| Hot Air Balloons, Bristol |
| Bristol is the capital of hot-air ballooning. Cameron Balloons, the largest hot-air balloon manufacturer in the world, is based at Bedminster in Bristol. Every August the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, the biggest balloon celebration in Europe. Visitors inspired to take a hot-air balloon flight can contact a number of hot-air balloon companies including – Bailey Balloons: 01275 375 300 Balloons Over Bristol: 0845 337 1566 Bristol Balloons: 0117 947 1030 Devon and Somerset Balloons: 0845 456 4201  Location Map |
| Bristol River Trips – Bristol Packet Wapping Wharf, Gas Ferry Road, Bristol BS1 6UN |
| The Bristol Packet offers regular boat trips around the harbour and also offer river trips upstream along the River Avon to Bath and downstream to Avonmouth. Tel: 0117 926 8157 Location Map |
| Bristol Ferry Boat Co. Bristol |
| This company serves landing stages close to most of the harbourside attractions and also provides commuter service between the city centre and Bristol Temple Meads railway station. In addition, trips are operated along the River Avon, upstream to Ha Tel: 0117 927 3416 Location Map |
| SV Tangaroa Trips Merchants Row, Wapping Wharf, Bristol BS1 6JN |
| This beautiful wooden sailing ship is moored near the ss Great Britain. SV Tangaroa offers public and charter trips around the Floating Harbour and along the River through the Avon Gorge to the Avonmouth Bridge. Longer trips explore the upper reaches of. Tel: 0776 479 4435 Location Map |
| HorseWorld Staunton Manor Farm, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bristol BS14 0QJ |
| HorseWorld is 3 miles south of Bristol. Formed in 1952, HorseWorld is a charity dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing horses, ponies and donkeys in need. At the Visitor Centre, you can come and meet some of the recovered animals. Over 30 horses, ponies and donkeys plus lots of other farmyard animals. The Touch and Groom areas allow visitors to get close to some of the miniature ponies, donkeys, sheep and pigs. Tractor tours, play areas, a museum, play barn, gift shop and tea room. Gift shop and tea room free admission. Tel: 01275 540173 Open: Daily 10:00-17:00(last admission 16:00) Location Map |
| Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, Bristol |
| Held in the Ashton Court, the spectacular Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is the largest hot-air balloon event in Europe. Crowds of over 100,000 are common on each day of the four-day Fiesta. Subject to weather balloon launches take place at 6.00 am and 6.00 pm each day, with mass ascents of over 100 balloons. Many special shapes (comical and bizarrely shaped balloons) can be seen alongside the traditionally shaped balloons. A highlight is the Night Glow, where inflated balloons glow to music, against a backdrop of fireworks. As well as the balloons, lots of events take place in the main arena. The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is held over the second weekend of August each year. (Because of the increased weight of traffic the Clifton Suspension Bridge is closed to all traffic, including pedestrians during the Fiesta). Tel: 0117 953 5884 Location Map |
| Bus Tours of Bristol, Bristol |
| City Sightseeing operates open-top bus tours, with fully-trained local guides, from mid-March to the end of September. The tours last 75 minutes and 24-hour tickets allow passengers to hop on and off at 20 stops. Buses from outside the Bristol Hippodrome in the city centre and follow a circular route. Discount tickets for Bristol attractions available from the drivers. Tel: 0845 408 0474 Location Map |
| Bristol Highlights Walk, Bristol |
| Explore the Old Town, city centre and Bristol Harbourside accompanied by a qualified Blue Guide. The 2-hour tours take place at 11:00 am every Saturday from April to the end of September. Meet at the Beetle Sculpture in Anchor Square on Bristol Harbourside. No need to book. Operated by Bristol and South West Tour Guides who also offer a variety of other Bristol walks for pre-booked for groups. Tel: 0117 968 4638 Location Map |
| The Brunel Tour, Bristol |
