12 Tours in Bristol to Build a Day Around

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

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

This two-hour walk links Bristol’s Banksy scene with 1,000 years of city history. Guides including Mike, Owen, Luke, and Henry lead you from the cathedral area through central Bristol to Narrow Quay, pointing out original street art, old buildings, ruined churches, toppled statues, and the former river through the city centre.

“Highly recommend. Great tour with a great guide! Lots of areas of Bristol covered, with interesting history.”

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

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

Meet at Bristol’s Corn Exchange for a roughly two-hour walking tour through subterranean passageways, WWII air raid shelters, historic rooms, and rooftop viewpoints. Guides such as Duncan, Theresa, Owen, and Bruce bring Bristol’s Blitz story to life, then finish at St. Nicholas Market, where you can buy lunch from the city’s best street-food stalls.

“Easy to find tour guide. Very informative and interesting Some stairs to access the shelter, minimal walking Highly recommended”

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3.Shepton Mallet Prison – Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 478 reviews · 1 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $20

Walk through Shepton Mallet Prison, a 400-year-old former jail, using a visitor guide, map, sound boxes, and information boards. Take your time in the cells, learn about prison life and executions, and ask staff for help as you go. Self-guided access works well for families, while a guided option may suit visitors wanting more context.

“The whole trip was amazing from start to finish. But the best the best bit was the guided tour. A definite must if your going to visit, the kid's loved it.”

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

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

Spend an evening at Smoke & Mirrors in central Bristol, where a house magician mixes close-up tricks, audience participation, and adult comedy in an intimate pub theatre. Arrive early for table allocation and pre-show magic. The 18-plus performance runs about 85 minutes, with strong English and occasional swearing.

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

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

At Gatcombe Farm near Bristol, groups of 8 to 40 take on nine outdoor games with inflatables, fat suits, catapults, and plenty of comic competition. Saturday sessions run at 10:30am and 1:30pm, lasting about 2 to 3 hours. Hosts including Saskia, Luca, Joy, Charlie, Tom, and Sam P keep the pace lively.

“Went on stag do and had a blast! Amazing way to spend your day didn’t stop laughing the whole time! Shout out to our host Saskia for being an absolute g she was amazing 🙌🏼 5 ⭐️ would recommend 👌🏼”

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

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

Spend about 85 minutes at Smoke & Mirrors in central Bristol for a two-magician comedy and magic show with close-up tricks, live music, audience participation, and a pub setting. Arrive by 6:30pm for the 7pm Saturday performance. Drinks, pizza, and other food are available at your own cost.

“More comedy than magic as each trick had a 10 min build up. Entertaining but the audience will determine how good a show you get.”

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7.The House Magicians Comedy Magic Shows

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

Spend about 90 minutes at Bristol’s Smoke & Mirrors Comedy & Magic Theatre Pub, a small 1920s-style venue with close-up magic, a stage show, comedy, pizza, and prosecco. The mobile, ticketless booking accepts up to 44 people. Check the show time and age rule carefully 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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8.Ghosts, Ghouls & Gallows :The Original Bristol Ghost Walk

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

Join See Your City for a roughly two-hour ghost experience tied to Bristol’s dark past, with stories of ancient horrors, a historic ocean liner, St Mary Redcliffe, and the Floating Harbour. Some booking details describe a Bristol walk, while the supplied experience information also describes a Zoom tour of London, so confirm the format before paying.

“This was an interesting lockdown activity that took us around London and beyond from our chairs. The slides had interesting facts and graphics. Anna was a friendly, enthusiastic, engaging and informative guide who made us all feel included and welcome, especially through the interactive quiz. Good fun!”

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9.Only Fools and Horses Tour of Bristol

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

Take a 3.5-hour bus tour through Bristol’s Only Fools and Horses filming locations with guides such as Jimmy, Bill, and Andy. Visit Sid’s Cafe, Nelson Mandela House, Boycie and Marlene’s home, and the garage linked to Del Boy’s fortunes. Expect live commentary, photo stops, a Batman and Robin re-enactment, and some locations that require imagination.

“Very informative. Longer than expected but very good . True fans will love it .Tour guide & driver are fantastic”

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

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

Spend about 1 hour 45 minutes at Smoke & Mirrors in Bristol’s Theatre District, where a close-up magician greets you before two resident comedy magicians take the stage. The 40-seat theater keeps the action close, with audience participation, food, cocktails, beer, and wine available for purchase. Shows are for ages 18 and up.

“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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11.Shepton Mallet Prison Escape Room – The Cell

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 187 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $38

Spend 60 minutes solving puzzles, handling darkness and handcuffs, and escaping a real former prison cell at Shepton Mallet Prison. Your group of up to five has private use of the room, plus time to explore the historic jail before or after. The experience is in English and may include a guard such as Tia.

“Great fun. The dark and handcuffs added an additional element of complexity! Tia was an excellent guard. All in all a lot of fun and a legit location for an escape room”

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12.Guided Walking Tour of Bristol Old City and Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 166 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $29

Join Mike for a two-hour Bristol walk from College Green through the cathedral, harbour, Queen Square, Old City, and St John on the Wall. You’ll hear commentary through an audio receiver, see Banksy-related street art, learn about Bristol’s merchants and docklands, and finish back at the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel.

“Our guide Mike was very knowledgeable and personable. He knew his city and loved it and it showed. A fun afternoon.”

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