A summer day trip to Bristol

Only an hour from Cardiff, Bristol is a cultural hub that is well worth a visit for any Cardiff University student.  After regularly visiting Bristol throughout my degree, I’ve developed a repertoire of the best things to do. Let me guide you through a day that I spent in Bristol this summer, with recommendations on how to effectively spend a laid-back summer day in Bristol.

Try out a walking tour 

The best way to see any city while getting your history hit is a walking tour. It is the perfect thing to do when you first arrive (it might also help you find your way around the city). While there are many walking tours around Bristol, my personal favourite is the Blackbeard to Banksy Walking Tour, which will take you through hundreds of years of Bristol’s history right up to the current role of Bristol as an art hub, most notably as the origin of Banksy.

Visit Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

Next, for another splash of culture, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery is great to explore. The museum features Egyptian mummies, while the art galleries offer the likes of Philip James de Loutherbourg and Thomas Gainsborough.

Time for a coffee is a local café

Next, Bristol is full of cute artsy cafés with speciality coffee and delicious baked goods. My café of choice on my visit to Bristol was Interlude Coffee, but there are plenty of excellent choices that you will stumble across while walking around.

Picnic on College Green

After enjoying a coffee, why not head outside to make the most of the summer afternoons? People play games, have drinks and enjoy being social in to the evening. You can spend some time here enjoying the weather and the atmosphere. This is also the perfect picnic spot!

Wine bars 

To end your day in Bristol, I recommend heading to one of the variations of wine bars available. Personally, I visited Bravas, which offers a menu of small plates, an excellent wine list (with the helpful staff to explain your choices) and perfect coffee options. There is an intimate atmosphere and friendly staff, to help create the perfect experience. In addition, there is regular live music in their outside area that you may run into if your timing is right.

In all, Bristol is a great city to visit on a summer day to enjoy some art and culture, especially on a student budget. A top tip is to check out the coach and rail tickets. Flix bus can offer tickets from Cardiff to Bristols for as little as £2.29!