Bristol at a Glance
Neighbourhoods
Bedminster has come a long way from the times of mine shafts & factories. It is a special place that feels on the cusp of dramatic change but determined to hang onto its roots.
Here you'll find street art galore--from the gritty, graffiti-adjacent scrawlings in Dame Emily to 40 foot murals painted by international *and* local artists.
You'll find quaint coffee shops resplendent with house plants, as well as cafes brimming with Bristolian accents & clattering utensils.
Bedminster is both welcoming of change and stands valiantly in the face of change it. It has character... which is great to let wash over you from time to time.
Bedminster
Bedminster has come a long way from the times of mine shafts & factories. It is a special place that feels on the cusp of dramatic change but determined to hang onto its roots.
Here you'll find street art galore--from the gritty, graffiti-adjacent scrawlings in Dame Emily to 40 foot murals painted by international *and* local artists.
You'll find quaint coffee shops resplendent with house plants, as well as cafes brimming with Bristolian accents & clattering utensils.
Bedminster is both welcoming of change and stands valiantly in the face of change it. It has character... which is great to let wash over you from time to time.
Once considered a part of Bedminster, Southville has peeled off to become its own hood with its own identity.
The main attraction is North Street which features everything a food & drink lover could want. Fill time between coffee/pint stops with visits to artsy gift shops, record stores, vintage boutiques.
North Street is also known for its international street art festival: Upfest. Fortunately you don't have to be there in May/June when it takes place in order to have the honor of seeing loads of impressive murals which exist until the next year's festival ushers in a fresh lineup of replacements.
Does North Street seem *particularly* busy? Can you hear distant choruses of Ooo's & Ahh's? Football or rugby must be on at Ashton Gate Stadium. If schedules match, try your luck at tickets to a Bristol Bears or Bristol City Robins match.
9 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Southville
Once considered a part of Bedminster, Southville has peeled off to become its own hood with its own identity.
The main attraction is North Street which features everything a food & drink lover could want. Fill time between coffee/pint stops with visits to artsy gift shops, record stores, vintage boutiques.
North Street is also known for its international street art festival: Upfest. Fortunately you don't have to be there in May/June when it takes place in order to have the honor of seeing loads of impressive murals which exist until the next year's festival ushers in a fresh lineup of replacements.
Does North Street seem *particularly* busy? Can you hear distant choruses of Ooo's & Ahh's? Football or rugby must be on at Ashton Gate Stadium. If schedules match, try your luck at tickets to a Bristol Bears or Bristol City Robins match.
A local favorite activity is to simply amble along the 3 mile Harbourside loop while taking in the fresh air & tiers of iconic colorful houses.
You'll find most of the commercial action taking toward the east end of the harbor but a full circuit reveals plenty to be enjoyed throughout the loop.
Our personal favorites include:
- Underfall Yard: low-key cafe & volunteer-run museum
- The Cottage Inn: afternoon sun trap & refueling pitstop
- SS Great Britain: top sight for Bristol tourists, especially those with a historical curiosity / kids in tow
- Whapping Wharf: see main description
- Arnolfini: contemporary art & installations. Also one of the last places sun rays leave and therefore heaving with socializing locals sipping ciders in the summer
- Harbourside Market: a must-go for experiencing Bristol's second-to-none street food scene (W, Th, weekends)
- Watershed: cinema, arthouse & cafe. Features wonderful films & events
- Amphitheater: open-air venue for various events & concerts if your schedule aligns
- Grain Barge: it's bar, no it's a boat, no it's a bar on a boat!
- Pump House: Arcadia for gin aficionados, who don't mind opening their wallet. Lots of outdoor seating at the west end of the harbor.
103 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Harbourside
A local favorite activity is to simply amble along the 3 mile Harbourside loop while taking in the fresh air & tiers of iconic colorful houses.
You'll find most of the commercial action taking toward the east end of the harbor but a full circuit reveals plenty to be enjoyed throughout the loop.
Our personal favorites include:
- Underfall Yard: low-key cafe & volunteer-run museum
- The Cottage Inn: afternoon sun trap & refueling pitstop
- SS Great Britain: top sight for Bristol tourists, especially those with a historical curiosity / kids in tow
- Whapping Wharf: see main description
- Arnolfini: contemporary art & installations. Also one of the last places sun rays leave and therefore heaving with socializing locals sipping ciders in the summer
- Harbourside Market: a must-go for experiencing Bristol's second-to-none street food scene (W, Th, weekends)
- Watershed: cinema, arthouse & cafe. Features wonderful films & events
- Amphitheater: open-air venue for various events & concerts if your schedule aligns
- Grain Barge: it's bar, no it's a boat, no it's a bar on a boat!
