Tips for Bristol mini-bus and coach tourism

Useful tips for Bristol bus groups with ‘what to see’ and ‘what to do’ items and  ‘bus- friendly’ or must see tourist sites in Bristol. Check our list of attractions before planning your bus tour with a stop or departure in Bristol. Let us know if your favourite attraction or ‘bus-stop’ is not there and you think we should add it to our list of Bristol highlights.

City Tours in Bristol

You can rent a bus in Bristol for tours in the city or in Bristol Coounty. In Bristol there are several tours to and along the city boundaries. A special way to discover the city is by stepping on a balloon around Bristol with First Flight. You can use a balloon wherever from 2 to 8 persons. Because it is so small you get attention and it is a lot safer. The prices for the balloon sails are between £110 and £ 250.
Another fun way to get to know the city Bristol is by making a bike tour. The tour is held every day at three times of the day. The tour will be along the port of Bristol, where there is a stop made where you can just relax and enjoy the view in different places. The starting point of the ride will be next to the Youth Hostel Association and to be allowed to become cycling. A contribution of £ 15 required for renting the bikes and to go along with the tour.

Clifton suspension bridge at dawn

Clifton suspension bridge at dawn credit: @sage_solar CC BY 2.0

Walking tour through the city

Besides the special tours by Bristol there are also special walking tours. A Bristol Street Art Tour is an example of this. In Bristol you can see graffiti in many places. During the Bristol Street Art Tour you get to hear the stories behind the works of art created in the streets. After you have made the tour, which lasts one hour. After the tour you are going to create your own graffiti in a workshop of 2 hours. For tickets you can go to the site or  you can book them by  the Bristol Tourist Information, wherever they provide more information about the starting point.

Since Bristol was once a major port, and still is, did it matter that there were pirates. Before that, there are special Bristol Pirate Walks. During the tour there will be several things about the past and tells how the pirates came ashore in England. The starting point of this tour can be found next to the ZA ZA restaurant in the harbor.

What to see and what to do in Bristol

Nightlife

For a night out, there are several options in Bristol. You can go to a standup comedian bar, an English pub, entertainment bar, a live music bar, etc.
If you want to amaze yourself an evening Smoke & Mirrors is a must. In the weekends different illusionist come here for a one and a half our show.

The pub is 7 days a week open and you can also enjoy a drink during the week with friends or relatives.
Smoke & Mirrors is not the only bar in Bristol where they do illusion shows. Illusions Magic Bar is another bar where they can entertain you an evening with various tricks. Here they have the whole week several magic shows from 7 pm. This is also a suitable bar for example, a bachelor party or if you have something special to celebrate.
In Bristol they know ordinary pubs where you can drink can do without several magic tricks.

You can listen to live music in the Fleece. Almost every day of the year they have another band.
Bristol has many different types of pubs and clubs to offer.

Boarding an easyJet Airbus A319 (G-EZBV) at Bristol International Airport, Bristol, England

Boarding an easyJet Airbus at Bristol International Airport, Bristol, England credit: Arpingstone Dominio público

Business Travel and Tourism

In Bristol there is the possibility to organize a congress in many different places. One of the best known is"" The Bristol Conference Centre"". They have several meeting rooms, conference rooms and training rooms. "" The Bristol Conference Centre’’ was opened in 1994. If you want to give a conference here you get a screen, flipchart, whiteboard, laptop, extension cords and a projector at your disposal. There are a total of 10 rooms and the number of persons that may be present from 8 to 50 people. "" The Bristol Conference Centre"" is found in the north west of Bristol.

In addition to the conference center, there is also ‘’Armada House"", this is a building for conferences and events. They have 8 rooms. The smallest room provides space for 12 people and the largest room can accommodate up to 200 people. Advantage ‘’Armada House"" is that it is located in central Bristol.
In the center of Bristol is also ""Engineers House Bristol"" located. This building has 9 rooms with a minimum capacity of 6 persons and a maximum capacity of 170 people. It is also possible to stay in ""Engineers House Bristol"".

Besides these well-known conference centers, there are also a host to be found in other buildings around Bristol.

Golf Travel and Tourism

There are 5 golf clubs in Bristol to find. The oldest golf club to find is"" Bristol and Clifton Golf Club"". This was founded in 1891 and has 18 holes. The clubhouse has been recently renovated true by an inviting look. In addition to the 18 holes, there is also a training opportunity. A special place on the golf course to practice before you really begin. You succeed Besides the possibility of waves there is also a conference room for special conferences. ""Bristol and Clifton Golf Club’’ is located in the west of Bristol.

The other four golf clubs are scattered along Bristol. "" Stockwood Vale Golf Club’’ is located in the south of Bristol and has 18 holes. "" The Bristol Golf Club’’ is located in the north of Bristol and has 9 holes. In the north west of Bristol can "" Shirehampton Park Golf Club Bristol"" be found with 18 holes. Just like""Filton Golf Club’’ which is located in the north of Bristol and ‘’Long Ashton Golf Club"" in the south west of Bristol.

