Bristol

Like the world-famous cream sherry that bears its name, Bristol continually improves with age. An important sea trading port thanks to its location on the Severn Estuary on the southwest coast of England, Bristol has evolved into a dynamic and cosmopolitan city winning numerous awards - including 'European City of the Year' along the way.

Holidays in Bristol have become increasingly popular in recent years following investment in the redevelopment of the city's historic docks, the expansion of the city centre to create a hundred new shops and the establishment of a 'restaurant quarter'. The result is an exciting city in which fine Victorian and Georgian buildings happily co-exist with thoroughly contemporary buildings and where world-class attractions, landmarks and entertainments are to be found at every turn.

A settlement since pre-historic times, Bristol has been a prosperous trading destination for almost a thousand years becoming, by the fifteenth century, the second most important port after the Port of London. Today, Bristol's fascinating history is recalled in the city's many excellent museums and by landmarks such as the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge and the SS Great Britain, both designed by Isambard Kindom Brunel.

With an exciting music and nightlife scene, irresistible street markets, plenty of family-friendly attractions and green spaces to relax in, it's easy to see exactly why Bristol holidays are loved by everyone.

At the heart of England's picturesque and rural West Country, Bristol serves as an excellent base from which to discover the region. Well-connected by rail and road, the city's position on the river Avon also provides an opportunity for exploration by boat. This advantageous location also means that holidays to Bristol allow visitors to enjoy the many highlights of the city, including Bristol Zoo - the fifth-oldest zoo in the world, the spectacular Blue Reef Aquarium, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery and the city's twelfth-century cathedral as well as enabling them to experience the beautiful surrounding countryside, with the Avon Gorge, the Mendip Hills and the Cotswolds all within easy reach of the city.