Treasure hunting, road tripping, street art spotting, fact finding, beer tasting – you can try out all these activities and more via self-guided experiences in Bristol. Great for exploring the city safely and at your own pace, here’s an introduction to some of the best on offer.

Treasure Hunt Bristol

Another way to see the city while you put your brain to work is Treasure Hunt Bristol. As well as solving clues and following beautiful maps via your phone, find out all kinds of fascinating facts about Bristol along the way. It can be played at your own pace and is easy enough that kids aged eight and over can join in yet challenging enough for teens and adults.

A group of people looking over a wall - Credit Treasure Hunt
Image - Treasure Hunt Bristol

Wetland Heroes at WWT Slimbridge

Wetland Heroes is a free app that helps visitors make the most of a day trip to wetland wildlife reserve WWT Slimbridge. Created by Aardman, the digital guide features illustrations inspired by wetland hero species such as the flamingo, kingfisher, otter or swan.

Take on different digital challenges each time you visit and discover more about the reserve’s wildlife – even seasoned members will learn something new.

A flock of flamingoes - Credit WWT Slimbridge
Image - WWT Slimbridge 

A Piece of Banksy by Where The Wall

Street art tour guides Where The Wall developed this fully narrated audio and visual exploration of Banksy, so you can have a Banksy day out on your own schedule. The elusive Bristol-born artist’s story is told through 13 significant stop-offs, covering many of his works around the city, from early pieces to more recent activities.

On top of this, you get to view exclusive and archive photos, with local street art legend John Nation – an internationally recognised authority on the global graffiti art movement – providing the commentary.

A phone screen showing a self guided Banksy tour - Credit Visit West
Image - Where The Wall

Banksy Bristol Trail by Cactus Apps

Another self-guided Banksy tour, this time in app form. The Banksy Bristol Trail takes you on an easy-to-follow route around remaining Banksy works in Bristol, with the option to include older, less visible pieces if you want to be thorough about your Banksy adventure. In-depth articles, photos and information to help you get around are all included.

Banksy mural with teddy bear throwing molotov cocktail - credit Paul Box
Image - The Mild Mild West by Banksy

Bristol Murder Mystery Trail by Killer Trails

Explore the historic streets of Bristol’s Old City while solving a swashbuckling murder mystery The Curse of Calico’s Compass is a puzzle-filled immersive treasure hunt with a buccaneering adventure theme. Take a self-guided journey through Bristol’s Old City and and solve escape room-like puzzles to ultimately deduce which wannabe-pirate is the culprit. 

Bristol Murder Mystery Trail by Killer Trails

Image - Bristol Murder Mystery Trail by Killer Trails

Treasure Island Trail

Take the family on a swashbuckling adventure with the Treasure Island Trail app. It celebrates Bristol’s maritime, cultural and literary heritage through the classic adventure novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. From the pub that inspired the Spy-Glass to boatyards, caves and historic almshouses, there are eight stop-offs on the tour, each marked by barrels planted with a desert island-inspired palm tree.

A man wearing a pirate outfit stood next to a wooden barrel - Credit Visit West
Image - Treasure Island Trail

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