Seven of the classiest places in Bristol to take your grandparents when they come to visit

The average student hotspots of The Berkeley, Lakota, and M&M Kebab are not exactly OAP-friendly. There are absolutely loads of wholesome things to do in Bristol that you don’t often get the chance to visit.

So, when your beloved grandparents made the trip to the west country, make the most of their company and actually explore what the city has to offer.

1. Introduce them to the concept of brunch in Clifton

If there’s one thing Bristol does well, it’s the cute, over-priced, independent café. Clifton Village is a hotspot for these, being crammed on a Saturday morning with students devouring a full English- I actually do wonder how people afford this every week.

If you have to chance to visit when your student loan will not be picking up the check, Primrose Cafe is perfect for a sunny day with loads of outdoor seating and a delicious menu. Foliage Cafe is another great spot, as well as Eden Café and the new, but highly rated, Mercy Mercy Mercy. Bonus points if you can convince your grandparents to try avocado on toast.

2. For the more active grandparents, take a walk around Ashton Court Estate

For those who have been hot girl walking since the 1960s, just the other side of the suspension bridge sits Ashton Court. It’s a huge grassy estate which is the perfect place for an amble around while filling your grandparents in on all the flat drama. It feels like you’re far away from the hustle and bustle of the city and also has a café, an essential for those in society who need a sit-down, a cup of tea, and the toilet every 30 minutes.

3. Hit up the charity shops and markets

One thing grandmas and their Vinted-obsessed grandchildren have in common is an addiction to finding a great deal. Charity shopping will fulfil these needs. Clifton has lots of charity shops with quite high-end clothes, perfect for granny, as well as other cute little independent shops for an after-brunch activity.

If you’re closer to the city centre St Nicholas Market has loads of independent stalls selling everything from plants to bongs- your grandparents grew up in the 60s, remember.

4. Show them the ‘edgy’ side of Bristol at Wapping Wharf

Wapping Wharf is a collection of independent businesses, restaurants, bars and shops all in cargo containers stacked on top of one another, oh how gentrified. This is a great place to showcase to your grandparents the quirky vibe of Bristol whilst still being in the safe confines of a £5.50 pint.

Located in the Harbourside area, there is a nice view of the river and M-Shed is just next door if you fancied even more intellectual stimulation than your five contact hours gives you.

5. Confess your sins at Bristol Cathedral

You are likely to never have set foot in Bristol Cathedral before but with its prime location on College Green, it is worth a quick visit. Your grandparents would probably appreciate it more than you, although it is actually pretty impressive. They also occasionally have events and exhibitions about the city’s history which will definitely entertain the Antiques Roadshow watchers.

6. Choose the perfect place for an evening meal

To make the most of their company (and pension), you may want to take them somewhere a bit more boujee than Taka Taka. The Albion in Clifton is a fancy pub with great quality, classic pub-grub. Alternatively, Moltobuono on Park Street is an Italian with a really nice, intimate atmosphere.

If you’re looking for slightly more casual vibes, Beerd on St Michael’s Hill will provide, in my opinion, the best pizza in Bristol, and it’s not too chaotic so can have a good catch-up too.

7. Finish the perfect day with a drink

Who says the over-70s can’t enjoy a cheeky pint? While you won’t want to take your grandparents to your closest spoons, Bristol has so many wholesome pubs. The Christmas Steps pub has a cosy atmosphere, or if looking for somewhere along Whiteladies, the Whitmore Tap is very civilised with a distinct lack of students.