Travel to Bristol - England | Keytours Vacations

Discover Bristol's Wonders

Bristol County is located in the South West of England and refers to the City and County of Bristol. It is an independent city that historically was part of the county of Gloucestershire but was granted county status on its own. The county is now primarily referred to as the City and County of Bristol, which includes the city of Bristol and its surrounding areas.

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Description

Central Bristol is happily compact enough to explore on foot – or, if you want to take your lead from the environment-minded locals, by bike. You won’t need to walk far before you stumble upon fascinating architecture, historic properties and amazing new attractions. Get a sense for the city’s past, present and future at museums including M Shed, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery and The Architecture Centre. Don’t miss Bristol Cathedral – a rare example of a city centre cathedral - and other major attractions such as The Red Lodge Museum and The Georgian House Museum. Make time for the Old City, too. Its atmospheric cobbled streets are now home to shops, cafes and bars that show-off contemporary Bristol’s cutting-edge creativity and entrepreneurial flair. With St Nicholas Market at its heart, it remains focused on trade – just as it has been since medieval times. And if you do decide to hire a bike, be sure to whizz off and explore some of the city’s colourful enclaves such as Southville, whose walls play host to graffiti festival Upfest, and St Pauls - famous for its spectacular Caribbean carnival.

Useful information

Population:

463,400

Currency:

1 pound = 100 pence

Emergency Info:

Ambulance/ Fire/ Police: 999 (or 112)

Doctor/NHS 24: 111

Hospital/A&E: Bristol Royal Infirmary, Marlborough St, Bristol

Opening Hours:

Generally shops open around 9am and close between 5pm and 6pm.

Do & See

Arnolfini

Arnolfini is an organization for modern art which is based in a converted warehouse with a fantastic seafront location, not far from Bristol Harbourside. The program includes art exhibitions, film screenings, live dance and art shows. Please visit the website for more information on current shows, theatres and exhibitions.

Brandon Hill Nature Park

Take a stroll in the park and admire one of the best views of Bristol. The park is located in the centre of town, around a large hill. It is also here you will find the Cabot Tower, which was completed in July 1898. During spring and summer, the park is perfectly suitable for a picnic.

Bristol Aquarium

Bristol Aquarium is situated on the famous Bristol harbour and is a must-see attraction if you love the ocean and especially great for children. The aquarium is divided into sections, leading you from a sunken ship, to an urban jungle, the coral seas and an underwater tunnel. Plus, there are special events like meeting a mermaid every month.

Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery

Bristol’s City Museum & Art Gallery exhibits a wide range of objects, from sea dinosaurs to beautiful art. The museum is in conjunction with the region’s largest gallery and housed in the Edwardian baroque building next to Will’s University.

Bristol Harbourside Tours

See Bristol’s Harbourside from a nautical perspective by taking a historic harbour tour with the Bristol Ferry Boat Company or the Bristol Packet. Bristol Ferry Boats 44 The Grove +44 117 927 3416 Bristol Packet Boat Trips Wapping Wharf Gas Ferry Road +44 117 926 8157

Bristol Hippodrome

Bristol Hippodrome is the city’s very own 'West End' theatre. Since 1912, the Bristol Hippodrome has been the site of several premieres and is currently the scene of all great musicals. Please visit the website for information on current shows and musicals.

Bristol Insight

Sit back and relax while the bus tour takes you to the most interesting sites. There are two different tours: The Clifton Loop, featuring Clifton Suspension Bridge, City Museum and more and The Old City Loop, featuring St Mary Redcliffe Church, Castle Park and more.

Bristol Zoo Gardens

Bristol Zoo Gardens includes a large area with over 400 different animal species. Here you can easily spend a whole day either alone or with your family. Learn about the animals inside the aquarium or about the insects at Bug World, see snakes at the reptile house and say hello to penguins and seals. The butterfly house is also well worth a visit. A restaurant and picnic facilities are on site.

