Instant weekend
THE VIBE
Bristol, straddling the River Avon in South-west England has a rich maritime history and is a creative hub. It’s also home to Oscar-winning animators Aardman Animations, creators of Wallace And Gromit, and was the backdrop to BBC dramas Poldark, Sherlock and Doctor Who.
It was recently declared a Unesco City of Film for its contribution to the film industry.
SEE
For those big on architecture, the 12th-century Bristol Cathedral (bristol-cathedral.co.uk) won’t disappoint with majestic stainedglass windows depicting religious events and a series of elegant arches and carved stone walls.
SS Great Britain (0117 926 0680/ssgreatbritain.org), launched in 1843, was the largest steamship in the world, built to transfer passengers across the Atlantic. Explore the entire ship from steerage to first-class cabins and learn about life at sea.
The adjoining Being Brunel museum provides never-beforeseen personal possessions of Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel such as his black leather cigar case with one last cigar and his sketchbook including plans for the SS Great Britain.
DO
Learn about the history of air travel at Aerospace Bristol (0117 931 5315/aerospacebristol.co.uk), home to an extraordinary collection of flying machines. Highlights include the last British Airways Concorde to fly, helicopters, engines and some of the world’s earliest planes.
Get a snapshot of the city on a Bristol Insight bus tour (bristolinsight.co.uk/0117 971 9279). You’ll pass the old harbour, sweep by the magnificent 18th-century Royal Crescent crossing Bristol’s most famous landmark, the Clifton Suspension Bridge and on to College Green, graveyard for the monks of St Augustine’s Abbey.
Along the way, keep a lookout for artist Banksy’s iconic works.
The University of Bristol Botanic Garden (bristol.ac.uk) is set across 1.7 hectares and is divided into five climate zones. Large glasshouses provide just the right conditions for exotic plants.
There’s a feature on Mediterranean climate regions, local flora, the majestic, giant Amazon water lily and sacred lotus as well as Mexico’s native vine, Vanilla planifolia.
EAT AND DRINK
First-time visitors will want to venture into Wapping Wharf, a vibrant new central area. Tare (tarerestaurant.co.uk) is based in a converted shipping container.
Alternatively, try Wild Beer Co, a Somerset-based brewery. Picks include Millionaire, a salted caramel chocolate milk stout. For dessert head to Swoon for an authentic Italian gelato.
STAY
Beech House (0117 325 8104/ beechhousebristol.co.uk) is a clever, modern conversion of a lovely Victorian villa into 14 holiday apartments as well as two separate mews houses.
While retaining original features (French doors, cornicing and sash windows), decor is a mixture of contemporary sofas, antiques and gilt-framed portraits.
Kitchenettes are high-tech with Bosch appliances, Dualit toasters and Nespresso machines. From £80 (two sharing).
Bristol tourism: (0906 711 2191/ visitbristol.co.uk)