Lifestyle
Whether it’s great food, the great outdoors, architecture or visual art, shopping or simply strolling on a lunch break or after work, take your time to explore the city and you will find your own favourite spaces and places.
There are many reasons that Bristol is often to be found near the top of charts of best places to live. The Sunday Times has previously described it as, “…the obvious choice in so many ways: a small city that feels like a big city, handily placed for seaside and scenery, but hardly cut off from the rest of the country.”
It provides a wealth of employment in the media, tech, financial, aerospace and defence sectors, amongst others; enjoys a vibrant and thriving food and drink scene; and is a cultural hub offering contemporary art and art history, cinema, literature and comedy, as well as the musical and theatrical.
It is Bristol’s creativity, unorthodoxy and community spirit – even its diminishing brutalist buildings – that prevent it from relaxing into self-satisfied complacency. As well as being famous for bridges, boats, bikes, balloons, Brunel and Banksy, Bristol is a champion of all things local and independent.
Here is an introduction to a few of its hidden gems, quirky corners and lesser-known hotspots – but be warned, nothing good stays secret in Bristol for long.
TO SHOP OR NOT TO SHOP
Just to the north of Assembly Bristol is Cabot Circus, the centre of the Bristol Shopping Quarter. Sitting alongside high street favourites are independent outlets, high end Harvey Nichols, and Foyles Bookshop, one of only three located outside London. Uniquely designed and spread over multiple levels, Cabot Circus’ size and layout, as well as its many shops, coffee houses and eateries, are designed to dazzle. Housed under an arching glass roof for a weatherproof indoor-outdoor shopping experience, it provides the perfect hit of retail therapy.
If shopping isn’t your thing, it’s a short walk to the city centre oasis that is Castle Park. Completed in 1978, this popular park stands on the site of what was once Bristol’s main shopping area until it was destroyed in the Bristol Blitz during World War II. Today Castle Park remains consistently popular as a place for meeting, grabbing an outdoor lunch break, or simply just passing the time.
Next to the ruins of St Peter’s Church are a sensory herb and Peace garden with five silver birch trees that are a memorial to the D-Day beach landings, as well as the remains of the 11th century Bristol Castle. In stark contrast to this historical site is Castle Bridge, which connects Castle Park to Finzels Reach. An unusual curved steel and timber bridge with sculptured cladding and feature lighting, the 91 metre-long bridge is already an established landmark in the city since it opened in 2017.
THE INDEPENDENT BEATING HEART
Over the road from Castle Park is St Nick’s Market, home to Bristol’s largest collection of independent traders. The Covered Market and Glass Arcade offer a rabbit warren of undercover wooden stalls with authentic street food, fashion from all eras, designer-makers, vintage vinyl, confectionery and more.
On Wednesdays, the Bristol Farmers' and Producers' Market sells the freshest produce that has been produced, grown or reared within a 40 mile radius of the city. Every Tuesday and Friday, check out the Street Food Market for a large selection of the finest of Bristol's street food, while on Fridays and Saturdays, the Bristol Indies’ Market has stalls selling original artwork, handcrafted jewellery and vintage clothing.
For a good coffee, Small Street Espresso has locally brewed coffee and guest roasters alongside Bristol-made pastries, or for an upmarket dinner, go to The Ox, set in a basement bank vault, for superb steak and decadent cocktails.
From St Nick’s head to the river and south along the Welsh Back, named after the cargoes of Welsh slate and coal that were once delivered here by boats during Bristol’s trading days. It is home to an extensive choice of restaurants, bars and coffee houses, that include urban pub and microbrewery King Street Brew House; relaxed fine-dining restaurant Adelina Yard, run by two accomplished former London chefs; Three Brothers Burgers, with communal eating and craft beer; contemporary coffee house and kitchen Spicer+Cole; Clubhaus harbourside, a vibrant café/bar; and longstanding favourites, The Old Duke, which hosts traditional live blues and jazz on a regular basis, and opposite it, historic inn The Llandoger Trow.
