Last weekend I headed to Ashton Gate Stadium for the Bristol Guitar Show 2026, one of the biggest dates on the Southwest’s guitar calendar. With over 100 trade stands, a buzzing Live Stage and a genuinely warm atmosphere, it turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable day out, even for a drummer with only a passing interest in six strings. Here’s how it went.
The Details
* Date: Sunday 14th June 2026
* Venue: Ashton Gate Stadium, Ashton Road, Bristol BS3 2EJ
* Time: 10am – 4pm
* Admission: £12 on the door (card or cash), under 12s free with an accompanying adult
* Organiser: Neil Cable, who has run the show since it was founded in 2017
Why It’s Worth the Trip
For anyone within striking distance of the M4 or M5, the Bristol Guitar Show is one of those events that rewards a Sunday morning out without demanding a huge commitment. It bills itself as the largest guitar event in the Southwest of the UK, and on the strength of this year’s turnout I’d believe it. No advance tickets are needed – you simply turn up on the day – which suits the relaxed, browse-as-you-please nature of the show.
First Impressions
Before you even get inside, there’s a striking bronze statue outside the ground that’s worth a moment of anyone’s time, guitar enthusiast or not. It commemorates John Atyeo, the Bristol City legend who made 645 appearances and scored 350 goals for the club between 1951 and 1966, sculpted by Tom Murphy. Arms raised in celebration, it’s an impressive piece of work, and the surrounding plaques – funded by supporters – make it clear just how much the club and its fans still think of him. I’m no football follower myself, but it’s a lovely touch outside the stadium and a fitting welcome before heading into the show.
I’ll be honest – I didn’t bother researching parking before setting off for Ashton Gate, which is my usual approach to these things. As it turned out, there was no trouble finding a spot on the street behind the ground, though a wander round afterwards revealed plenty of space in the car park at the front too. Either way, getting there from South Wales or the South West is straightforward, and the stadium itself is easy to find and navigate.
The welcome set the tone for the whole day. Reception staff were warm, helpful and clearly happy to be there, which isn’t always a given at events of this size.
On the Show Floor
It felt like there were well over 100 stands spread across the concourse, there was plenty to see and even more to talk about. What struck me most was the attitude of the exhibitors – cheerful, knowledgeable and genuinely up for a chat about guitars, even when it was obvious I wasn’t about to buy anything on the day.
A particular highlight was bumping into a couple of great guys from Merthyr – Jarrad (above) and his dad – who had brought along some cracking retro 1980s gear from Japan. It’s exactly the kind of stall that makes wandering round a show like this so enjoyable.
I was genuinely surprised, and pleased, by how many independent makers were exhibiting. It’s refreshing to see that side of the trade given a proper platform alongside the bigger names, and I came away with some good contacts I’m looking forward to following up.
As a drummer who’s only recently picked up the bass, there wasn’t a huge amount aimed squarely at me, but that took nothing away from the enjoyment of the day. There’s plenty here for guitarists of every stripe, and enough atmosphere to keep a curious bassist entertained too.
There was a healthy spread of price points on display too, from budget-friendly practice amps and pedals through to some genuinely eye-catching vintage and collector pieces. That mix is part of what makes a show like this work – you don’t need deep pockets to have a good time, but if you do have them, there’s plenty to tempt you. The Live Stage kept things ticking along nicely throughout the day, with exhibitors taking turns to demo gear and a run of musicians giving the concourse a proper buzz rather than the hush you sometimes get at trade-only events.
If you’ve never been to a guitar show before, it’s worth knowing that most stalls are happy for you to pick up and play, so don’t be shy. Bring cash as well as a card, since not every smaller stall takes contactless, and budget more time than you think – the six-hour window goes quickly once you start chatting.
A Word for Luthier Watches
One of the nicest conversations of the day was with Ash Powell of Luthier Watches, who makes guitar-inspired watches under the brand. Fair play to him – he was lovely to chat to, and the watches themselves are genuinely well made and surprisingly affordable, with prices around the £100 mark for the current LP range. Worth a look at www.luthierwatches.co.uk or on Instagram.
The Verdict
Every exhibitor I spoke to had nothing but good things to say about the show and how well it’s organised – hats off to Neil Cable on that front. It’s a solid, well-run event with a friendly atmosphere, a great mix of trade stands and independents, and an easy day out whether you’re travelling from South Wales or the South West.
I’ll definitely be back next year, and, given that the organisers run similar shows around the country, it’s well worth a visit to their website and a follow on social media to catch one near you.
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For Avon Life readers thinking of going, the practical advice is simple: turn up with cash and a card, wear comfortable shoes for a possible six hours on a concourse floor, and don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation – the people behind the stalls are as much a part of the show as the guitars themselves. Whether you’re a serious collector, a weekend strummer, or, like me, a drummer having a nose at someone else’s instrument for once, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend a Sunday.
For more on the gear itself – including a closer look at the independent makers, see our sister title Music Life’s full report on the show. Click here!
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If you’re visiting Cardiff, you might like to check out www.citylifecardiff.co.uk
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