Widely recognised as one of the coolest and most happening places to live in the UK, Bristol has all the right credentials to be the right city for a young adult to visit or even find their new home. Relentlessly vibrant, multi-cultural, and geared to suit all tastes, Bristol has a plethora of activities available to all young adults whether they’re fans of music, art, history, energetic thrills, or just good food and drink.
Whether you’re a lover of city nightlife, appreciative of modern arts, an outdoors fanatic, or all of the above, Bristol and the surrounding area have it all for the younger end of the market. There’s a brilliant mix of modern sports and culture together with tradition and history at the heart of the regenerated Bristol. And there’s an inexhaustible choice on offer, especially in terms of restaurants and bars with every district having numerous thriving independent businesses there to satisfy active social lives.
But Bristol is unique in having many other attractions that all other cities, even London, really can’t boast within such a relatively small area. This progressive South-Western UK city has a vast history, both from centuries ago and the last 25 years, that appeals to young tourists and Bristolians alike. Here's just a sample of what’s on offer.
Walking Tour
With a history like Bristol’s, there has to be a tour on the cards. Uncovering the past 1000 years of the city in two hours, your guide takes you from the 12th Century Cathedral, through the downtown origins of the city, then on to the Norman castle site between the River Avon and River Frome. The tour features evidence of blitz damage inflicted during the Second World War and references to local legends such as Kingdom-Brunel and his part in the Industrial Revolution, and Bluebeard the infamous Bristol pirate. The tour ends on Bristol's historic harbourside after seeing the many pieces of street art in the city. Not surprisingly, this element of the tour is a massive draw, with Bristol being the birthplace of the most famous of urban artists, Banksy. There are many genuine Banksy originals on show throughout the city – those and other examples of street art are a testament to the city's creative spirit, fittingly bringing the Bristol tour up-to-date.
Live Music
If street art is the first thing that young adults think of in terms of Bristol’s creative legacy from the last thirty years, the city’s music scene comes a very close second. Bristol has long been renowned for its vibrant music scene, with music venues, both large and small, to iconic festivals, providing year-round events for music lovers to enjoy. For example, big name tours usually stop off at the O2 Academy Bristol, while The Fleece has been hosting diverse acts for over 40 years. The Louisiana showcases up-and-coming talents while there are plenty of pubs like The Plough in Easton hosting live music nights. Adding more value is the world-famous International Jazz and Blues Festival, hosted by Bristol every year. But locally conceived music is also integral to Bristol's cultural landscape; since the pioneers of trip-hop, Massive Attack, Tricky, and Portishead, came to the national fore in the 1990s, Bristol has been a breeding ground for musical innovation.
Outdoors
In terms of green space and outdoor leisure, there aren’t many cities that can compete with Bristol. There are dozens of specially allotted walking spaces in the Bristol suburbs, whether they’re parks to take in a little peace and fresh air, or larger country estates for some serious leg-stretching. One of Bristol's many beautiful parks, Brandon Hill Park, has idyllic green spaces and stunning views of the cityscape. Perfect for nature lovers, there’s a diverse range of flora and fauna or even the odd rare species of bird or butterfly. Then there’s St. Werburghs City Farm, a green oasis in the heart of Bristol – this taste of rural life can be topped off with the taste of good food and drink in the nearby pub, The Farm. For a grander day out, there’s the picturesque Ashton Court Estate, spread over 850 acres of land and offering a tranquil setting for a relaxing day out. It’s ideal for a picnic in the most serene of surroundings. And these are just some of the little outdoor gems ripe for exploration in Bristol.
Water Sports
For the thrill-seekers looking for something less sedate, there’s the opportunity to try out some of the many water sports activities in Bristol's harbourside. Whether it’s kayaking or paddleboarding, sailing, or wild-swimming, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the wonderful waterfront development that graces the City Centre. And it’s not only seasoned adrenaline junkies who can take advantage of having a safe harbour on their doorstep; Bristol has an extensive range of experienced instructors covering each activity, guiding beginners through the basics and ensuring safety at all times. It doesn’t matter whether you're a novice or an expert, the harbourside offers a variety of water sports activities suitable for all skill levels, in safe, health-monitored water. This is string to Bristol’s bow that not even London can offer.
Nightlife
It’s not just the flourishing live music scene that attracts young adults into the Bristol streets at night-time. Bristol is an absolute haven for food lovers, with a wide range of culinary delights to explore. Among the scores of fine restaurants in the area, a feast of a place for sociable young foodies is St. Nicholas Market, housing a diverse range of stalls offering amazing street food from around the world – global cuisine under one roof. The restaurants on the city’s waterfront are rarely not full, and the same with the vast range of bars and pubs that make Bristol’s nightlife as exciting as any city outside of London. Many of the bars offer local brews and craft beers, some are prime cocktail venues, while others have quirky themes to make your night truly unique, such as prison-themed Alcatraz Penitentiary or the Tokyo-themed Seven Lucky Gods. Of course, the night doesn’t stop till the next day and Bristol has a vibrant club scene with the kind of variety you’d expect of a modern city, including the award-winning Motion, and the subterranean Basement 45.
And this is just a sample of the activity menu for Young Adults in Bristol – there is so much more to taste. The city is proving to be a unique place for young minds to flourish with all of the activities, attractions, and amenities needed to engage and entertain them for a long time to come.