HARBOURSIDE HAVEN
From the heart of the historic city centre, a short walk across leafy Regency-period Queen Square (another great spot for picnicking and people-watching) is 17th century King Street. It is home to the Bristol Old Vic, established in 1946 as an offshoot of London’s Old Vic, with a stunning Georgian auditorium and a combination of historic and new architecture. Offering groundbreaking theatre, it is the oldest continuously-working theatre in the English-speaking world.
Not far away is international arts house, the Arnolfini, which produces and presents visual arts, performance, film, dance, music and events. The quayside outside the Arnolfini is popular for post-work drinks in the evening summer sun, and it is frequently overrun by like-minded individuals perched on the dockside, legs dangling precariously over the water with drink in hand.
Over Prince St bridge, south of the Arnolfini, is Wapping Wharf, an independent community of expertly curated bars, cafés, restaurants and shops. The combination of a community ethos, amazing things to eat, and a broad range of shopping options has made this an extremely popular and much-loved destination day and night.
Pedestrian footbridge Pero’s Bridge, with its distinctive horn-shaped counterweight sculptures, connects the Arnolfini and Queen Square to the western half of the Harbourside, home to interactive science museum, We The Curious (great for small and large kids alike), Millennium Square, and the amphitheatre. Throughout the summer, the Harbourside hosts a festival, gig or event almost every weekend; the Visit Bristol website (www.visitbristol.co.uk) is a good source of information on the latest live events taking place across the city. It’s also worth checking out what Bristol Beacon has to offer in the way of world-class live music: the venue reopened in November 2023 after a multi-million pound refurbishment and is simply stunning inside and out.
Walk east, back towards Assembly Bristol, past parish church St Mary Redcliffe, which at 89m tall is Bristol’s tallest structure and, at 900 years old, one of its oldest.
Nearby, it is worth taking a look at the distinctive façade of Brunel’s Temple Meads station before heading to Hart’s, one of Bristol’s best artisan bakeries, located in one of the arches beneath the station. It is possible to phone ahead and reserve a freshly baked pastry to pick up later – but be quick as they have been known to sell out by 9am.
THE OLD MARKET
From Temple Meads, it’s a short walk over Valentine Bridge to Old Market, one of the most historic parts of the city. It was one of the first areas to be built around the castle, and today it is a thriving and quirky shopping area with some outstanding independent eateries, including restaurant, café and live music venue Old Market Assembly; Caribbean vegan and vegetarian restaurant Fi Real; high end Japanese Tomo No Ramen; and Cali-Mexican restaurant, Chido Wey.
Known for its LGBT-friendly shops, pubs, bars, Old Market is also a good source of vintage fashion, antiques and furniture shops, as well as specialist music, climbing, and motorcycle stores.
EXPLORING FURTHER
Bristol, although not huge, has more to offer by exploring further on foot, bike or bus. Halfway up Park Street, Brandon Hill has incredible views over the city; while to the north-east, upmarket Clifton Village has boutique shops, the Clifton Observatory, and the Victorian-era Clifton Arcade. It is also home to Bristol’s most famous bridge (out of a grand total of 43), Clifton Suspension Bridge.
South of the city centre is Southville, where hip North Street is home to a growing number of thriving independent restaurants, pubs, shops and more. Houses are in demand here and prices are correspondingly eye-watering. Southville is also home to Upfest Presents, Europe’s largest free street art festival, held every year. Stroll the streets to see the creations of this year’s artists or join a tour to see the ever-changing artworks here and in other areas of the city.
North of the centre is alternative Stokes Croft and edgy Gloucester Road, with plenty of fantastic restaurants, bars and pubs, including Poco Tapas Bar, The Canteen, Koocha Mezze Bar, The Social, Palomar, The Library Bar, and Sidney & Eden.
For a more serene journey, there are numerous ferries and boat trips along the River Avon. Or simply take to your feet: a walk from Temple Meads in the east to Clifton Suspension Bridge in the west will take in pubs on boats, coloured houses on hillsides, docks and marinas, and museums and more along the way. Whether you have a day, a weekend or longer, you’ll find something to float your boat in this vibrant and lively city.