Bristol Waterfront Bars, Pubs, and Restaurants

Bristol’s Waterfront area plays host to another of pubs, bars and cafes, with the main waterfront bar area being around the city centre and Peros bridge [Wikipedia].  Some of the most popular include The Shore Cafe and River Grille Restaurant, which is located on the Queen’s Square side of Pero’s bridge, BSB Waterfront, and Lloyds Bar, both of which are on the Millenium Square (@Bristol) side of Pero’s bridge.

If you are thinking of staying in Bristol on a temporary basis and are taken by the idea of being close to the waterfront and all that is going on there, then there are plenty of Bristol Waterfront Hotels from which to choose from. Take a look at our Bristol Hotels page for a number of accomodation options; some of which come with upto a 70% discount for WeLoveBristol.com visitors.

If you are thinking more long-term, and are looking to purchase a Bristol Waterfront Apartment or Bristol Waterfront Flats, there have been a number of Bristol Waterfront Developments as part of the regeneration of Bristol within the past decade or so. One of the most notable developments is ‘Harbourside’ by Crest Nicholson  www.harbourside.co.uk.

Bristol Waterfront Cinema

The waterfront has its very own Cinema, which is located within the Watershed. More information can be sourced from the Watershed website:  www.watershed.co.uk

Bristol Harbour History

Bristol Harbour is the harbour in the city of Bristol, England. It spans  an area of 70 acres. It has existed since the 13th century but was developed into its current form in the early 19th century by installing lock gates on a tidal stretch of the River Avon in the centre of the city and providing a tidal by-pass for the river. It is called a floating harbour as the water level remains constant and it is not affected by the state of the tide on the river.

Netham Lock in east Bristol is the upstream limit of the harbour. Beyond the lock is a junction: on one arm the navigable River Avon continues upstream to Bath, and on the other arm is the tidal River Avon. The first 1 mile  of the floating harbour, downstream from Netham Lock, is an artificial channel known as the feeder canal, while the tidal River Avon follows its original route.

Between Bristol Temple Meads railway station and Hotwells, the harbour and the River Avon run parallel at a distance of no more than 0.65 miles apart. At Bristol Temple Meads railway station, the floating harbour occupies the original bed of the River Avon and meanders through Bristol city centre, Canon’s Marsh and Hotwells. To the south, the tidal River Avon flows through an artificial channel known as the New Cut.

This separation of the floating harbour and the tidal River Avon reduces currents and silting in the harbour and prevents flooding. At Hotwells, the floating harbour rejoins the tidal River Avon via a series of locks and flows into the Avon Gorge.

There are a number of significant projects in specific areas, which are making major contributions to Bristol’s regeneration. The examples identified below give a sense of Bristol as a changing city.
• Cabot Circus retail development. Has created over 4,000 new jobs.
• Temple Quay 2. This provides a prime new location for business within an exceptionally high quality new mixed use development.
• Hengrove Park, Imperial Park and Symes Avenue are developments in South Bristol, which will create up to 1,000 new jobs.
• Work on the first play pathfinder project began in December 2008, part of a £2.65m project to transform play spaces in the city.
• Bristol Airport’s expansion promises new jobs and opportunities with an increase in full time employees from 2,300 currently to 5,700 in 2030. We will work to ensure that these jobs are available to Bristolians.
• Hartcliffe Campus will provide a replacement secondary school with a 200 place vocational centre, replacement City of Bristol College and up to 5,000 sq m of business floorspace.
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• The continued development of the Harbourside, which is moving to the south and west of the city. Developments include the new museum, Wapping Wharf, SS Great Britain, and the new Aardman HQ. Further, Phase one of the multi-million pound scheme to secure the effective working of Bristol’s historic docks and safeguard the city from potential flood risks began in December 2008. This marks the start of a planned programme of works over a four-year period and costing in the region of £11m.
• The Post Office Site in Temple Meads is being developed by Media Office UK as workspace for the creative and media industries. This will provide new jobs, businesses and opportunities for local people.
• The City Council’s Priority Stock Team has partnered with Bovis Homes Ltd in delivering the redevelopment of 330 post-war prefabs spread over 15 sites across the City. The project will deliver 330 replacement BCC dwellings, cross-subsidised by an additional 740 new private dwellings.
• Approximately 1250 dwellings and a new local centre (including a primary school site and employment uses) will be developed at Wallescourt Farm, a 31 hectare Greenfield mixed-use development site to the North of Lockleaze.

The Downs comprises of Clifton Down and Durdham Down – two large, historic, adjacent grassed green spaces of approximately 400 acres. Although on the edge of the city, the Downs feels like open countryside, with their wide views of the Avon Gorge, Leigh Woods, north Somerset, the Severn estuary and across to south Wales. The Downs are one of Bristol’s most historic and popular open spaces, used for sport, big public events, wildlife spotting and healthy exercise by residents throughout Bristol.

