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Often referred to as the gateway to the South West, Bristol occupies an enviable position on the fringes of some the most beautiful countryside in the UK. As well as boasting a beautiful location, it’s also a buzzing city in its own right with colour and character aplenty thanks to its active artistic community, thriving university and famous Bristolian wit.
As one of the UK’s great historic ports, colourful, lively Bristol has always attracted entrepreneurs, profiteers and ideas people in equal measures. Nowadays, the city’s commercial roots are blended with a flourishing university and growing media scene, giving it an exciting ‘young’ feel set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Avon gorge and its stunning suspension bridge.
Ranking as the 9th busiest UK airport in 2010, Bristol Airport handles around 5.7 million passengers a year at its site in Lulsgate Bottom in North Somerset. As well as serving the people of Bristol, it also provides international links to the people of Gloucestershire, Somerset, Devon and Wales.
Although Bristol Airport is a relatively small regional destination, it offers all the facilities and services of a large international airport. These include duty free shopping, cafes, restaurants, currency exchange, first class lounges and a range of cheap airport parking services.
Destinations and airlines
While the two busiest routes out of Bristol Airport are currently domestic services to Edinburgh and Dublin, Bristol Airport in fact offers links to a range of international destinations.
Many of Bristol Airport’s European destinations are offered by the low budget airlines easyJet and Ryanair. From Alicante to Salzburg and Inverness to Rome, you can pick up a cheap flight from Bristol Airport to almost every part of East and Western Europe.
Looking further afield, tour operators Thomson and First Choice offer flights to Orlando from Bristol Airport, as well as Cancun in Mexico and parts of North Africa. It’s also possible to access a host of global destinations from Bristol Airport via Air France-KLM. If Rio, Dubai, Montreal or Tokyo sound like your cup of tea, then why not get booking?!
Airport facilities
Bristol Airport offers passengers a range of world-class facilities designed to keep them comfortable and entertained. These include bureau de change services, car hire, shops, restaurants, internet access, cash points and an executive lounge.
Porters are also available to assist with luggage, should you require it.
Bristol Airport also prides itself on being family-friendly, offering everything from highchairs and children’s menus to a fast track security service and Meet and Greet parking.
Transport links
Getting to and from Bristol Airport by public transport is made simple by a fast regular bus service from Bristol’s main train and coach station.
Known as the Bristol Flyer, the airport bus service runs two alternating routes - the A1 which serves Temple Meads train station and the bus station, and the A2 which links the train station, Clifton and the city centre. Single tickets start from just £7.
If you prefer to take advantage of one of the airport parking packages available at Bristol airport, you’ll find the site pretty easy to access by road. From the north you’ll need junction 18 of the M5 while from the south it’s junction 22. Otherwise, look for signs for the A38 on which the airport is situated just south of Bristol itself.
One of the most convenient ways to park at Bristol Airport is to use the new Bristol Meet and Greet parking service. Meet and Greet parking allows you to drive right up to the terminal building on your day of departure, leaving your car with a chauffeur who will transfer it to a secure car park for you. It’s very easy and convenient.
If Bristol Meet and Greet parking doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, why not try one of the other airport parking options? From handy on-site car parking, to great value park and ride deals, there’s an excellent range of airport parking packages available at Bristol Airport.
Search and compare the best Bristol Airport parking deals now.
If you’re on the hunt for one of the best beds in town, you might like to try luxury city centre favourites the Radisson Blu on Broad Quay or the Hotel du Vin on Narrow Lewins Mead. While the Radisson is located in a stunning glass-fronted skyscraper overlooking the city’s rejuvenated waterfront, Hotel du Vin is in a converted 18th century warehouse with unique period features.
The city’s premier suburb Clifton also boasts its fair share of high end accommodation, with boutique hotel Berkeley Square attracting visitors from around the world with its gorgeous Georgian architecture and Michelin starred restaurant.
If you’re after something cheaper, try the Novotel on Victoria Street, Downs View on Upper Belgrave Road or quirky veggie hotel The Arches on Cotham Brow.
You can also get ultra-cheap accommodation in one of the city’s hostels if you’re willing to take a bed in a dorm. Try Bristol Backpackers on St. Stephen’s Street or Bristol YHA on Narrow Quay.
What Bristol seems to do better than any other place in the UK is to produce quirky, fuss-free café-bars and canteens brimming with character. From the mighty Pieminister on Stokes Croft, to Indian street food specialists One Stop Thali Café, eating out in Bristol is all about independence, great flavours and affordability.
If pies or curry doesn’t float your boat, try the Severnshed on the Harbourside. Situated in what is rumoured to be Brunel’s own boathouse, Severnshed produces modern European cuisine created from fresh locally sourced ingredients.
For a more formal dining experience, head out to Berwick Lodge in Almondsbury. Set in a historic country house hotel, the restaurant offers a la carte eating with a seriously south western influence.
If you’re into live music, Bristol’s a great place to cut loose with a huge number of venues and a lively scene which belies the city’s relatively modest size. Go for the sweaty delights of the Thekla, soak up some live rock in The Fleece or enjoy something altogether more sedate at St. George’s on Great George Street.
Bristol’s also no slouch when it comes to history and culture of other kinds either. Blaise Castle House is a great example of an 18th century country house set in over 400 acres of beautiful parkland and is open to the public all year round. You might also want to take a trip to Bristol City’s Museum and Art Gallery on Queen’s Road.
The recent multi-million pound re-development of Bristol’s central shopping district has transformed the area into a haven for high street shoppers. The area around Broad Mead and Cabot Circus now offers almost 500 stores, 50 cafes and restaurants and thousands of secure, covered parking spaces.
Shop high end fashion names like Harvey Nicholls or go for UK mainstays such as Top Shop, Zara, Marks and Spencer and the UK’s second largest Primark – the choice is yours.
If you’re looking for a more unique shopping experience, try St. Nicholas Market, Park Street or The Clifton Arcade. All three are brim full of independent and alternative clothing, gifts and homeware retailers, and St. Nick’s Market also plays host to a monthly slow food market – the perfect way to sample fresh, local produce.
Bristol made its name in the mid-nineties with an underground culture scene which spawned a unique brand of trip hop, drum and bass and graffiti art. Nowadays there’s still a pretty vibrant music scene in the city, with plenty of clubs, bars and pubs to enjoy a range of music, from mainstream to avant-garde.
For traditional pubs, head down to King Street by the water. Here you’ll find the amazing, higgledy-piggledy 17th century tavern The Llandoger Trow and favourite with jazz fans, the Old Duke. If tradition’s not important to you, give the Duke of York in St. Werburghs, Haus Bar on Upper Belgrave Road, or the Avon Gorge Hotel a whirl.
Club-wise, there’s lots going on, from student nights to superclubs. The Bierkeller on All Saints Street always packs a crowd, while The Syndicate offers party nights every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night. And if you’d like to try a little of the hip hop that Bristol is famous for, head to Timbuk2 on Small Street or Crash Mansion on St. Stephen’s Street.