Days out in Bristol

Bristol has some of the best attractions, food and nightlife to be found in the south west below are a few things you might want to check out during your stay here.

Bristol Zoo Gardens

Enjoy an amazing world of animals, all within their award-winning 12 acre gardens. With over 400 species and nine animals houses under cover, you'll enjoy your visit whatever the weather. We suggest you allow 2-5 hours for your visit to really take in eveything they have to offer.

Bristol Zoo Gardens is 175 years old this year and to celebrate they are planning a whole host of unique and exciting events, to find out what's on when you plan to visit, click here to visit the Bristol Zoo Gardens website.

Cabot Circus

From fashion and homewares to books, music and toys, there's something for everyone at Cabot Circus. Stroll down the picturesque avenues and you'll find an arrey of the UK's most fashionable stores, many of whom are appearing in Bristol for the first time.

There's never a dull moment at Cabot Circus. From in-stroe activities and special offers to exiting events in and around Bristol, their calender is full of things guarenteed to make your shopping experience even more exiting. Click here to visit the Cabot Circus website and take a look at what events coincide with your next visit to Bristol.

@ Bristol

At-Bristol is a registered charity and one of the UK's leading science and discovery centres, where exploration and education go hand in hand with an unforgettable, fun day out. With hundreds of hands-on exhibits to explore, live shows and a Planetarium, At-Bristol is one of the UK's biggest and most exciting interactive science centres.

Click here to visit the @Bristol website to find out more about what you'll find next time you visit At-Bristol.

An image of some of the Bristol Rugby players.

Bristol Rugby Club - The Memorial Stadium

There's nothing quite like the experience of watching Bristol Rugby play in a nailbiting clash at the Memorial Stadium. Formed in 1888 Bristol Rugby are our local rugby union club based at The Memorial Stadium in Horfield, which is within walking distance of the Norfolk Guest House. The club currently plays in the RFU Championship and competes in the British and Irish Cup, so whether you're a live sports fan or a family looking for a great way to spend an afternoon in Bristol why not plan a trip to watch a Bristol Rugby game.

Click here to visit the Bristol Rugby website to find out more about upcoming matches and to buy tickets.

An image of some of the Bristol City players.

Bristol City FC - Ashton Gate Stadium

Bristol City FC is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, they play at the Ashton Gate stadium which is located in the southwest of the City and has an all-seater capacity of 21,497 so you're guaranteed a fine matchday experience. Bristol City FC are currently competing in the Football League Championship and during the football season they have regular matches you can attend, a day out at the football is a great way to spend an afternoon while you're here in Bristol.

Click here to visit the Bristol City FC website to find out more about upcoming matches and to buy tickets.

An image of some of the Bristol Rovers players.

Bristol Rovers FC - The Memorial Stadium

The other of Bristol's two football clubs is Bristol Rovers FC, who are currently competing in Football League Two. Bristol Rovers FC also play their home matches at The Memorial Stadium in Horfield which they share with the Bristol Rugby Club and is within walking distance of the Norfolk Guest House. The stadium capacity is just under 12,000, around 3,000 of which is seating. Another great way to spend an afternoon while you're here in Bristol.

Click here to visit the Bristol Rovers FC website to find out more about upcoming matches and to buy tickets.

An image of the Clifton Suspension Bridge at night.

The Clifton Suspension Bridge

The Clifton Suspension Bridge, spanning the picturesque Avon Gorge, is the symbol of the city of Bristol. For almost 150 years this grade I listed structure has attracted visitors from all over the world. Its story began in 1754 with the dream of a Bristol wine merchant who left a legacy to build a bridge over the Gorge, a competition was held to find a design for the bridge and the 24 year old Isambard Kingdom Brunel was eventually declared the winner and appointed project engineer, this was his first major commission.

A Visitor Information Centre is situated at the Leigh Woods end of the bridge. It contains information and images of the plans submitted for the bridge design competitions of the 1800s, and a timeline and DVD showing the construction and completion of the suspension bridge, and how it is maintained today. Books, postcards and souvenirs are on sale.

Click here to visit the The Clifton Suspension Bridge website to find out more information about the bridge and for directions on how to get there.

An image of the SS Great Britain, designed by Ismbard Kingdom Brunel.

The SS Great Britain

The SS Great Britain is a museum ship and former passenger steamship. She was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the Great Western Steamship Company's transatlantic service between Bristol and New York. While other ships had previously been built of iron or equipped with a screw propeller, the SS Great Britain was the first to combine these features in a large ocean-going ship. She was the first iron steamer to cross the Atlantic, which she did in 1845, in the time of 14 days. In 1970 the SS Great Britain returned to the original Great Western Dockyard where she had been built. It is here you will find her, sitting in the heart of a multi award-winning attraction in Bristol's historic harbour with between 150,000–170,000 visitors annually.

Click here to visit the The SS Great Britain website to find out more information about the Ship and for directions on how to get there.

An image of the Arnolifni building from the fornt.

The Arnolfini

The Arnolfini is one of the UKs favourite arts centre and galleries, situated by the water at Narrow Quay in Bristol's Harbourside the Arnolfini is just a two to three minute walk from the city centre. The Arnolfini runs a programme of contemporary art exhibitions, live art, music and dance events, poetry and book readings, talks, lectures and cinema.

They have three floors of galleries, a specialist arts bookshop, the cinema which can also be used as a performance space for theatre, live art, dance and music, a specialist arts bookshop, a reading room that provides reference material for all past exhibitions and wide range of books and catalogues, as well as a café bar.

Admission to the building and the galleries is free, making Arnolfini an ideal place to spend some time whether you've just got a few minutes or a few hours to spare.

Click here to visit the Arnolfini website to find out more information about their current and future exhibitions, or to book on one of their talks and lectures.