Spark and related events
Usually this is where I remind you to sign up to all the pre- and post-Spark events as well as what to expect on the day. But this year Spark has put together a fantastic practical guide to Spark!
Map
A map of the primary locations is included below. It also includes my recommendations for Bristol - read on for details!
Recommendations
Bristol is a lovely city - so lovely, in fact, I moved here in 2022 - so many people elect to stay in the area for the weekend afterwards. Here's some advice for those people:
Getting around
Although the city is quite sprawling, a lot of Bristol is accessible by foot (particularly if you're good with hills!)
As much as the locals complain, Bristol has a pretty good bus network (just don't compare it to London or any continental European city!) Fares on First Bus busses are £2.60 for a single with a cap at £6.80 for the day, if you stay within Bristol. Busses all support tap-on-tap-off which are automatically capped, so no cash is needed.
For bike and electric scooter hire you'll need the Dott app which you'll need your driving license (full or provisional) to sign up for, so be sure to do that ahead of time.
Food and drink
Bristol is home to fantastic independent cafes, pubs, restaurants and food stalls - as well as the birthplace of small chains like The Lounges and Boston Tea Party.
My favourite food stalls are in Wapping Wharf (Spike Island, harbourside) (St Nicholas Market is closed at the weekend!)
You can't go wrong with most cafes in Bristol, but some of my regulars are Mud Dock (harbourside), The Bristol Loaf ("The Centre"), East Village Cafe (Clifton Village) and Santiago's (particularly if you're waiting for a bus at the bus station!)
Some of my favourite pubs include The Apple (central) (don't miss having a half - too strong to sell it in pints! - of Old Bristolian cider on this cider-barge), The Cottage Inn (Spike Island, harbourside) and pretty much anywhere on King Street (central).
A touch of nature
Leigh Woods is a fantastic woodland a short walk over Clifton Suspension Bridge. You'll want some boots but it's easy to follow signposted routes.
Ashton Court is a deer park with great views over Bristol and a lovely cafe. You can stick to tarmac and gravel paths here if you want clean shoes! Also a Parkrun location.
Brandon Hill is a lovely park right next to Park Street and is home of Cabot Tower - which is worth a climb (free) for some more fantastic views.
Shopping
Cabot Circus and Bristol Shopping Quarter are mostly (although not entirely!) big chain shops you'd find in most cities.
Clifton Village (further out than Clifton but within the city, unlike it's name implies!) is where you'll find the best of Bristol's local boutique-y gift shops and cafes. Also worth visiting the iconic suspension bridge while you're there (and the cafe at the observatory is worth a stop!)
A little closer to the centre of town is Park Street and Whiteladies Road as well as Gloucester Road, less classy than Clifton but some lovely smaller shops. (Gloucester Road is the charity-shopper's heaven!)
Sightseeing
Bristol is home to some great museums. M Shed is the historic venue for Spark but also a great little free museum. You can find more information about all the Bristol Museums on their website.
This year's venue is also a museum - We The Curious is an interactive science museum that's recently reopened after a large fire. I've not been since the reopening, but have fond memories of going as a child!
Next to We The Curious is the aquarium (central) which is expensive but very good. Bristol Zoo is no longer located in Clifton, and is now outside the city.
Cabot Tower in Brandon Hill park (central) is free to climb for some epic views.
Clifton Suspension Bridge (Clifton Village) is free to walk across and Observatory Hill is nearby for some good views and a nice coffee shop. Or head into Clifton Village for endless cafes and pubs.
Bristol University has several beautiful historic buildings. The closest to the city centre are at the top of Park Street along with the Bristol Art Gallery.
Personally, I like to explore new cities using virtual audio tours. Claim a free one using my VoiceMap referral link. There are 5 highly-rated tours of Bristol to choose from.
Nearby
The cities of Bath and Cardiff, Wales are within an easy train ride (15 minutes or 1 hour respectively) if you want to spread your wings a little further.
See you there!
I'll be at the hackathon right the way through to the after party - so I'll see you there! Please come and say hi, and see my talk too if it appeals!
If you think I've missed something vital, let me know on socials!
Thanks to Tristan Thompson for his contributions to the 2024 post which have been brought forwards.