Leaving Bristol after 20 years - bucket list.

[Squashinthepinkcup]

We're moving out of Bristol in two weeks.

Have studied here, worked here, had children here, so have done a lot of the well known 'things to do'. Very familiar with the SS Great Britain, enjoyed the theatres, graffiti, treasure hunts, ghost trails, WTC, BZP, Bristol/Bath cycle path, have eaten at Whapping Wharf and St Nicks Market etc. We've got 8 Gromits left to see on this year's trail!

Do you know any hidden gems or quirky Bristol things I might have missed, to help break the monotony between packing boxes. Still have young children so heading out for dinners and raves not really going to make the cut, but any attractions, walks, history and things like that are great.

Something I learned today is Blackbeard was from Bristol and drunk at the Hatchet, so having walked by that a thousand times I shall go in next time 😁

Whatcha got?

Well you’ve lived there for 20 years so surely you are best placed to know this!

Have you done the cave under the observatory, and sliding on the big slidy rock in Clifton?

And on similar theme to the Hatchet, have you been to the actual hole in the wall in the Hole in the Wall. There’s something pirate-y in a fireplace in the Ostruch too IIRC. You say you’ve done ghost walks, but have you done the pirate one?

Yes to this! Used to love the big slidy rock in Clifton when I was a kid growing up in Brissssol!

Also the Camera Obsura if it is still open - same part of Clifton.

Presume you have walked over the Suspension Bridge with the DC?

Blaze Castle House and Gardens?

Also if it is still open there is a climbing centre in an old church in Montpellier which is cool. It is down a little side street and at the end of the road past the climbing centre church is (from memory) a community garden which is a bit quirky and very Bristol!

Blaise Castle.
Ashton Court (miniature railway runs occasionally and the pitch and putt). Have you been to the balloon fiesta?
In September there's usually the Open Doors event where places not normally open to the public let people in. DH once had a go at glass blowing at Bristol Blue Glass.
Someone might be able to tell us if the Camera Obscura on the Downs is still open and also the caves.
The slidy rock on the Downs.
The visitor centre at Clifton Suspension Bridge.

A bit further out is Kelston Round Hill. If you climb to the top on a clear day you can see right across Bath in one direction and across Bristol and out towards Wales in the other with Keynsham and Saltford in the foreground.

I forgot to mention a Banksy and street art tour.

Surfing at The Wave

Make sure you complete the new Gromit Trail!

Bristol packet out to Beese’s? I’ve never been myself but have heard good things about it. I’ve only been in Bristol 40 years myself - sure I’ll get round to it one day!

Congo Falls crazy golf at Stockwood golf club.

Keynsham Park.

Fair point 😅 but it's a big place and lots to do! Definitely won't have heard about it all. As proven today with the Hatchet fact!

Absolutely do need to do this before we go!! You too. I challenge you to go before 2030 😝

@MrsMoastyToasty oh that hill sounds right up my street! Love a good stroll. Thank you! Sadly we'll be gone before open doors comes round again. Discovered keynsham park just last year, it's a goodun :)

Have ticked off all the others, we've had an idea we were leaving for the last year so squeezed a lot in

What about cabot tower.you used to be able to go up to the top.

Looking up the pirate walking tour asap! This all sounds great. We've done ghost, street art and foody tours :) and a treasure hunt, but not pirates specifically

Have done that as a student but not with the smalls. Thinking we'll do that and the hatchet one day next week 😁

@Squashinthepinkcup maybe you'll have to come back for a visit.

Ooooooh yes - great suggestion! Used to beg my parents to do this when I was young but it was very much a very infrequent treat when we had “visitors” 😊

This thread is making me nostalgic for my childhood/teen years in Bristol - although obviously at the time I couldn’t wait to leave by the time I hit 18!

Abbots Pool has also been on my to do list for a while. And thinking about water, do you know people who could get you in to Henleaze Lake? Think the kids need to be over 10 maybe and you would all need to demonstrate competence in the water, but it’s a great place to hangout with no bells or whistles, just water and diving boards.

I find a new bit of the downs every time I go there - have you been in the goaty bit? We also discovered nearby Bishops Knoll in lockdown where we had a great secret picnic.
Purdown also has a goaty bit if that’s your bag. Cf St Weburghs City farm which I’m sure you must have already done if you have small children!

Have u been to the botanical gardens? Worth it?

Also, curious / nosy where u are moving to next..

I’ve got pub recommendations you could take the kids to 😂
the Highbury Vailts has got a little model train that runs all along the back wall with cool little figures and loads of board games including simpsons chess that ds found very entertaining. And then Steam is also pretty quirky with an open top
big car thing you can sit in outside and a Brum bus!!

I haven't been there for years!! Forgot about the train! Great shout.

Unfortunately I only really have pub recommendations (left handed giant is another favourite and kid friendly but very central so probably had many many visits there!), dd has just finished studying down there and we had an absolute blast eating and drinking our way around the city on all of our many visits 😂

Strangely that's another one we often walk by...usually en route to Ruby Tuesdays or St Nicks! It's a good one in that it's not evening only though, I shall add it to the list.