Bristol: Rain, Rumors, and Really Weird Street Art

okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm coffee. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. 1724579885 and 2519752 - don’t ask. it’s a thing. the pressure is 1028, humidity 46, sea level 1028, ground level 1018. feels like 10.41. it’s like being perpetually damp and slightly anxious, you know?

Bristol. honestly, it’s… intense. like a really loud, slightly off-key brass band playing in a crowded pub. i landed here yesterday and immediately felt like i’d stumbled into a fever dream curated by Banksy. the street art is everywhere. not just the big, obvious stuff, but little tags and murals and stencils that seem to be fighting for space on every brick wall. it’s overwhelming in the best way possible.

I’m staying in this tiny Airbnb near Stokes Croft - it’s basically a converted warehouse with exposed brick and a surprisingly aggressive collection of succulents. the landlord, a guy named Silas, keeps leaving cryptic notes about ‘protecting the vibe.’ i’m not entirely sure what that means, but i’m definitely not questioning it.

I spent the afternoon wandering around Clifton, which is… well, it’s grand. ridiculously grand. the Clifton Suspension Bridge is just… massive. like, seriously, you feel tiny. i grabbed a pasty from a little bakery - it was okay, a bit greasy, but hey, fuel for the soul, right?

Someone told me that the Arnolfini is worth a visit, but I heard that it’s mostly just empty rooms and a faint smell of linseed oil. i’m leaning towards skipping it. i’m more into the chaos, the grit, the feeling that anything could happen.

Here’s the gear list, because apparently, that’s what people want:

Camera: My trusty Sony Alpha 7III - always.
*Rain Jacket: Obviously. Like, essential.
*Sketchbook & Pens: For capturing the madness.
*Comfortable Boots: You’ll be doing a lot of walking.
*Earplugs: Seriously. The city is loud.
*A healthy dose of skepticism:* You’ll need it.

I stumbled across this little bar called The Plough - it’s tucked away down a side street and the bartender, a woman named Brenda, was giving out genuinely unsettlingly good cocktails. She said, and i quote, ‘Don’t trust anyone who says they like a dry martini.’ Wild.

I also overheard some locals talking about a hidden underground club called ‘The Void’ - apparently, it only opens on nights when the moon is in retrograde. i’m not sure if that’s true, but it sounds amazing. check out The Void Bristol if you’re feeling brave.

And speaking of brave, someone told me that the Wapping Wharf Market is a must-see, but I heard that it’s mostly just overpriced artisan cheese and kombucha. i’ll probably check it out, but i’m not holding my breath.

I’m heading to Southville next - it’s supposed to have some seriously cool vintage shops. if you get bored, Cardiff is just a short drive away.

Seriously, the art here is… something. it’s like the city is actively trying to provoke you. i saw a mural of a giant pigeon wearing a tiny top hat - i have no idea what it means, but it stuck with me.

I’m trying to find a decent coffee shop, but it’s proving difficult. most places seem to be serving some kind of fancy, single-origin brew that i can’t pronounce. i just need a strong, black cup of something to keep me going.

I’m thinking of checking out the M Shed museum tomorrow - it’s all about the history of Bristol. i’m hoping to get a better sense of the city’s complicated past.

And, you know, maybe find another cryptic note from Silas.

Check out TripAdvisor Bristol for some more ideas. Or, if you're looking for something to eat, Yelp Bristol has some decent options.

Don’t forget to check out Visit Bristol for events and things to do.