Running out of ideas to keep the family entertained, or facing Easter fun fatigue? Fear not, here are a few of our top picks from across the city...

Wake The Tiger is offering 50% off kids’ tickets until 27 April. The out-of-this-world experience is self-guided, inviting the whole family to walk through a labyrinth of exploration, which begins in an abandoned paint factory before journeying into the Dream Factory, and finally transcending to the OUTERverse. It’s fun for all ages – a hyper-reality spanning more than 40 interactive spaces.

Over at We The Curious, you can make giant bubbles and explore the nature of time. Families can head to the Greenhouse to make homes for pollinators, create colourful flowers in the Tinkering Space and find out how their lunch can help the planet in the Open City Lab. Older children and their grown-ups can set off on a journey into the Spring night sky in the Planetarium. If you bring little ones along, then check out the 2D Space Explorers show for an interactive space adventure. Do check for timings of activities on arrival.

Heading to Clifton Village? Pick up a trail map for the BID Easter Bunny Trail from the website or local information points including Chino's Café (64 The Mall), Otomi (4 Boyce's Ave), The Lansdown pub (8 Clifton Rd) and Copa (2 Regent Street). Collect a prize from Coppa Club Clifton. If you find 30 or more bunnies, you’ll be entered into the top prize draw. And if you manage to find at least 15 bunnies, you’ll get a sweet treat and be entered into a ballot for a chance to win prizes from The Ivy Clifton Brasserie and The Redgrave Theatre. 

Take a break from shopping in Broadmead to celebrate the power of water to sustain life, nourish nature and inspire wellbeing throughout the Easter holiday at the Wonderful Water community arts festival, organised by Broadmead BID, John Wesley’s New Room and Sparks Bristol until 12 April (it kicks back into action 16-19 April, too).

For even more ideas, flick through our Family Fun diary in the April issue here.

Image above: Wake The Tiger

Readers are loving our April issue...

We’re particularly excited about this one, as there’s a whole host of fab conversations with fascinating Bristolians and visitors to our lovely city.

On our cover is the wonderful Mollie Pearce, star of screen and ice. The Nailsea native, who found TV fame on BBC’s The Traitors last year, is known nationally for her advocacy and activism in de-stigmatising both visible and invisible Disabilities. We catch up with Mollie about – among other things – her recent Dancing On Ice stint, and how it feels to be a spokesperson for the Crohn’s and colitis community.

We also meet Danny Carlo Pandolfi, co-director of Lyra Festival, Bristol’s poetry festival which returns in April; Wotton-Under-Edge-born DJ Eats Everything, who talks sell-out shows and his new star-filled album; equality and diversity trainer and wellbeing coach Lildonia Lawrence, whose new book is helping to guide people through racial trauma recovery; chief executive of Gloucestershire Cricket Neil Priscott, who discusses plans for a major cash injection for the sport; and we welcome comedian Jenny Eclair, whose new show Jokes Jokes Jokes Live! stopped by Bristol Old Vic.

Elsewhere, we’re celebrating the arrival of Spring with all sorts of horticultural features, including a dive into the South West Lakes, the best walks for wild swimming around Bristol, a look at the University Botanical Gardens in Stoke Bishop, and the magic of fern that grows in your own back yard.

Read the digital version of our April issue here!

And if you would like to have a copy sent in the post every month, then we offer a postal subscription for just £35 for 12 issues, £20 for six issues or buy a copy for just £4.95. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – click here to subscribe on our website. 

Recipe by Melissa Blease 

Good Friday is one week away! Make it a really good one this year with simple but elegant poached salmon, wonderful served warm as an Easter weekend centrepiece or ready to be packed up and taken on a perfect picnic.

This recipe uses a whole side of salmon (one whole fillet), but you can follow the same instructions to poach several individual portions in a smaller pan as the cooking time is roughly the same.

Ingredients (serves 6-8)
For the salmon:
1 side of salmon (full fillet, usually around 1k)
1 whole lemon (quartered)
Black peppercorns

For the Dill Sauce:
4-5 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp runny honey
170ml sour cream or crème fraîche
1 tbsp capers (drained)
2 tbsp finely chopped dill
Freshly ground white pepper to taste

Method
To make the Caper and Dill Sauce, whisk the mustard and honey together before adding the sour cream or crème fraîche, capers, dill and white pepper (to taste) and stirring well. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least two hours (or up to two days) to allow the flavours to develop.

To poach the salmon: sprinkle salt over the flesh side of the salmon fillet and let it sit while you fill a roasting tray big enough to hold the salmon with enough salted water to cover it. Toss the quartered lemon into the water along with around a dozen whole peppercorns, bring to boil on the hob and, when just reaching boiling point, submerge the salmon (skin side down). Lower the heat immediately so that the water is gently bubbling, loosely cover the tray with foil and poach the fish for around 10 minutes (or a minute or two less, if using individual portions) until thoroughly cooked throughout.

