WEST OF ENGLAND
Bristol is an exciting city, overflowing with intriguing, traditional and occasionally off the wall things to do and see. What really makes it special is its energy, the mix of historic and new. With the city, coast and countryside all within easy reach, Bristol is a great place to enjoy a day out or a weekend break.
Bristol is also the gateway to the South West of England, providing the perfect base to explore the area, and Bath is just 15 minutes away by train, and is surrounded by beautiful countryside.
The Severn Bridges offer a direct route into Cardiff and South Wales, and regular train services provide an easy alternative to the car.
Bristol's shopping offers lots of choice, catering for the most eclectic of tastes and all budgets from pocket money to big spenders.
In the centre of Bristol, Broadmead and The Mall Galleries boast an enticing range of shops with all the familiar high street names and specialist independent stores, and plans are well underway for a major expansion. On the outskirts, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway is at Junction 17 of the M5. It's an ultra-convenient shopping-friendly complex with over 135 stores and over 17 cafes and restaurants, all under one very big roof.
The elegant shops of Bristol's West End, Whiteladies Road and Clifton Village are unmissable - magnets for those looking for designer clothes, antiques, jewellery, art and crafts. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants along the way so you can rest your weary feet (and bags!) along the way.
One souvenir you should really take away from Bristol is a piece of Bristol Blue Glass. The glass is available to buy from many stores, but it's worth a visit to the studio itself where you can watch the glass being blown as well as browse a spectacular range of blue glass products.
Bristol's East Side is full of specialist stores selling food, fabrics and crafts of Asian and Caribbean influence.
The Old City's grand, dignified buildings surround the Corn Exchange and St Nicholas Markets, where you'll find an intriguing choice of stalls and small shops not to mention regular street markets, including arts and crafts every Friday and Saturday, Farmers Market every Wednesday and special events throughout the year.
The Slow Food Market takes place on the first Sunday of each month and is definitely worth a visit.
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