Top 10 Fun Things To Do In Bristol in 2026

Location: Cabot Circus, Upper Ground, BS1 3BX (a 15-minute walk from Bristol Temple Meads).

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Round up your mates and step into one of Escape Hunt's themed escape rooms in Cabot Circus for 60 minutes of clue-cracking, puzzle-solving, and the kind of teamwork that either makes or tests friendships.

The idea is simple: your group picks a themed room, locks in with 2 to 6 players, and races to solve your way out before time runs out.

You’ll be able to choose between a variety of escape rooms, including:

• Escaping the sinking ship in Blackbeard’s Treasure.
• Cracking the code in Our Finest Hour.
• The Fourth Samurai, where you can defeat the evil warlord.
• Eye of the Sun God.

What makes it genuinely fun is the level of detail in each room, from the sets to the storylines that pull you into the scenario.

It's the sort of thing where everyone finds their role without even trying, whether that's the person who spots patterns, the one who keeps everyone focused, or the friend who confidently tries everything wrong first.

Groups with newer friendships will find it breaks the ice fast, and close friends will enjoy the chaos.

There's a real buzz when the final clue clicks and you make it out just in time.

➡️ Once you're done, you're already in Cabot Circus, so it's easy to carry on with food, drinks, or a wander around the shops.

We'd recommend booking ahead to make sure you get the room you want.

Location: Christmas Steps, Bristol BS1 5BS.

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Christmas Steps is one of Bristol's most atmospheric streets, a steep, narrow flight of Grade II-listed stone steps that has been here since 1669.

The name itself has an interesting and contested origin.

The most widely accepted theory is that it evolved from "Knifesmith Street" in Middle English, when the K in knife was still pronounced, and over the centuries, the street name was gradually corrupted into "Christmas Street" and eventually "Christmas Steps."

At the top, you'll find stone alcoves built into the walls, originally designed so people could rest after the steep climb up to St Michael's Hill.

The buildings that line the steps are just as interesting, many of them Grade II listed, with centuries of history layered into their walls.

It's the kind of place that feels like it belongs in another era, and walking it with friends turns into a proper conversation about what Bristol looked like hundreds of years ago.

💡 Local tip: The steps connect the city centre to the top of St Michael's Hill, and the surrounding streets make up the Christmas Steps Arts Quarter, so it's worth exploring the lanes around it too.

Location: Various locations across Bristol (start at Stokes Croft or the Harbourside).

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Bristol is where Banksy started, and his original pieces are still scattered across the city, waiting to be found.

You don't need a guide or a ticket.

Just grab a free trail map (or an app) and start walking through some of the most colourful, alternative neighbourhoods in the country.

You can spot several well-known surviving works, plus locations of others that have shaped Bristol’s street art story.

Each piece says something sharp about Bristol's rebellious character, and you'll pass dozens of other murals by local artists along the way.

The trail turns what could be a normal walk into a proper adventure, with your group spotting things on walls, arguing about meanings, and wandering into neighbourhoods you'd never have found otherwise.

💡 Local tip: Stokes Croft is the best starting point, as the concentration of street art there is hard to beat, and plenty of independent cafes line the route if you need a pit stop.

Location: Cabot Circus, Glass Walk, BS1 3BX.

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A trip to the cinema might sound like a simple plan, but ODEON Luxe Bristol in Cabot Circus takes it up a level with its comfortable reclining seats and premium viewing experience.

It's the kind of place where even the kids notice the difference, sinking into proper seats with plenty of legroom and a big, bright screen that makes any film feel like an event.

The Luxe format means less chaos, more comfort, and a genuinely enjoyable outing for the whole family.

It works brilliantly for rainy days, school holidays, or any afternoon when you want something relaxed that everyone can agree on.

There are 8 screens of movie magic, including state-of-the-art IMAX and iSense screens.

Stretching floor to ceiling and wall to wall, the IMAX screen allows you to experience the latest blockbusters in awe-inspiring detail, on a picture so big it feels like being in the film.

This is accompanied by crystal-clear precision audio that’s powered from dozens of speakers set all around that can help you not only to hear a pin drop, but to tell exactly where it landed.

The cinema runs a wide mix of family films, blockbusters, and new releases, so there's usually something on that fits the bill.

You can choose from luxury reclining seats with extra legroom, or indulge in a VIP Bed, which transforms the front-row experience with the biggest seat in the house.

And, for those looking for more privacy, the Luxe Suite experience features two-seater Luxe Pods with triple the standard legroom.

You and your family can grab snacks before or after in Cabot Circus itself, which keeps the whole trip simple and stress-free.

➡️ We'd recommend checking screening times and booking online before you head over, as popular family showings can fill up quickly.

As the cinema is located in the Cabot Circus Shopping Centre, ODEON guests can enjoy up to 4 hours of parking for just £2.50 before 5 PM, and a flat rate of £2.50 anytime between 5 PM and 6 AM.