If serving warm, you’re ready to go; gently lift the salmon out of the poaching liquid (discarding the lemon quarters and the whole peppercorns), transfer to a serving platter, garnish with fresh lemon slices and serve with a pile of steamed, buttered new potatoes and a well-dressed salad. If serving cold, transfer the salmon to a sheet pan to cool then cover with plastic film and keep refrigerated.

Either way you’re serving your salmon, don’t forget the Caper and Dill Sauce to go with it!

Discover more delicious recipes on thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Words by Tom Bleathman

The larger-than-life winemaker Johannes Leitz firmly believes that the work of the winemaker happens in the vineyards as well as the cellar.
Committed to sustainable farming and manual labour, he spends many gruelling hours on the ultra-step slopes of his vineyard, located around 35 minutes from Mainz in Germany's Rheinhessen region, in order to ensure that his vines reach their full potential. 

Within the Leitz range are several Grosses Gewächs (Germany's equivalent of Grand Cru), with key sites including Rosengarten and Roseneck, all available from The Great Wine Company.

greatwine.co.uk

Sculptural and organic, the Africa collection by Marco Bicego evokes desert landscapes, creating sculptural, harmonious, and irresistibly sensual jewellery. The 18ct yellow gold spheres that characterise the pieces are finely engraved by hand with thin grooves using the ancient Florentine 'millerighe' burin technique, creating a fine, brushed texture.

In a perfect interplay of proportions, the exquisite mix of coloured gem stones and 18ct yellow gold beads creates a playful elegance, perfect for everyday wear.

With their intense hues and sophisticated design, these pieces complete any look with a finishing touch of colour.

Pictured are the Marco Bicego Africa 18ct Yellow Gold Mixed Gemstone Necklace, £3,100 and the Marco Bicego Africa 18ct Yellow Gold Mixed Gemstone Drop Earrings with a Post and Scroll Fitting, £1,530.

Click here to discover these and more from the Marco Bicego Africa collection at Mallory

As the spring season begins, Seasalt Cornwall’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection is here to revamp your wardrobe with vibrant hues and effortless styles.

Shown above: 

The Westlin Suit Trousers and the Erica Blazer in Lime
Versatile, comfortable and in a vibrant, breathable linen, these pieces can be worn individually or as a suit. 

The Evenglow Satin Dress in Tulip

A luxurious satin dress for parties, weddings, evenings out and more.

seasaltcornwall.com 

Seasalt Cornwall, Unit 160-161, The Mall, Merlin Road,
Cribbs Causeway, BS34 5DG

Singer, composer and performer Angéle is the muse of
the new Chance Eau Splendide Fragrance.

This fruity, floral creation is a marvel of paradoxes.
Sprightly yet rooted. Sparkling yet rigorous.

Take a chance and be the first to discover the fragrance.

chanel.com

Curated by Daniel McCabe

Spring is well underway and that means we have a new Weird Walk, the hugely popular A5 zine that celebrates the ancient landscape of Albion. 

It’s a publication that’s come along way in a relatively short time, developing from its humble, hobbyist beginnings to become a significant enterprise that dominates the folklore scene (they also make beer and manage music festivals) and now attracts contributions from experts and high profile enthusiasts alike, including Stewart Lee, Jeremy Deller, Andrew Michael Hurley and others. 

This eighth issue, out this week, contains contributions from Maxine Peake, Rachel Adams, Lucy Wright, Isaura Barbé-Brown and Beccy Mccray. | £6.99

magalleria.co.uk

John Lewis Cribbs Causeway has teamed up with Bristol Hippodrome to present an extra special pop-up exhibition featuring six show-stopping costumes from the hit West End production TINA - The Tina Turner Musical!

The six legendary dresses are displayed along the main walkway in Womenswear on the first floor in John Lewis Cribbs Causeway, and each outfit is accompanied by photographs that compare the musical to how Tina herself wore the iconic looks.

And while you're there, scan the QR code in store to enter the John Lewis x TINA competition!

The lucky winner will receive 1x VIP Box for 4 guests to watch TINA – The Tina Turner Musical at Bristol Hippodrome on Friday 25 April, plus a Personal Styling appointment with John Lewis Cribbs Causeway Stylists and £250 worth of clothes! 

(The Bristol Magazine is not affiliated with this competition. T&Cs apply and are available when the QR code is scanned. Closing date 20 April 23.59pm)

The Tina Turner exhibition is in store until 28 April (8pm). Viewing times are the same as the shop opening hours. johnlewis.com

Looking for a way to keep the kids entertained and off the screens over the Easter holidays?

Wildlife charity Butterfly conservation is sharing five ways for families to embrace their wild side with activities to keep the little ones busy, come rain or shine!

1. Keep your eyes peeled...
Print Butterfly Conservation's spotter sheets, head out to your local wild space or green area, and see which butterflies you can spot!

