Bristol is a beautiful, vibrant historic port city and is home to two prestigious universities. The city is compact and friendly with a smart, central shopping area and a buzzing, modern harbourside, as well as over 450 parks and green spaces. The city is a great place to live and study, with a dynamic music scene, plenty of bars, restaurants and shops, weekly street food markets and a range of music, art and food festivals throughout the year. Bristol is safe and easy to get around and was designated England’s first Cycling City with dedicated cycle lanes and an on street bike rental network.
Getting around
Bristol is accessible by road, rail and air, and is an easy city to get around. Many students find walking and cycling are the most convenient options as most student accommodation is near to university buildings, as well as local bars and restaurants. Local buses are frequent and reasonably priced and serve all routes between main student accommodation areas and university facilities. Bristol can be a very congested city and parking is limited and expensive so car use in the city is not advisable.
Nightlife
Student life is not just about studying, and at Bristol there is plenty to explore and get involved in. Bristol has been voted one of the best university cities in the country by students, and has a well deserved reputation as an exciting hub of culture and leisure activities. For music lovers there are bars, clubs and live venues to suit every taste, including the Thekla, a unique music and performance venue on board a moored cargo ship. For nights out, The Triangle and Park Street areas are packed with reasonably priced bars, cafes and takeaways. Gloucester Road and Stokes Croft make up Bristol’s Cultural Quarter and are regarded as Bristol’s alternative scene with a more laid back vibe, characterised by street art, stylish graffiti and trendy bars and restaurants. For a chance to relax and get out in the fresh air, The Downs is an amazing area of open Parkland on the edge of the city, ideal for walking, cycling or just enjoying stunning views of the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge