bristol and a masterpiece of engineering designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

It spans the rock faces of Avon Gorge high above the river below. Walk across for breathtaking views of the city.

On one side are woods and parkland, on the other the up-market district of Clifton with cafes, bars and restaurants.

Enjoy the nightlife From clubs to casinos, Bristol comes alive after dark. With some much affluence and so many young people, there’s always plenty to do.

It’s fun to visit a glamorous real-life casino like Rainbow’s, Grosvenor or Be Lucky. Grosvenor Casino has a huge range of slots, including Cleopatra and Lucky Lady’s Charm so it’s a good idea to read up and learn how to play slots before your visit to make the most of it.

Or try one of the high-end restaurants like Marmo or Harbour House. There are plenty of exciting small ethnic food restaurant around the city too.

And some of the coolest clubs and music venues, like Lakota and the Thekla.