The Best Things to Do in Bristol This Autumn

Updated August 2026

I know I'm biased as a proud Bristolian, but there's something extra special about Bristol in autumn. The busy streets get a little quieter, local pubs start bringing entertainment inside, the city lights up with different firework displays and the autumn markets get a new buzz about them as people start planning for Christmas. 

Having lived in Bristol my whole life, Autumn is one of my favourite times of year to explore the city. After a busy summer jam-packed with events and adventures, and months of pointing lost tourists in the right direction every time you head into the city centre, autumn feels like a selfish opportunity for locals to take a breath and unwind for a while. Autumn offers the perfect opportunity to appreciate the peace and quiet between the two busy seasons, and enjoy orange-tinged views up the tree-lined streets - a sight that not many tourists stay to enjoy.

Autumn isn't typical tourist season in Bristol, but in my opinion it's one of the best times to visit - here are a few of my absolute highlights. 

In The Pursuit of Finding Joy

Hey friends,

It's been a while since I posted on The Owlet.

I started this website in 2017 as a hobby in an attempt to feed my creative side while working as a commercial event photographer and coming to terms with the fact that I now hated the job I’d worked so hard to build for myself. 

My creative outlet did a little too well and somehow became my job back in 2019, but over the last few years its been increasingly difficult to find the passion for writing that I once had an abundance of. Somewhere between the industry-wide focus on "helpful content", Google’s many updates coming in thick and fast, and multiple life-changing events in my personal life, I didn’t have the space in my brain to write for fun anymore. 

Earlier this year I lost my mum - one of my biggest cheerleaders and the person who taught me to look for the small joys in everyday life, even something as simple as enjoying a coffee with a pretty view. Somewhere in the stillness after the funeral, I  realised that somewhere along the way I'd been so busy wanting to make Mum happy and comfortable that I’d stopped looking for joy for myself. 

So a few months ago I decided to go all in on the pursuit of farming for joy and finding ways to make the days count. I spent so long saying no that my default answer to any opportunity is YES. I’m very much in the mindset of I’ll try anything once, because if you haven’t tried it then how do you know if you’ll enjoy it?

How Norway Made me Fall in Love with Winter

Hey Owlets,

For so many people, the nights drawing in and the temperature dropping is met with a feeling of dread. From as early as the end of August, I hear people talking about how they're not looking forward to the darker nights and shorter days. Honestly, I get it - the world just feels more alive in summer. There are festivals, weddings and social events every weekend, not to mention just feeling the sun on your skin is good for our mental health.

I think for a lot of people, the colder days and darker nights bring a feeling of loneliness, isolation, and maybe even a touch of cabin fever. I try to make the most of everyday, but I'd be lying if I said I hadn't felt the same.

Until I went to Northern Norway in winter.

Hamburg, Germany: The Inland City Obsessed with the Sea

Hey Owlets,

Every so often you happen to visit a city at exactly the right moment - the streets seem to be a hive of activity, everyone is in a good mood and the lights seem to sparkle a bit brighter. Every two years, that exact magic arrives in Hamburg, and I was lucky enough to spend a weekend soaking it all in. Hamburg is a city so obsessed with cruise ships that they host a festival every two years to celebrate. 

The city’s harbour bursts into life with the riverside full of stalls during the day, teaming with cruise lines offering special discounts for booking during the festival; Germans come from across the country to book their cruise at the show, and cruises that take part in the festivities on the river sell out years in advance. At night the harbour is bathed in blue light from the iconic art installation on the cranes, music plays, and people gather at the riverside to watch cruise ships illuminated by fireworks as they parade down the river Elbe.

Hamburg Cruise Days is a truly surreal experience and something that any cruise enthusiast has to experience at least once, but you'd be missing half of the magic if you didn't spend a few days exploring Hamburg while you're here. 

Hamburg is a city like no other. Set between two rivers, the Elbe and the Alster, the city hugs the banks of the rivers and places maritime culture at the heart of everything it does. Fresh seafood can be found in almost every restaurant, you'll be spoilt for choice when looking for a viewing platform, and there are more unique vessels offering boat trips than you could possibly experience in one weekend.

If you love travel, photography, or simply want to enjoy the buzz of a city that has yet to become a household name for tourism, Hamburg deserves a top spot on your 2025 travel bucket list.

Norway Travel Misconceptions: What Tourists Often Get Wrong

In recent years Norway has enjoyed quite the tourism boom. From cruise ships making weekly visits to regular flights to all parts of the country, it’s suddenly become impossible to scroll through your Instagram feed without finding at least one post about Norway. 

Norway’s sudden rise to fame has resulted in a wide variety of people being attracted to explore this beautiful country, which is a double-edged sword. If you are the kind of person that appreciates the beauty of nature and enjoys hiking up a hill to visit an impressive viewpoint then you’ll love Norway. If you’re the kind of person who likes to tick off tourist attractions like you’re catching Pokemon then you might find yourself feeling a little underwhelmed.