Things to do on a budget this autumn in Bristol

Straddling the River Avon in the southwest of England, Bristol is easily reachable from London, making it a great choice for a mini-break this Autumn.

Boasting a prosperous maritime history, the city is now a major cultural hub, benefiting from improved transport links with London and the attendant diaspora this has attracted from the capital to live and work here. There’s no shortage of things to see and do in Bristol at any time of year, but you’d do a lot worse than consider a visit during the Autumn months, when the natural attractions of the city and its surroundings are at their most pleasing on the eye. Here are some of the affordable things to do in Bristol over the coming weeks and months.

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

Free to enter, this beautiful Edwardian building houses world-class collections of art, archaeology, geology and natural history which tell the story of our world from the beginning of time to the present day. Spanning 19 galleries spread over 3 floors, the exhibition spaces and the objects on display reveal fascinating cultures, ancient civilisations, human invention and creativity, as well as showcasing our beautiful and fragile natural world. Among its Autumn exhibitions this year is Opulent Origins: 200 Years of Displaying Fine Art , which reimagines the first Fine Art exhibitions hosted by the museum in the 1820s.

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Queens Road, Clifton / Through 1 November 2023

Clifton Suspension Bridge

One of Bristol’s most recognisable structures, this world -famous suspension bridge is perhaps at its most visually arresting in Autumn when set against a palette of reds, oranges, yellows and golds that sweep across the surrounding countryside. Spanning the Avon Gorge and the River Avon, linking Clifton in Bristol to Leigh Woods in North Somerset, the bridge was originally designed in the 19^th  century for horse-drawn traffic but today serves the needs of 21^st century commuters with up to 12,000 vehicles crossing it every day. It’s also a popular tourist landmark, with visitors coming to marvel at this feat of engineering and its spectacular setting. For insights into its history, a visitor centre can be found on the Leigh Woods side of the bridge.

Clifton Downs

Venture beyond Bristol’s urban centre and you’ll quickly find yourself enveloped by rural beauty. A vast area of protected parkland right on the fringes of the city, the Clifton Downs are a great place to enjoy a brisk Autumnal walk. It’s also home to the Clifton Observatory, an iconic landmark that boasts one of the only camera obscuras still open to the public in the UK, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding area. Full access tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £2.50 for children and include entry to the observatory and museum, as well as the depths of the Giant’s Cave, a natural cave in the limestone face of St Vincent’s Rocks in the Avon Gorge.

Bristol Cathedral

Situated on College Green in the city’s West End, Bristol Cathedral is renowned in architectural circles as one of the finest examples of a hall church anywhere in the world, owing to its nave, choir and aisles being all the same height. Thought to have stood on the site for over a thousand years, the cathedral attracts large numbers of visitors every year who choose to explore its majestic environs for free, or pay £10 (£6 for children) to join a guided tour that includes the chance to climb the cathedral’s soaring tower via a narrow spiral staircase before coming face to face with some of the finest medieval bells in the world.

College Green / Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Sat-Sun 8am-3pm

Windhill City Farm

A renowned science centre located on Bristol’s Harbourside, We The Curious remains closed due to a fire, but continues to host events at alternative venues across the city. Back by popular demand this Autumn at Windmill Hill City Farm’s outdoor Garden Theatre is Stories from the Stars, which immerses visitors in the relationship between the sky and the earth, as storytellers from We the Curious tell engaging tales from science, history, and mythology. Wrap up warm, sit back and relax as you discover how people from all over the world and throughout time have used stars and other celestial objects to live off the land. Admission is £7 per person.

Philip Street, Bedminster / 2-16 November 2023

Blaise Castle Estate

Set amid 400 acres of pristinely landscaped parkland, around 7 miles northwest of Bristol city centre, Blaise Castle Estate is a 19^th century mansion containing a museum featuring an incredible social history collection. Visitors will discover everyday objects from centuries past, including Victorian toilets and baths, kitchen and laundry equipment, model trains, dolls, toys and period costume, while outside they can explore the parkland and woodlands, which are particularly atmospheric in Autumn. Within the vast estate is also an impressive 18^th century folly castle.

Leigh Woods

Take to the road and head around 5 miles west of central Bristol, over the famous suspension bridge, and you will reach the green expanse of Leigh Woods. Perched on a plateau on the western side of the Avon Gorge, this National Trust owned natural wilderness and ancient woodland is dotted with walking trails and is particular popular with wildlife enthusiasts who come in the hope of catching sight of the bats, insects, deer, foxes, snakes and birds that reside here. The woods are free to enter, but you’ll need to pay and display for parking at the car park by the woods’ entrance.

Chance & Counters

With two venues in Bristol adding to its original outposts in Birmingham and Cardiff, Chance and Counters is an ideal place to seek shelter in the city on a rainy Autumn day. The board game-themed café stocks everything from nostalgic family favourites to the latest new releases, with bespoke French-oak gaming tables and sliding drink holders letting guests while away the hours in a warm and relaxed setting. Soft drinks and milkshakes, as well as beer, cocktails and wine for adults, are on offer, as well as an extensive food menu. The board games available are all free to use.

20 Christmas Steps / Thurs-Sat 10am-12pm Sun-Weds 10am-11pm

By Paul Joseph