From serene, high-end wellness experiences to mouth-watering tasting menus, Bristol isn’t short on ways to treat yourself. The tricky part is figuring out which experiences are actually worth the splurge and how to get the best value – but that’s where we come in. Barclays are currently offering a £400 bonus¹ when you switch to a Barclays Premier Current Account by April 30, 2026, so we’ve curated a selection of standout activities worth spending that extra cash on. Consider this your guide to revamping your down time in Bristol.
To claim your £400 bonus, you need to download the Barclays app and use it to open a sole Premier Current Account in the app. Next, you just initiate your switch with the Current Account Switch Service (including two active direct debits), and finally deposit £4,000 or more into your account. Plus, the bonus isn’t the only perk – Premier banking customers enjoy fee-free access to an Apple TV subscription³, Barclays Experiences³, preferential savings rates, Cashback Rewards³, an exclusive black debit card, support from Barclays’ team of Financial Guides, and more. Read on to get inspo on how to spend that bonus in Bristol.
Download the Barclays app here to apply.
-
Enjoy a spa day at the Bristol Lido
When it comes to spa days in Bristol, the lido is hard to beat. This stylish spot centers around a 24-metre outdoor swimming pool which is heated year-round to a comfortable 20-25 degrees Celsius. Beyond the pool you can enjoy all of the facilities including the sauna and hot tub for £30 or even get a massage using locally made Somerset oils for £90.
2. Have a spot of afternoon tea at Thornbury Castle
Afternoon tea always feels like a bit of a special occasion – especially when it’s served in a real life castle. Thornbury Castle is a 16th Century Tudor building turned hotel. Originally built in 1511, you can now visit for an overnight stay, activities such as axe throwing, longbow archery, and falconry, and of course – afternoon tea. Enjoy tea, cakes and sandwiches for £45 per person.
3. Try out a tasting menu at Adelina Yard
Sitting down for a tasting menu at Adelina Yard is one of the best ways to explore Bristol’s locally sourced fine dining. The spot serves modern European food in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Expect inventive dishes such as bread, whipped brown butter, smoked eel, and Wiltshire hispi cabbage, all crafted with seasonal ingredients and a modern flair.
4. Create your own signature scent at a blending experience
We all want a perfume that’s uniquely ours – and with help from the experts at The Perfume Studio’s Fragrance Design Experience, you can get one. Their Moissanite Blending Experience begins with a run through of the base, middle and top notes. Then, you’ll put your learning into practice and blend your own, before taking home 100ml of the final scent in a customisable glass atomiser.
5. Get the Michelin Star Experience at Bulrush
Discover bold flavour combinations with the Michelin-starred tasting menu at Bulrush. The £90 dinner menu includes a French-inspired array of seasonal, foraged ingredients with dishes including hand-divided scallop, Welsh wagyu and Violina squash.
6. Drift away at the Bristol Float Centre
For a truly unique form of relaxation, try flotation therapy. At Bristol’s Float Centre, you can float effortlessly in warm, salt saturated water designed to promote deep calm and mental clarity. A one-hour session costs £60, with a choice of room styles (open pod, cabin and orbit) or opt for a three float package for £180.
7. Play with Clay at Fishponds Pottery
At Fishponds Pottery you can walk away with a new skill under your belt and a keepsake piece of pottery for your home. The £45 session includes a 2 and a half hour workshop where you will learn all about how to use your pottery wheel and create your own clay made keepsakes. Fire and glaze two of your pieces for £15.
8. Enjoy music by candlelight at the Best of Hans Zimmer candlelight concert
One of the most elegant ways to spend a night out is under candlelight – now imagine hundreds of flickering candles and a string quartet. The Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer concert is perfect for music and film lovers alike with string quartet covers of music from Inception, Dune and The Dark Knight. Tickets are available from £16.
9. Learn to Make Fresh Pasta from Scratch
We can all agree that fresh, homemade pasta from scratch is the superior way to enjoy the dish and at this workshop you can learn to do it all yourself. Join the cooking masterclass on how to prepare some of the most iconic pasta shapes including tagliatelle, orecchiette and lasagna sheets. You can even take some home to share with friends and family.
¹To be eligible, (1) use the Barclays app to open a sole Premier Current Account (eligibility criteria apply), (2) initiate a full switch (including two active direct debits) by 30 Apr 2026, (3) complete the switch & (4) deposit £4,000, all within 30 days. T&Cs apply. New customers, 18+ & UK residents only.
²To be eligible for a Premier Current Account, customers must meet the account criteria, through either paying in a gross annual income of at least £75,000 – or having a total balance of at least £100,000 in savings with Barclays, in eligible investments, or a mix of both.
³Activate benefits in the Barclays app. T&Cs apply.
The post Barclays is offering a £400 bonus¹ for switching to a Barclays Premier Current Account² – this is how you could spend it in Bristol appeared first on Secret Bristol.