Dining

Bravas

Bravas is a small gem with a vibrant atmosphere that serves Spanish food and tapas from an open kitchen. The restaurant is very popular and usually very busy so book in advance. From here, you can take over Whiteladies Road and start a pub crawl.

COSMO Bristol

This is a buffet restaurant that offers Asian food in a glamorous and comfortable surrounding. Here you can choose to enjoy six live cooking stations, teppanyaki hotplate, yakitori barbecue grill, dim sum bar, wok station, fresh noodle bar and freshly prepared sushi counter.

Don Giovanni's

For high standard Italian cuisine and first class service, head over to Don Giovanni's. If you are very hungry, you have come to the right place: the friendly staff serves big portions. On the menu you will find dishes like risotto 'al pescatore', pasta carbonara and frutti di mare.

Racks Bar & Kitchen

Racks is claimed to be 'Bristol's best party venue' and located at the Clifton Hotel. They serve reasonably priced cosmopolitan cuisine, influenced by British, French and international dishes. Try their Racks Burger and breakfast options and enjoy their homey atmosphere.

Riverstation

An award-winning conversion of a former police station, situated on the waterfront with views over the old docks. Good for either a business lunch in a beautiful atmosphere, or for meeting friends over dinner.

The Bird in Hand

Enjoy modern and sophisticated British cuisine in this warm and inviting gastropub. Bird in Hand is located in a rural setting close to Bristol centre and tends to get very busy. The chefs prepare the dishes with local and seasonal produce to get the best flavours. They also feature special menus like Mama's Monday (paella) and Worker's Lunch.

The Old Bookshop

The Old Bookshop is a small restaurant that serves international food in an intimate ambience. This trendy place is full of antiques and has a great buzz. They also feature local artists and live music every week. Look out for their special menus on Sunday, Monday and Saturday. Because of its small size, booking in advance is recommended.

Cafés

Boston Tea Party

Boston Tea Party is a British café chain that runs several branches in Bristol. The one on Park Street is located close to Brandon Hill and owns a tiered garden. There you can enjoy their extensive breakfast and brunch menu - or a good old burger - alongside hot and cold beverages.

Cafe Kino

Cafe Kino is not only known for its delicious cakes and breakfasts but is also an owner-run, non-profit organisation. They try to provide a safe space for everyone, which results in a comfortable atmosphere. The menu is all vegan and includes burgers, falafels and sweet treats. Try one of the loose-leaf teas or grab a drink.

Mud Dock Cycleworks

This cafe is located in a bike shop and one of the best places in Bristol to enjoy a lazy weekend brunch, and a great spot for people-watching around the harbour. A range of chefs have left traces of French, Italian, Portuguese and Brazilian cooking.

Small Street Espresso

Wooden floorboards, brick walls and chalkboards - Small Street Espresso's interior immediately creates a warm, homey feeling. The small, independent coffee shop offers a typical cafe menu: baked goods, such as cakes and pastries, coffee and other hot beverages.

Bars & Nightlife

O2 Academy Bristol

Formerly known as Locarno or Carling Academy, O2 Academy features an array of live music and club nights throughout the year. The club has a mezzanine floor balcony overlooking the main area that can accommodate up to 1,900 revellers. Check out their weekly dance event called Ramshackle if you're into indie and alternative music.

The Cadbury

The Cadbury is a historic 300-year-old timber-framed pub beloved for its character and charm. Offering an impressive selection of draught and bottled craft beers, ales, ciders, and lagers, complemented by tasty pub grub, it's a hotspot for locals and visitors alike. With its reggae soundtrack, pub games, and walled garden, The Cadbury draws in a diverse crowd, including students, young professionals, and party enthusiasts. Be sure not to miss their renowned Sunday Roast, served from noon until 8 pm, for a quintessential Bristol experience.

The Fleece

Since 1982, The Fleece has entertained Bristolians with artists like Oasis, Muse, Coldplay and more. The former sheep market building offers space for 450 music fans. Check the website for the latest events, like pop-punk parties, DJs and gigs.

