Shake out your picnic blankets, give your sunglasses a wipe, and dig around for that two-year-old bottle of suncream because it’s official– summer is back!
Having reached the summer solstice, the U.K. is now basking in 16+ hours of glorious sunlight. Get ready to catch those delicious wafts of freshly cut grass and soak up the sun with drinks and friends by the harbour. There’s something really special about this time of year isn’t there?
Summer is also the ideal time to get out and explore the city and surrounding countryside. You can find fun activities near you in every nook and cranny of Bristol! From the bustling areas of Bedminster, Southville and Totterdown, to the quirky streets of Stokes Croft or the class of Clifton– you won’t be lost for choice. There are even things to do on rooftops!
So whether you’re looking for fun summer activities to do by yourself, unforgettable days with your best friends, school holiday outings with the kids, or even lovely experiences with your grandparents- you'll find something for everyone on Yuup!
Did you know you can take a sheep for a walk in a beautiful country park? Have you ever tried paddleboarding around Bristol’s iconic harbourside? Well, this year’s your year! Grab your sunhat, turn on your summer playlist, and get out there!
If you’re buzzing to get your summer activities planned out, then consider below an inspo guide to 9 of our top summer experiences you have to try in Bristol this year (2022):
- Stand-up paddleboarding in the harbourside
- Organic wine tasting with your friends in Southville
- Go on an adorable sheep trekking experience
- Have a go at cold water swimming in Clevedon
- Celebrate Bristol Pride with fun drag experiences
- Go on a bat safari, stargaze, and make wood-fired pizzas!
- Go on an evening bike adventure with the family in Yatton
- Try archery, axe throwing or campfire cooking
1. Stand-up paddleboarding in Bristol’s harbourside:
Have you ever witnessed the hustle and bustle of Bristol's harbourside whilst standing on the water? Well, now is your chance! Get a whole new perspective of the city when you try this stand-up paddleboarding experience with SUP Bristol.
Paddleboarding is a refreshing summer activity that just keeps on growing in popularity! With celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston and Katy Perry gracing the waves, it isn’t hard to see why.
Enjoy the breeze in your hair and Bristol’s twinkling harbour whizzing by you in this unforgettable experience will be sure to get your summer vibes tingling.
🏄♀️ Paddleboarding in the harbour with SUP Bristol: £30 per adult
2. Wallet-friendly organic wine tasting at KASK:
Did you know there is a dog-friendly wine bar in Bedminster? Well, now you do!
Picture this… you're sat in a sunny garden, pooch on your lap, sipping on unique organic wines with your best pals all around you. What could be nicer? Expect all the above and more at this special wallet-friendly wine tasting experience at KASK in Southville.
These dog-friendly evenings are small, charming, and always popular. You will be sampling specialist organic wines, hearing fascinating facts behind the bottles, and soaking up fun aplenty!
And better yet, this experience is 'pay by the glass' so you decide how much you spend. Cheers to that!
🍷 Pour Decisions: wallet-friendly wine tasting at KASK, Southville: £5 per adult
3. Sheep Trekking days out at Lower Woodram Farm:
Take a sheep for a walk, you say? Why not?!
In this one-of-a-kind experience, you will take an adorable sheep for a walk through the rolling countryside.
This one is sure to leave you feeling all fuzzy and wholesome (much like a sheep) and is perfect for a family day out or even a unique romantic treat for someone you’re dying to impress!
Go at your own pace and drink up the gorgeous views of the farm, stopping for the occasional selfie with your new woolly best friend. Baa-eautiful!
🐑 Sheep Trekking at Lower Woodram Farm, Taunton: from £20 per person
4. Introduction to cold water swimming in Clevedon Marine Lake:
Getting a little bit hot and bothered by the British summer? Yearning for a refreshing dip? Ever heard of cold water swimming and thought ‘I want to try that!’?
Well, there’s no time like the present! Try this introduction to cold water swimming and give your wellbeing a boost whilst also escaping the heat!
Did you know Clevedon Marine Lake, where this experience is hosted, is the world's largest sea-water infinity pool? This small town- a stone's throw away from Clifton, is a beautiful Victorian town with boutique shops and is the winner of Pier of the Year 2021. Classy and charming, it oozes with dreamy seaside summer charm. So grab your swimsuit and get ready to meet us by the pool.
🏊♀️ Introduction to cold water swimming, Clevedon Marine Lake: £20 per person
5. Experiences to celebrate Bristol Pride Festival:
Celebrate Bristol Pride with Bristol's local queer talent!
Enjoy cocktails galore with bottomless drag brunch on the Clifton Triangle, join a drag costumier that's made costumes for RuPaul's Drag Race and make your own body harness in a quirky queer plant shop, take your circus skills for a spin with an aerial hoop masterclass, and much more!
Well, you are certainly in luck this year! A number of queer creators, makers, movers and shakers are hosting experiences on Yuup to celebrate Pride 2022.
💄 Drag and brunch with Bristol Dynasty at the Lost & Found: tickets from £12 per person
💅 Body harness making with Bristol Drag Collective: £25 per adult
🎪 Learn aerial hoop: £20 per adult
6. Stargazing evenings, bat safari and pizza party with Moor Wild:
Can you hear that? It’s the heart-warming sound of an open fire crackling beneath a beautiful starry night sky. Make the most of those long summer evenings with a dreamy stargazing and wood-fired pizza night.
You will visit a charming 16th-century farm, make a wood-fired pizza from scratch, and be guided on a fascinating journey learning about the constellations around you. Magical!
Up for a bit of adventure? Combine pizza with a unique bat-detecting night safari. Discover amazing facts about these sweet little creatures and have a go at spotting them flitting around the farm. Who's in?
✨ Stargazing and pizza evenings in Kentisbury: from £15 per person
🦇 Pizza and bat detecting safari evening: from £15 per person
7. Pedal-assisted evening bike rides, Strawberry Cycle Line:
A perfect summer evening, the wind in your hair, the whirr of your bike as you cycle along, someone special beside you, beautiful apple orchards and nature reserves whizz by...
This pedal-assisted evening bike ride experience is a delightful way to discover new areas of the South West to suit all fitness levels. Simply hop off the train at Yatton, where the picturesque Strawberry Cycle Line begins.
You’ll be kitted out with an electric bike, so you can enjoy all the peace and quiet of the Yatton to Cheddar cycle path without breaking a sweat! You will also get a delicious picnic supplied by the hosts to top it all off!
Looking for things to do with the little ones? Turn these bike rides into a summer adventure with a Family Fun cycle experience.
🍓 Pedal-assisted evening cycle ride, Yatton: £35 per person
🚲 Family fun evening cycle ride, Yatton: from £40 for family tickets
9. Archery, axe-throwing, or wild campfire cooking in Kelston:
Ever shot a water balloon with a bow and arrow? No? Well, what are you waiting for?!
Join Brocks Outdoor Adventures for a selection of adventurous summer experiences! You’ll be learning the ancient skills of archery or axe throwing! Under expert guidance, you’ll get to grips with the basics before rolling up your sleeves and busting out your best Viking moves.
Want to spend the whole day in the countryside? Wind down your day with this charming evening campfire cooking experience.
Your hosts will teach you the basics of making a fire from scratch and provide you with ingredients to make a comforting campfire feast. Simply sit back, swap stories and listen to the fire crackling as you tuck into your hard-earned treats. Bliss!
🏹 Archery experience in the countryside, Kelston: from £15 per person
🪓 Axe-throwing experience, Kelston: from £15 per person
🏕 Evening campfire cooking experience, Kelston: from £15 per person
