Out & About in Bristol

Crowned "Best City in the UK and Ireland" in November 2008, nominated one of the best places to live in Britain (and one of the happiest) and voted in the top three most popular UK cities to visit, Bristol boasts a population of over 400,000 and is the UK's ninth most populous city.

Bristol has been a major port for over a thousand years and many parts of the city still retain their nautical connections. Bristol started life as Brigstow, the location of a bridge spanning the Rivers Avon and Frome in Saxon times. More recently Bristol has claimed dominance in other ways to claim the title of being the most important city in the South West. Just two hours drive from London, the Midlands and Cardiff, Bristol is home to several regional offices and government agencies, two notable Universities and an international airport with flights to a wealth of European destinations plus Mexico and The US. Bristol has become a Mecca for shoppers, partygoers and students, and provides an ideal base to reach the Severn Valley, the picturesque Mendip hills to the South and further beyond to the Somerset levels.

Shopping

No eager shopper will be disappointed by Bristol's retail experience. Broadmead offers more than 300 stores both nationally-recognised and local independents including designer labels, paintings and gifts, all situated within a safe labyrinth of pedestrianised streets and tranquil open spaces in the heart of the city centre.

Food and Drink

With a thriving restaurant and gastro pub community, there's no shortage of great places to refill in Bristol. One of the City's best known Italian experiences can be enjoyed in three establishments at Bottelini's, who have been serving great pasta and pizza for over 20 years. Glasnost Restsurant provides a great experience for those who enjoy modern European food made with the freshest ingredients and they are family friendly too. The Hope and Anchor in Jacob's Wells Road is a well-run gastropub that offers great food, superbly selected beers and they serve food later than most too. A favourite venue is City Cafe in Temple Way who have been awarded two AA Rosettes and serve an innovative and very popular menu.

Arts & Entertainment

Bristol can boast several internationally-recognised claims to fame. The dog that provided inspiration for the famous HMV logo, "Nipper", hailed from Bristol. The Plimsoll line, Tarmac and Ribena are famous Bristol inventions. J K Rowling found her inspiration for the young Harry Potter in a young Bristol lad. Famous names such as Cary Grant, Johnny Ball, Bananarama, Blackbeard, Matt Lucas and David Walliams, Jeremy Irons, Damien Hirst, and W G Grace all called Bristol home. With so much home-grown talent it's no wonder that Bristol's Old Vic remains the oldest continually working theatre in the UK.

For the technological boffins, there's Explore-at-Bristol, a 21st science centre that offers an amazing 170 interactive activities using cutting-edge multi-media procedures.

For some nautical nostalgia, the SS Great Britain has received a great deal of acclaim, as has the Matthew, the John Cabot replica ship. Families take a great deal of enjoyment from visiting Bristol's Zoo, located in Clifton not far from the Durdham Downs, especially with the newest addition of the monkey jungle.

The Harbourside, opened as a floating harbour in 1809, is often a-buzz with activities and hosts several annual events and festivals, many of which are free of charge.

The City claims both the International Balloon Fiesta and the Bristol International Kite Festival, and the Bristol Jazz Festival is held annually in King Street. There has also been a recent revival of the Bristol Wine and Food Fair and the Bristol Festival.

A tour of the Redcliffe Caves introduces visitors to historical mine workings which lie beneath the city, and not to be forgotten is Brunel's Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Hotels and Travel

The City offers many accommodation opportunities from budget rooms to top rated hotels. Favourites include the modern 4-star Mercure Brigstow Hotel, situated in a prime riverside location on Welsh Back and offering breathtaking views from elegant bedrooms equipped with modern facilities and a real piece-de-resistance - it is the first to provide a plasma TV screen in each bathroom! The Marriott Bristol City Centre is a popular choice for shoppers given its proximity to Broadmead, and for the most selective of guests, Bristol's Hotel Du Vin offers wonderful rooms as well as a fantastic gastro experience.

Bristol is considered to be one of the most easily accessible cities in England, aided by it's proximity to the M4 and M5, a bustling railway intersection and rapidly expanding airport.