| Old Bristol Station, located next to the current Temple Meads mainline railway station, was built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Following its recent restoration, it is open for guided tours. Led by a guide, the tours include the huge Passenger Shed, underground vaults and the neo-Gothic splendour of the Great Western Railway Boardroom. The building is now part of the British Empire & Commonwealth Museum, which runs 4 Brunel Tours each week. Advance booking is essential. Call 0117 925 4980 to book (free same-day admission to the museum is included in the price of the Brunel Tour). Tel: 0117 925 4980 Location Map |
| Bristol Cathedral Tours Bristol Cathedral, College Green, Bristol |
| Guided tours of Bristol Cathedral take place every Saturday, May to October. These one and half hour tours highlight the architecture, history and contents of this beautiful building. Call 0117 946 8172 to book. Tel: 0117 946 8172 Location Map |
| Haunted and Hidden Bristol, Bristol |
| This popular 90 minute walking tour visits some of the most haunted spots in the city. Theres also the chance to see some famous TV and movie locations. Walks leave at 20:00 on most Fridays from outside Bristol Cathedral on College Green. A new walk Haunted and Hidden Clifton starts from Bristol Museum, Queens Road at 8.00 pm. Call 07766 258407 for more details. Tel: 07766 258407 Location Map |
| Bristol Pirate Walks, Bristol |
| Pirate Pete takes visitors on an entertaining one hour tour of Bristols colourful sea-going heritage. Walks start at the @ Bristol in Millennium Square, 14:00. Must call to book. Tel: 07950 566483 Location Map |
| Bristol Slave Trade Walk, Bristol |
| Commissioned by the Bristol Museums Service, the self-guided Bristol Slave Trade Walk takes in the numerous sites connected with the trade and anti-slavery movement in Bristol. A pamphlet detailing the walk can be obtained from the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery in Queens Road. Location Map |
| Bristol Museums Service Walks, Bristol |
| Over the summer the Bristol Museums Service runs a short programme of Summer Walks. Numbers on each walk are limited and must be booked in advance. Call 0117 922 3571 to book. Tel: 0117 922 3571 Location Map |
| Redcliffe Caves Tours Phoenix Wharf, Bristol |
| The Redcliffe Caves are the remains of mine workings. From the 15th-18th centuries, an area of red sandstone beneath Redcliffe was excavated for fine sand and used in the production of brown glass bottles and as a slip for glazing pottery. The sand was also used for ships ballast, Later the caves were used as storehouses for goods and in the mid-18th century, Spanish and French Prisoners were held here. During WW II parts of the caves were used as air-raid shelters. Owned by Bristol City Council, the Caves have many entrances but their full extent is not known. The caves are kept locked but there are guided tours organised by the Axbridge Caving Group. Pre-arranged tours (for up to 25 people) on weekday evenings – a one hour guided tour around Redcliffe and one hour underground. (Torches and stout footwear required). Write to Axbridge Caving Group, c/o Alan Gray. 42 Maynard Terrace, Clutton, Somerset. BS39 5PW, enclosing an SAE. Location Map |
| Bristol Blue Glass Factory Unit 7, Whitby Road, St Phillips, Bristol BS4 3QF |
| Bristol Blue Glass is world-famous. The Romans brought glassmaking to Bristol and the city became one of the most important glassmaking centres in Europe. By the 18th century, there were over 20 glassmaking companies in Bristol. Bristol Blue Glass was first produced in the late 1700s, with Isaac Jacobs being the most famous manufacturer. Bristol glassmaking was still important at the time of the Great Exhibition in 1851 but soon after began to decline and the last factory closed in 1922. For most of the 20th century, there was little or no glassmaking in the city but in 1998 James Adlington revived Bristol Blue Glass. Today the factory produces glass using 18th-century techniques. The glass is entirely free-blown, without the use of moulds or machinery and as a result, each piece is unique and highly collectable. A working factory with tours, a viewing gallery and glass museum. The glassmaking process is explained from start to finish and demonstrations, with audio commentary, take place at the visitor centre. Factory shop. Open: Mon-Sat: 09:00-17:00; Sun: 11:00-16:00;Tours 10:15,11:15,12:15,14.15,15:15 Location Map |
