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United Kingdom : Bristol - March 2009

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Bristol sparkles at this time of year. As the temperatures get warmer and the evenings become lighter, life here really picks up speed. The city’s parks and green spaces start to flourish, while its cultural life moves up a gear. Mercury Prize winners Elbow play the Colston Hall on 10 March, just one of this month’s highlights. Sarah Ellis is full of the joys of spring

Getting around

Bristol International Airport

Bus: The Bristol International Flyer connects the airport to Temple Meads Rail Station and Bristol Bus Station, with drop-off points around the city centre including Clifton. Services run every 15-20 minutes between 5am and 12.10am from Temple Meads. A return ticket costs €10/£7.
Taxi: A single journey from the airport to the city centre costs around €23/£16 and takes about 30 minutes.
Tourist information: The central tourist information is at Wildwalk-At-Bristol, Harbourside (tel. , visitbristol.co.uk).

WATERFRONT

Bristol’s old docks have been transformed over the past 30 years.

Sleep soundly – For a budget-friendly stay in a prime location, try Bristol YHA (14 Narrow Quay, tel. , yha.org.uk, rooms from €22/£17.95).

Must eat – The best spot on the harbourside has been bagged by Bordeaux Quay (V-Shed, Canon’s Way, tel. ). The elegant, glass-fronted restaurant offers seasonal food in a relaxed atmosphere; perfect for whiling hours away. The menu uses lots of local ingredients in dishes like potted rabbit with parsley salad and apple crumble with Dorset cream.

Must drink – Famed for its live music, the Thekla (The Grove, East Mud Dock) is also a good place to enjoy a drink. Watch other boats bob past through the portholes in the upper-deck bar. Or try The River (1 Canon’s Road) for dancing into the early hours.

CITY CENTRE

The city centre hums with energy and vitality, while seemingly expanding all the time. Dip in and out, along major thoroughfares and through twisting passageways.

Sleep soundly – Tucked in the corner of College Green is the majestic Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel (College Green, tel. , marriott.co.uk, rooms from €162/£130). It boasts splendid Victorian architecture and luxurious leisure facilities.

Culture vultures – The drama being staged in Bristol this month is very varied. It includes Catherine Mamma Mia! Johnson’s Suspension at Bristol Old Vic Studio (38 King Street, until 28 March) and the quirky Kneehigh Theatre Company’s Don John (10 – 14 March) at the Hippodrome (St Augustine’s Parade). The Colston Hall (Colston Street), Bristol’s largest concert hall, is undergoing major renovation work this spring, but that isn’t affecting the quality of the line-up.

Must eat – For a taste of Brazil in Bristol, go to Bocanova (90 Colston Street, tel. ). There’s also Brazilian music on Wednesdays. Try the pan-fried mackerel in a moqueca sauce, with salsa verdi, or the seared fillet of sea bass with pickled papaya. Or you could try the Bistro at the Hotel du VIn (The Sugar House, Narrow Lewins Mead, tel. ), which does simple brasserie food with seasonal ingredients well. Try the rump of lamb with pea purée.

Must drink – Colston Yard (Colston Street) is a gem, with a traditional English country pub atmosphere, an impressive selection of beers, and awesome views from the back, over the city. It does a great Sunday roast, too.

Dance the night away – A relatively new addition to the city’s nightlife, Start The Bus (7-9 Baldwin Street) is now a must. A mix of nights, with live music and DJs, pull in the crowds.

Shop til you drop – If you’ve cash to spend, head straight up Park Street. Try Noa Noa (77 Park Street) for high-end women’s fashion, or Bristol Guild (68- 70 Park Street) for exquisite local crafts.

CLIFTON

Stretching from The Downs to the village, Clifton is home to a treasure trove of individual bars and boutiques amid the Georgian architecture.

Culture vultures – Head up to Clifton Suspension Bridge on a clear day for views over the city and beyond. To many, this is the encapsulated image of Bristol. Take the kids along to Bristol Zoo Gardens (Guthrie Road) and don’t miss the Butterfly Forest – it’s a festival of colour.

Must drink – A pub and a theatre rolled into one, The Alma Tavern (18-20 Alma Vale Road) is an exciting experience – the only one of its kind in Bristol

Shop til you drop – Clifton Village has a range of stylish, individual stores – great for presents for loved ones or treating yourself! The Clifton Arcade (Boyces Avenue) has a fantastic variety of quirky stores. Try Soma (1a Clifton Arcade) for contemporary art and Amethyst (2 Clifton Arcade) for jewellery.

Compiled by Sarah Ellis