450+ species of exotic and endangered animals spread over 12 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. Offers lots of hands-on, up-close interaction. Take a stroll with the monkeys through rope bridge-tastic Monkey Jungle or come to face-to-face with a penguin at Penguin Coast.

Guthrie Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3HA. http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/

The suspension bridge that rules them all – Brunel’s world famous design must be seen. The spectacular setting on the cliffs of Avon Gorge have made it the symbol of Bristol.

Suspension Bridge Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3PA. http://www.clifton-suspension-bridge.org.uk/

Spooky spelunking for intrepid cavers. Home (allegedly) to the legendary Witch of Wooky. A tad touristy (adventure golf, penny arcades, toy shops) but the historical tours and museum are still worth a go.

The Mill, Wookey Hole, Wells, BA5 1BB. http://www.wookey.co.uk/

An evolutionary time-warp – see the world as the dinosaurs might have: giant Amazonian water lilies, ginkgos, cycads, lotus fields. The diversity of plants is unique and not found anywhere else this side of Borneo.

Hollybush Lane, Stoke Bishop, Bristol, Avon, BS9 1JB. http://www.bristol.ac.uk/Depts/BotanicGardens/

Underground cathedrals of stalactites and stalagmites, beautifully lit. Limestone cliffs tower 450 feet above a gorge, now used mostly for maturing cheese (hence the name). Watch out for the water voles!

Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3QF.
http://www.cheddarcaves.co.uk/

An upbeat slice of style on the fashionable Harbourside strip. Trendy piano bar and restaurant and the best cocktails in town. Despite its massive two floors, can get very busy. Perfect private hire venue for parties. Pricey but worth it.

Building 11, Canons Way, The Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5LF. http://www.thelivingroom.co.uk/

Successful language school for UK and overseas students. Amazing variety of English courses, excellent facilities, well-located and highly dedicated teaching staff. Perfect for those looking to pick up English skills on either short or long stays.

1st Floor, 3 Portwall Lane, Redcliffe, Bristol, BS1 6NB.
http://www.blc-english.co.uk/en/

The Megabowl of karaoke clubs - seven state-of-the-art karaoke rooms with waited drinks service and over 5,000 new and classic songs to sing along to. Each room is soundproofed, so you can rock the mic without embarrassed looks from strangers.

12 St Stephens Street, Bristol, BS1 1EL.
http://www.karaoke-me.co.uk/

Quirky Victorian-period bar near the university. Like stepping into a bizarre period drama speakeasy. Studenty, so the music is mostly guitar-driven. However, joyfully late openings and the best range of whisky in Bristol make up for it.

1 Park Street Avenue, Bristol, BS1 5LQ.

Well-respected picturehouse and events venue. Offers a lively programme of independent films – new and old - digital media and special events. Western fans will dig Spaghetti Sundays.

1 Canons Road, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5TX. http://www.watershed.co.uk/

The biggest venue in town. Puts on pretty much everything - musicals, ballet, opera, concerts, comedians, children’s shows and panto. 2010 starts with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang followed by the Russian State Ballet of Siberia.

St Augustine's Parade, The Centre, Bristol, BS1 4UZ.
http://www.bristolhippodrome.org.uk/

Gorgeous Georgian auditorium and the UK's oldest working theatre since 1766. Fell quiet for many years, but reopened to much acclaim under new management and artistic direction. An iconic treasure of the Old City quarter.

King Street, Old City, Bristol, BS1 4ED.
http://www.bristololdvic.org.uk/

Inauspicious-looking red brick warehouse conversion. This experimental theatre is a uniquely stark and looming space, making it the Old Vic’s evil twin. Showcases touring productions and has a strong hand in comedy.

Raleigh Road, Southville, Bristol, BS3 1TF.
http://www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com/

Wonderfully bustling market just off the old Corn Exchange, with more farmers’ stalls, second-hand bookshops and vintage clothing stores than you could ever want.

Corn Street, Corn Exchange, Old City, Bristol, BS1 1JQ.
http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Business/Markets/

Futuristic megamall at the heart of the historical city. Cost half a billion and offers 200,000 square feet - spread over three tiers - of pure retail. Brilliant for epic shopping sprees, if tough on the feet.

Cabot Circus, Glass House, Bristol, BS1 3BX.
http://www.cabotcircus.com/website/

Delightfully decadent former holiday home of Queen Elizabeth I. Winding staircases, carved stone chimneys and magnificent oak panelling galore. The dainty Elizabethan-style knot garden is also worth a snoop.

Park Row, West End, Bristol, BS1 5LJ.
http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/

Your chance to be Action Man for the day. This tranquil adventure camp offers a full roster of activities for him and her outdoors. Take your pick from rock climbing, abseiling, kayaking, canoeing, hill walking, rock pool jumping, wild camping, gorge walking, archery and mountain biking. Thirsty work but an exhilarating experience.

28 Slade Road, Portishead, BS20 6BS.
http://www.the-outeredge.co.uk/

Bohemian contemporary arts centre for arty intellectual types, often seen mingling in the café, Derrida-in-hand. Lots to see and talk about, although you may question how much of it is actually “art”.

16 Narrow Quay, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 4QA.
http://www.arnolfini.org.uk/

Stunning historic ship. Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s maritime masterpiece was the world’s first ocean-going iron ship. Now an accessible maritime museum, after a life as a luxury liner, troop ship and cargo vessel.

Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, Bristol, BS1 6TY.
http://www.ssgreatbritain.org/

No Louvre, but has its charms. Modern art remixes alongside the stuffy permanent collection of 19th century paintings. Visitors of a more archaeological bent can lose themselves in the best Egyptian gallery outside the British Museum.

Queens Road, West End, Bristol, BS8 1RL.
http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/

Well-kitted go-kart racing for juniors and adults. Extremely professional race circuit and training set in the picturesque grounds of Castle Combe. 4X4 off-road and skid pan racing are also available for more advanced drivers.

Castle Combe Circuit, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 7BW.
http://www.drivetechltd.co.uk/

Top-notch ambassador for an underrated sport: great grounds, superb game atmosphere and an immensely popular Premiership league team that always puts in a strong performance. Home fixtures are a must-see, especially against arch-rivals Leicester.

Memorial Stadium, Filton Avenue, Horfield, Bristol, Avon, BS7 0AQ. http://www.bristolrugby.co.uk/

Hearty food snuggled at the heart of cosy Clifton Village. Furnished with pine tables, candles, warm yellow and sky blue walls for that home-from-home feel. Serves classic, seasonal British cuisine.

7/9 Portland Street, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4JA.
http://www.cliftonsausage.co.uk/clifton/

Slick mix of bar, club and American-style pool hall. The pool tables get booked up, but you can enjoy scrummy deli-style snacks - hot bbq wings, nachos, freshly prepared wraps – while you wait.

64 Park Street, Bristol, BS1 5JN.
http://theelbowroom.co.uk/

Vibrant concert hall and go-to destination for classical, world, blues, jazz and folk. Puts on regular lunchtime concerts and recitals. The weird and wonderful Bristol Acoustic Music Festival in January is a calendar highlight.

Great George Street, West End, Bristol, BS1 5RR.
http://www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk/