48 hours in Bristol – Weekend Edition
Bristol In Less Than 48 Words
Bristol was once the ugly duckling among England’s cities, but this old industrial city has transformed itself into an economic powerhouse, fine dining hotspot, and cultural center. Its old docks have been restored to their former glory, and its streets abound in bars, restaurants, and world-class museums.
Clifton Suspension Bridge (Photo by Ben Godfrey)
First 24 Hours
You can get into the beautiful harbor city of Bristol via the Bristol International Airport, which is located 13 kilometers south of the city center. From there, you can take the Bristol International Flyer bus service, which will take you to the Bristol bus station. The journey lasts around half an hour. Alternatively, you can opt to hire a taxi at the airport terminal near the city center, although this will cost you much more.
Bristol was once the largest inland port in Britain, and it sprawls around the Frome and Avon rivers. To learn more about the city and its transportation system, you can contact the city’s main tourist office (E Shed, 1 Canons Road, Bristol, BS1 5TX, +44 870 444 0654, website), which is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Bristol’s hotels
In Bristol you can get quality accommodation in any one of its excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the Winford Manor (Old Hill, Winford, Bristol, Avon BS40, 01275 472 292, website). It is a very homely, but modern hotel, with an excellent staff, delicious food, and a nice location near the Bristol Airport.
A nice alternative is the Alveston House Hotel (Alveston, Thornbury, Bristol BS35 2LA, 01454 415050, website), which offers comfortable and well-designed rooms, plus skillful staff. You can also try out the Plush Hotel Bristol Airport (A38 Redhill, Redhill, Bristol, North Somerset BS40 5TD, 01934 862 410, website). It has comfortable rooms with great views, plus a swimming pool and delicious breakfast.
BRANDON HILL: Let’s take a view
Brandon Hill Park and Cabot Tower in the background (Photo by Laura Nolte)
A popular tourist attraction in Bristol is the Brandon Hill Park (off Great George Street, Bristol, BS1 5RR, 0117 922 3719). It is the oldest park in the city, and is located by the top of Brandon Hill. The site is divided into three main parts: informal gardens, open grasslands, and a two-hectare nature reserve. Take a stroll through its wildflower meadow, where you will see ox-eye daisies, knapweed, and yellow rattle. There is also a pond that breeds frogs, toads, and Smooth Newts. You will also see a children’s playground, flanked by beautiful paths.
However, the highlight there is visiting the Cabot Tower that is perched at its summit. It is a 105-foot building erected in 1897 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot’s voyage from Bristol to Newfoundland. You can clamber up its spiral staircase to the top floor, where you will be get sweeping views of the cityscape.
SS GREAT BRITAIN: See a historic ship
Take time to visit the SS Great Britain (Brunel’s ss Great Britain, Great Western Dockyard, Bristol, BS1 6TY, 0117 9260680, website), which is the pride and joy of the city. It is an advanced passenger steamship that was the largest vessel in the world at the time of its launch in 1843. Today, the ship is part of the National Historic Fleet, Core Collection, and is visited by more than 150,000 people annually. See its massive hulls and propellers, as well as its lavishly-decorated interior. The site is open daily from 10 am to 4:30 pm, and admission will usually cost you around £11.95.
SS Great Britain (Photo by Dave Hamster)
ST. MARY REDCLIFFE: Visit a Bristol landmark
You can also try to visit the St Mary Redcliffe (12, Colston Parade, Bristol, BS1 6RA, 0117 929 1487, website). It is an Anglican parish church which is the tallest building in Bristol. In fact, Queen Elizabeth I once described it as “the fairest, goodliest, and most famous parish church in England.” Built in the 12th century, the first thing that usually catches the attention of visitors is its central spire that shoots 90 meters into the sky. Admire its Gothic architecture, as well as the monuments to be found inside it, such as armor, bells, and altars. You can also see its exquisite Victorian stained-glass windows.
