10 min readIf you’re looking to experience Bristol at a gentler pace, this guide is for you. Slow travel is about swapping whirlwind itineraries for meaningful moments, letting curiosity rather than checklists shape your days. Instead of rushing between sights, you’ll have time to savour what matters most to you - whether that’s sipping cider by the harbour, admiring colourful street art, or wandering through leafy parks.
Staying longer in one place isn’t just more sustainable than flying off on day trips - it’s a way to feel closer to the rhythm of local life. Bristol rewards those who linger: pause, look closer, and you’ll discover stories woven into its streets, flavours, and landscapes.
Image - Unfold Sauna
Wander or ride: Exploring on foot and bike
Slow down and see the city and the surroundings on foot or by bike. You may tick off fewer ‘things to do’ than you would do in a car, but you'll be able to notice more of your surroundings.
Bristol is a city made for walking; you'll find plenty of routes nearby, whether you fancy a gentle urban ramble, a walking tour, or an escape to Bristol’s neighbouring countryside or coast.
Blackbeard 2 Banksy run informative tours around the city, and Show of Strength do fun theatrical tours (with some tours including pub stops along the way too!).
Image - Blackbeard 2 Bansky Walking tour
Enjoy a soothing excursion on two wheels and explore every nook and cranny of the city at a relaxed pace. You can rent bikes or go on a bike tour with Cycle The City and explore mountain bike routes on a guided tour or independently on a hired bike from Pedal Progression. Why not try gravel biking ride from Bristol to Portishead and Pill and stop to admire our awe-inspiring Avon Gorge along the way? Or follow the Bristol & Bath Railway Path (stopping at the cafes and bakeries along the way of course), hop on a train to Yatton and cycle along The Strawberry Line to Cheddar, or train to Weston and cycle between there and Clevedon on the Pier to Pier Cycle Route?
Image - Cycle The City
Green escapes: Parks, nature reserves and green spaces
One of the joys of being in Bristol is that you're never too far away from nature. In the centre, just off Park Street, you’ll find Brandon Hill, at the top of which are benches perfect for overlooking the city, while Ashton Court Estate is a larger green oasis where you can explore two deer parks, orchid meadows, woodland and more. Other parks such as Stoke Park and Blaise Castle offer acres of woodland and greenery to roam around.
Bristol's neighbouring countryside, is well worth a visit and is connected to the city via public transport. Hop aboard a bus and go on a Chew Valley adventure with X91 bus or go on a Mendips adventure with the 376 bus.
- Top tip: Take advantage of the public transport passes, including: The Avon Rider or The Bristol Rider for multi-operator bus travel, or the Freedom Travel pass for inclusive rail and some bus travel.
Image - Ashton Court Estate
For something a bit different, wander through the city’s Red Lodge – a restored walled garden with, an example of a re-created Elizabethan-style knot garden with herbaceous borders. Or visit the unique plant collections and glasshouses at the University of Bristol Botanic Gardens where you'll find over 4,500 species of plants, the beautiful displays are designed to tell the story of plant evolution.
Image - University of Bristol Botanic Garden
Yeo Valley Organic Garden in Blagdon is one of only a handful of Soil Association certified organic gardens in the country and is a lovely spot to spend an afternoon. Order food from the Cake Hole Café and spend some time chatting with the gardeners.
Explore Bristol’s urban green spaces and head on a wholesome day out to Windmill Hill City Farm – a thriving community space, home to a café serving farm-to-table grub, a monthly craft pub, a sauna where you can watch the goats frolic from the windows of the sauna, and shop local artisan producers at the Saturday market.
Image - Windmill City Farm
Head out into Nature
Birdwatching
Take time to relax and explore the nature in and around the city. Bristol’s nearby nature reserves and parks make great spots for bird watching, from peregrine falcons in the Avon Gorge, to starling murmurations on the Somerset levels and Ham Wall.
WWT Slimbridge is a brilliant spot to stay and visit. You can go glamping in one of the shepherd’s huts at Warbler’s Meadow, go on a canoe safari to explore the reserve’s waterways at your own place, spend time in the hides peacefully observing the wildlife, or stroll through the grounds.
Image - Peregrine Falcon in the Avon Gorge
Boost your Blue Health
Water is woven into Bristol life, and slowing down by the harbour, lakes, pools or coast is part of the magic. Combine your visit to Bristol with a trip to one of Bristol’s lakes, pools and nearby coast to experience the blue health benefits from spending time in, on, or near bodies of water.
The Wave – the inland surfing destination near Bristol - is a brilliant spot to discover the joys of surfing with lessons, bodyboarding sessions, and cold-water swimming in the bay. If you just want to enjoy the water without getting wet, you can also sit at the café next to the lake and take in the atmosphere.