2. Go on an egg hunt
If the heavens have opened and the butterflies are hiding away, why not try some of Butterfly Conservation's rainy day activities? Discover print and play activities at butterfly-conservation.org

3. Connect with nature
Let creativity run wild with a nature photowalk! Download Butterfly Conservation's guide for tips and inspiration for taking creative nature snaps and head outside to get started!

4. Float like a butterfly
Get crafty with Butterfly Conservation’s butterfly kite template. Gather a few basic materials, print off the kite design and let the kids get creative. Then you just need to head somewhere breezy to watch your creations flutter like the real things.

5. Make a Moon Meadow for moths
A Moon Meadow is a green space or planted area filled with plants which benefit our nighttime pollinators like moths, with an additional secret ingredient- the moon! They can be any size but need to be shielded from artificial light. So pick your spot and let the kids get their hands dirty planting moth-loving plants like night-scented Stock, jasmine and marjoram. Find out. more at wild-spaces.co.uk

Join Altered State for an informative talk on the realities of ultra-processed foods.

A great panel is lined up to help us moderate our love for UPFs. Will Shotton knows the ‘Big' food industry from the inside and now firmly believes in nurturing our gut microbiome through yeast and bacteria. Heloise Balme is passionate about improving the food, nutrition and lifestyle of Bristol communities. Charlie Bigham has focussed on making recipes that avoid UPFs as far as possible. He will tell us how.

Thursday 1st May @ 7.30pm | Hen & Chicken, North St, Southvillle, BS3 1JF

alteredstate.org.uk

Tell Tales by Darcy Whent explores memory, identity, and the tension between truth and fiction. Through painting, sculpture, and installation, the exhibition reflects on how childhood memories evolve and how personal history is shaped and reshaped over time. Themes of autofiction, motherhood, and emotional conflict run throughout the work, inviting viewers to question the reliability of their own recollections. 

Tell Tales is on at Centrespace Gallery from 2 - 8 May.

The private view is on Friday, 2 May from 5 PM — free entry, all welcome.

Image Details: Shimmer (2025) oil on linen 91x91cm

darcywhent.co.uk; centrespace.org.uk

A Couple of Swells is the inspired pairing of two unique entertainers – Liza Pulman, songstress, comedienne and one-third of the iconic Fascinating Aida, and virtuoso pianist, songwriter and singer Joe Stilgoe.

This is old-fashioned glamour in the company of two, modern-day musical greats.

Wednesday 30 April | 7.30pm | St George's Bristol, Great George St, BS1 5RR

For more information and to book tickets, visit stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

Showcase your art work in one of the UK’s leading open exhibitions

The RWA Annual Open Exhibition is one of the UK’s most prestigious open-submission exhibitions, welcoming artists at all stages of their careers. Now in its 172nd year, this highly-anticipated event provides a platform for emerging and established artists to exhibit and sell their work in the RWA’s Grade II-listed galleries.  

The exhibition attracts prominent art buyers who are looking to add new and exciting work to their collections. Once again, the RWA will accept painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, digital art, mixed media, architecture, textile and more. 

The results will be announced 21 July 2025.

For more information on how to enter, visit the website.

Join the Bristol Bears on Sunday 20 April (kick-off 3pm) for an Easter Funday egg-stravaganza as they go head-to-head with the Leicester Tigers in a massive second v third showdown.

Quid-a-kid is back for the blockbuster Gallagher Premiership showdown with top four rivals Tigers on Easter Sunday, with all under-12 tickets just £1 across the stadium.

It promises to be a bumper afternoon of entertainment both on and off the pitch, including Party Peeps’ Easter Celebration Show, Easter Egg Hunt for U12s with Briz, Bears player signing session, Bears Den activities, face painting and much more.

Secure your seat now for the ultimate Easter matchday and enjoy a day full of family fun and unmissable rugby entertainment, with adult tickets starting from £35.

For more information and to book tickets, visit tickets.bristolsport.co.uk

 4 bedrooms  |  2 Bathrooms

Guide price: £875,000

Offered for sale by Knight Frank Estate Agents

This terraced house in Sunningdale comprises four bedrooms and offers a generous floor area. On the ground floor, two reception areas provide ample space for entertaining. The front sitting room features original plasterwork ceilings, a feature fireplace, sash windows with working shutters, and engineered oak flooring.

At the rear, a west-facing bespoke kitchen breakfast room includes integral appliances and sliding doors that open to the courtyard gardens. Additional amenities include a pantry and guest WC.

The first floor accommodates a principal bedroom with fitted wardrobes and a luxurious en suite shower room, alongside a well-proportioned guest bedroom overlooking the gardens. The second floor hosts two further bedrooms serviced by a family bathroom.

Externally, the west-facing courtyard gardens enjoy abundant sunlight throughout the day, featuring a patio area, raised sleeper beds, and independent gated access.

To view more images, details and the floor plan
click here to visit the Knight Frank website.