A guide to living in Bristol

Bristol is one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the UK. Just three years ago it was named the happiest place to live in Britain and a year earlier it was voted as the second safest city in the country. Residents of Bristol have plenty of culture on their doorstep, plus great transport links and loads of history. It’s also just 10 miles from the stunning Cotswolds.

From where to live in Bristol and what to see and do, here’s what you need to know about the city and what it’s like to live there.

There are plenty of great places to live in and around Bristol. Popular spots include Totterdown, Temple Meads and Clifton. So, where to live in Bristol for young professionals? If you’re after more of city centre feel, then Redcliffe and Totterdown are ideal. Or if you like a more bohemian vibe, Montpelier is great. Kingsdown offers a suburban setting and has some of the best views of the city.

For those looking to live a little further out and wanting an ideal place for kids and young families, Stoke Bishop, Clifton and Redlands are all good options. At Wain Homes, you’ll find our Bristol homes at the stunning Mulgrove Farm Village in the highly sought after area of Harry Stoke.

Wow, where to start! Bristol is simply brimming with things to see and do. From a cultural perspective, you can head to the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery or the Royal West of England Academy. And you don’t want to miss a visit to the M Shed Museum at the Harborside to learn about the maritime history of the city.

To get your art fix, you can also simply wander the city’s streets. While Bristol is packed with graffiti and street art, top places to see some amazing artwork include Nelson Street and Stokes Croft. Bristol is also famous as being the spiritual home of Banksy, with the street artist active here since the ‘90s. Famous pieces dotted around the city include Mild Mild West, Valentine’s Day, The Girl with the Pierced Eardrum and Well Hung Lover. Banksy’s handiwork is everywhere you turn in Bristol.

Kids will love Millennium Square, with its science centre – We the Curious – and aquarium, while a trip to the Clifton Suspension Bridge is always great for a family day out. Gloucester Road is a mecca for independent shopping venues and Wapping Wharf caters for high-end dining and quirky retail. If you like outdoor swimming, Bristol Lido is ideal while the two city farms are always a hit with the kids. The city is just 10 miles from the beautiful countryside and picture perfect villages of the Cotswolds, and beach days are always an option with Weston-Super-Mare, Clevedon and Portishead all close by.

Bristol is famed for its music scene, with famous bands and musicians including Massive Attack, Portishead, Roni Size and Idles. Today you’ll find countless independent music venues as well as plenty of thriving local music stores.

If you like eating out, then you’ll love living in Bristol. The city now has two Michelin star restaurants after the closure of Casamia in 2022 – they are Bulrush and Paco Tapas. Bulrush is all about locally foraged seasonal ingredients on a delightful tasting menu, while Paco Tapas (the younger sister of Casamia) serves delicious tapas that’s packed with flavour. Neighbourhood restaurant, Wilson’s, has a Michelin Green Star for its sustainable ethos as well as its fantastic food. Box-E and Root are both based at Wapping Wharf and both have Bib Gourmand Status from Michelin (close to a Michelin star).

When you’re not after fine dining, you’ll find that Bristol is packed with culinary delights – in fact it was named as the world’s best destination for food and drink in 2019. Favourites amongst Bristolians include Under the Stars, Souk Kitchen, Koocha and Tare – and that’s just scratching the surface. When you live in Bristol, the culinary world is your oyster.

Bristol is a fairly small city, which means it’s easy to tackle on foot if you’re in and around the city centre. You’ll find there are plenty of pedestrian zones and walking paths to follow – you can even walk right from Temple Meads station to the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Cycling is also big in Bristol, with a number of enjoyable routes (just watch out for the many hills) – and if you’re feeling really adventurous you can tackle the 13 mile Bristol to Bath Railway Path along the old train line.

The city is well served by bus and is the hub of the national rail network in the West of England. Local, regional and inter-city services run from both Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway railway stations, and you can even get to London in an hour and a half. Bristol Airport is just eight miles outside the city and can easily be reached by train, bus or car along the A38.
 
At Wain Homes, we have a range of new build developments in Bristol that can make living near this wonderful city a reality for you and your family. If you’re looking to buy a new home or have any questions about the home buying process, get in touch with our team today. We’ll promptly answer your questions and queries.