From its vibrant creative scene and amazing food to its beautiful outside space and focus on sustainability – it’s no surprise that demand for property in Bristol is at an all-time high. Located on the River Avon, Bristol is a city steeped in maritime history stretching back to the Norman ages. Famous for its iconic harbourside, suspension bridge, Bristol Balloon Fiesta and colourful street art to name just a few, today, Bristol is home to over 690,000 people making it the largest city in the South West. Home to our Brooks Dye Works and Alliance House schemes, if you’re looking to relocate to Bristol, read on to discover the best of what this wonderful city has to offer.
Delicious Food
A real foodie city, Bristol is renowned for its amazing choice of independent cafes, restaurants, and bars. Peppered across various parts of the city, the joy of Bristol’s food scene is discovering where the best spots are! From mouth-watering Sri Lankan food at Nadu to rustic, sustainably-focused tapas bar Poco, we recommend taking a trip down Stokes Croft Road to explore the eclectic selection of restaurants on offer.
Within walking distance from our Alliance House scheme, Bristol Harbourside is the place to be for alfresco dining. Just metres from the waterside, Cargo at Whapping Wharf is a hub for independent eateries and shops. If you’re heading south of the river, be sure to wander down Bristol’s quirky North Street, home to the recently opened Pony Bistro, or book a table at the popular Sonny Stores in Southville, an ‘Italian-inspired’ restaurant that recently received a glowing write up from Jay Rayner in The Guardian, described as ‘a small place serving dishes with genuine star quality’.
Endless Shopping
If you’re in need of some retail therapy or just fancy a good browse, Bristol is the place to be. Championed for its independent spirit, why not take a stroll down the famous Park Street and discover the many vintage stores on offer. For those seeking the perfect gift, head across to Clifton Village to explore its many boutiques while admiring views of the iconic suspension bridge. For everything in one spot, head to Cabot Circus shopping centre which houses some of the best high street brands in the heart of the city. For those looking to venture a little further out, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway provides the ultimate shopping experience with over 150 stores to choose from, located just a 20-minute drive from central Bristol.
Beautiful Green Space
Offering the best of both worlds, Bristol is home to some of the most beautiful parks. If you’re in the north of the city, why not take a stroll to Ashton Court Estate, a country park and mansion with 850 acres of woodland to explore including a wonderful deer park. The Downs is another popular spot, a huge area of protected parkland that gives the impression of being surrounded by countryside. If you find yourself in the centre of the city, head over to Brandon Hill, Bristol’s oldest park, great for taking in your surroundings. If you fancy discovering one of Bristol’s lesser-known green spaces, head over to Mina Park in the leafy St Werburghs, a lovely area of outside space that our Brooks Dye Works residents enjoy direct access to.
Another major pull for buyers looking to move to Bristol is the glorious countryside that surrounds it. Bordered by Somerset and Gloucestershire, Bristol has easy access to plenty of rural areas, so if you’re looking for an escape from the city, why not take a trip to the striking Cheddar Gorge in Somerset, just over 20 miles from central Bristol.
Arts & Culture
Bristol has a reputation for having one of the most interesting and diverse arts and culture scenes in the UK. Home to world-renowned mystery street artist, Banksy, Bristol is a haven for contemporary art with regular exhibitions taking place at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery and Arnolfini. The M Shed is another great venue, currently exhibiting ‘Vanguard Bristol Street Art’, which explores the instrumental role that Bristol played in the development of British street art. If you’d prefer to take to the streets, Upfest, Europe’s largest live street art festival, takes place in Bedminster each year, inviting artists from over 50 countries to paint live across 20,000sqft of surfaces.
Pioneering Trip Hop and Drum and Bass, Bristol enjoys a varied music scene with a packed calendar of events throughout the year. If gigs are your thing, O2 Academy, Bristol Beacon and Motion are excellent venues for or if you fancy a dance, the city hosts a range of music festivals including Dot to Dot Festival, Love Saves the Day and St Pauls Carnival.
If theatre is more your thing, why not book a show at the Bristol Old Vic, a 250-year-old venue with an international reputation as one of the world’s leading theatres. Alternatively, Bristol Hippodrome is another iconic Bristol venue featuring grand Victorian architecture set over three floors.
Great Transport
Another great reason to relocate to Bristol is for its excellent transport links. The bus is an easy way to get in and around the city with plenty of fast and convenient services from all key locations including the rapid MetroBus. Alternatively, why not rent a Voi electric scooter for the day, a sustainable method of transport that spares both noise and pollution. As one of Europe’s most bike-friendly destinations, cycling is another great way to get around the city while helping improve your fitness.
If you’re looking to head out of the city, the M5 and M4 motorways connect Bristol with London, Cardiff and the Midlands, while train services from Temple Meads take just 11 minutes to Bath and approximately one hour and 20 minutes to the capital.
