Back to Bristol

I first visited Bristol in 2019, and then Covid happened and life got in the way. I always said I wanted to go back though — especially after I started following Urban Tandoor on Facebook. They’re an Indian restaurant with the most ridiculous (in the best way) curry-themed parody videos. Think Chicken Tikka instead of Chiquitita, and Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Naan After Midnight). Absolute geniuses and viral sensations. They’ve featured in the New York Times, and UK press.

Anyway, I spotted a cheap flight from Ireland West Airport Knock to Bristol, and that was that. Jono came along for the overnight trip, wheelchair and all, which made things much easier for him. I almost got a job in Knock airport directing people to the correct gate when they were queuing behind us in the special assistance area! Not that many of them listened to me. The flight only took about 50 minutes, and we got the Airport Flyer bus to Bristol Bus and Coach Station.

We were staying in the Premier Inn, but as we couldn’t check in until 3pm, we headed shopping instead. If retail therapy is your thing, Bristol is dangerous. There’s a massive Primark (Penneys, hun), plus both Cabot Circus Shopping Centre and The Galleries Shopping Centre nearby. We visited Antics Model Shop and Game Corner so Jono could stock up on railway bits and Pokémon cards.

Lunch was in Popeyes UK because Jono had always wanted to try it. Sadly, it was a bit grim. The chicken was bland, service took forever, and one drumstick looked suspiciously undercooked. Since then I’ve seen reviews mentioning food poisoning, so maybe trust your instincts. The milkshake was lovely though, and the cheese sauce on the chips was lovely.

I headed to Wake The Tiger and I still don’t fully know how to describe it. It’s an “amazement park”, which fits perfectly. Imagine a fever dream crossed with Diagon Alley, Labyrinth, and a giant Furby. I was half expecting a little worm with blue hair to pop out and say ‘allo!

There are no rides, but there are hidden doors, secret rooms, puzzles, actors wandering around in character, and endless weird little details. At one point a “clone” appeared through a door just as I was opening it and nearly gave me a heart attack.

There’s a train, a plane, and all sorts of gloriously bizarre installations. It’s the kind of place where you just surrender to the madness and enjoy it. I absolutely loved it. If you book online, tickets are cheaper, and honestly I think it’s worth visiting Bristol for this alone. There’s a café there too, complete with hot air balloons and a model train going around the ceiling. Wake the Tiger will be opening a London location in October 2026, which should be equally bonkers. I wish we had one in Ireland.

It’s not the easiest place to reach without a car as it’s tucked away on an industrial estate, but I was short on time so I just got an Uber there and back. Cheap, easy, no stress.

I visited Sparks, this is a department store with a difference. It’s home to ethical traders, and is also a vibrant centre for creativity, sustainability, social impact and education. It’s cool and quirky, and there’s something to see in every corner. They also host regular workshops and events. Find them here.

Dinner was at Urban Tandoor, and it completely lived up to expectations. I even got to meet a couple of the legends from the videos, who were genuinely lovely and gave me a complimentary drink. I had the chicken tikka and it was gorgeous.

The next morning I was up early for a wander around Bristol’s street art scene. The city is famous for it, and rightly so, it feels like an open-air gallery.

The last time I visited, I did the Banksy Walking Tour and I’d highly recommend it if you’re into street art. You can also read my previous Bristol post here: https://magnumlady.com/2019/10/08/aah-bristol/

We got the Airport Flyer back to Bristol airport and were home in time for lunch, after 24 hours of madness and mayhem. If you’re looking for a city break that’s creative, quirky, and a little bit chaotic, Bristol is hard to beat. I already want to go back.