Bristol holidays

How to reach Bristol

• Flight time: No direct flights to Bristol from London as it's easier to take the train or drive; however, Bristol Airport serves both domestic and international flights, with flights to Bristol from major UK cities like Edinburgh or Glasgow take around an hour.

• Transfer time: From Bristol Airport, you can hop on the Airport Flyer, which runs around the clock and takes you to the city centre in about 30 minutes.

• Price: A single fare on the Airport Flyer costs around £9, while taxis from the airport to the city centre will set you back around £25–£30.

Best time to visit Bristol

One of the UK’s most exciting urban centres, Bristol is a vibrant year-round destination, but each season offers something completely different:

• Spring (March to May) sees mild temperatures averaging 10°C to 15°C. Expect plenty of fresh spring air and sunny days interspersed with bouts of rainfall, sometimes heavy. Fewer crowds means more time and space to enjoy the city’s many varied museums.

• Summer (June to August) sees warmer weather, with temperatures around 16°C to 22°C, perfect for taking in the city’s fabulous festivals, in particular the International Balloon Fiesta and Harbour Festival. There’s also terrific alfresco dining to be had along the harbourside.

• Autumn (September to November) offers a beautiful palette of colours in the city’s green spaces, like Clifton Down, with temperatures between 10°C and 14°C. It’s a great time for cultural events and experiencing Bristol's alternative music scene as the evenings draw in.

• Winter (December to February) will be quite cold and possibly snowy, with temperatures between 3°C and 8°C, although the city’s festive lights, Christmas markets and warming pubs bring much cheer.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: English, but as a culturally diverse city, you'll hear languages from all over the world. Proudly spoken throughout the city, the local dialect (Bristolian or Bristolese) is among the warmest and most rhythmic of local dialects in the UK.

• Local habits and customs: The city has a laid-back vibe, but Bristolians are known for their independent-minded spirit and unconstrained creativity.

• Health and safety: Bristol is generally safe, but as with any major city, it's wise to stay alert and keep your belongings secure.

• Currency: The British Pound is the currency in the UK. Cash machines are plentiful and credit cards are widely accepted.

• Getting around: Bristol is an eminently walkable city and getting around on foot can be a real pleasure, with most of the major sights, perhaps with the exception of Clifton, within close proximity. It’s also well served by a network of buses and trains, a bus day ticket costing around £6.

• Time zone: GMT, moving to British Summer Time in the summer months.

Best things to do in Bristol

The southwest’s de facto capital, dynamic, cosmopolitan Bristol has harmoniously blended its mercantile roots and rich maritime history with an innovative, modern culture, fuelled by a lively arts and music scene.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Clifton Suspension Bridge: Brunel’s masterpiece soars above the ragged edges of the dramatic Avon Gorge, at the same time offering superlative views.

• Cabot Tower: Located in Brandon Hill Park, this 32-metre observation tower is accessed by a spiral staircase and affords panoramic views of some of Bristol's most notable landmarks.

The best districts

• Harbourside: Once a busy dock where sailors and merchants would trade goods and set sail for voyages, the harbourside is today lined with restaurants, bars and cultural institutions, including the Watershed Media Centre and the Arnolfini gallery.

• Stokes Croft: Fiercely independent Stokes Croft is one of the most dynamic neighbourhoods in Bristol, and owes much of its independent ethos to the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft community-action group. Here, too, are a couple of original works by Banksy.

• Clifton Village: Fine Georgian mansions and a buzzing café culture make the crescents of Clifton worth a prolonged wander.

Parks and gardens

• Ashton Court Estate: Set around a rather grandiose Victorian mansion west of the city, the estate’s 345 hectares of woodland and open grassland – home to badgers, bats and, most noticeably, deer – make for one of the city’s most enjoyable retreats.

• Bristol Botanic Garden: Explore Chinese and European medicinal herb gardens, glasshouses containing floral gems such as giant Amazon water lilies and, closer to home, collections of threatened native species like the Bristol onion.

Historical monuments

• Brunel's SS Great Britain: Moored in the dock in which she was built, Brunel’s iconic ship is now an iconic museum, an interactive insight into life aboard a 19th-century steamer – you can also, quite literally, get inside the head of its creator.

• Bristol Cathedral: With parts of the church dating back to the 12th century, the cathedral stands as a testament to Bristol's medieval past and its religious heritage.

Day trips in the area

• Bath: Just a short train ride away and one of the UK’s most enticing destinations, beautiful Bath rates Roman-built baths, soothing thermal waters and elegant Palladian architecture. Check our hotels in Bath to enjoy an escape in this beautiful town.

• The Cotswolds: Drive into the heart of English countryside charm with rolling hills and quaint villages only an hour away.

• Chew Valley: Attractive lakes, atmospheric pubs and a ring of ancient standing stones, in verdant countryside just a few kilometres from Bristol.

• Clevedon: Escape the city bustle with a day trip to the charming seaside town of Clevedon. Explore its Victorian pier, wander along the scenic Marine Lake, or climb to the top of Walton Hill for panoramic views of the Bristol Channel. For a relaxing stay near the coast, discover our selection of hotels in Clevedon.

