Visit Bristol have announced new openings, products and events for 2026. This year, the city will welcome its first five-star hotel, host the women’s T20 world cup and unveil the African Forest at Bristol Zoo Project. With Aardman Animations’ 50th and Bristol Old Vic Theatre’s 260th anniversaries, 2026 promises celebrations, milestones and a range of experiences to suit all visitors.
Highlights include:
- Hotel Gotham Bristol – Set to open in spring 2026, the historic, listed and incredibly imposing Guildhall will be transformed into a stunning new five-star hotel.
- African Forest at Bristol Zoo Project – Opening in spring 2026, African Forest at Bristol Zoo Project will house some of the world’s most threatened species. The area will be four and a half times the size of the previous gorilla troop’s home at Bristol Zoo Gardens, with level access for visitors using wheelchairs.
- ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Bristol County Ground – Following the success of hosting Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025, Bristol is host city for six matches of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2026 at its Bristol County Ground.
- Mad Swans – Located in the Mendips, just south of Bristol is Mad Swans; a new countryside retreat redefining modern hospitality with eco-cabin stays, two restaurants including one with a menu designed by multi-Michelin starred chef, Ollie Dabbous, 12-hole golf, padel and pickleball, a driving range, putt patch, darts and more.
- Brunel’s SS Great Britain – Bristol’s top visitor attraction is redeveloping its Dockyard Museum in 2026 following a £1million investment. Due to open in July, the redeveloped Dockyard Museum will be designed as an immersive experience, exploring how the SS Great Britain changed the world, illuminating the journeys of over 30,000 passengers and crew who travelled aboard the ship between 1845 and 1886.
- Wake the Tiger – Bristol Wake the Tiger immersive art experience is expanding, with a new dining and events space outside called Junk Yard. Comprising a stretch tent and pizza oven, the additional space will host DJs, entertainment and extend the magic of the experience.
- Cracking Exhibition Gromit: 50 Years of Aardman in Bristol – Bristol Museums and Aardman mark the studio’s 50th anniversary in summer 2026 with a major new exhibition. Cracking Exhibition, Gromit at M Shed offers a joyful behind the scenes look at Aardman’s iconic Bristol legacy, and there will be hidden art installations and Aardman treasures across Bristol Museum & Art Gallery from January too.
- RHS Badminton Flower Show – The RHS brings its renowned flower show to Gloucestershire for the first time. The RHS Badminton Flower Show will feature standout gardens, floral displays, and expert advice, attracting enthusiasts, families, and professionals from the region.
- Film and TV tours – Discover the filming locations for famous shows shot in Bristol including Skins, Poldark, Sherlock, Doctor Who and find out about Bristol’s celebrity connections with legends like Paul McCartney, Cary Grant, and Frank Sinatra on this new Bristol Film and TV tour spanning Clifton to Harbourside which launched this summer.
In addition, Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel guide has included Bristol as one of its top 50 destinations to visit in the world in 2026, thanks to its street art. Celebrated for being the birthplace of Banksy, Bristol’s city walls are adorned with vibrant murals by Banksy and hundreds of internationally-recognised artists. With street art tours, self-guided trails, the biennial Upfest street art festival is set to return in 2026.
For more information on what to expect and activities in 2026 head to visitwest.co.uk/trade.
