november-2010

UNITED KINGDOM Population 61,284,806 Currency British Pound (GBP) GDP
BRISTOL
† €25,090 Dialling code +44
Airport code BRS Flight frequency Three times daily Average temp (Nov) 8°C
From the skies to the
ocean, there’s plenty
happening in Bristol this
month. You can celebrate
100 years of aviation at
the City Museum and Art
Gallery, or experience
life on the world’s fi rst
ocean liner – the SS Great
Britain. Tom Sperlinger
is our city guide
CLIFTON
One of the oldest areas of the city,
Clifton retains an air of gentility,
making it the place to relax and
indulge yourself.
EAT MeMe Chocolat (19 The Mall, tel.
(0)117 974 7000) is great for lunch or
a snack, serving cakes, chocolate-infused
drinks and various savoury items. Look
out for the special offer to get four
chocolates of your choice plus a drink.
SLEEP At the Avon Gorge Hotel (Princes
Buildings, tel. (0)117 973 8955,
theavongorge.com, rooms from
€114/£99), ask for a room overlooking
the Clifton Suspension Bridge to get
a stunning view across the gorge.
DRINK The Portcullis (3 Wellington
Terrace), opposite the Avon Gorge Hotel,
is ideal on a cold evening: there’s often
a fire downstairs and always some
warming real ale on tap.
EAT The Thali Café (1 Regent Street, tel.
(0)117 974 3793) offers authentic Indian
food as served in the country’s roadside
cafes – including a dairy-free thali.
CITY CENTRE
From the Wills Memorial Building,
which towers over the city, to the
new shopping mall at Cabot Circus,
Bristol’s centre is perfect for
walking and window-shopping.
CULTURE The BAC 100 Exhibition
(until 28 November) celebrates the
city’s pioneering role in aviation history;
hosted by the Bristol City Museum and
112 Brussels Airlines b.there! magazine November 2010
INFO
Bristol International
Airport is 16.5km
from the city centre.
Bus The Bristol
Flyer goes from the
Airport to Temple
Meads train station
and Bristol Bus
Station. A separate
bus runs from the
airport to Clifton.
Four buses run
each hour, 24
hours a day;
visit fl yer.bristol
airport.co.uk for
timetables. Adult
tickets start at
€6.75/£6.
Taxi A taxi to the
city centre costs
about €30/£23
and takes around
20 minutes.
Tourist offi ce
The Bristol Vistor
Information
Centre is at E-Shed,
1 Canon’s Road
(tel. (0)870 444
0654; visitbristol.
co.uk).
Visit Isambard Kingdom
Brunel’s only surviving
ship, the SS Great Britain
Art Gallery (Queens Road), it includes
artifacts, sections of aircraft and
stories about those whose lives were
changed by the industry.
SHOP Bristol’s Harvey Nichols
(Philadelphia Street) is a boutique-style
version of the famous department store,
boasting high-end designers including
Zandra Rhodes and Alice Temperley.
DRINK There has been an inn on the site
of the Rummer Hotel (All Saints Lane)
since 1241; the current incumbent
offers an extraordinary range of rum,
wine, rare beers, cocktails and hundreds
of spirits. Get there early to grab one
of the sofas.
LATER The eclectic Mr Wolfs (33 St
Stephen’s Street) has something
different each night of the week,
including bands, DJs and graffiti artists.
SLEEP The Marriott Royal Hotel (College
Green, tel. (0)117 925 5100, marriott.
co.uk/bristol, rooms from €118/£99),
by the cathedral, is ideally placed for
exploring the city.
HARBOURSIDE
A short walk from the city centre,
the harbourside area has it all:
museums, art galleries, restaurants,
bars and a vibrant atmosphere.
EAT The Olive Shed (Floating Harbour,
Princes Wharf, tel. (0)117 929 1960) is
an intimate restaurant by the water’s
edge with an emphasis on fair-trade
food. Plus you can take away cheese,
bread or olive oil from its shop.
DRINK Graze Bar and Chophouse (63
Queen Square) offers a chance to try
distinctive local drinks, including the
full range of Bath Ales: Gem or Wild Hare
are recommended for beginners.
CULTURE The SS Great Britain (Gas
Ferry Road) is perhaps Bristol’s greatest
treasure; find out more about life on
the world’s first great ocean liner. Then
pop round the corner to Spike Island
(Cumberland Road) and visit the
Wealth of Nations exhibition (until 28
November), exploring the influence of
the financial sectors on society and art.
TIP The café/bar upstairs at Watershed
(1 Canon’s Road) has free Wi-Fi.
SOUTHVILLE
Just beyond the harbourside, this
up-and-coming area is home to the
former tobacco factories and some
of Bristol’s trendiest hangouts.
EAT Souk Kitchen (227 North Street,
tel. (0)117 966 6880) offers a range of
Middle Eastern food; the skewers are
particularly recommended. Make sure
you leave plenty of room for the
delicious desserts.
DRINK The Tobacco Factory Bar (Raleigh
Road) is a popular place for the city’s
many arty souls. There are beanbags on
the stage area – perfect for peoplewatching
– and a range of beer and wine.
SLEEP Hotel 24 Seven (15 Acramans
Road, tel. (0)844 770 9411, hotel24
seven.com, rooms from €42/£35) is
a 15-minute walk from Temple Meads
station and offers Wi-Fi in all rooms.
€139 *
FROM JUST
RETURN ALL-IN
code +44
Fly to Bristol from
just €139* return all-in.
brusselsairlines.com
*PRICES QUOTED ARE FOR A RETURN TICKET IN B.LIGHT ECONOMY FROM OR TO BRUSSELS, ALL TAXES AND FEES INCLUDED, IF BOOKED ON BRUSSELSAIRLINES.COM. TICKETS ARE NOT CHANGEABLE, NOR REFUNDABLE. PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE †PER COUNTRY PER CAPITA