Bristol In A Day

On the last leg of my Spring Break trip my roommate and I crashed on a couch in Bristol England. Now this is an English city like you’ve never seen before. Talk about the Berlin of the UK. This place is awesome, the look of this city is endlessly unique, the people are amazing and the culture is even cooler. Graffiti here is considered a revered form of art and it covers nearly every wall, restaurant, building and store front. The entire city is environmentally friendly and supports green concepts. The local economy is growing due to their support of small business and even cooler their use of a specific city currency called the Bristol Pound that can only be used within the city of Bristol!

When thinking of Bristol the letter B tends to come up a lot, Bristol is the city of bridges, balloons, boats, bikes, Brunel and Banksy. Talk about a lot to do and see. From canal boat bars and clubs to free museums, trendy shops and some of the world’s most prized and renowned graffiti art this place is a hidden gem of England for young and may I add, globally conscious, travelers.

While I spent about three days in Bristol and would have loved to spend even more here is you’re must see points if you’re lucky enough to be passing through.

1. The SS Brunel 

One of Bristol’s most iconic historical treasures.The brainchild of the most famous Bristolian, Isambard Kingdom Brunel; who also designed Britol’s amazing Clifton Suspension Bridege. This iconic steam ship is the heart of a multi-award winning visitor attraction.

Rescued from rust and wreckage in 1970, and since lovingly restored to her Victorian hey-day, a visit to the ss Great Britain allows you to step back in time and explore true stories from the opulent First-Class to the cramped and quarrelsome Steerage. Very cool and well worth the visit.

2. Cabot Tower

Situated in Beautiful Brandon Hill park the 105 feet (32 m) high tower was built, on the site of a previous chapel and windmill, in the 1890s to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the journey of John Cabot from Bristol. Public access to the viewing platforms at the top of the tower via the staircase was stopped in 2007 as it had become unsafe but it has since reopened in 2011 and offers some of the best views of Bristol you can get.

3. The Farm

Next to Bristol’s produce and live stock allotments sits one of the grooviest, greenest, coolest and quite possibly yummiest dining establishments. The mac and cheese is actually to die for and their assortment of drinks is amazing. Tucked away in leafy St.Werburghs in Bristol, the kitchen cooks locally sourced food to order. They serve a wide range of Lagers, Real ales, Wines & Spirits and have a spacious, uniquely decorated & dog friendly garden to enjoy your food and drinks in.

P.S. while you’re there take a stroll. It so happens that it is situated within walking distance of a neighborhood with no building ordinances, aka home to some of the most unique home architecture in the world. It is also right up the street from some great climbing clubs, hikes and one of the main filming spots from the hit show Skins.

4. M-Shed

See amazing film and photographs, listen to moving personal stories, encounter rare and quirky objects and add your own memories of Bristol through the interactive displays. From prehistoric times to the present day, M Shed tells the story of the city and its unique place in the world. The best part about this place besides the free wifi, great cafe and countless displays, it is free! Holla!

5. A Graffiti Walking Tour 

Birstol is personally one of the most colorful cities I’ve ever been to. And no I am not just referring to it’s unique culture and amazingly dynamic array of sights and activities. Bristol is LITERALLY one of the most colorful cities ever and it’s covered landscape is changing everyday. New artists come here to practice, find inspiration and make a name for themselves while some of the most famous artists in the world got their start here and have left artwork behind that is now considered a historical landmark. Taking a walking tour through downtown Bristol to see the art is well worth it, most notably the iconic Banksy’s that have become cultural landmarks.

Overall I fell in love with this city. It’s colorful culture is heaven for a young liberal traveler.  From the Chunk No Captain Chunk concert I went to in the O2, to the amazing and unique shopping to the awesome local beer garden we found with a bowling alley inside, this place did not cease to amaze me with it’s think local, act global culture. A gem of a place to say the least.