Bristol Tours: The 15 Worth a Whole Day

1.Blackbeard to Banksy – The Ultimate Walking Tour of Bristol

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,961 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $18Our pick

Walk central Bristol with guides such as Mike, Owen, Luke, and Henry, linking Banksy originals and local street art with ruined churches, toppled statues, and 1,000 years of city history. The route begins near Bristol Cathedral and ends at Narrow Quay. Expect an easy-paced two-hour introduction with practical tips for the rest of your stay.

“My daughter and I were in Bristol for a day and wanted to learn a bit about the place. This was an informative tour of Bristol with our favorite tour guide Owen. Good introduction to the city and some of its history as well as a look at some of the street art that seems to be everywhere. If only you could stop the rain it would be perfect…”

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2.Air Raid Shelter + St. Nicholas Market Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,950 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $17

Meet at Bristol’s Corn Exchange for an English-language walking tour through subterranean passageways, WW2 air raid shelters, historic rooms, and rooftop viewpoints. Guides such as Duncan, Theresa, Owen, and Bruce bring local stories to life before the tour finishes near St. Nicholas Market’s food stalls. Expect steps, standing, and some confined spaces.

“Engaging and very friendly tour would recommend to anyone interested in history of buildings and WW2 .”

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3.Blackbeard to Banksy Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,422 reviews · 2 hours · from $17

Walk from Bristol Cathedral to Arnolfini with an English-speaking guide such as Owen, Mike, Luke, or Henry. You’ll see Banksy’s Well Hung Lover, Castle Park, St Nicholas Market, Bristol Bridge, and the historic harbor while learning about Blackbeard, Brunel, wartime Bristol, and the city’s street-art scene.

“Mike was an excellent guide. he had a great balance btween information, humour, and entertainment. learned a lot about Bristol, Banksy and more.”

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4.(9pm) The House Magicians Comedy & Magic Show – Smoke & Mirrors

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 356 reviews · from $38

Spend an evening at Bristol’s Smoke & Mirrors Comedy & Magic Theatre Pub, where house magicians mix close-up tricks, adult humor, and audience participation in an intimate room. Arrive early for table allocation and pre-show magic. The 18+ performance runs about 85 minutes and suits couples, groups, and celebrations.

“Absolutely without doubt the best comedy/magic show I’ve been too & my partner proposed so a night we won’t ever forget.”

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5.Air Raid Shelter & St. Nicholas Market Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 320 reviews · 75 minutes - 2 hours · from $16

Meet Owen, Duncan or another English-speaking guide at the Corn Exchange for a 75-minute to two-hour walk through Bristol’s old city and wartime past. See Blitz damage, enter a preserved underground shelter beneath the market, visit Corn Exchange rooms linked to 1960s music, then finish at St Nicholas Market, where food and souvenirs are available to buy.

“They gave a great tour about recent history and how Bristol was impacted by the bombings during the Second World War. Would recommend if you like to know about history in the city you are visiting.”

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6.West Country Games – the most popular group activity in the South West!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 315 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $62

Head to Gatcombe Farm near Bristol for nine West Country themed games using inflatables, fat suits, catapults, and more. With hosts such as Saskia, Sam P, Luca, Joy, and Charlie leading the action, your group competes, laughs, and finishes back at the farm after roughly two to three hours.

“Great day out. Great day to celebrate Sara’s Hen party. We were booked for the Cardiff branch but due to circumstances out of their control we had to move but were given snacks. Thank you to luka for taking such great care of us.”

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7.The House Magicians’ Comedy Magic Show at Smoke & Mirrors in Bristol (Sat 7pm)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 296 reviews · from $35

Head to Smoke & Mirrors in central Bristol for an 85-minute comedy magic show with two house magicians, close-up magic, live music, and audience participation. Arrive at 6:30 pm for the 7 pm performance, then settle into the 1920s-style theater. Drinks, pizza, wine, and snacks are available to buy.

“Brilliant, entertaining and hilarious. Both magicians were excellent and we absolutely loved it, highly recommend!!”

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8.The House Magicians Comedy Magic Shows

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 263 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48

Spend about 90 minutes at Smoke & Mirrors Comedy & Magic Theatre Pub in Bristol for close-up magic, a stage show, comedy, pizza, and prosecco. The small 1920s-style theater seats up to 44 people, creating a personal evening with possible audience participation. Check the show time and age rule before booking.

