10 things to do this weekend – September 8-9

Make the most of your weekend with our guide to what’s on in Bristol and the surrounding area.

1. It’s the annual Doors Open Day across Bristol on Saturday. If you are the kind of person who likes having a nosey in other people’s houses then this should be right up your street.

For one day only, you have the opportunity to see inside some of Bristol's most important and impressive buildings, many of which are not normally open to the general public.

Now in its 19th year Bristol Doors Open Day will see buildings such as Royal Fort House, Colston Hall and even Avonmouth & Royal Portbury Docks opened up for tours.

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Buildings are open across the city from Bedminster to Brislington, Westbury and the West End.

2. The culmination of Bristol’s Interesting Games festival – Igfest - takes place this weekend.

Although headline games 2.8 hours later, Incitement and CARGO, are still running over the weekend, the fringe sees a series of minigames take over Castle Park on Saturday from 1-7pm.

Organisers have put together a collection of new games made by some of their favourite game designers.

3. Nowhereisland is an island from the Arctic on a journey around the coast of South West England.

On its epic journey it has travelled through international waters to become the world's newest nation with citizenship open to all.

The island arrives in Bristol, travelling up the River Avon, on Friday from 10am. From then on its embassy, in Cumberland Basin, will be open for new citizens to sign up and a rolling schedule of activities including a citizen march through the city, a discussion on the connection between habitation and wilderness, performances and debate.

4. Further afield, learn more about a new £100,000 wildlife habitat recreation project now open to the public with a couple of two hour walks – on Saturday at 10am and 1pm. The Catcott Great Fen Restoration Project in Somerset has transformed former peat diggings to reed bed, open water and fen ¬ an important wildlife habitat, once widespread on the Somerset Levels but now scarce.

5. Take part in the Bristol Zoo’s Animal Amble on Sunday on the Downs. Bristol Zoo invites you to walk 3km for wildlife in animal fancy dress to raise money for their conservation projects.

Arrive at 10.30am to take part in fun warm up activities, walk starts at 11am.

Registration costs £10 for adults and £6 for children and each walker is asked to raise a minimum of £20 for the zoo’s conservation work.

6. Bristol Rovers take on Aldershot on Saturday at the Memorial Stadium.

7. Bristol University’s Botanic Garden’s Bee and Pollination Festival takes place this weekend in Stoke Bishop. This year's theme focuses on vegetable growing and Bristol City Council Allotments Team will show a host of ideas for improving your efforts with their garden displays. Entry £3.50. Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm.

8. Bar of the week to try this weekend: Hyde & Co.

9. Restaurant of the week to try this weekend: Biblos in St Werburgh’s

10. Recipe of the week to give a go if you decide to eat in: Moules Mariniere

For some ideas of how to occupy your time next week check back at ThisisBristol on Monday.