DINNER TIME: Discover Bristol’s restaurants
You can refresh yourself after a busy day with a dinner at the superb restaurants of the city. One of the best dining experiences is available at Lido (Oakfield Place, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2BJ, 0117 933 9530, website). It offers a delicious European cuisine and fabulous customer service that will guarantee a superb dining experience. Have a taste of India in Bristol at Brunel Raj (6-7 Waterloo Street, Clifton, Bristol, Avon BS8 4BT, 0117 973 2641, website), which serves great Indian dishes, including Chicken Ackari.
One Stop Thali Café (Photo by Heather Cowper)
You can also try out the One Stop Thali Café (12 York Road, Montpelier, Bristol BS6 5QE, 0117 942 6687, website). It offers a superb Asian menu, plus a cozy atmosphere and excellent service. The Hotel du Vin & Bistro (The Sugar House | Narrow Lewins Mead, Bristol BS1 2NU, +44 (0)117 925 5577) is a nice place to order up some French food, plus a nice wine selection.
Next 24 Hours
You can include the other tourist attractions of Bristol on the second day. Let the first of them be the Clifton Suspension Bridge (Leigh Woods, Bristol BS8 3PA, 0117 974 4664, website). It is one of Bristol’s most famous landmarks, and is a scenic bridge that stretches across the Avon Gorge. It was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and spans a length of 702 feet. From there, you can have sweeping views of the cityscape.
BRISTOL CATHEDRAL: Let’s go to church
Bristol Cathedral (Photo from Google images)
Another popular attraction in Bristol is the Bristol Cathedral (College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TJ, 0117 926 4879, website). It is one of the finest churches in the city, and dates back to 1140. It once served as the seat of the bishop of the Diocese of Bristol. It is known for its exquisitely-carved Norman chapter house, its so-called “Night Stairs”, unusual monuments, a historic organ, and tall Gothic-style windows. The site is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm.
WATERSHED MEDIA CENTER: Entertain yourself
Don’t forget to pay a visit to the Watershed Media Center (1 Canon’s Road, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5TX, website). It is a premier entertainment venue that is said to be the United Kingdom’s first-ever dedicated media center. The site houses three cinemas, a café, a bar, and office and event spaces. The café, in particular, has a nice location near the harbor, and you can enjoy scenic waterside views there. The main thing to do there is to sit back and watch a few films, especially when there is a film festival going on at the site. It is open during Mondays to Fridays starting at 9 am, and on weekends, it opens at 10 am.
ST. NICHOLAS MARKET: Shop till you drop
If you’re a shopping enthusiast, then you will absolutely love the St. Nicholas Market (St Nicholas Market, Corn Street, Bristol, website). It is often referred to as one of the city’s best-kept secrets, and is the oldest and largest market there. The market is home to the largest collection of independent retailers in Bristol, and has three main sections: the Nails Market, the Slow Food Market, and the Bristol Farmers Market – all housed under a historic glass arcade. The site is open from Mondays to Saturdays from 9:30 am to 5 pm.
St. Nicholas Market (Photo by Normann)
NIGHTLIFE: Indulge in Bristol’s vibrant nightlife scene
You can also indulge in the exciting nightlife offered by Bristol’s bars and clubs. One of the most popular is The Arc Bar (27 Broad Street, Bristol, BS1 2EL, + 44 (0) 117 922 6456). It is an edgy, postmodern bar housed in a cave-like venue, with guest DJs playing live tunes and hip-hop sets. A nice alternative is Fuchsia (Unit C Nelson House Nelson Street, Bristol, BS1 2JT, 44 (0) 117 945 0505), which is a Chinese-style bar offering gorgeous Chinese girls, a nice Chinese menu, and mean cocktails.
You can also try out the Riverstation Bar (The Grove, Bristol, BS1 4RB, 0117 914 4434, website). It is a chic hangout situated inside a former river police station, and offers superb drinks and a richly-decorated interior. One of the hottest places in town is the Severnshed Bar (The Grove City Docks, Bristol, BS1 4RB, 0117 925 1212), which offers great river views, futuristic designs, plus al fresco drinking and dining.
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