Note: Tickets need to be validated at the cinema to qualify.

Location: Cabot Circus, Upper Ground, BS1 3BQ.

Treetop Golf in Cabot Circus brings the jungle indoors with two 18-hole mini golf courses that are bright, loud, and built for a good laugh.

Your kids can pick between the Tropical Trail and the Ancient Explorer, both packed with creative obstacles, colourful designs, and enough surprises to keep them entertained the whole way round.

The rules are easy enough for even the youngest players to pick up quickly, and the atmosphere is relaxed, so nobody's stressing about scores.

What really works is how naturally it brings out friendly competition, with the whole family cheering, groaning, and celebrating in equal measure.

Being indoors means the weather can't spoil it, and the themed surroundings make it feel like more than just a game.

Once you've played through, Pizza Cabana and the Jungle Buzz Cafe are right there for a post-game slice and a drink.

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Walk-ins are welcome, but for larger groups, booking ahead is a smart move.

Location: Brandon Hill Park, Bristol BS1 5RR.

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Cabot Tower sits at the top of Brandon Hill, Bristol's oldest park, and the views from the top stretch across rooftops, church spires, and green hills in every direction.

The tower was built in the 1890s to mark the explorer John Cabot's voyage from Bristol to North America, so there's a proper bit of history behind it too.

Kids will enjoy the climb up the spiral staircase, and the reward at the top is worth every step.

It's completely free, which makes it a great option for a spontaneous afternoon outing.

Brandon Hill itself is a lovely green space to explore before or after, with paths winding through mature trees and open grassy areas where children can run about.

💡 Local tip: Before you head off, you can stock up on picky bits from the M&S Foodhall at Cabot Circus.

Do note that the tower can close due to weather or maintenance.

Location: Philip Street, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 4EA.

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Windmill Hill City Farm is a proper Bristol gem, tucked away in Bedminster and completely free to visit.

Kids can get up close with pigs, goats, chickens, ducks, and more, and there's something about watching a child meet a goat for the first time that never gets old.

The farm also has community gardens and green spaces where little ones can run around and explore at their own pace.

It's small enough to feel relaxed rather than overwhelming, which makes it ideal for younger children who don't need a packed itinerary to have a brilliant time.

The on-site cafe is a great spot to sit down with a coffee while the kids are still buzzing from the animals.

Entry is free, though donations are welcome and go towards keeping the farm running as a community space.

Location: Cabot Circus, Upper Ground, BS1 3BX.

King Pins in Cabot Circus is the kind of date-night spot where you can bowl a few frames, make fun of each other's technique, and then drift into karaoke or a game of pool without any pressure.

The atmosphere is upbeat but relaxed, which is exactly what you want when you're trying to have a good time without overthinking it.

Beyond the lanes, there's:

• Karaoke.
• Ice-free curling.
• Pool.
• Large arcade.

It's the kind of place that makes a date feel easy, the conversation flows, and you can switch between activities whenever you feel like it.

When the hunger hits (and it will), King Pins has a solid food menu and a wide selection of drinks to wrap up the evening.

➡️ The venue also offers baby-changing facilities, highchairs, and step-free access throughout, so it works for parents out with little ones in tow.

Location: Unit SU9, 11 Quakers Friars, Broadmead, Bristol BS1 3BU.

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Six By Nico at Cabot Circus brings something genuinely different to a dinner date: a six-course tasting menu that changes its theme every six weeks.

Each menu is inspired by a different place, memory, or idea, so the food you eat one month might be completely different from what's on offer the next.

It makes for brilliant conversation, as each course arrives as a small surprise, and you end up talking about flavours, memories, and places you've been (or want to go).

The setting is intimate without being stuffy, and the pacing of the courses gives the evening a natural rhythm.

It's ideal for couples who are a bit bored with the usual dinner-out routine and want something that feels more like an experience.

➡️ Tables tend to go fast when a new menu drops, so booking early is a good idea if you want a specific date.

Location: Broad Weir, Bristol BS1 3XB (right next to Cabot Circus and Broadmead).

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Castle Park is one of those places that feels like a deep breath in the middle of a busy city, and it's a lovely spot for a quiet walk together.

The park sits right alongside the Floating Harbour, and the waterfront path is perfect for a slow stroll with easy, unhurried conversation.

You'll pass the atmospheric ruins of St Peter's Church, bombed during the Bristol Blitz in 1940 and left standing as a memorial, which gives the park a reflective, almost cinematic quality.

There are also the remains of Bristol Castle's medieval keep, with interpretation panels that tell the story of what stood here centuries ago.

It's free, open at all times, and just steps from Cabot Circus, which makes it easy to weave into a longer day together in the city centre.

The mix of green space, harbour views, and quiet history makes it feel like a proper escape, even though you're right in the heart of Bristol.