Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion: 8 Reasons To Visit Bristol

Outside of London, the South West’s capital of Bristol is one of the UK’s most cosmopolitan centres. The city offers a good combination of history and culture, a hip music and art scene, and lots of good food! Having recently visited Bristol, I have put together my top 8 reasons for heading off and exploring the many and varied attractions.

1.Museums & Galleries

I must admit I was impressed with the selection of Museums and Galleries that the city centre had to offer: from the trendy M Shed, (which tells the city’s story from prehistoric times through to the present day, and recounts the reasons for Bristol’s former importance as a major UK port), to the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, and the classy Arnolfini which has recently been crowned as one of Europe’s leading centres for the contemporary arts.

2. Culture & History

Full of history dating back to Saxon times, Bristol has always been an important city, and in medieval times it competed with York for the title of England’s largest city after London. In the 18^th century it was the principal British port for trade with the American colonies and the West Indies and so when you include its industrial past, you will find that the city is filled with interesting places and sights, even if they aren’t visible at first glance. The most celebrated and must-see sights include the spectacular Clifton Suspension Bridge designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel (how on earth they managed to construct it in those days is beyond me!) and his stream-lined and beautifully kept SS Great Britain dry-docked along the flourishing harbourside.

3. Food & Drink

Along with its famous music and culture scene, Bristol has also built a reputation for offering a range of restaurants which offer recipes from around the world and so has become increasingly known for its vibrant foodie scene. In fact Bristol is starting to catch up the likes of London, with its diverse and imaginative gastronomic oases. With a handful of Michelin-starred restaurants, award winning bistros beside the waterfront, and with creative street food and fun foodie festivals, Bristol’s culinary expertise has something to satisfy everybody’s taste-buds.

4. Shopping

I would be lying if I told you that I’m not one for a bit of retail therapy. Sometimes there’s nothing better than drooling over a gorgeous pair of shoes, or an eye-catching dress, until that is I notice the price tag! Most of the time I’d much rather put that money towards a plane ticket. But anyway, if your purse strings are a bit looser and you are looking to spend, spend, spend, Bristol is a wonderful place to do that. Offering everything from high street fashion, designer names and big name department stores like Harvey Nichols, to independent boutique shops on Park Street, Gloucester Road, The Christmas Steps and in Clifton Village – you are sure to find anything and everything that your heart desires.

5. Music/ Nightlife

Like most student cities, Bristol has a lively music scene and a party-‘til-dawn nightlife. There are retro nightclubs, live music bars, underground clubs, popular gig locations, cosy pubs and chic cocktail lounges. You will also find live entertainment offered at the Hippodrome, the Bristol Old Vic and the Colston Hall, to name just a few.  So, whatever your preference, Bristol can provide.

6. Street Art – Bansky

No visit to Bristol is complete without checking out the street art scene, made famous by local boy and elusive graffiti artist Banksy. Around the city you will find a number of his original murals (that is unless they get painted over!) including the Well Hung Lover, The Girl With The Pierced Eardrum and Masked Gorilla. It’s not just Banksy’s work that’s worth admiring however, as ‘Breakdancing Jesus’  in Stokes Croft, created by the artist Cosmo Sarson, is well worth a visit, not forgetting the various stencil pieces found throughout the city by the likes of JPS Artist.

7. Family Friendly

For any parents out there, or maybe just big-kids like me, Bristol also has a wonderful selection of child-friendly attractions including Bristol Aquarium, At-Bristol Science Centre and Bristol Zoo, the world’s fifth oldest zoo! The latter can be found on the edge of Clifton Downs and a stone’s throw from the Suspension Bridge. The Downs offer a huge area of protected parkland which provides a relaxing environment for families to play and couples to stroll, as well as offering a home to many major events, for example the International Balloon Fiesta in August, charity runs, circuses and funfairs throughout the year.

8. Transport Links

Bristol is wonderfully connected by road and rail (under two hours from London) and also has its own international airport connecting it with places all across the globe. The city itself, despite being somewhat spread out, is also easy to navigate and you can easily get around by foot, bike, bus or if you are graced with nice weather, ferry boat!

So tell me, will you be adding Bristol to your list of places to visit in the UK? Do let me know in the comments below!

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Looking for somewhere to stay? I would highly recommend checking out The Bristol Hotel – you can read my review here.