Bristol

Bristol, United Kingdom

Bristol, the unofficial 'Capital of the South West', has an independent spirit and a great sense of fun. You’ll find lots to make you smile here, from street art tours and music festivals to night markets and boat bars. And then there are the city’s iconic attractions: engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s SS Great Britain and the Clifton Suspension Bridge, plus world-famous events, such as the International Balloon Fiesta and Bristol Harbour Festival.

Population:

463,400

Currency:

1 pound = 100 pence

Bristol is the first UK city to have its own currency - the Bristol Pound. You can pick some up at the Tourist Information Centre on the Harbourside.

Emergency Numbers:

Ambulance/ Fire/ Police: 999 (or 112)

Doctor/NHS 24: 111

Hospital/A&E: Bristol Royal Infirmary, Marlborough St, Bristol

Opening Hours:

Generally shops open around 9am and close between 5 and 6pm.

Newspapers:

The City

Central Bristol is happily compact enough to explore on foot – or, if you want to take your lead from the environment-minded locals, by bike.
You won’t need to walk far before you stumble upon fascinating architecture, historic properties and amazing new attractions. Get a sense for the city’s past, present and future at museums including M Shed, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery and The Architecture Centre.

Don’t miss Bristol Cathedral – a rare example of a city centre cathedral - and other major attractions such as The Red Lodge Museum and The Georgian House Museum.

Make time for the Old City, too. Its atmospheric cobbled streets are now home to shops, cafes and bars that show-off contemporary Bristol’s cutting-edge creativity and entrepreneurial flair. With St Nicholas Market at its heart, it remains focused on trade – just as it has been since medieval times.

And if you do decide to hire a bike, be sure to whizz off and explore some of the city’s colourful enclaves such as Southville, whose walls play host to graffiti festival Upfest, and St Pauls - famous for its spectacular Caribbean carnival.

Do & See

You can spend hours just exploring the harbourside of Bristol. The historic dock is now home to Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s SS Great Britain, The Matthew, the Arnolfini art gallery and M Shed museum.

Nearby, on Millennium Square, you can also check out Bristol Aquarium, At-Bristol Science Centre and all the many markets, festivals and events that take place here throughout the year.

Venture a little further uphill and you’ll discover the stunning Regency architecture of Clifton, with one of Brunel’s most astounding engineering feats, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and one of the oldest zoos in the world – Bristol Zoo Gardens. The best way to see all this and more is via the hop-on-hop-off Bristol Insight open-top tour bus.

As an added bonus, Bristol is within easy reach of some stunning English countryside. To see what we’re talking about, head to the historic Berkeley Castle, set in rural Gloucestershire, or to the dramatic Cheddar Caves & Gorge, surrounded by walking trails. You will also find the World Heritage city of Bath just a 15-minute train ride away.

Dining

Bristolians love their food and have access to the best produce the West Country can provide.

Good meals abound, whatever your budget or dietary preference. There’s American inspired BBQ joints, Japanese noodle shops, French fine dining and Caribbean soul food.

As host each year to one of Europe’s biggest vegan and vegetarian festivals – VegFest – Bristol is also a rewarding place to go meat-free.
And if you really want to make an occasion of mealtimes, try one of the city’s superb Michelin-starred restaurants such as Casamia and The Pony & Trap.

Cafes

Bristol has all sorts of wonderful local cafes, whether you’re looking for a decent cup of coffee to start the day or a leisurely afternoon tea after all your sightseeing. There's also plenty of places to grab a bite to eat at lunchtime.

On sunny days, you’ll be pleased to find lots of Bristol's cafes have outdoor seating – perfect for soaking up the Harbourside views, as well as some Vitamin D.