Serviced Apartments in Bristol

Facts About Bristol

Bristol lies only 120 miles to the west of London. It is the biggest city in south-west England. Bath lies just 12 miles away from the city. It lies alongside the Rivers Avon and Frome at the end of the Great West Way.

Here are some interesting facts about Bristol:

• Bristol is the biggest hot air balloon manufacturer in the world.
• Bristol is reportedly the home of legendary pirate Blackbeard or Edward Teach.
• The world’s first bungee jump took place on the Suspension Bridge in 1979.
• Bristol is the first cycling city in the UK, achieving this feat in 2008.

Bristol counts electronics, aerospace and creative media amongst its major industries. It has the biggest circulating UK currency, namely the Bristol Pound. The GDP of Bristol stood at £88.448 billion in 2017. The financial services sector plays a vital role in Bristol along with manufacturing. Bristol Airport (BRS), Lulsgate achieved the distinction of being the 8th busiest airport in the UK for 2019. It handled a whopping 8.9 million people in 2019.

Cost of Living in Bristol

The cost of living in Bristol is relatively reasonable if you take other major global cities into consideration. On an average, renting a 1 bedroom flat in the City Center will cost £750 and upwards. This will be approximately £500 outside of the Bristol City Center. Prices per square meter for home purchases stand at approximately £2,766-3,833.

Regular restaurant meals may cost somewhere upwards of £10-15 while a coffee comes for around £2. Adult single stop tickets are priced at £1 while a day ticket for buses is £4. A monthly season tram, bus and train ticket costs £66. However, the First Bus mTicket helps you save money and costs £17 for a week (anywhere). Biking and walking also help you cover the city without spending money.

Tips for Visiting Bristol

Here are some handy tips for travelers visiting Bristol.

• Banksy walking tours are recommended for first-timers.
• The Cabot Tower can be accessed free of cost.
• The Clifton Suspension Bridge is great on sunny days with gorgeous views.
• The Bristol Cathedral and City Hall are both connected to St. Nicholas market. You will find street food from across the world here.
• Shopaholics will find several shops including Levi’s Hollister and Victoria’s Secret.

Things to do in Bristol

• What are the most popular things to do in Bristol?

Some of the popular things to do in Bristol include visiting Brunel’s SS Great Britain and Cabot Tower. The Clifton Suspension Bridge is another popular landmark for tourists along with We The Curious.

• What are some free things to do in Bristol?

There are several free activities for tourists in Bristol. These include visiting the M-Shed, Clifton Suspension Bridge and other museums and galleries. You can get onboard The Matthew ship or check out the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.

• Does Bristol have many romantic attractions?

Couples will have a swell time in Bristol, riding in a hot air balloon over the city. You can watch Harbourside sunsets together or stroll romantically through Leigh Woods. Pirate-themed mini golf and Cabot Tower views are other romantic activities worth indulging in.

• What are the more family-friendly things to do in Bristol?

Families should visit We The Curious along with the Wild Place Project. They will have a fun time at the Bristol Zoo Gardens and also at Brunel’s SS Great Britain. Children will love the Bristol Aquarium and Aerospace Bristol alike.

• What are the more unusual things to do in Bristol?

Some of the unusual activities in Bristol including visiting Steak of the Art for your meal, going on a cheese crawl, visiting Vale Street and the Bag of Nails pub. Check out Leigh Woods or simply explore the Clifton Rocks Railway.

Places to Visit in Bristol

There are several places to visit in Bristol. They include:

• Harbourside – Harbourside contains We the Curious and Bristol Cathedral. You will find the aquarium here along with other tourist landmarks.

• Brunel’s SS Great Britain – The SS Great Britain pioneered shipbuilding in 1843. Famous inventor Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed this revolutionary vessel. Get on-board for an informative experience.

• Cabot Tower – Cabot Tower is one of the best viewpoints in the city. It goes up to 104 foot with stunning 360-degree views on offer. Built in the 1890s, it honors John Cabot’s discovery of Canada. This attraction is free to visit and you will love the panoramic views all around.

• Clifton Suspension Bridge – Clifton Suspension Bridge showcases marvelous British engineering. Cross the Avon Gorge and check out the wonderful view from the Clifton Observatory. This is a popular picnic spot in summers as well.

Places to Eat in Bristol

Bristol is dotted with numerous places to eat. Bravas is a great place to try sumptuous Spanish small plates. Find this tapas bar and restaurant nearby with its authentic dishes. Try pan con alioli and wild venison chorizo here. Poco is an eco-friendly restaurant.

It sources most ingredients from the UK, including community farms. Fish caught in Lyme Bay and certified by the Marine Conservation Society is served to diners. Bianchis is a go-to spot for feasting on the best Italian fare and pasta. The Pony & Trap is a great place to try comfort food including ham, egg and chips. Dry-aged steak is also worth trying here along with chargrilled pork and smoked pancetta. You will love dishes like lamb and beetroot tartare as well.

Street Food in Bristol

Street food is vibrant and flavorful in Bristol. Try wonderful organic Thai treats at Niangs Thai Snacks. Visit the St Nicholas Market and Temple Quay Food Market for delectable street food. Tiffins offers vegan and meat takeaways alike with regional Gujarati cuisine standing out.

Gopal’s Curry Shack offers crispy pakoras, spinach and lassi along with Samosas. For classic British fare, try Grillstock Smokeshack. This offers juicy meats that will delight you immensely.

Shopping in Bristol

Bristol shopping is synonymous with Wapping Wharf. Find wonderful interior designs, antiques and art at Clifton Village. The Victorian Clifton Arcade is a great shopping destination along with Gloucester Road. The latter has innumerable independent stores.

The Arcade is a lovely place to find the best independent retailers in Broadmead. Discover department stores like Debenhams and Marks & Spencer here along with Boots, Wilko and Waterstones among other high-street retailers.

Transportation in Bristol

Bristol is home to the Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway railway stations. They offer access to London and other regional centers. The Severn Beach Line goes on the suburban railway network to Severn Beach and Avonmouth. The M4, M5 and M49 motorways are key thoroughfares. The First West of England bus network is available along with providers such as Stagecoach West, Abus, Stagecoach South West and others.

The MetroBus BRT is another option for travelers along with water transport via Bristol Ferry Boats, Bristol Packet Boat Trips and Number Seven Boat Trips. You will also find an airport in Bristol, Lulsgate. It is the 8th busiest airport in the UK as ranked in 2019.

Weather in Bristol

Bristol has cool and comfortable summers along with long winters. The best time to visit Bristol is between late-June and early September. The warm season covers the entire stretch between June and September. The cool season covers November to March as well.