Details about Bristol

[coleen]

Hi
I have seen cheap flight to Bristol. I have never been there or heard about the place so would anyone recommend it for a place to go for a weekend. Is the airport close to the city ? I like places with a few city sights a little shopping somewhere nice to walk. We also like a place with a few nice restaurants and bars. I would love to hear from anyone that has been there.

 

[Brendan Burgess]

It's a great place to visit.

It is a university city, so there is a lot of life and good cheap restaurants.

The highlight though is Bath, which is only a short train trip away.

There is a good bus service from the airport to the city, though we did get on the wrong bus, so you need to check that out.

I stayed in a cheap hotel close to the event I was attending, so I wouldn't recommend that.

Brendan

 

[Emmiou]

Hi I lived therefor a few years - there is a frequent bus to/from the airport to Temple Meads train station and on to the city centre [broken link removed] it cost £6 single or £9 return and the journeycan take between 20 minutes and an hour depending on traffic.
A taxi costs in the region of £23 for the same journey.

There is a great new shopping area [broken link removed] in the city centre with plenty of restaurants etc. White Ladies Road, the Waterfront and Clifton areas have plenty of bars and places to eat. The Suspension Bridge and Clifton Downs are nice to have a walk around.

Last time there I stayed in The Mariott Royal Hotel on College Green - very central for everything mentioned above, I'd highly recommend it - I did get a great deal on the room though!

 

[Emmiou]

Some more recommendations, all within walking distance from the centre

Eating

http://www.venue.co.uk/eow/eow_home.html has a huge list
Kathmandu Nepalese and Indian Restaurant- Colston Street
In the centre of Bristol in Colston Tower
Primrose Café http://www.primrosecafe.co.uk/ 1 Clifton Arcade, Boyces Avenue, Clifton – you’ll probably need to make a reservation
Pizza Express - 31 Berkeley Square, good for a cheap bite

Drinking

http://www.venue.co.uk/dow/bristol_pubs_ag.html gives complete listing
Zerodegrees microbrewery and restaurant on the corner of Colston Street and Park Row, – giant pots of mussels with frites.http://www.zerodegrees.co.uk/
Racks Bar at the Clifton Hotel, St Pauls Road, Clifton is a nice spot for a drink [broken link removed]
The Avon Gorge Hotel’s Bar has a Terrace with great views of the Suspension Bridge [broken link removed]
Ha Ha Bar & Grill, 20A Berkeley Square http://www.hahaonline.co.uk/bristol/
Highbury Vaults, 164 St Michaels Hill, if you’re into ales and a tweedy atmosphere or The Coronation Tap at 8 Sion Place Clifton if you want to risk some scrumpy http://www.thecoronationtap.com/
Po Na Na Souk Bar and Nightclub 67a Queens Road

Other

Colston Hall Venue http://www.colstonhall.org/
Bristol Ice Rink, Frogmore Street [broken link removed]
Tours & Guided Walks http://www.venue.co.uk/dayso/dayso_walks.html
Showcase Cinema De Lux, Level 3, Cabot Circus [broken link removed]

 

[notagardener]

4 of us travelled to Bristol in December last for two nights. As you exit the airport, attached to the main building is a taxi office. They had a taxi for us within 1 minute and cost of the trip was £20. We arranged to be collected by the same driver on our return on the Monday morning, that too was £20 – so £40 for the round trip which was very reasonable.


We stayed at the Novotel on Victoria Street. Nice modern hotel, very pleasant staff and approx. 5min walk to the city centre. It was our 1st visit to Bristol, so we checked the hotel out on Trip Advisor and it had a rating of 86%. The girls said the Cabot Circus was great for shopping, I personally thought the Shakespeare Inn (built in 1636, 2 min walk for the hotel – same street) was better . Lots of local ciders to be sampled!!!

We had a great meal in a Chinese Restaurant, located on a lane beside the Hippodrome Theatre one night. Check out Baldwin Street for pubs and King Street for restaurants - All these places are are in the same general area. Be aware that most places are closed on a Sunday. I personally think it’s a great place for a short break and the people we met were extremely friendly and helpful. Next time, as was posted we hope to take a trip to Bath too.

Enjoy