• Portishead: Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the surrounding area with a trip to Portishead. Explore the stunning coastal scenery, visit the historic Portishead Marina, or take a hike up to Black Nore for breathtaking vistas. Find your perfect base for exploring the outdoors with our range of cheap hotels in Portishead.

• Newport: Delve into South Wales' rich history with a day trip to Newport. Discover the impressive Roman Caerleon, explore the magnificent Newport Cathedral, or wander the vibrant Newport Market.

• Cardiff: A short train journey away, Cardiff offers a vibrant city break experience. Explore the iconic Cardiff Castle, delve into Welsh history at the National Museum of Wales, or catch a performance at the Wales Millennium Centre. Discover a fantastic range of hotels for your Cardiff adventure, from cheap hotels in Cardiff near the Principality Stadium to luxurious stays in Cardiff Bay.

Activities for families in Bristol

Bristol holidays are fantastic for families, and from the simple pleasure of kicking about in the fountains in Millennium Square to exploring the SS Great Britain, the city is an excellent city to discover with kids in tow.

• Parks and gardens: As befits the city’s green credentials, Bristol abounds with green spaces. Ashton Court Estate, for example, offers vast grounds for picnics, kite flying and deer spotting, while Brandon Hill is great for a leisurely stroll and mucking about in various play areas.

• Interactive museums: We The Curious is an addictive hands-on science centre with planetarium shows, Live Lab sessions and a bounty of thought-provoking and interactive exhibitions, while kids should love the Egyptian section, complete with ageing mummies, in the Bristol Museum.

• Aquariums and zoos: The Bristol Aquarium allows you to get face to fin with a fabulous array of native and tropical marine life, from sea horses to stingrays, and at the Bristol Zoo Project, you can get up close and personal with all creatures great and small – the lemurs are great fun while Bear Wood does exactly as it says on the tin.

Free things to do in Bristol

Whether you’re into history or art, love exploring the outdoors, or fancy a few days at a festival, budget-friendly Bristol offers a multitude of free activities.

• Free events: Bristol's calendar brims with free events, especially in the summer. Quite the sight to behold is August’s International Balloon Fiesta, which sees 150 balloons fill the sky, while the Bristol Harbour Festival sees hundreds of sailing vessels fill the harbour, and also takes in music, street theatre, circus, cabarets and food markets.

• Free museums: All of the city council’s museums are free, meaning you can take the family to half a dozen sights (including M Shed and the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery) without spending a penny.

• Street art: World-famous Banksy’s tongue-in-cheek stencilled works are only the tip of the city’s technicoloured iceberg of street art. Nelson Street showcases the work of some of the best street artists in the world, while North Street gets a host of new works each year.

Nature and outdoor activities in Bristol

Bristolians love the outdoors and this is reflected in all manner of fun activities, both right in the heart of the city itself and nearby in the scenic Mendip Hills and the gaping Severn Estuary.

• Walking and hiking: Whether it’s just a stroll up on the Downs or a more vigorous tramp through the elevated heights of Leigh Woods, Bristol offers trails that cater to both casual walkers and serious hikers.

• Cycling: As the UK’s first designated cycle city, it’d be remiss not to have a pedal. There are plenty of accessible citywide routes, or if you want to go big, try the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, the UK’s first off-road cycle route.

• Water sports: Unique in the UK is The Wave, an inland surfing complex northwest of the city where state-of-the-art technology produces up to a thousand waves an hour. Alternatively, try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding in the scenic surroundings of the harbour with SUP Bristol.

Local dishes in Bristol

Eating out is one of the real pleasures of holidays to Bristol, whose culinary scene reflects its cultural diversity and innovative spirit. There’s a strong café culture here, but it’s the restaurants that really deliver.

Some typical dishes

• Pies: The home of Pieminster, these savoury delights come in all varieties, from Moo & Blue (steak and stilton) to Fungi Chicken (chicken and chestnut mushroom). Unmissable.

• Cheddar Cheese: Hailing from nearby Cheddar Gorge, this is arguably the UK’s finest cheese, perfect as part of a ploughman's lunch.

Tapas dishes

• Cider Chorizo: Cooked in local cider, this spicy sausage dish marries the flavours of the Spanish kitchen with Bristol’s apple-growing heritage.

Meat dishes

• Sunday Roast: A weekend tradition in many Bristol pubs, this gut-busting plate of food features a hunk of beef, lamb or chicken, accompanied by Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and seasonal veg.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Fish and Chips: Fresh from the nearby coast, enjoy crispy battered fish served with thick-cut chips – with a generous sprinkling of salt and vinegar, naturally.

• Smoked Salmon: Sourced from the nearby Severn and Wye rivers, this delicately smoked salmon goes down a treat with a glass of chilled white wine.

Street food

• Wapping Wharf: A phalanx of repurposed shipping containers down by the harbour serving up all kinds of funky street food, from sushi to pork burgers.

Sweets and desserts

For those with a sweet tooth, the local bakeries serve up everything from clotted cream scones to Bath buns, a sweet roll made with crushed sugar and a topping of caramelised sugar and currants.

Local drinks

• Cider: Cider is king in Bristol, and no visit is complete without trying some of the local brews, be it a cider, a perry or a cider brandy.

• Craft Beer: The craft beer scene is booming, with local breweries like Bristol Beer Factory and Moor Beer offering tours and tastings.