Bristol is a vibrant city in southwest England known for its rich maritime history, creative spirit, and diverse cultural scene. Straddling the River Avon, it features iconic landmarks like the Clifton Suspension Bridge, a thriving harbour, street art (home to Banksy), and music. After visiting Bristol several times, I felt it was time to pen some of what I consider to be Bristol’s best.

Stay at Number 38 Clifton

Nestled atop one of Bristol’s most affluent hills in the heart of Clifton, Number 38 Clifton is a boutique gem housed in a beautifully restored Georgian merchant’s townhouse. With only 11–12 exquisitely styled bedrooms, it offers an intimate atmosphere—more like a charming home than an impersonal hotel. Guests are greeted via a charming doorbell and welcomed into cosy communal spaces decorated with curated artworks (including a David Hockney), antique furnishings, deep Farrow & Ball tones, giving each room and lounge a distinctive character.

Rooms feature king‑size or super‑king Hypnos beds, plush waffle robes, Roberts radios, REN toiletries, and in some suites, free-standing copper baths overlooking the city or Downs. My favourite is the West Loft Suite with inviting dark blue interiors. Breakfast, included in the rate, features locally sourced produce and hearty cooked options. Furthermore, the hotel’s focus on B&B rather than full board encourages guests to explore and enjoy Clifton’s lively dining scene just moments away. With no children under 12 allowed, the atmosphere remains tranquil, perfect for couples or discerning travellers seeking serenity amid Bristol’s urban charm.

Dine at Pasture

In 2018 Sam Elliott left two decades of working in other chefs’ kitchens to pioneer his own. With Pasture now ranked number one in Bristol, it’s been a sensational success. More than mere fascination with fire-cooked food, it’s possibly the perfection of it. As a South African familiar with this style, I can proudly say it rivals my country’s best offerings.

Pasture’s strongest pillar is its unwavering commitment to sustainability – a welcome departure from the overused but under-observed epithet. Produce comes from a selection of handpicked suppliers and then Buttercliffe, their farm just outside Bristol. Walking through the cold room, every cut carried detailed information on its provenance, allowing for proper handling, preparation and cooking. The beef is all ethically raised and grass-fed, with all fish sustainably sourced.

Additionally, the charcoal is a 100% natural by-product, the bottled water is crafted in-house, reusable packaging is employed, and all food waste is processed. This hard work has earned Pasture a coveted 3-star rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association. Incidentally, the farm’s very own vineyard will yield its first bottled harvest this year, adding to Pasture’s self-sufficiency.

The smoked beef carpaccio and beetroot tartare serve as sublime starters, while the variety of House Cuts takes centre stage for mains. Supported by a host of sides (the bacon butter cabbage in the coals being the hero), you’ll be bound to leave, as we did, gratefully defeated after one of our most memorable meals ever. Pasture’s culinary mastery continues in the adjacent Radius (intimate Chef’s Menu experiences) and then in Cardiff at a sister Pasture, with Parallel (immersive fine dining), as well as the speakeasy-styled Nightshade Bar. The Birmingham Pasture completes the trilogy of food forged by experiences.

Wine at La Scala Deli

The city boasts countless watering holes, with my favourite being the monthly wine tastings at La Scala Deli. Co-owner Xavier is a vivacious blend: born in Italy, raised in Spain, and now calling the UK home. He’s a talented sommelier who is as entertaining as he is knowledgeable. The deli serves light meals throughout the day, where customers come and go for their Italian fix, and on tasting days, it transforms into an evening café.

Tastings start with an aperitivo in the candlelit setting, followed by Xavier’s welcome and an overview of the evening’s wines. The wines (mostly Italian) are briefly introduced with tasting notes before the tasting and discussion begin. Cheese and bread boards accompany the experience, with other tempting nibbles available to order. The Wine and Dine evenings elevate tastings further, offering a five-course tasting menu.

Spa at Bristol Lido

A unique experience, as if transported back in time, awaits at the trendy Bristol Lido. As you step through the doors, the restored Victorian swimming pool comes into view. Originally opened in 1850, the lido was revived after a 16-year closure, reopening to the public in 2008. The 24-metre outdoor pool is heated between 20-24 degrees Celsius, with swimming lanes and a sitting ledge on the café side. On the opposite side, you’ll find quirky shower cubicles.

Facilities include a sauna, steam room, cold-water drench buckets, and my favourite— the 38-40 degree heated jacuzzi with massaging bubble jets (a favourite after a long workday). While most guests are regulars with coveted memberships, swim sessions are available for non-members. Delicious tapas are served at the poolside bar, along with larger plates at the upstairs restaurant.

The best part? Upstairs, trained spa therapists offer tailored 60-minute massages. As a trained physio, my therapist Jan quickly identified the knots and stresses with impressive accuracy. After this body-relaxing experience, a relaxation room offers herbal teas and comfy seating to extend the pampering. Hairdryers and shower facilities are also available for freshening up before leaving the Lido, feeling like a completely new person.

Walk at Tyntesfield

One of the best ways to explore the UK’s heritage is through National Trust properties. Hundreds of properties are tucked away across the country, and just minutes from Bristol, Tyntesfield is among the finest. The Victorian Gothic Revival house features acres of gardens, parklands, and orchards—all enjoyed by us and our furry companions.

