Xiaohongshu
Your perfect summer day trip awaits! Join us in vibrant Bristol for street art, stunning architecture, and the world-famous Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.
About Bristol
Bristol is one of the UK's most creative cities famous as the birthplace of Banksy and home to iconic street art, striking Georgian and Victorian architecture, and the stunning Clifton Suspension Bridge. We're timing our visit for the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, one of Europe's largest ballooning events, filling the sky with over 100 hot air balloons against the backdrop of the city. A perfect summer day out, full of colour and spectacle.
What to expect on the day:
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
The iconic Bristol International Balloon Fiesta celebrates Bristol’s proud ballooning heritage with over 100 hot air balloons from across the globe. It’s one of Europe’s largest ballooning events and a highlight of the UK summer festival calendar. The festival is filled with with mass balloon ascents, live music, family fun, and spectacular displays.
Bristol Walking Tour
While in Bristol, you'll join a guided walking tour starting from Bristol Cathedral, tracing the city's history from Saxon origins and Norman castles to medieval streets and modern Banksy murals. Over 2 hours and 2 miles, you'll follow in the footsteps of seafarers, pirates, and street artists, passing through St Nicholas Market and on to the harbourside. Fun, fact-packed, and a great way to get your bearings in the city.
Free time to explore
With some free time, you can dive into the heart of Bristol. Walk through the historic streets, pop into quirky shops, or grab a bite at one of the local cafes. Whether you want to learn more about the city or just soak in the atmosphere, it’s a chance to experience the city at your own pace.
Itinerary
Saturday 8th August 2026
09:30 am Meet at Student Centre UCL, outside the building
12:30 pm Arrive in Bristol
Free time to grab a bite at one of the local cafes
2:30 pm Guided walking tour starts
4:30 pm Guided walking tour ends
Free time to explore more
5:30 pm Meet at the Ashton Court for Balloon Fiesta
6:00 pm Scheduled mass ascent of hot air balloons
7:30 pm Departure from Bristol
10:00 pm Reach London
About the Discover the UK programme
The Students’ Union’s Discover the UK visits programme has been designed to provide you with easy and low-cost opportunities to explore the UK. Our ambition is to enable you to see the best of British heritage and culture, whilst providing you with the opportunity to make new friends, helping you to create lasting memories during your time at UCL.
“I love the uncomfortable tour and found it really insightful. Also thank you for letting us take the UCL teddy bear for this adventure day out!” - student who attended the Oxford trip
"I was alone on this trip but everyone made me feel welcome and I had a great time!" - student who attended the Bath trip
"All pre-planned visiting spots were amazing and having the free time to explore the town was excellent." - student who attended the Cambridge trip 
FAQ
What is included in my ticket?
- Private UCL coach travel to and from Bristol
- Private guided walking tour around the city
How long will we be in Bristol for? 12:30 pm - 7:30 pm.
Where is the departure and when should I arrive at the departure point? In the morning, we will meet at 9:30 am outside the UCL Student Centre. In the evening, we will meet at 7:30 pm in Bristol to depart for London.
What should I bring along on the trip? As the weather in the UK can be unpredictable, we advise you to wear appropriate clothing in case of rainy and cold weather, or very hot weather. Comfortable footwear is recommended, as you'll be walking and exploring throughout the day. Food is not provided on the trips, however, you are more than welcome to bring along packed lunches or to purchase refreshments at your destination. You're allowed to bring food and drinks on the coach, but glass bottles and alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Are tickets refundable or transferable? No.
Please note that money cannot be refunded or transferred if you do not show up on the day of the trip or are late and miss the coach.
The Union and staff cannot be held responsible for any damage, loss or injury sustained by participants on Discover the UK trips.
Please note that by signing up for this trip, you are agreeing to follow the code of conduct and are aware of the bullying and harassment policy.
Student Participation Fund
If you’re interested in joining the day trip but need some financial assistance, the Participation Fund might be able to help. You can apply for support three weeks before the trip date through this contact form. Please let us know as soon as possible if you apply so we can put a ticket on hold for you.
If you have any accessibility needs please let us know when buying your ticket.