- Pump House: Arcadia for gin aficionados, who don't mind opening their wallet. Lots of outdoor seating at the west end of the harbor.
Cobblestone streets, medieval churches, covered markets, and plenty of eateries all endearingly smushed into 1 square kilometer.
Spend a couple careless hours as a flâneur, popping into second-hand shops, perusing the wares of local makers, following the scents of freshly prepared food, sipping luxurious coffee (Full Court Press / Small Street Espresso), and observing people on their way to no discernible destination.
Don't miss Eatchu, specialists in Japanese-style gyoza. Also, take a moment to gawk at the literal mountain of shredded salads at Matina (Middle Eastern wraps & BBQ to-go). Eateries get busy at lunch time!
11 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
St Nicholas Market
Cobblestone streets, medieval churches, covered markets, and plenty of eateries all endearingly smushed into 1 square kilometer.
Spend a couple careless hours as a flâneur, popping into second-hand shops, perusing the wares of local makers, following the scents of freshly prepared food, sipping luxurious coffee (Full Court Press / Small Street Espresso), and observing people on their way to no discernible destination.
Don't miss Eatchu, specialists in Japanese-style gyoza. Also, take a moment to gawk at the literal mountain of shredded salads at Matina (Middle Eastern wraps & BBQ to-go). Eateries get busy at lunch time!
An eclectic two mile stretch that includes everything from hipster hangouts and indie music venues to delightful restaurants & brunch spots crammed with prams.
Starting at the Bear Pit (recently scrubbed of graffiti and character thanks to an extraordinarily overpriced BCC project) make your way up and into the [in]famous. The Bristol, or rather, Stokes Croft pride is so palpable you can practically feel it on your skin as you cross paths with everyone from recent transplants to Bristol legends. All in all, it's a great place to find a party and immerse yourself in the edgier side of Bristol nightlife. But don't dismiss Stokes Croft restaurants--you'll find some of the best in Bristol (recommend Paco Tapas Bar).
Continuing along Gloucester Road you'll feel like you're walking the timeline of Gloucester Road itself. From the rebellious youth days of Stokes Croft to the more sensible minded period of "The Arches", further along to the all-grown-up & responsible vibes of Bishopston, and finally into old-age decline of Horfield. (Continue several miles down and it's like a futuristic afterlife with the aerospace musings of Airbus & Rolls Royce).
All in all, a great area, and one of the favorites for many Bristolians.
28 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Gloucester Road
Gloucester RoadAn eclectic two mile stretch that includes everything from hipster hangouts and indie music venues to delightful restaurants & brunch spots crammed with prams.
Starting at the Bear Pit (recently scrubbed of graffiti and character thanks to an extraordinarily overpriced BCC project) make your way up and into the [in]famous. The Bristol, or rather, Stokes Croft pride is so palpable you can practically feel it on your skin as you cross paths with everyone from recent transplants to Bristol legends. All in all, it's a great place to find a party and immerse yourself in the edgier side of Bristol nightlife. But don't dismiss Stokes Croft restaurants--you'll find some of the best in Bristol (recommend Paco Tapas Bar).
Continuing along Gloucester Road you'll feel like you're walking the timeline of Gloucester Road itself. From the rebellious youth days of Stokes Croft to the more sensible minded period of "The Arches", further along to the all-grown-up & responsible vibes of Bishopston, and finally into old-age decline of Horfield. (Continue several miles down and it's like a futuristic afterlife with the aerospace musings of Airbus & Rolls Royce).
All in all, a great area, and one of the favorites for many Bristolians.
Elegantly perched atop the city heights it can sometimes feel as if Clifton may be looking down its nose at the rest of Bristol. But scrape the façade of nice cars & multi-story residences and you'll find a friendly, welcoming Bristol all the same.
One of the more handsome, if not the most handsome neighborhood in all of Bristol, it's ideal for a stroll any time of year. Start at the Clifton Suspension Bridge if you don't mind a little vertigo. Make your way up the observatory for worthwhile views that stretch into Wales. Meander through Clifton Village for window shopping, coffee, and notes on potential places for dinner (Bar 44). If you follow the downhills you'll eventually be funneled back out to the harbor or Whiteladies Rd / Park Street.
We recommend a "spa day" at the Clifton Lido--an outdoor swimming pool with newly renovated sauna, steam room, and hot tub. It's a private club so book a Guest Pass as far in advance as possible.
77 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Clifton
Elegantly perched atop the city heights it can sometimes feel as if Clifton may be looking down its nose at the rest of Bristol. But scrape the façade of nice cars & multi-story residences and you'll find a friendly, welcoming Bristol all the same.
