5 ways to boost your bank holiday weekend in Bristol

In Bristol and in need of inspiration or looking for that last minute reason for getting away for a few days? Read our suggestions of 5 ways to boost your bank holiday weekend in Bristol and you’ll fill up your three-day weekend in no time.

• Discover great places to stay in and around Bristol

Have some animal encounters

Explore the wild side of life without even having to leave the city! Meet the newest residents at the Wild Place Project in the Bear Wood exhibit – the UK’s largest brown bear exhibit, which is also home to wolves, lynx and wolverine.   

Over at Bristol Zoo, you can have a Grand Day Out with Wallace and Gromit, earning your stripes as a trainee zookeeper, or get acquainted with the marine life at Bristol Aquarium where you can also Meet the Octonauts.

This weekend is also one of the last chances to catch REWILD Our Planet at We The Curious before it ends on 31 August. This is a ground-breaking augmented reality experience transporting you to a range of at-risk habitats across the globe.

• Food Friday: Ian Emery Project Manager of Bear Wood

Image credit: Wild Place Project

Fly through history at Aerospace Bristol

Head to Aerospace Bristol on Saturday for one of their Fly Through History tours at either 11am or 2pm. The journey will take you from the early beginnings of Bristol’s distinguished aerospace industry through to today, including a walk around the last ever Concorde to fly. On Monday, witness the very special Concorde droop nose and learn more about why this incredible piece of engineering was so vital.

• Bank holiday weekend at Aerospace Bristol
• Summer holidays at Aerospace Bristol

Image credit: Aerospace Bristol

See a film for free at Watershed

As part of National Lottery Cinema Day on Sunday 25 August, you can reserve a free ticket for a selection of films at Watershed that day. Films on show include Pain and Glory, Blinded by the Light, King Kong and more – see the full list and find out how to save a spot here.

• Grab a pre-film bite to eat or drink at Watershed Cafe Bar

Image credit: Watershed

Be dazzled by the Invisible Circus on Brunel’s SS Great Britain

From luggage juggling to devilishly daring displays, the Invisible Circus have commandeered Brunel’s SS Great Britain and are delighting visitors with their aerial skills. Within their daily performances, which are included in the price of admission, they are telling the stories of real-life passengers who once journeyed across seas on board the ship. 

Image credit: Brunel's SS Great Britain 

Keep your glass topped up

Treat yourself to some bank holiday drinks along the East Bristol Brewery Trail, discovering five local breweries and sampling their beers at four stops. Centred round the Bristol and Bath Railway Path and taking place on both Saturday and Sunday, simply pick up a map from one of the breweries and be on your way!

Over at Bambalan on Sunday, you can celebrate the last bank holiday weekend of the year on their rooftop terrace with music from UK garage trailblazer DJ Spoony, plus support from some top local DJs too. 

Image credit: Bambalan

Get more ideas for things to do in Bristol this bank holiday weekend:

• Things to do in Bristol in August
• 60 free things to do in Bristol