Bristol
From Imakoopedia
Bristol is the unofficial capital of The West Country of England.
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Understand
With a population of around 350,000, Bristol is the second largest city in the South of England after London and the largest shipping port in England. Although Bristol suffered from extensive bombing during World War II and more recently, a steep decline in its manufacturing industry, it has remained a prosperous and attractive city thanks to an influx of commercial investment.
The port of Bristol grew up in medieaval times around the confluence of the rivers Avon and Frome, requiring ships to navigate the tidal and precipitous Avon Gorge that flows out into the Severn Estuary at Avonmounth. It was from this tidal harbour that John Cabot set off in 1497 in his ship Mathew and became the first European to discover America.
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, this tidal port was turned into the enclosed Floating Harbour by the construction of locks and the New Cut (an overflow channel for the River Avon). Because of way this was done, the floating harbour winds its way through the city center in quite a different manner to the way most enclosed docks turn their backs on their host city.
With the advent of larger ships the tricky passage of the Avon Gorge became too much of a liability and Bristol's commercial shipping long since moved downstream to modern docks at Avonmouth and Portbury. But the floating harbour lives on as a real unique selling point for Bristol, providing mooring for leisure craft and preserved ships, a home for the city's industrial museum and a setting for numerous bars, restaurants, apartment complexes and offices.
Although it's often overlooked as a tourist destination, Bristol has a lot to offer of its own and is also an excellent base for exploring the West Country, with relatively inexpensive accommodation compared to some of the main 'tourist traps' (such as nearby Bath) and a huge choice of bars, restaurants and shops.
Get in
By plane
Bristol International Airport (http://www.bristolairport.co.uk) is situated 8 miles south-west of Bristol city centre and boasts scheduled flights from major European cities, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Frankfurt, Glasgow, Paris and Prague (but not London). There is currently no train link between the airport and the city, but there is a 'Flyer' bus service which takes 30 minutes and has a peak-daytime frequency of every 20-30 minutes.
The alternative is to use one of the London airports and travel on to Bristol by train, car or bus. The most convenient are:
- Heathrow Airport (http://www.baa.co.uk/main/airports/heathrow/) is about two hours drive straight down the M4 (westbound) motorway. Alternatively the RailAir express bus service (running every 20 minutes) connects with the main London to Bristol rail service at Reading rail station; expect the total journey to take slightly over two hours.
- Gatwick Airport (http://www.baa.co.uk/main/airports/gatwick/) is about three hours drive away via the M23 (northbound), M25 (clockwise) and M4 (westbound) motorways. Alternatively a half-hourly rail service from Gatwick connects with the main London to Bristol rail service at Reading rail station; expect the total journey to take slightly over two hours.
- Stansted Airport (http://www.baa.co.uk/main/airports/stansted/) is about three hours drive away via the M11 (southbound), M25 (anti-clockwise) and M4 (westbound) motorways. By train you will need to catch a Stanstead Express train to London Liverpool Street station, the tube to London Paddington station, then follow the directions below; expect the total journey to take around three and a half hours.
By train
Bristol Temple Meads station is located approximately 20 minutes walk from the city centre and has regular inter-city and regional train services from Bath, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, London, Manchester, Plymouth, Southampton, Swansea and York.
Bristol has a second main railway station in Bristol Parkway, which is located several miles north of the city center. Although this station also has frequent services to many of the same locations as Temple Meads, it is principally aimed at suburban residents and is unlikely to be useful to visitors.
From London, you should travel from London Paddington station. There are several through trains an hour, the fastest of which take under an hour for the journey. Train times (from any location) can be found on the National Rail Planner (http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/planmyjourney/) or by calling 0845-748-4950 from anywhere in the UK.
By bus
National Express (http://www.nationalexpress.com) operate services to Marlborough St Coach station, located on the edge of the city centre, from cities throughout the UK including London.
MegaBus (http://www.megabus.com) also operate budget coach services from London to a stop outside the Hippodrome theatre. Tickets must be booked online and fares are demand responsive but can be very cheap (£1.50 if you book far enough in advance).
By car
The M5 and M4 motorways intersect near Bristol and the M32, a motorway 'spur', brings traffic directly into the city centre. The M4 links London with Bristol with a driving time of some two hours.
Get around
Most locations in central Bristol (the Harbourside and Old City areas) are reasonable easily walkable, and there are plenty of attractive walking routes along the quaysides and in the pedestrianised central streets. The main station (Bristol Temple Meads) is a little further (about 20 mins walk) but still accessible by harbourside walkways or by bus. Clifton on the other hand is about two, very hilly, miles away from the centre and using a bus is advisable.
Most bus services in Bristol are operated by First Bristol (http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/southwest/bristol/home/). As most of Bristol's hotels and places to visit are located near the city centre or are in the upmarket suburb of Clifton, First Bristol's number 8 and 9 buses are probably the most useful for visitors. They follow a route from Temple Meads station to Clifton, passing through the main shopping area (Broadmead), the city centre (also handy for the harbourside) and the West End on the way. Single-trip tickets are a flat rate of £1.10.