One of the more handsome, if not the most handsome neighborhood in all of Bristol, it's ideal for a stroll any time of year. Start at the Clifton Suspension Bridge if you don't mind a little vertigo. Make your way up the observatory for worthwhile views that stretch into Wales. Meander through Clifton Village for window shopping, coffee, and notes on potential places for dinner (Bar 44). If you follow the downhills you'll eventually be funneled back out to the harbor or Whiteladies Rd / Park Street.
We recommend a "spa day" at the Clifton Lido--an outdoor swimming pool with newly renovated sauna, steam room, and hot tub. It's a private club so book a Guest Pass as far in advance as possible.
Food scene
Kick off your Sunday morning with a pleasant stroll to the Tobacco Factory where you'll find a well-curated variety of creative gifts, delicious produce, baked treats, spinning vinyls, fresh coffee, and incredible street food.
Must-Try Street Food
The lineup changes but if you're lucky enough visit:
For Mice & Men: build-your-own grilled cheese bar that has become a Bristol institution. They get busy early so, but it's worth the wait!
Agnes Spencers Amazing Jamaican Cuisine: everything you need to know in the name
Murray Mays: cooking up Turkish-inspired BBQ kebabs. Not just any old kebab
Niang's Thai: you can eat this until you explode
Gopal's Curry Shack: delicious Indian curries lovingly made
Also be sure to get one of the pristine, handmade patisseries from Kitchen Chef along with a coffee from Rolling Italy.
59 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Tobacco Factory Market
Raleigh RoadKick off your Sunday morning with a pleasant stroll to the Tobacco Factory where you'll find a well-curated variety of creative gifts, delicious produce, baked treats, spinning vinyls, fresh coffee, and incredible street food.
Must-Try Street Food
The lineup changes but if you're lucky enough visit:
For Mice & Men: build-your-own grilled cheese bar that has become a Bristol institution. They get busy early so, but it's worth the wait!
Agnes Spencers Amazing Jamaican Cuisine: everything you need to know in the name
Murray Mays: cooking up Turkish-inspired BBQ kebabs. Not just any old kebab
Niang's Thai: you can eat this until you explode
Gopal's Curry Shack: delicious Indian curries lovingly made
Also be sure to get one of the pristine, handmade patisseries from Kitchen Chef along with a coffee from Rolling Italy.
Sightseeing
Hidden in plain view in the city center is Brandon Hill park. It's worth a short visit--with picnic in hand, weather-permitting--if only for the admirable views & respite from the groans of car engines endeavoring to climb the hilly Park Street.
Don't miss ascending the narrow, serpentine stairs to the top of Cabot Tower for panoramic views.
104 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
สวนสาธารณะธรรมชาติบรานดอนฮิลล์
Park StreetHidden in plain view in the city center is Brandon Hill park. It's worth a short visit--with picnic in hand, weather-permitting--if only for the admirable views & respite from the groans of car engines endeavoring to climb the hilly Park Street.
Don't miss ascending the narrow, serpentine stairs to the top of Cabot Tower for panoramic views.
Escape from the city without ever leaving it. Located a mere two miles from the city center, Ashton Court's rolling hills, wooded trails, and open fields make for a lovely quaint stroll among nature.
Early birds are treated to breathtaking sunsets. But if 5am alarms aren't your thing there's plenty else to enjoy.
Set aside about two hours for a decent walk through the gardens & fields, pass the deer park to the upper levels, and finish at the cafe at the estate house for a coffee & small bite.
87 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
ที่ดิน Ashton Court
Escape from the city without ever leaving it. Located a mere two miles from the city center, Ashton Court's rolling hills, wooded trails, and open fields make for a lovely quaint stroll among nature.
Early birds are treated to breathtaking sunsets. But if 5am alarms aren't your thing there's plenty else to enjoy.
Set aside about two hours for a decent walk through the gardens & fields, pass the deer park to the upper levels, and finish at the cafe at the estate house for a coffee & small bite.
After a pint? Take a walk down King Street and you'll find yourself spoiled for choice. The 200 yard cobbled road is lined with some of Bristol's most cherished haunts. From arcade bars to underground vaults to an exclusively-cider-serving boat to the most reliable live jazz in all the city; King Street has much to offer.
But it's not all about the drink! The Bristol Old Vic makes its home here in the oldest continually-operating theatre in the English-speaking world. Check the bills to see what's on.
7 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
King Street
King StreetAfter a pint? Take a walk down King Street and you'll find yourself spoiled for choice. The 200 yard cobbled road is lined with some of Bristol's most cherished haunts. From arcade bars to underground vaults to an exclusively-cider-serving boat to the most reliable live jazz in all the city; King Street has much to offer.
But it's not all about the drink! The Bristol Old Vic makes its home here in the oldest continually-operating theatre in the English-speaking world. Check the bills to see what's on.