The Grace

Formerly known as Robin Hood's Retreat, The Grace offers a wide range of beer - craft, real ales -, ciders and wine. You can complement your drink with different dinner plates or pizza, all home-made and ethically sourced. On warm days, you can enjoy the lively atmosphere on their garden terrace.

Thekla

Get ready for one of Bristol’s unique nightlife experiences at Thekla, a former cargo ship, that nowadays functions as a club. The award-winning live music venue has seen several underground artists and features works of the legendary Banksy. Check the website for upcoming gigs and club events.

Shopping

Bristol Shopping Quarter

This huge shopping area includes some of the city’s most popular malls and department stores – Broadmead, The Galleries, The Arcade and Cabot Circus. Plan to spend some hours (or many) in the plethora of shops and stores, featuring anything you could possibly want to purchase. Find the quarter next to Castle Park and next to Bristol’s Old City.

Clifton Village

Picturesque Clifton Village with its Georgian townhouses offers upscale boutiques as well as independent shops, antiques and restaurants. Many students and locals appreciate the eclectic mix, all united at Clifton Arcade, a shopping street under Victorian arcades. A visit to Clifton Village can be combined with a walk to the Suspension Bridge or a trip to Bristol Zoo Gardens, both close-by.

Cribbs Causeway

Cribbs Causeway includes the famous shopping centre The Mall with its 130 shops and major food court. Besides that, the out-of-town shopping area features retail parks and The Venue, an entertainment complex. Cribbs Causeway is located in the north of Bristol, about 13 miles outside of the city centre.

Park Street & The Triangle

West of the Old City, Park Street is an iconic shopping street in Bristol. You can find leading brands and independent stores for fashionistas, but also music, record and book stores for culture lovers. At night, The Triangle (where Park Street and Queens Road meet) is a great choice for a night out in one of its bars and clubs.

St Nicholas Market

St Nicks Market was established in 1743 and is located in Bristol’s historic Old City. Underneath beautiful glass arcades and spreading out on the pedestrian street, the market offers over 60 stalls with food, produce, souvenirs and more. Besides the regular indoor market, there are also special markets on different weekdays: a Farmers’ and Producers’ market, a Street Food Market and Bristol Indies’ Market.

Tourist Information

Passport & Visa

For travel to the UK, citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland (except Irish citizens) need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). However, those planning to work or study in the UK for more than six months will need to obtain the appropriate visa. Additionally, residents of nine other countries — including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States — can also visit the UK for up to six months without a visa, but they will still need an ETA. To ensure a smooth journey, it is advisable to consult the UK government website for any specific visa requirements or regulations.

Bristol Airport (BRS)

The main airlines operating at Bristol Airport are easyJet, Ryanair and TUI Airways. Destinations are mainly European, with a few locations overseas. It takes 30 minutes to get to the airport by train or bus. The train leaves up to six times an hour and serves different destinations, including Bristol Parkway. The Bristol Airport Flyer Express bus runs every 10 minutes hour between Bristol Temple Meads, Bristol Bus station and Bristol Airport. Tickets can be bought from the bus driver or booked online.

Public Transport

Public Transport in Bristol is mainly based on the bus system, run by First City Line Buses. They operate roughly between 5:30am and 11pm/12:30am. Temple Meads and Parkway are the main railway stations, serving many destinations all over the UK. It takes 90 minutes to London Paddington station from Bristol. A popular way of seeing Bristol is by ferry on the River Avon. You can get multi-stop tickets, round trips, regular tickets and family passes. Ferry services are operated by Number Seven Boats and Bristol Ferry Boats.

Taxi

You can either choose one of the licensed Bristol Blue taxis (called hackney carriage vehicles) or a private hire taxi company. Taxi ranks are marked with a white box and can be found all over the city.

Electricity

230 V/50Hz, uses plugs with three rectangular prongs. An adapter may be needed.

Pharmacy

For example: Boots at The Galleries. For urgent matters please call NHS Direct on +44 845 4647 (24/7).

Post

There are multiple post offices all over town. One centrally located is The Galleries Post Office.

Telephone

Country code: +44 Area codes: (0)117

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