Because of the way the city center is intimately interwoven with the old 'floating harbour', a boat is a good way of getting around as well as seeing a lot of interesting sights. Bristol Ferry Boat (http://www.bristolferryboat.co.uk/) runs several ferry services around the harbour, stopping at various quays on route, and even providing a commuter service between the city centre and the main rail station.
Bristol City Council offers a useful walking and public transport journey planner at http://www.travelbristol.org/.
Bristol roads can be quite congested, although the congestion is not of the same order as is found in, say, London. Driving is not particularly to be recommended for local journeys, but is probably the best way of seeing the surrounding region.
See
Temple Meads Area
This is the area surrounding Bristol's main rail station. Whilst certainly not the most attractive part of Bristol, there are a couple of attractions worth seeing before moving on:
- St Mary Redcliffe Church. Described by Queen Elizabeth I as "the goodliest, fairest and most famous parish church in England"
- The Empire and Commonwealth Museum (http://www.empiremuseum.co.uk), tel . Located in Brunel's historic railway terminus building adjacent to the current rail station at Bristol Temple Meads. Open every day 10am-5pm; closed Dec 25/26. £6.50 (adults); £5.50 (students & senior citizens; £3.95 (children).
Harbourside
In many ways the floating harbour is the jewel in Bristol's crown, and many of its attractions are on or close to the harbour:
- SS Great Britain (http://www.ss-great-britain.com/), Gas Ferry Road, tel 926 0680. The world's first iron hulled, screw propeller-driven, steam-powered passenger liner, built by Brunel in 1843 and now preserved in a dry-dock alongside the floating harbour. Open every day Apr-Oct 10am-5:30pm; every day Nov-Mar 10am-4:30pm; closed Dec 25/26. £6.25 (adults); £5.25 (senior citizens); £3.75 (children).
- Bristol Industrial Museum (http://www.bristol-city.gov.uk/mus/bim.htm), Princes Wharf, tel 903 1569. A good old-fashioned industrial museum, housed in one of the old harbour transit sheds with a good selection of working and static exhibits. On a typical weekend in summer you can expect at least one of their preserved vessels to be running trips around the harbour or one of their old dockyard rail locomotives to be in steam. Open Sa-W 10am-5pm. Free admission; charges for boat or train trips vary.
- @Bristol (http://www.at-bristol.org.uk/), Harbourside, tel 0845 345 1235 (within UK only). Exploratory (science and technology displays), Wildscreen World and IMAX Cinema. A good counter-point to the industrial museum, modern buildings, lots of high-tech and full of multi-media high design. Open every day 10am-6pm; closed Dec 25. £6.50 (adults); £5.50 (students & senior citizens); £3.95 (children). £4.50-£16.50 (depending on age and attractions visited).
- Brandon Hill & The Cabot Tower, off Park Street (about 10 mins walk up a steep hill from the center of Bristol). This attractive and hilly park is worth visiting, if only for the views over Bristol from the hill-top. Even better views can be gained by climbing the narrow spiral staircase within the Cabot Tower atop the hill. Open every day from 8am to 30mins before dusk.
Old Bristol
Between the Frome and Avon branches of the harbour, and rising up the ridge that separated these two rivers, are the remains of medieaval Bristol most of which is of some historical interest. Here are some of the highlights:
- Corn Exchange & The Nails, Corn Street. The Palladian Corn Exchange, built in 1743, boasts a clock on its frontage that ingeniously tells time both in the new-fangled GMT and the old Bristol time. In front are nails (in reality Bronze pillars) over which the local merchants did business; from these come the expression 'paid on the nail'. Exterior always open. Free.
- Castle Park & St Peters Church. It is difficult to imagine now, but this large harbour-side park was a network of busy streets and shops until it was bombed out during the second world war. Within the park are the excavated ruins of Bristol Castle, and the ruined St Peters Church preserved as it stood after the bombing as a memorial to those killed. Open during daylight hours. Free.
- King Street. King Street is now the heart of Bristol's theatreland (see 'Old Vic' below) but it once lead down to the docks at Welsh Back, where the old sailing trows (a type of sailing barge) used to dock after their journeys from South Wales. The street has changed little since those days, and the Llandroger Trow pub dates back to 1663. It is rumoured to have been patronised by pirates of old, not to mention Robert Louis Stevenson whilst writing Treasure Island.
Clifton
The old and up-market suburb of Clifton contains several more places of interest:
- Bristol Zoo (http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/). Open summer 9am-5:30pm; winter 9am-4:30pm; closed Dec 25. £9.50 (adults); £8.50 (students & senior citizens; £6 (children).
- Clifton Suspension Bridge. Possibly the city's most famous landmark, Brunel's 19th century suspension bridge spans the spectacular Avon Gorge at a height of 75m. Always open. Free.
- Clifton Downs and Observatory. The downs provide a huge open space within Bristol, with great overlook views over the Avon Gorge and the suspension bridge. Atop the downs closest to the bridge is the Observatory, housing a camera obscura and a tunnel to a observation point housed in a cave in the 250 foot sheer cliff face of the gorge.
Do
Cinema
- Watershed (http://www.watershed.co.uk), Canon's Road, tel 927 5100. The primary hub for art-house film in the city centre and has a lovely (WiFi enabled) cafe too.
- Cube Microplex (http://www.cubecinema.com), King's Square. An artist run venue which specialises in more experimental film and music.
Theatre
- Tobacco Factory Theatre (http://www.tobaccofactory.com), North Street, tel 902 0345. A hidden gem outside the city centre, in the Southville area of town. Well known for being involved in some of the most cutting-edge theatre in the city.
- Bristol Old Vic (http://www.bristol-old-vic.co.uk/), King Street, tel 987 7877. Bristol's main repertory theatre, located in the city center.
Learn
Work
Buy
Eat
Bristol has a huge choice of bars and restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. They are mainly centred around the Harbourside and The West End's Park Street and Whiteladies Road.
Budget
- One Stop Thali Cafe (http://www.onestopthali.co.uk/), York Road, Montpelier, tel 942 6687. Tiny and always packed, a different menu every day, the Thali specialises in Asian style street food and in terms of volume of food, must be one of the best bargains in the city! Loads of courses for very little outlay.
- Los Iguanos, Whiteladies Road (opposite Clifton Down Shopping Centre), Clifton. Delicious South American food with the fresh flavours of lime, salsa and chillis. Two course lunch is a bargain at £8.
Mid Range
- Severnshed (http://www.severnshed.co.uk), The Grove, tel 925 1212. The famous eatery with a bar that moves (using compressed air). They serve modern cuisine, and prices can be reasonable (especially at lunch time / early evening when they do a number of meals for £7.77). Right in the heart of the city centre, on the water front. Open every day noon-late. £8-£30.
- The River, 1 The Watershed, Canons Road, tel 930 0498. A newcomer to the bar scene and an opportunity to get a decent drink on the waterfront in decent company (at last!), they serve excellent good value food, including various sausages and mash and incredible pies. Open every day 11am–late. £3-£15.
Splurge
- Bell's Diner (http://www.bellsdiner.co.uk/), 1-3 York Road, Montpelier, tel 924 0357. A very well respected Bristol institution for those who know, Bell's serves up some of the most unique menus in the city, including their 'taster' menu where you get to work your way around everything. Open Tu-F noon-3pm (lunch); M-Sa 7pm-10:30pm. £18-£35.
Drink
The fact that it's the home to around 30,000 students probably says a lot for the quality of the city's nightlife. Surprisingly, though, it's relatively expensive, with prices similar to those in London. The nightlife centres on Corn Street in the 'old city', the Harbourside and Whiteladies Road, which is a particularly popular student haunt.
Sleep
There are a large number of hotels and guest houses in the Bristol area. A selection is listed below. For any mid-priced or up-market hotels, your best bet is to use one of the online booking services, such as Expedia (http://www.expedia.co.uk/).
Budget
- Youth Hostel (http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/hostelpages/81.html), 14 Narrow Quay, tel 922 1659. A modern, clean and very central YHA (http://www.yha.org.uk/) youth hostel located in the Harbourside area; now with a newly revamped cafe on the quayside. Open every day all hours (reception 7am-10pm). £17 (adult); £13 (under 18).
Mid-range
- Travel Inn (http://www.travelinn.co.uk/TI/index.jsp?page=inn&id=256), The Haymarket (near the Bus Station), tel 0870 238 3307 (within UK only). £50-£57.
- City Inn (http://www.cityinn.co.uk/bristol/index.htm), Temple Way (near Temple Meads), tel 925 1001. £65-£120.
Splurge
- Marriot Royal (http://marriott.co.uk/Channels/UK/property/BRSRY/propertyPage.mi), College Green, tel 925 5100. A magnificent 4* hotel and the most famous in the city. £75-£300.
- The Brigstow (http://www.fullershotels.com/frames/1012), Welsh Back, tel 929 1030. A modern, contemporary hotel in the centre of all the action, near Broadmead/Corn Street. Overlooks a very attractive stretch of the floating harbour. £89-£250.
- The Berkeley Square (http://www.cliftonhotels.com/html/business/berkeley/berkeleysquare.htm), 15 Berkeley Square, Clifton, tel 925 4000. If your visit takes you nearer to Clifton, this could be useful, just off Park Street (where all the best independent shops in the city are). The hotel is a lovely old 3*; staying here also gains you access to the exclusive members-only bar in the basement. £54-£127.
Contact
Phone
Bristols's area code (for landline numbers) is 0117 when dialed from within the UK or +44117 from outside the UK.
Internet
Stay safe
Cope
Get out
- Bath, with its famous Regency terraces, Roman remains and spa facilities, is only some 12 miles drive or 15 minutes train journey away, and makes an excellent day trip from Bristol.
- The Cotswolds and the Mendips, two popular rural tourist destinations are both a just outside Bristol. Exmoor National Park, Dorset, Devon, the Forest of Dean and the Brecon Beacons are also close to the city.
External links
- Bristol Tourist Information (http://www.visitbristol.co.uk/)
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