The Downs are located to the North West of Bristol,  roughly 2 miles from the City Centre, at the top of Whiteladies Road (A4018). If you are travelling from north Bristol, you can access The Downs via Westbury Road. The Downs covers a wide area north of Clifton Suspension Bridge almost to Henleaze and Westbury on Trym. A wide grassy green expanse edged with mature natural woodland and popular residential districts.

The Downs also plays host to a number football pitches, forming part of the Downs League.

Bedminster Down is in the South West of Bristol bordering Bedminster, Ashton and Bishopsworth. This mainly residential area was built in the 1930s and has excellent views across the Avon Gorge, Ashton Court and the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

The main school for the area is Bedminster Down School located on Donald Road.

Bedminster Down is home to major employers such as Bristol Water and Computershare, both housed in substanially sized buildings.
In 1928 the parish of Bedminster Down was created from the north of Bishopsworth in response to the development of the area. The parishes of Hartcliffe and Withywood were separated off more recently.

Bishopsworth has an estimated population of 11,444 people (2001 Census). Its municipal services are run by Bristol City Council whilst its local health services are managed by the Bristol South and West Primary Care Trust.

Local facilities include shops and pubs, a public library and swimming pool.

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Bedminster lies south of Bristol city centre, surrounded by the districts of Windmill Hill, Totterdown, Southville and Bedminster Down.

Bedminster, as with much of Bristol is currently undergoing huge regeneration with the old cigarette factories and the old Robinson Building being converted into flats and family homes.

The areas of North Street, West Street and East Street provide popular shopping areas with mainly independent retailers (butchers, green grocers, clothes stores, food shops, furniture shops, charity shops), with a Sainsburys amd Asda serving the local area.

Primary schools: Holy Cross RC Primary School, South Street Primary School, Parson Street Primary School, Victoria Park Primary School.

Secondary School: Bedminster Down Secondary School.

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Barton Hill is an area of Bristol, just to the east of the Bristol city Centre and Bristol Temple Meads railway station.

It includes residential, retail and industrial premises and is crossed by major roads, railway tracks and the feeder canal leading to the Bristol Harbour and dockside area.

Great Western Cotton Mill on Great Weston Lane was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in the early 19th century. Great Western Cotton factory opened in 1838 and closed in 1925. From a plan of 1839 the sheds are seen to have contained up to 1600 looms. The main spinning mill was demolished in 1968.

Barton Hill is currently being re-developed funded by the governments Bristol New Deal regeneration programme which started in 2000. As part of the New Deal, new affordable housing has been built, various community initiatives launched to tackle un-employment, education, health, crime, environment & business, and plans for the regeneration of Church Road.
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Avonmouth is a suburb of the city of Bristol, at the mouth of the River Avon on its north bank and on the Severn Estuary. It is the location of a large port, Avonmouth Docks.The Royal Portbury Dock, under the same management, is on the other side of the Avon. Avonmouth is home to several large chemical manufacturing plants and a gas fired power station. There is also a significant residential area in Avonmouth between the industrialised zone and the M5 motorway.

The M5 motorway runs through Avonmouth, and crosses the Avon via the Avonmouth Bridge. The M49 motorway runs between the M5 near Avonmouth and the M4 motorway at the Second Severn Crossing. The old Severn Bridge and the M48 motorway are linked to Avonmouth by the A403. The Portway, part of the A4, connects Avonmouth to the centre of Bristol. Avonmouth is also is served by a usually hourly train service to Bristol from Avonmouth railway station on the Severn Beach Line. The northern suburbs of Cardiff are visible on the west bank of the Severn Estuary.

A 10 hectare area of Avonmouth Sewage Treatment Works is managed as a nature reserve by Avon Wildlife Trust. The man-made lagoons and a pool provide a feeding and resting area for many birds including ducks such as pochard, tufted duck, teal and shoveler. The rough grassland provides a refuge for voles and other small mammals, which are preyed upon by kestrels and barn owls.

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Places in Ashley include Ashley Down, Montpelier and St Pauls.

Ashley Down is mainly divided either side of Ashley Down Road, the main artery for the area. Due to the affordable housing and location, close to both the City Centre and University of the West of England, the area is popular with students and young professionals. The City of Bristol College is located on Ashley Down Road and is currently undergoing a major re-development, creating an urban-village vibe.

Gloucestershire County Cricket Club is situated in Nevil Road on the border between Ashley Down and Bishopston, up until 1975 the ground was known as ‘The Ashley Down Ground’.

Schools in Ashley Down include Ashley Down Infant School on Olveston Road and Ashley Down Junior School located on Downend Road.
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The village of Alveston is 13 miles north of Bristol, and is situated about 3 miles from the town of Thornbury. Alveston is located at the Southern end of the Vale of Berkeley, Alveston is a village with a long history. The Local pub the Ship Inn dates back to 1598. Alveston serves as a gateway to the first Seven road bridge.

Alveston is twinned with Courville sur Eure, France. It has two hotels, a variety of small shops, several parks and fields and two churches..

Alveston is the gateway to the first Severn Bridge from the A38 and Thornbury. It is also the home of Thornbury Cricket Club and Marlwood secondary school.

