5 Things You Should Know Before Moving To Bristol

Header image: Hannah Graham

Whether you’re coming to work or coming to study, Bristol is a fantastic city to live in. As with moving to any new place, there are an endless number of traditions and quirks that you could spend your entire life trying to understand, Bristol is no exception to this! Here are our top 5 things you should know about living here before you take the plunge!

1. For shorter journeys, walking is definitely the best way to get around.

For destinations across the city and beyond, Bristol will have a bus that gets you there. For shorter journeys however, either in the city centre or on the outskirts, walking will allow you to see things you’d never notice by car or bus. Bristol has a wealth of independent shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, plenty of which are small, hidden or easily missed unless you’re really looking! If you’re not sure where to start, we like this webpage featuring some of the Best ways to see the city on foot: https://mikesbristolwalks.com/walks/

Photo: Visit Bristol https://visitbristol.co.uk/shopping/gloucester-road-shopping-p1453803

2. Bristol is one of the best places in the UK to shop independently.

Creativity and promise thrives in this city, which is why it’s not surprising that Bristol is home to some amazing independent businesses. Whiteladies Road and Clifton house many small businesses that are unique to Bristol, as well as many independent cafes, bars and restaurants. Bohemian Gloucester Road has one of the longest strips of independent shops in the UK. There are a wide variety of outlets, so whether you’re looking for art supplies, plants, vintage clothing, gifts, fresh groceries or amazing food and drink, Gloucester Road has it. Shopping here will help our local businesses thrive and keep Bristol on the map as a haven for small, independent shops!

3. There are hills, lots of them.

Like Rome, Bristol is said to be built on 7 hills. True or not, it is no secret that Bristol does have a lot of hills. Walking around the city day after day will certainly improve your leg muscles, but there are plenty of other benefits to the sloped landscape of Bristol. There are some amazing panoramic views of various parts of the city from the top of some of these hills. Dundry Hill in South Bristol will showcase the whole of Bristol and past the Severn Bridges over to Wales, and is definitely worth the climb! Closer to the centre, Brandon Hill offers unique view of the city from within, bonus points if you climb up Cabot Tower for an even better viewpoint! When scaling one of Bristol’s peaks, look out for small hidden staircases, as many of the best parts of the city are connected via these secret passages, making it even easier to get across town fast.

4. If you’ve never tried cider, make sure you try it here!

Cider is a popular drink in the UK, but in Bristol, it’s a way of life. Most Bristolians have strong opinions on cider, which ones are best, which ones aren’t worth trying, and which ones shouldn’t even be classed as cider! Bristol and the surrounding areas are home to some of the world’s best cider brands, like the Bristol Cider Co, Thatcher’s and Perry’s Cider. All of this amazing cider has to go somewhere, which is why Bristol is home to some of the best Cider bars in the UK. Visit Bristol have made this handy guide to get you started with some gert lush pints: https://visitbristol.co.uk/blog/read/2022/02/a-cider-drinkers-guide-to-bristol-b52

Image: Bristol post https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink/beloved-bristol-cider-boat-apple-5246392

5. Bristol has an art scene that you won’t find in any other city in the world.

Every part of Bristol is rich in art and culture, the most notable area is Stokes Croft, which is widely regarded as the artistic and cultural hub of Bristol. There are murals and street art everywhere you look, even a Banksy! A stroll around these areas of Bristol will allow you to take in all of the fantastic street art, but if you’re after something a little more informative, you can book tickets to guided or self-guided street art tours of all types with the super friendly and knowledgeable team at Where The Wall: http://www.wherethewall.com/