Bunkers at Filton Golf Club, Bristol, England

Bunkers at Filton Golf Club, Bristol, England credit: Adrian Pingstone Public Domain

Travel and Tourism in Bristol

In the 38 districts of Bristol are many activities you can undertake. There are several cultural activities, sport activities, sights and there are a number of different zoo’s. Besides these activities are also given several performances that you can attend. And there can be good fun shopping and you can go out. Bristol was earlier in the 18th century, the largest port city in England. You can still see this in the city with your tour with private transport in a rented bus with driver around Bristol

Bristol Zoo Gardens

This is not just a zoo. There is a big climbing route for the kids through the park, you can learn everything about various endangered animals. There are also different games to play in the park. A day full of learning moments in Bristol Zoo Gardens.

 The Clifton Suspension Bridge

It is the attraction where tourists mainly come for to Bristol. The bridge crosses the gorge of the Avon. In the beginning there was a  toll for cars, cyclists and pedestrians. Nowadays cars should only have to pay 30 cents to get over the bridge.

From November 9 to December 29, every year, there is the Christmas marketplace in Bristol. This is a German Christmas market with 40 different stalls where food and stuff or sold. From 2 to 24 December an advent calendar, with a various Christmas gifts given away  through Santa Claus to a number of children. The Christmas market can be found on the Bristol Shopping Quarter.

Cabot Circus and its swooping roof.Bristol

Cabot Circus and its swooping roof.Bristol credit: Matt Buck CC BY-SA 2.0

What to see during your tour in Bristol with a hired minibus

Thornbury Castle

Besides that this castle is also a hotel you can also give different parties in it. There are weddings but also given conferences. If you want you can stay one night and you find yourself in the time of the knights. If you do not have time to stay in Thornbury Castle you can also go along for a walk through the gardens, for a lunch or dinner, something to drink or to go into the spa that is located in the castle to rest. You can choose in the spa for different massages, including: Aromatherapy massage, Indian head massage or a back, neck and shoulder massage.

Thornbury Castle, reached by private (train) carriage

Thornbury Castle, reached by private (train) carriage credit: Simon Pielow CC BY-SA 2.0

Bristol Science Centre

For an educational day for young and old there is the Bristol Science Centre. By trying everything you become to know all about the science.  Through various projects in the science center, they want to ensure a better environment and that there is not too much wasted. In the night time, it is also possible for adults as a group to participate in Bristol Science Centre. For schools there are special workshops and events in the science center to book.

Bristol Aquarium

Walk under the water through to see all the sea creatures? It is possible at the Bristol Aquarium. You can take a look at the sharks, the Coral Sea, on the Amazon and you walk through the underwater tunnel. In the underwater tunnel you walk safely behind thick glass along the hundreds of fish, sharks and turtles and do not need to be afraid that they are goingattack you. Several times a year there are various events held and the aquarium is a whole week in the theme of the events.

Avon Valley Railway

With this tour you drive along the Avon with an old steam train. You stop at beautiful vantage points where you can quietly take a photo of the beautiful places. You will see stations of earlier encounter. You go through the valleys next to Bristol and discover more of England. Railway tours are held on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays. There are also many different events held on the train each year.

Avon Riverside service on the Avon Valley Railway

Avon Riverside service on the Avon Valley Railway credit: Hugh Llewelyn CC BY-SA 2.0

Noah"s Ark Zoo Farm

If you want to do something with the children during all types of the weather, Noah"s Ark Zoo Farms the right place to be. They have 12 different areas where children can play all day. There are several shows held with the animals. You can take a look atthe lions and tigers when they get fed and you can be transported with a tractor on the farm. In the summers they get a larger open area of the Zoo Farm and more and more animals.

Chandra and Moti, the Asiatic lions at Bristol Zoo

Chandra and Moti, the Asiatic lions at Bristol Zoo credit: Rodw Public Domain

In addition to these various activities, it is also possible to shop. Bristol Shopping Quarter is everything to find what you need while you wants a good day of shopping. You have the brand shops, but there are also small cheap boutiques. Besides that there are stores, you can find there also several restaurants, bars and cinemas.

There are four different areas of Bristol Shopping Quarter, namely: The Galleries, Broadmead, Cabot Circus and Quakers Friars.

Cabot Circus is a covered shopping mall with 120 shops; the ideal place to shop with any type of weather. Here you can find all kinds of stores, electronics stores to clothing stores. Broadmead is the pedestrian streets, so you can shop undisturbed. Here are primarily national stores located and the second largest Primark in the UK. The Galleries is an indoor shopping center, it contains three floors and has about 100 stores.

The Circus busy with shoppers

The Circus busy with shoppers credit: Adrian Pingstone Public Domain
The central “square” of Cabot Circus shopping centre in Bristol, England

It is in Bristol also possible to shop with a personal shopper. You can give them even as a present to friends or family. If you want something more inspiration, another clothing, or you do not have much time to shop but you still need something you can call one of the personal shoppers who live in Bristol. They tell you the latest fashion trends and will listen to the needs you have.

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More about Bristol

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