In the 19th century, the village of Alveston was centred on Church Farm, on the lane leading from Rudgeway to Iron Acton. Most people consider the modern Alveston to be centred on the Ship Inn. The Ship Inn at Alveston is an old Coaching House which dates back to 1589. In the 19th century, the area around the Ship Inn was known as Alveston Green.

The main road to Gloucester originally passed the Ship Inn, before turning east to join the current line of the A38 trunk road. A short bypass was added during the 20th Century.
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Almondsbury is a large village on the outskirts of Bristol, close to junction 16 of the M5 motorway. It is within easy travelling distance of Alveston, Filton, Patchway, Bradley Stoke and Bristol Filton Airport.

Almondsbury’s sporting facilities include football sides Almondsbury Town A.F.C. and Almondsbury F.C., a cricket pitch and a rugby pitch. Almondsbury Tennis Club is on the same site. The village also has a Motorway Traffic Unit police station, a garden centre, a restaurant and pub.

South Wales, the Forest of Dean, the River Severn and both Severn Bridges can be seen from the higher parts of the village.
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Whether it is a classy champagne bar and restaurant you are after, or the fantastic Nando’s restaurant, you are certain to be catered for. The Elbow Room is an American style mini cool pool hall complete with funky beats. The Ram is a more traditional pub offering a decent food menu and also live acoustic music on the weekends. Java is a new addition to the scene with a great location and exclusive feel.

The centre of the Square itself is usually popular with office workers, especially during the summer months where it is an ideal spot to sit and eat your lunch or simply relax!

The square was planned in 1699 and building finished in 1727. It was named in honour of Queen Anne. The north side and much of the west were destroyed in the Bristol Riots of 1831 and have since been rebuilt. Many of the buildings now having listed building status.

In 1937 the inner city ring road was driven diagonally across the square but in 2000 it was removed and the open space restored.

North Street itself is quite expansive, stretching over a large part of South Bristol, linking Ashton, Bedminster and Southville. East Street is at one end and Greville Smyth Park at the other. You are likely to find whatever you are looking for here, be it a trendy cafe through to a DIY store.There is a great array of shops on North Street.

The breadbin of the resurgence centers around the Tobacco Factory. A property that used to belong to Imperial Tobacco and was converted by local architect George Ferguson, and is home to a popular bar and café as well as theatre space and a selection of local independent businesses.

If you are looking for a bite to eat you’re really spoiled for choice on North Street, whether it’s take-away or eating in.

Hengrove is an area on the outskirts of Bristol, particularly popular with families due to its easy reach of schools, shops and various bus routes to the city centre.

A variety of pubs, restaurants, retail units such as Next, Cineworld, Tesco express, Woolworths and B&Q are established there and Hengrove Park is the largest urban regeneration site in Bristol.

As part of the Governments Building Schools for the Future scheme, Hengrove School became The Oasis Academy opened in Hengrove in September 2008, and has benefited from a £20M investment. It specialises in visual and performing arts and is developing into a centre for the surrounding community.

The first competition in 1829 was judged by Thomas Telford, the leading civil engineer of the day. Telford rejected all the designs and submitted his own but the decision to declare him the winner was unpopular and a second competition was held in 1830. 24 year old Isambard Kingdom Brunel was eventually declared the winner and appointed project engineer – his first major commission.” - Suspension Bridge Website

The Clifton Suspension Bridge spans the Avon Gorge and is the symbol of Bristol. Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the bridge opened in 1859 and is now famous worldwide.

There is a small visitor centre on the Leigh Woods side of the Bridge with displays, historical information and souvenirs of the Bridge.

Contact
Suspension Bridge Road
Leigh Woods
Clifton
Bristol
BS8 3PA

Tel

0117 974 4664

Map

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Ideal for visiting, be it as an individual or a family, there is plenty to keep you occupied.

Ashton Court Estate has been owned by Bristol City Council since 1959, with the estate now a major recreational area for the people and visitors of Bristol. The estate now also plays host to Ashton Park Secondary school and a University of the West of England (UWE) campus.

The estate currently spanms some approximate 850 acres of meadows, grassland and woodland and meadows. Entry is free of charge, as-is parking, except during major events such as the Balloon Fiesta.

Whether you intend on visiting the woodland, deer parks, go cycling, use the miniature railway, play golf, or any of the many other activities you can enjoy, Ashton Court is sure to provide you and your family with plenty of enjoyment.

Ashton Courts Mansion plays host to many corporate events and weddings as well as a visitor centre and  cafe.

Opening times
Opening time: 08.00 am daily throughout the year
Closing times vary with the season:
November, December and January: 17.15pm
February: 18.15pm
March and October: 19.15pm
April and September: 20.15pm
May, June, July and August: 21.15pm

Contact
Ashton Court Mansion
Long Ashton
Bristol
BS41 9JN

Map

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Bristol Post Codes? Not sure where a particular area is? We have a postal code map of Bristol which is exactly what you are after.