Tyntesfield was transformed from a regency house into today’s Gothic masterpiece after William Gibbs purchased it in 1843. Step back in time as you walk through the Cloister, Library, Hall, Dining Room, Oratory, Boudoir, and bedrooms, taking in an impressive collection of classified objects. As if this wasn’t enough, an internal bridge connects the house to a large flamboyant chapel, modelled on Paris’ Sainte Chapelle Chapel. Make a day of your visit with a meal or cup of tea from the Home Farm Café.

The Dolomites in northern Italy are famous for dramatic limestone peaks, pristine forests, and idyllic alpine villages. Just outside of Brixen, the oldest town in South Tyrol, sits Forestis, a minimalist luxury retreat known for its sweeping mountain views and seamless harmony with the surrounding landscape. Now, the hotel is deepening that connection with its newest experience: Yera, a fine-dining restaurant built directly into the mountainside.

But Yera is more than just a place to eat—it’s a full-sensory journey into South Tyrolean tradition. Created by executive chef Roland Lamprecht in collaboration with Forestis owners Teresa and Stefan Hinteregger, the subterranean dining space is a tribute to forest cuisine and a nod to the region’s early inhabitants, the Celtic peoples, who once lived in harmony with the land.

“Thousands of years ago, various Indigenous peoples settled in Europe, including here in the Dolomites,” Lamprecht told Travel + Leisure. “We want to pass on the knowledge and added value of these cultures to people today.”

The name Yera itself is rooted in the Rhaetian Celtic word for harvest, a time of both abundance and reflection. “At that time, yera was the most important period of the year,” Lamprecht explained. “After months of hard work, the riches of nature could now be harvested. It is referred to as a recurring new beginning. The fertile soil can now rest and be replanted in the spring after the snow melts.”

According to the team, Yera isn’t just hidden—it’s nearly invisible. Tucked within a dense forest and set inside a cave, the restaurant is almost imperceptible from the outside. Guests begin their dining experience with a quiet walk through the woods to a discrete entrance built into the rockface.

Inside, the design echoes the surroundings. “Beyond a heavy door is a cavernous space designed by architect Armin Sader of Asaggio. The interiors are elemental: walls and floors are formed from the rust-colored Earth from the nearby Peitlerkofel mountain, a timber ceiling shaped like a ship’s hull, and a glowing fire pit in the center surrounded by hard-carved tree trunks,” Günther Kofler, the general manager of Forestis, told T+L.

At the heart of the restaurant is a fire pit serving as a focal point. Guests are seated on hand-carved tree trunks arranged in a circle, paying homage to the ancient practice of gathering around the fire. But the flames aren’t just for show: here, Lamprecht and his team prepare each dish live in front of diners.

“The idea is to gather people around the fire, similar to dining around a big kitchen table, and eating meals together, just as has long been the tradition within our region,” Lamprecht said. “The Celts were deeply inspired by nature and based much of their life on it, which is why our menus across all of our dining concepts at Forestis, and more specifically Yera, are adapted for light and dark seasons to reflect seasonal availability.”

In keeping with the restaurant’s ethos, the entire experience is phone-free. Guests are encouraged to slow down, be present, savor each bite, and not let the camera eat first. “The goal is to provide guests with a relaxing dining experience that combines zero distractions with extraordinary food and drinks from the Earth and our surrounding landscape,” Lamprecht said. “For a few hours, everyone can just simply enjoy what’s in front of and around them, feel fully connected to their company, engaged in conversation, immersed in the moment, and get back to the basics of what creates enjoyment.”

Yera also expands on Lamprecht’s “forest cuisine” philosophy: a culinary approach rooted in using ingredients from the immediate surroundings, minimizing waste, and honoring traditional preserving methods. The menu—served in a multi-course format that evolves with the seasons with housemade beverages to pair with each course—spotlights wild herbs and forest plants foraged from the forest, like birch water, spruce shoots, wild berries, tree beard and mushrooms. Anything not gathered from the immediate surroundings (think fish and meat) are sourced from producers who share Lamprecht’s culinary values.

Since sustainability is a key pillar, curbing waste means using off-cuts alongside classic cuts and leaning on traditional preservation techniques (like fermentation, smoking, and drying) to extend the life of each ingredient.

Even the tableware (or the lack thereof) is a return to the past. Guests won’t find standard silverware. Instead, dishes are enjoyed using wooden skewers, twigs, or even hands. “We want our guests to feel like they’ve been transported back in time, free from any constraints,” Lamprecht said. “Personally, I find it very exciting to eat with my fingers or wooden sticks. It reminds me of my childhood, when we were allowed to eat with our fingers once or twice a year.”

Ultimately, Yera is about reconnection—to nature and to others. “Fire is something fascinating—it has a very relaxing effect on the people gathered around it,” Lamprecht said. “And that’s exactly what guests should experience at Yera. A relaxed evening without constraints and disturbances. They should be able to concentrate fully on the food, drinks, and their company.”

Yera welcomes guests for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, offering five seatings each evening. The tasting experience is priced at 650 Euros (about $765) per person. While Forestis and its amenities remain exclusive to its overnight guests, Yera is open to the public, giving non-guests the chance to experience its alpine charm.

You can learn more about the restaurant and make reservations on Yera’s website at yera.it.