The Greener Guide to Seeing Bristol More Sustainably

Bristol’s very own secret-garden restaurant, the Ethicurean sits in a glasshouse surrounded by veggie fields and walled gardens. The building itself feels as organic as the food, with bunches of herbs hanging from white brick walls, crooked beams and a wood-burning stove. Multi-course set menus showcase local produce, such as hand-dived scallops and grass-fed heritage meat.

Housed in a brutalist building overlooking the harbour, this is a chic option in the centre of town. The Arnolfini gallery is practically next door and it’s just over the water from the Watershed arts centre. In the lobby, you’ll find a handbook detailing everything the hotel is doing to become more sustainable, from installing lifts that run on their own kinetic energy to hosting a Green Festival, with pop-up stalls and games.

Bristol is a hotbed of urban growing spaces inspired by permaculture, and Windmill Hill City Farm is a case in point. This 4.5-acre (1.8ha) site in Bedminster is home to chickens, sheep and goats, and they also have guinea pigs and rabbits if you fancy a cuddle. The vegetable gardens supply the light, airy cafe, which serves only home-reared meat when it is available.

Fab for a late-night dinner of small plates and cocktails made from foraged ingredients, this happening spot in Stokes Croft pushes the boundaries of the green agenda. All their ingredients are sourced from producers who follow Slow Food values – the vast majority within 50mi (80km) of the restaurant – and the wine list is predominantly organic.

A stylish take on an American motel from the Soho House group, Mollie’s is located on Cribbs Causeway, just outside Bristol, and is therefore the ideal pit stop on a West Country road trip. Soho House is implementing an impressive sustainability plan, including screening all its suppliers to check they’re following inclusive, environmentally responsible practices.

A centre for scientific research and an inspiring morning out for anyone who wants to know more about the world around them, We The Curious has more than 300 exhibits. In the space of a few hours you can be wowed by the UK’s first 3D planetarium, walk through a tornado, meet robots and create your own animations.

Friends Lidia and Stacey founded Bristol’s first zero-waste shop in 2018 and it continues to be a favourite with the city’s sustainably minded types. From rice to reusable razors, everything is plastic-free and ethically sourced. There are also plenty of products from local producers: look out for brews from Clifton Coffee Roasters and vegan, family-run FabFudge.

This Scandi-style bakery in trendy St Pauls does a mean line in modern viennoiserie (sweet baked goods) and bread made from stone-ground British flour. They consider the whole system of making bread from field to table, and work closely with millers and farmers to make sure it’s as sustainable as possible. Don’t miss their laminated spice buns, a local institution.