Image - The Wave
Why not take to the water on Bristol’s Harbourside and learn a new skill? All Aboard Watersports runs Kayaking and Sailing sessions, and SUP Bristol runs paddleboarding courses. Make the most of the session by slowing down and chatting to your classmates, then finish off your lesson with a meal at the Underfall Yard cafe or nearby pubs.
The nearby marine lakes in Clevedon and Weston-super-Mare provide free outdoor swimming on enclosed, calm waters year-round (water quality dependent). Make the most of your visit to Weston-super-Mare's Marine Lake by heading to the neighbouring sauna after your dip or 'wandering along Clevedon's scenic promenade and visiting the local shops and eateries nearby.
For a relaxing day out by the pool, discover the hidden oasis that is The Bristol Lido, home to a glorious outdoor heated pool, spa treatments, sauna and steam room, restaurant and rooms. It’s the perfect place to spend the day (or even stay), and drink, eat, and chill by the pool.
Image - The Bristol Lido
Bristol is home to lots of lovely outdoor saunas which are perfect for unwinding and resetting, including Unfold, a traditional Finnish sauna and cold pool experience near Bristol, Orchard Sauna at Windmill City Farm and Sivo Wellness in Leigh Court (which is also a popular recovery spot with the Bristol Bears Players).
For a peaceful way to explore, hop aboard a Bristol Ferry or Bristol Packet boat. You can make more of your boat trip by hopping aboard on a Waterbus taxi boat services from Netham Lock via Bristol Temple Meads to Underfall Yard and hopping on and off the boat to see whatever takes your fancy along the way – why not follow your nose to The Harbourside Market to eat at the indie street food stalls, or wander around the Albion Dockyard to see the Girl with a Pierced Eardrum mural in the Albion Dockyard, and take in contemporary artworks at Spike Island Gallery?
Image - Bristol Packet
Alternatively, join a boat tour and learn more about the city, or treat yourself to a relaxed Afternoon Tea boat trip. There's also the option to go on a boat trip to Beeses during the spring and summer months for a meal or music night.
Mindful moments
Join a mindful activity in the city - after all, slow travel is as much about inner calm as it is about outdoor adventure! Bristol is home to many yoga studios, from Elevate at Wapping Wharf to Hot Pod yoga in the city centre, and there are also puppy yoga classes you can join, where you can practice yoga alongside furry friends!
Image - Fishponds Pottery, Yuup
Staying for longer? Give pottery a go, it's the perfect activity for living in the moment and practicing patience while you wait to see how your creations turn out after being fired up in the kiln. There are plenty of experiences to choose from, including mug-making workshops to wheel-throwing classes. If you don't fancy making your own pottery, you can try painting classes on Yuup.
Savour the flavours
In a world where we are often grabbing meals to go, taking time to appreciate what you’re eating and where your food comes from is a great way to make the most of Bristol’s incredible food scene.
Join edible plant and herb workshops with Yuup, spend a day learning about herbs on a food or horticulture masterclass at Jekka’s, or farm to table at Yeo Valley Organic Garden Open Days.
Image - Jekka's
Take yourself out for a deconstructed meal or ‘meal safari,’ and explore the city’s neighbourhoods along the way. Order tapas for starters at Bomba Tapas or Bar 44, then wander into town for your main - perhaps a bowl of pasta from COR, flame-grilled steak from The Granary, or tacos from Cargo Cantina? One thing’s for sure: dessert from Swoon is non-negotiable! You might like to stop by some of our fabulous cocktail or wine bars along the way too.
Image - Bar 44
Get a taste of the best bites in the city by joining a food tour with expert local guides, Food Tours of Bristol, and GOOD: Stories in Food.
Healthy Eating
To prioritise healthy eating while travelling, staying at an accommodation with self-catering is an excellent way to take advantage of all the local fruit and veg markets, butchers, and fishmongers in the city. Clifton Village, North Street, and Gloucester Road are home to shops packed with excellent produce, including Reg The Veg in Clifton Village, Rare Butchers on North Street and The Fish Shop on Gloucester Road.
You can enjoy some delicious, sustainable food from The Canteen on Gloucester Road, line-caught fish from Noah’s, or packed salad bowls from Eat a Pitta. Better Food at Wapping Wharf is a brilliant spot for organic, local, and ethically sourced food, and Papadeli in Clifton is home to lots of luxury deli items, from artisan cheeses to olive oils and much more.
Image - Papadeli
Quiet and reflective spaces
If you’re looking for somewhere to journal, read, or people watch, head to one of Bristol’s quiet spaces. Galleries like Arnolfini and Spike Island are a great spot to ponder contemporary artwork, and M Shed and Bristol Museum & Art Gallery always have interesting exhibits to explore, Bristol’s Central Library is a nice spot to read, and you can also take some time out in one of the city’s cosy cafes.
Image - Arnolfini
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