Suggested Itineraries
Here are some themed sample itineraries to give you an idea of the sort of trips your group can enjoy in Bristol.
We can help with some inspiration coupled with practical information. Some suggested themed itineraries are listed below and more can be found via the itineraries section of the Visit Bristol blog.
Or, for just an idea of what you could cover in a couple of days...
Day 1
Morning
Take a guided tour of Berkeley Castle, a Norman fortress turned magnificent family home just outside Bristol. The state apartments contain collections of furniture, rare paintings and tapestries. Garden enthusiasts can enjoy a stunning display of roses, rare plants and flowers in the terraced gardens in June and July.
Afternoon
No need to break the historical spell for lunch. Head to the resplendent Thornbury Castle, a Tudor palace once a honeymoon spot for Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. The grand-looking dining rooms offer modern dishes and traditional favourites, all made using only the finest and freshest local ingredients.
Evening
Find beautiful Bristol Cathedral on College Green, right in the heart of the city. The nave, choir and aisles are all the same height, making Bristol Cathedral one of few hall churches in Great Britain. Arrange for a guided group tour or pick up a themed map. And don’t miss Choral Evensong at 5.15pm every weekday and 3.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Day 2
Morning
Step aboard Brunel’s ss Great Britain – a most extraordinary time machine that has sailed around the world 32 times and has plenty of jaw-dropping stories to tell. Explore the decks, dockside ordown below its spectacular glass sea. Visitors will be transported by sights, sounds and even smells as they discover what life was like for the pioneering passengers and crew who sailed upon this magnificent ship.
Afternoon
What better way to spend the afternoon than out on the water? Bristol Packet Boat Trips offer private Cream Tea Cruises that will whisk you past all the sights of the Harbourside, from modern art gallery Arnolfini to social history museum M Shed and its iconic cranes, while serving up delicious freshly baked scones with clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam.
Evening
No trip to Bristol is complete without seeing the Clifton Suspension Bridge, another of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s engineering masterpieces. It looks spectacular lit up at night, with the dramatic cliffs of the Avon Gorge in the shadows beyond. Take in the incredible view (and a nice tipple) from the terrace of the White Lion Bar at the Avon Gorge Hotel.