Bristol Sport & Adventure

Bristol is a very sporty city, and you’ll usually see people cycling, running or boating around the harbour area or a game of football taking place on the Downs. If you like your sports to be urban active and adrenalin fuelled or if you prefer a more sedate round of golf in beautiful countryside, then a short break to Bristol can offer a range of activities to keep you busy.

Even with the hills, we’re a great place to cycle. As a cycling city there are special lanes around the city, bike tracks, bikes to hire or tours to take, plus you can cycle on one of the many special trails taking you to Bath and beyond.

With stunning natural features, it’s also a great place to climb. For those without the expertise to take on the Avon Gorge, then there are indoor climbing centres to give you a taste of the sport. Some of Bristol’s attractions also give you a chance to climb – be a lemur at Wild Place or Bristol Zoo or climb the rigging like a Victorian sailor at Brunel’s ss Great Britain.

While golf in the centre of Bristol is of the indoor variety, the surrounding countryside and coastal areas mean that a huge number of golf courses are open to visitors and if you are interested in a dedicated golf break, then Bristol Golf Breaks can help make all the arrangements for you.

And if you prefer spectating to participating then Bristol’s professional teams offer a range of sports for you to watch – cricket, football, rugby, basketball – or you can catch the road races that take place over the course of the year. The city also hosts international fixtures, last year hosting fixtures in the Rugby League World Cup and this year welcoming the women’s Ashes series.

Bristol was also the host city of the Union Cup, the biennial European, non-professional, gay rugby union tournament which saw its biggest and best tournament take place in 2013.

Perhaps one of Bristol’s most unique sports is actually one of its most sedate – Ballooning is the ultimate Bristol experience (we’re home to one of the world’s largest balloon fiestas) and trips or vouchers can be booked in advance with baskets taking up to 16 people.