What is the best area to stay in Bristol?
By David Harrison . Sep 12, 2022
Bristol is one of UK’s most creative hubs – a liberal, waterside city, in the south-west with bags of maritime history, a famous street art scene, thriving nightclubs, gig venues and one of the strongest collections of unique independent businesses in the country. It’s famed for being the home of internationally acclaimed street artist Banksy, and the walls of the city are an open gallery filled with thousands of pieces of art. It’s a multicultural, leafy place, with some of the best green credentials in Europe. Many millions visit each year for its excellent nightlife and restaurants, with beautiful rolling hills and beaches also in striking distance.
The best area to stay in Bristol is in the city centre. Here you can find some of the city’s most historic streets, its main shopping district and hundreds of great drinking and dining options. A number of the city’s busy nightclubs are based here, along with famous monuments, and the compact layout of the area means most places are in walking distance. It also boasts a riverside park, large shopping centre and indoor market. A fantastic location to base yourself during a trip to the city, and in close proximity to other popular areas.
The area, just south of the city centre and within a 5-minute walk, is one of the most attractive parts of Bristol. The waterside location boasts many fantastic restaurants and bars, along with a shipping container development, which is home to many cool businesses. To its north is the city’s historic cathedral, which dates back 900 years, and the area is home to a number of attractive public spaces. It’s also a cultural hub with Lloyd’s Amphitheatre based here, where many open-air concerts are held during the warmer months, and the city’s aquarium is also nearby.
A vibrant, creative hub in one of the city’s most multicultural districts. The area, north-east of the city centre, is awash with street art, including a piece by the world-famous Banksy. It’s also a major centre for Britain’s African-Caribbean community, with many tasty restaurants, and an annual, colourful carnival.
A largely residential area in the south of the city, but one that definitely shouldn’t be missed. Like Stokes Croft the area is a hive of creativity - Europe’s largest street art festival, Upfest, is based here every year drawing in 100s of street and graffiti artists and many thousands of attendees. Large scale murals adorn many terraced houses and larger buildings throughout the area. It’s also known for its great array of cool independent businesses including coffee roasteries, breweries, vintage shops and restaurants, among many more.
Temple Meads is the name of the city’s main train station, a historic Grade I listed building, which is a major transport hub for the whole region. The surrounding area is home to a number of the city’s large hotels and many office developments. A nearby industrial area houses one of the UK’s most iconic music venues – Motion – which draws in international DJs and artists throughout the year and can house thousands of people. The surrounding streets are adorned with many pieces of street art, and old warehouse buildings have been converted into breweries and other hip businesses.
These areas sit either side of the River Avon where it meets the Severn Estuary, 11 miles west of the city centre. Avonmouth is the home of the city’s major port, where large ocean-going liners come to dock. This is a largely industrial area on the northern side of the river. Portishead to the south of the River Avon is a quiet coastal town, equatorial distance from the city centre. It has a popular marina, full of yachts, and lined by bars, restaurants and residential apartments.
David Harrison
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