“Certainly not a perfect show but very sympatic entertainment on local level. Althought we could follow the magician's tongue only partially we had a lot of fun with his card tricks and especially the location, the backroom of a bar and the possiblity to have a snack or a beer while the show goes on were an unforgettable experience ...”

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9.Ghosts, Ghouls & Gallows :The Original Bristol Ghost Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 262 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $27

Ghosts, Ghouls & Gallows mixes Bristol and London ghost stories with Penny Dreadful trivia in a live Zoom session. Guides including Anna, John, Helena, and Lula have led lively, interactive presentations with images, quizzes, and historical background. The details also show Bristol meeting points, so confirm the format before paying.

“I wasnt sure how a virtual tour would be, but I need now have worried - Helena did an excellent job, was very engaging and knowledgeable. The interactive quizzes were really fun, and overall this was a fun experience and well worth the cost.”

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10.Only Fools and Horses Tour of Bristol

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 253 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48

Ride through Bristol with a live guide to visit more than 10 Only Fools and Horses filming locations, including Sid’s Cafe, Nelson Mandela House, Boycie’s home, the garages, and the bar used for Del’s famous fall. Expect a 3.5-hour trip, short walks, video clips, photo stops, and a Batman and Robin re-enactment.

“very friendly driver and tour guide,cant believe so many places still to see,only one critisism ,directions for tour meet could be better.”

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11.The House Magicians Comedy & Magic Show at Smoke & Mirrors Friday 8pm

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 202 reviews · from $33

Spend 1 hour 45 minutes at Smoke & Mirrors in Bristol’s Theatre District, where a close-up magician welcomes you before two resident comedy magicians take the stage. Expect audience participation, card tricks, jokes, food, drinks, and a small 40-seat theatre. Friday’s show begins at 8pm and is strictly 18+.

“Fantastic location, a small theatre and pub. Pizzas were really good - the thin authentic version! Show was great, really funny and the ‘magic’ was amazing. Will be back again!”

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12.Cruise Wells Next The Sea on Historic RNLI and Dunkirk Veteran Lifeboat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 199 reviews · from $243

Board a restored RNLI and Dunkirk veteran lifeboat at 2 E Quay in Wells-next-the-Sea. Your captain and crew explain Operation Dynamo, the boat’s renovation, local lifeboat work, and future plans as you cruise the harbour and drift near Wells Beach with tea, coffee, or a cold drink. Groups are limited to 12.

“extremely friendly and knowledgeable staff that made the whole experience a great day out, highly recommend”

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13.Guided Ghost Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 193 reviews · 2 hours · from $22

Meet a costumed guide such as Tobias, Jimmy, or Mrs Needles outside Bristol Cathedral at 7:30pm. Over roughly two hours, you’ll walk through Bristol’s medieval centre, hearing ghost stories, murder tales, and local history at up to 17 sites. Expect theatrical storytelling, cobbled streets, steep steps, and an all-weather outing.

“Mrs Needles was a great tour guide. She was funny, informative and entertaining. I highly recommend this tour as a fun way to see historic Bristol.”

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14.Wake The Tiger Amazement Park Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 156 reviews · 1 day · from $22

Enter an abandoned paint factory and follow the story of Meridia through the Dream Factory and OUTERverse. This self-guided Bristol experience takes about 1.5 to 2-plus hours, with more than 40 interactive spaces, artworks by local artists, hidden doors, puzzles, a café bar, and a curiosity shop. Bring curiosity, not a stroller or large bag.

“very hands on, lovely set, kind of an escape room theme. visit when it's quiet, and take time to touch and feel everything”

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15.Self-Guided Sightseeing Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 151 reviews · 1 month · from $6Best value

Start at Bristol Bridge and follow a GPS-guided walking route through Castle Park, the Old City, St Nicholas Market, Christmas Steps, Bristol Cathedral, and the docks. You will hear English narration, including local history, Banksy stories, and food and pub tips. The app works on Android and iPhone, with one download for one device.

“We really enjoyed the tour, it was easy to download at the hotel and just the right length. We felt there was a lot about pubs / beer which wasn’t in the description. It was also a little bit out of date as made in 2020.”

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