WHY GO: If you like the south-west, but want a little more going on. If you are a lover of live music, booze, vintage shopping, and markets, then Bristol is right up your river.
FOR HOW LONG: To see what the city centre is all about, it can be seen in a weekend.
WHAT'S MY BUDGET: Cheeeeeeeeap! This could be coming from a Londoner... but to us, everything we bought seemed amazing value!
GETTING AROUND: Bristol city centre totally needs to be walked all over. Its got tonnes of cobble streets, windy hills, hidden passageways, and unexpected street art that are always better discovered by foot. The best bit is that the city is so compact, you can pretty much see everything while wandering about. (Apart from the suspension bridge)
LANGUAGE: The endearing Bristolian accent, you won't get bored of it.
SO, MAKE SURE YOU:
LOOK AT:
Clifton Suspension Bridge. It's not necessarily walkable, but its worth finding your way there. If you're driving, be prepared it's a £1 toll each way.
Bristol Cathedral and Clifton. Those buildings. Dammmmn.
Harbourside. Go have a stroll. If it's a nice day, treat yourself to a wee boat trip.
SHOP AT:
St Nicholas market. It's biiiig. The markets are very cute here, in the indoor one, there's a sneaky bonus shop downstairs, full of beautiful mandala quilts.
Illustrate. A tiny shop in the arcade, (and at the market on weekends) with really simple and satisfying geometric designs on clothes and accessories.
Urban Fox. Only one of the vintage shops you can scavanduer in for your next new love - I tried on a trillion a flight jackets
EAT AT:
Ironworks for breakfast. amaaaaaazing hipstery cafe and a third of the price than if you were in London.
Zaza Bazaar. I'm almost embarrassed by this one... I am normally strictly against all you can eat buffets, but this one impressed. The food is what you'd expect but the decor and value not to be ignored.
Eatchu. Oh my. If you like Gyoza, you have to try this one. The best I've had in such a long time.
Bread at the Harbourside Market. I ate the most incredible fresh olive focaccia from here... Annoyingly I can't remember what the stall was called, the lovely people at Eatchu reckon it sounds just like Winnie's Bakery, but I mean, you're in the area, go get some!
DRINK AT:
The stable. we actually ate here too, the pizzas are decent, but if you haven't been into one of these in the South West region, and you're a cider lover, then I insist you at least drink here!
Chance & Counters. I loved the idea of this place. Tucked into one of the hills is this board game pub, but I really didn't like the fees to play the games...
DANCE AT:
There is plenty, but one rules them all.
You've got to go. Go now. Nownownow. Small old pub, which is an amazing jazz bar. It was the highlight of the weekend.
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