Top 20 things to do in 3 days in and around Bristol, UK

11. Walk in the Mendip Hills

The Mendip Hills are only a short drive away from the centre of Bristol, and a great place to go for a walk. The scenery is just lovely, with green rolling hills stretching as far as you can see. There are plenty of walks to choose from. I’d recommend getting this walking guide (affiliate) if you’re planning a trip to the area, so you can choose a walk that suits you. This guide also has some great maps for the walks so you won’t get lost.

12. Eat at Pieminister in Bristol

My favourite place to eat lunch in Bristol is Pieminister. This pie shop has a few shops around the city, including one in St Nicholas Market. There’s a great selection of pies, including some good vegetarian options. The mash and gravy is a great addition too. If the weather is nice, you can get a takeaway and go to sit in one of the nearby lovely parks to eat your lunch.

13. Enjoy the Cliff Top Walk over Cheddar

To really appreciate the size and steep cliffs of Cheddar Gorge, you need to look down on it from above. There’s a lovely 3 mile long cliff top walk from the village of Cheddar, which gives you some great views. You have to climb the 274 steps up Jacob’s Ladder first, which is tough but there are plenty of spaces to take a rest! It’s worth it once you get to the top. Climb up the Lookout Tower for more lovely views, and then start the walk. As well as stunning views over the gorge, you also get lovely views across the Mendip Hills as well.

14. Marvel at the Clifton Suspension Bridge

Clifton Suspension Bridge is another iconic Bristol sight. My favourite place to see the bridge is from Clifton Observatory. You don’t need to pay to go inside the observatory. Just walk through the beautiful park of Clifton Downs up to the observatory, and then enjoy the view down to the bridge. If you’re able to visit in the evening, the light on the bridge is just beautiful.

15. Learn how Cheddar Cheese is made

As well as eating Cheddar Cheese in Cheddar, another of the top 20 things to do in 3 days in and around Bristol is to learn how Cheddar Cheese is made. The visitor centre lets you go behind the scenes to see the process of making cheddar cheese. As well as watching people make the cheese, you can also watch the videos that tell you about the whole process. On your way out of the visitor centre, you can also try some of the cheese as well, including some interesting flavoured cheddars like chilli and charcoal.

16. Play arcade games on the pier at Weston-Super-Mare

Continue your fun day in Weston-Super-Mare with a trip to the pier to play some arcade games. There’s a huge selection of games at the end of the arcade games. These include the 2p machines, claw games, dance mats, and also plenty of video games. Get some change and start playing! And when you’ve had enough of the games, step outside on the pier and enjoy the beautiful views out to see as well.

17. Play an Escape Room in Bristol

I love playing Escape Rooms, and Bristol has a great selection. I played a Doctor Who themed escape room at Escape Hunt in Cabot Circus, and it was great fun. If you haven’t played an escape room before, the idea is that you’re locked in a room and you have to solve a series of puzzles and clues to find the key to escape. They’re great fun and really encourage you to work in a team with your friends/family/partner as you all try to escape within the hour time limit.

18. Party the night away with Bristol’s nightlife

Bristol has some great nightlife. As well as world class theatres, there are plenty of other entertainment venues as well. There are lived music venues such as The Fleece, and also loads of bars and restaurants. It’s a great place to party the night away.

19. Go shopping at Cabot Circus

Bristol also has some great shops, and is a great place for a day out shopping. Cabot Circus is one of my favourite shopping centres in Bristol. It’s right in the centre, and really modern and airy with some great restaurants as well. There are great shops all around, so start spending some money!

20. Relax with a drink on the Bristol waterfront

The last of my top 20 things to do in 3 days in and around Bristol is to relax with a drink on the Bristol waterfront. The river really is one of my favourite places in Bristol. After a busy day sightseeing and shopping, make sure you leave some time to relax. Pick a bar, and if the weather is nice enough you can sit outside and enjoy the views.

Enjoy the top 20 things to do in 3 days in and around Bristol! I’d recommend checking out this great guide to the area to help plan your trip (affiliate). If you’re looking for more detailed guides to the area, check out my guides to Bristol, Cheddar Gorge, and the beaches at Weston-Super-Mare and Brean Beach. There are many more beautiful areas of the UK to visit as well, such as North Devon, Dorset and Wiltshire.