April is here meaning spring is in full swing and the days are getting longer (cue gorgeous sunsets). It might be the month of Easter, but this April offers so much more than feasting on chocolate (as much as we like doing that regardless of the time of year). There’s a wicked line-up of things to do in Bristol, from cherry blossom to candlelight concerts, food markets to hidden gems. Without further ado, here are the most brilliant things to do this April in Bristol.
1. Go for an alfresco pint
Last month saw a large spell of wet weather, but it look like the weather might be changing! Everyone will be running to the nearest beer garden or terrace this April. There’s nowhere better than sitting outdoors with a pint or cocktail in hand among good company. If you fancy being super prepared this month for when the hot weather arrives, book yourself a place at one of these outdoor dining spots.
2. Have a laugh at your depressing dating life
Cuffing season is officially over and plenty of us have some horrible, horrendous and hilarious dating stories to tell! The hilarious comedy show, Story Party: True Dating Stories, makes its debut at the Hen & Chicken in Bristol this April. Comedian Gilli Apter (as seen on Netflix, HBOMAX, Amazon Prime and more) will tell stories of blind dates, cultural quirks, sexual revelations or accidents, and a series of things that you should definitely not do on a first date (or ever). This hilarious collection of dating stories (you’ll be glad aren’t yours) will leave you in stitches. To get your tickets head here.
3. Tour Bristol’s hidden historic gardens
Goldney Gardens in Hotwells are normally closed to the public, but will reopen for tours in April. Tours of these historic grounds will last approximately 1.5 hours and will provide an in-depth look at the history of the house and garden. It’s absolute must just to see the magical Goldney Grotto alone. Built over 27 years, it is one of the ‘finest surviving examples of an eighteenth-century grotto in Britain’ and is decorated with rare shells and ‘Bristol Diamonds‘. To learn more about these historic garden tours head here.
4. Watch a glowing tribute to Taylor Swift at this candlelight concert
Our Wildest Dreams have come true: a Taylor Swift candlelight concert will grace the iconic Mount Without this month. On April 22, Taylor Swift’s biggest hits will be getting the classical treatment at a Taylor Swift candlelight concert, performed right here in Bristol. What’s more, the stunning St Mary Redcliffe Church will be the location of this enchanting event, and beautiful flickering candles will surround the live string quartet. You won’t want to miss this, so snap up your tickets now!
5. Sample the best local food of Bedminster
eat:Bedminster is back! After the success of its inaugural event last October, the street food festival returns on April 15. Between 10am and 4pm, the street will come alive (more so than usual) with stalls offering farmer’s market favourites such as cider and cheese, to award-winning bakeries and patisseries. Expanding on last year’s event, eat:Bedminster will expand onto Dean Street to feature even more goodies this time around!
6. Take The Bristol Bridges Walk Challenge
Can you cross all of Bristol’s bridges in a single trip without doubling back? The was the question asked by Dr Thilo Gross 10 years ago. Ever since then, many Bristolian have attempted to tackle Bristol’s 45 bridges in The Bristol Bridges Walk Challenge. With days getting longer and warmer, what better excuse to get outside and get walking. Plus, see bits of Bristol you might never before! Learn more here.
7. Explore the numerous cherry blossom spots in Bristol before they’re gone
Spring is finally here which means warmer weather, the smell of dew in the morning, and of course, the most beautiful of all- pink cherry blossom. Adding a dose of beauty to any landscape, the trees pop with blossom for a short time during March and April, with stunning pastel pink flowers that flow in the wind. From the beautiful Oldbury Court Estate to the quaint corners of Arnos Vale Cemetery, these beautiful flowers are the perfect excuse for a walk. But blink and you’ll miss it!
8. Go for a bullseye with a spot of axe throwing at Whistle Punks
Got a bit of steam to blow off? Whistle Punks is a pretty unique venue in Bristol, offering guests the chance to throw actual axes at the wall. Sounds fun, huh? Practise your technique and aim for the target, while keeping score if you’re the competitive type! Once the session is done, take advantage of the bar area and regale your glory over a beer, cocktail or wine. Book your axe throwing session here.
9. Solve any weekend needs with a trip Wilson’s Bread Shop
Recently opened, Wilson’s Bread Shop extends the Michelin Green Star restaurant’s, Wilson’s, farm-to-table ethos to the bakery. Selling some of the best fresh produce for miles, enjoy home-baked bread, patisserie and desserts, hot drinks, and surplus homegrown fruit and vegetables.
Wilson’s Bread Shop has also nailed the weekend hangover cure (in our eyes). First, get yourself a Koji bacon roll using bacon cured in-house – making it maybe the best bacon sarnie in Bristol – then order a Bloody Mary made with mezcal and fermented home-grown tomatoes. If that doesn’t take the edge off, nothing will.
10. Head to this secret fossil beach an hour and a half away
There some spectacular day trips around Bristol, but one of our favourites has to be the hidden gem, Kilve Beach. A quieter trip than Weston-Super-Mare, much closer than Lyme Regis, it is full of fossils and rock pools. Less than an hour and a half drive from Bristol, you’ll this special place in the heart of the Quantocks.
11. Have a mammoth gaming sesh at the brilliant board game cafe Chance & Counters
If you haven’t been to Chance & Counters yet then you might need your ‘geek card’ revoked. Since 2016, this brilliant board game cafe has sat at the bottom of Bristol’s iconic Christmas Steps. We’ve spent many an evening killing time here with some healthy tabletop competition and hundreds of games to play A great alternative to the pub! This Easter, the board game cafe is getting an upgrade, however, opening a massive new flagship site on Gloucester Road! Expect every great board game from Catan to Monopoly, Risk to Cluedo.
12. Ignite date-night with live fire cooking
Everything is cooked over a ‘live fire’ at the neighbourhood restaurant BANK in Totterdown. Although open for a little while, the idea to prepare BANK’s modern-fusion, family-style dining over a live wood fire is a new one. Enjoy anything from a Filipino aubergine omelette to chicken thigh yakitori, smoked cauliflower to bone marrow with oxtail rendang and pineapple salsa. There’s a primal excitement to eating here that will put some fire in your belly!