Exploring Bristol, Arguably England's Coolest City

On the western coast of England lies Bristol, a place that has its distinct personality and is best known for its contributions to shipping and is also a city of many firsts and discoveries. Today it makes an excellent destination for travelers to explore and spend a few days while visiting this part of the UK.

Throughout the city, you’ll quickly notice and then appreciate its rich street art. This is so much beyond graffiti, it is modern urban art and a public display of the city’s creative talent. Bristol's street art scene showcases a variety of styles, from large-scale murals and detailed stencils to freehand graffiti and paste-ups.

What the Beatles did for music in the 60s; one of England’s other favorite sons and Bristol native, Banksy, did for urban art. Throughout the city, the keen observer will spot gifts to the city such as "Mild Mild West" and "Well-Hung Lover," in a style that is irreverent and cheeky with messages beyond the art.

We'll also visit the neighborhood with the regal homes of Bristol’s wealthy ship merchants of years past. Clifton is a posh village sitting on a hill overlooking the Avon Gorge and a stunning valley cut by the River Avon. In the charming village, there are lovely boutiques, flower shops, and cafes that feel as if they are a world away from the buzzing pace of Bristol. Clifton is renowned for its stunning Georgian and Victorian architecture, characterized by the elegant terraces of its grand townhouses.

The icon of this village is the Clifton Suspension Bridge, an engineering marvel designed by Bristol’s most prestigious engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and completed in 1864. The suspension bridge spans the gorge and is a must for any visitor to the area to walk from one side to the other and take a few pictures of the valley below.

We'll also share two ideal hotel options, Hotel du Vin Avon Gorge in Clifton and just on the outskirts of town, the English Country estate, Berwick Lodge.

For those looking for a holiday in the coolest city in the UK, Bristol may just be the place.