Emma Visit Bristol in 2026
Bristol is gearing up for an unmissable 2026!. The city shines as the only UK city in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel, welcomes its first 5-star hotel, Hotel Gotham, and unveils the African Forest at Bristol Zoo Project. With Aardman Animations’ 50th and Bristol Old Vic Theatre’s 260th anniversaries too, 2026 promises celebrations, milestones and unforgettable experiences in Bristol.
What’s new -Attractions, accommodation, events and tours
Lonely Planet names Bristol a top destination in Best in Travel 2026
Known internationally for highlighting travel trends and being one of the leading hotlists for travel media, Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel guide has included Bristol as one of its top 50 destinations to visit in the world in 2026, thanks to its street art. Celebrated for being the birthplace of Banksy – arguably the world’s most famous and elusive street artist – Bristol’s city walls are adorned with vibrant murals by Banksy and hundreds of internationally-recognised artists. With street art tours, self-guided trails, the biennial Upfest street art festival set ro return in 2026, spray art workshop experiences, prints and street art themed hotels, there are many ways to experience Bristol’s incredible street art.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do/street-art/
Hotel Gotham Bristol – NEW 5* Hotel
Spring 2026
Hotel Gotham Bristol is presented as a plush hotel, with a fabulous drinking and dining venue. It aims to be an escape, a multisensory experience, and above all, a place to have fun. Set to open in Spring 2026, the historic, listed and incredibly imposing Guildhall will be transformed into a stunning new 5* hotel. It has been closed since 2010 but will be brought back to life to contribute fully to Bristol’s visitor scene and nightlife. The grand old building will consist of 75 bedrooms, a restaurant, spa and even a rooftop terrace bar. Described by the Guardian as ‘glitzy, ambitious, unapologetically opulent’ and offering ‘pizazz and pampering’, Bespoke Hotels cannot wait to bring the Gotham brand to Bristol.
https://www.hotelgotham.co.uk/locations
African Forest at Bristol Zoo Project – ATTRACTION NEWS
Spring 2026
Opening in spring 2026, African Forest at Bristol Zoo Project – just north of Bristol – will home some of the world’s most threatened species. All animals in the area are Endangered or Critically Endangered, including western lowland gorillas, cherry-crowned mangabeys in one habitat, plus slender-snouted crocodiles, African grey parrots and several extremely threatened species of West African freshwater fish, which visitors will be able to see in a special underwater viewing area. The area will be four and a half times the size of the previous gorilla troop’s home at Bristol Zoo Gardens, with level access for visitors using wheelchairs. The African Forest will also feature interactive, educational and engaging displays, with a keen focus on the Bristol Zoo Project conservation work around the world.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/listing/bristol-zoo-project/155757301/
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Bristol County Ground
21-27 June 2026
Following the success of hosting Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025, Bristol is host city for six matches of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2026 at its Bristol County Ground. The run of matches starts with West Indies vs. Sri Lanka on Sunday, 21 June, and ending with a doubleheader on Saturday, 27 June, featuring matches between Pakistan and West Indies against two tournament qualifiers.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/icc-women%e2%80%99s-t20-world-cup-2026-at-bristol-county-ground/372806301/
Mad Swans – NEW destination to stay, eat and play
October 2025, accommodation in eco cabins opening end of 2025
Located in the Mendips, just south of Bristol is Mad Swans; a new countryside hangout, redefining modern hospitality with eco-cabin stays, two restaurants (one with menu designed by multi-Michelin starred chef, Ollie Dabbous), 12-hole golf, padel and pickleball, a driving range, putt patch, darts and more. Think of a reimagined members’ country club – but without the membership! Designed to spark real human connection, it reconceptualises social spaces as vibrant, inclusive hubs where play transcends age and experience.
https://www.madswans.com/
The Greatest Showman: The Musical – NEW world premiere at Bristol Hippodrome
15 March-10 May 2026 (SOLD OUT)
Bristol Hippodrome will have The Greatest Showman world premiere from 15 March – 10 May as a brand-new musical for a strictly limited and exclusive season, based on the global movie phenomenon.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/the-greatest-showman%3a-the-musical-at-the-bristol-hippodrome/383242301/
Brunel’s SS Great Britain – redeveloped Dockyard Museum
July 2026
Bristol’s top visitor attraction – Brunel’s SS Great Britain – is redeveloping its Dockyard Museum in 2026 following a £1million investment. Due to open in July, the redeveloped Dockyard Museum (which is the entrance onto the ship itself) will be designed as an immersive experience, exploring how the SS Great Britain changed the world, illuminating the journeys of over 30,000 passengers and crew who travelled aboard the ship between 1845 and 1886.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/listing/brunels-ss-great-britain/2586101/
Wake the Tiger – NEW Junk Yard dining and event space
Spring 2026
While exciting developments are underway for a Wake the Tiger in London opening in 2026, the Bristol Wake the Tiger immersive art experience is expanding too, with a new dining and events space outside called Junk Yard. Comprising a stretch tent and pizza oven, the additional space will host DJs, entertainment and extend the magic of the portal that is Wake the Tiger.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/listing/wake-the-tiger/309833301/
Cracking Exhibition Gromit: 50 Years of Aardman in Bristol
Summer 2026
Bristol Museums and Aardman mark the studio’s 50th anniversary in summer 2026 with a major new exhibition. Cracking Exhibition, Gromit at M Shed offers a joyful behind the scenes look at Aardman’s iconic Bristol legacy, and there will be hidden art installations and Aardman treasures across Bristol Museum & Art Gallery from January too.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/cracking-exhibition-gromit%3a-50-years-of-aardman-in-bristol-at-m-shed/386170301/
RHS Badminton Flower Show
8-12 July 2026
The RHS brings its renowned flower show to Gloucestershire for the first time. The RHS Badminton Flower Show will feature standout gardens, floral displays, and expert advice, attracting enthusiasts, families, and professionals from the region.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/rhs-badminton-flower-show/383029301/
Film and TV tour – NEW set-jetting TV/film experience
From now
Discover the filming locations for famous shows shot in Bristol including Skins, Poldark, Sherlock, Doctor Who and find out about Bristol’s celebrity connections with legends like Paul McCartney, Cary Grant, and Frank Sinatra on this new Bristol Film and TV tour spanning Clifton to Harbourside which launched this summer.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/event/bristol-tv-%26-film-locations-tour/374641301/
Rivals Season 2 – NEW series filmed in and around Bristol (date tbc)
Following a hugely successful first season on Disney+, the late Dame Jilly Cooper’s Rivals is set to return to our screens in 2026. The last season was predominantly filmed at The Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol and featured many Bristol locations too (including a risqué opening scene aboard Concorde, filmed at Aerospace Bristol). Expect to see more of Bristol in season 2, due on our screens in 2026, date tbc.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/blog/post/discover-rivals-filming-locations-in-bristol/
https://visitbristol.co.uk/blog/post/1980s-rivals-weekend-in-bristol/
