Welcome to the TravelPod forums

[charlotte]

I live in Bristol, UK and after living abroad myself hope that I can give a different view on the city for your travel advice. I am going to focus on the vibrant cultural edge Bristol has and will try to give you tips on music, art and different things to do when visiting the city.

Now a few facts about Bristol in case you didn’t know…it’s the home of actor Cary Grant and author JK Rowling to name a couple. On the music scene my favourite Massive Attack are from the city and on the art front along with an array of small studios and art galleries are some great wall art aka ‘graffiti’ some made famous by the graffiti artist Banksy also from Bristol.

Population is 396,000 and the locals are known as 'Bristolians' and the city sometimes known affectionately as 'Brissle'. Bristolians also have their own language/ dialect my favourite is 'cheers drive' using a verb for the bus driver, genius. Check out the dictionary: I speak Bristolian

Bristol is situated in the South West of England, with the Bristol Channel and its floating harbour makes it feel like a big town close to nature. Surrounding countryside is really breathtaking with natural hills like Mendip Hills makes for great walks and the seaside only twenty minutes drive.

For further afield trips from Bristol you can visit the nearby historic Roman city of Bath, hop to another country via the Severn bridge to Wales or go south to the finest beaches in Cornwall.

History has made a great mark on Bristol with the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge at its heart in an area called Clifton, or Clifton Village. It’s by one of the great Victorian engineers Isambard Kingdom Brunel, along with also, railways, with the Great Western Railway, and shipping, where he built three great ships. His SS Great Britain, is sat in the Bristol harbour for you to visit alongside the 18th century replica ship the Matthew – it looks a bit like a pirate ship – ‘oohh arrrr mateys’. This brings me to some of the history that made Bristol a thriving city, always supported by the sea, industries such as food, drink, tobacco, paper and packaging have aided the city’s growth. Some of Bristol’s wealth came from the slave trade. Ships coming into the harbour traded goods for slaves, then in turn traded into goods such as sugar, then in turn were brought back to Bristol. Some slaves became house servants in bristol homes. The city remembers some of this history by celebrating community and diversity through the many arts and culture here.

I always find something interesting to do in Bristol, whether it’s a trip to the theatre for a show, visiting the galleries or museums or enjoying a nice evening of music you would always be entertained. On a budget also there’s loads to that’s free so it all can be enjoyed by all, for example Bristol’s city museum has free entry and often hosts exhibitions like currtently the Wildlife photographer of the year 2009.

There’s two universties in bristol, two football teams – hot rivals, and it’s a great way to see the local culture by going to a match and enjoying a pint and pasty at half time!

There’s fantastic buildings and architecture you will be snapping in the city. There’s also some great shopping if that’s how you like to past the time with small independent stores in areas like Gloucester Road and Park Street offering somethings more unique or the shopping area Cabot Circus you can will find hours of shopping heaven.

There are also some really good choice of bars, clubs and restaurants and I could give some advice on that if you are looking for something particular.

You can fly to Bristol International airport for your trip and there’s many direct flights in from across Europe and even from New York and you can hop on the bus to the city centre in just 30 minutes.

Hope you’ve enjoyed this taster of Bristol, now don’t be shy ask away if you are thinking of coming to Bristol soon.

Here’s some links that will keep your fingers busy whilst you are thinking about it!

http://visitbristol.co.uk/

http://www.about-bristol.co.uk/

http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/

http://www.whatsonbristol.co.uk/

http://www.venue.co.uk/

http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Leis...ibition-2009.en

[luke_1989]

I live in Bristol, UK and after living abroad myself hope that I can give a different view on the city for your travel advice. I am going to focus on the vibrant cultural edge Bristol has and will try to give you tips on music, art and different things to do when visiting the city.

Now a few facts about Bristol in case you didn’t know…it’s the home of actor Cary Grant and author JK Rowling to name a couple. On the music scene my favourite Massive Attack are from the city and on the art front along with an array of small studios and art galleries are some great wall art aka ‘graffiti’ some made famous by the graffiti artist Banksy also from Bristol.

Population is 396,000 and the locals are known as 'Bristolians' and the city sometimes known affectionately as 'Brissle'. Bristolians also have their own language/ dialect my favourite is 'cheers drive' using a verb for the bus driver, genius. Check out the dictionary: I speak Bristolian

Bristol is situated in the South West of England, with the Bristol Channel and its floating harbour makes it feel like a big town close to nature. Surrounding countryside is really breathtaking with natural hills like Mendip Hills makes for great walks and the seaside only twenty minutes drive.

For further afield trips from Bristol you can visit the nearby historic Roman city of Bath, hop to another country via the Severn bridge to Wales or go south to the finest beaches in Cornwall.

History has made a great mark on Bristol with the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge at its heart in an area called Clifton, or Clifton Village. It’s by one of the great Victorian engineers Isambard Kingdom Brunel, along with also, railways, with the Great Western Railway, and shipping, where he built three great ships. His SS Great Britain, is sat in the Bristol harbour for you to visit alongside the 18th century replica ship the Matthew – it looks a bit like a pirate ship – ‘oohh arrrr mateys’. This brings me to some of the history that made Bristol a thriving city, always supported by the sea, industries such as food, drink, tobacco, paper and packaging have aided the city’s growth. Some of Bristol’s wealth came from the slave trade. Ships coming into the harbour traded goods for slaves, then in turn traded into goods such as sugar, then in turn were brought back to Bristol. Some slaves became house servants in bristol homes. The city remembers some of this history by celebrating community and diversity through the many arts and culture here.

I always find something interesting to do in Bristol, whether it’s a trip to the theatre for a show, visiting the galleries or museums or enjoying a nice evening of music you would always be entertained. On a budget also there’s loads to that’s free so it all can be enjoyed by all, for example Bristol’s city museum has free entry and often hosts exhibitions like currtently the Wildlife photographer of the year 2009.

There’s two universties in bristol, two football teams – hot rivals, and it’s a great way to see the local culture by going to a match and enjoying a pint and pasty at half time!

There’s fantastic buildings and architecture you will be snapping in the city. There’s also some great shopping if that’s how you like to past the time with small independent stores in areas like Gloucester Road and Park Street offering somethings more unique or the shopping area Cabot Circus you can will find hours of shopping heaven.

There are also some really good choice of bars, clubs and restaurants and I could give some advice on that if you are looking for something particular.

You can fly to Bristol International airport for your trip and there’s many direct flights in from across Europe and even from New York and you can hop on the bus to the city centre in just 30 minutes.

Hope you’ve enjoyed this taster of Bristol, now don’t be shy ask away if you are thinking of coming to Bristol soon.

Here’s some links that will keep your fingers busy whilst you are thinking about it!

http://visitbristol.co.uk/

http://www.about-bristol.co.uk/

http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/

http://www.whatsonbristol.co.uk/

http://www.venue.co.uk/

http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Leis...ibition-2009.en

This is good done better than i did lol..

JK Rowling was from my town Yate wohoo lol

[starlagurl]

I guess that means you're going to have update your own starter kit won't you, Luke?

Great job Charlotte, thanks for giving me the heads up about it. I'll be adding you as a Local Expert soon!

[charlotte]

Thanks Luke -
Yate, Bristol has some great claim to fame you know with also supposedly Banksy is meant to have come from there too

Louise,
thanks! Look forward to hopefully helping others with some travel advice for Bristol.

[luke_1989]

Cool i didnt know Banksy might come from Yate! I was planning on seeing the exibition in Bristol but didn't get round to it and then it shut down :-(.

[reragoan]

I had a great journey in briton..!! should be going back again soon