Staying in Bristol, England

Bristol. Originally known as a port city used for British trade, the city has adapted itself into a hive of media activity and creativity. Home to both ITV and BBC studios, Bristol has become a media hotspot and draws corporate travellers from the creative industries: from the radio to the papers, the city has it all. Also known as a City of Film, there’s no art that Bristol hasn’t mastered; even raising silver screen stars like Olivia Colman and Charlie Cox, and comedians like Bill Bailey and Stephen Merchant. Bristol's two universities add a youthful touch to the historic city and help to create the diverse mix of people, industries and ideas Bristol is known for.

Taking a business trip to Bristol soon? Here's a rundown of all the information you will need to navigate a great stay in this marvellous city.

Visiting Bristol, England - Key Information

Weather in Bristol

If you’re planning to stay in Bristol, it may be wise to invest in a strong umbrella and bring along a thick jacket (or two, depending how long you’re staying). Like the rest of the UK, rainfall and cold weather is standard here with winter chills being most common between October and March. Summers average around 22°C but can peak higher, so consider a pair of sunglasses if you’re taking a visit in July when it’s warmest.

Currency in Bristol

GBP (£)

Bristolians use the same currency as the rest of the UK: the Great British Pound. Recently, in a bid to future-proof, the city has taken steps towards being cashless, with 2035 being the current estimate for the absence of physical cash in Bristol. This move follows the likes of Cambridge and Exeter who are aiming to turn completely to digital payments in around the same time frame, but for now it's still worth bringing some cash too just in case.

When on a business to Bristol, tipping is not expected like it is in some American states, but it is still appreciated for good service. Discretionary tips can usually be paid in either cash or card and, unless a service charge is automatically included in the bill, are usually in the 10-15% range. For taxis, rounding up the fare is also common as an extra thank you to the driver. VISA and MasterCard are commonly accepted to pay for your taxi rides in the city.

Health & Well-being in Bristol

Bristol is home to thirteen local nature reserves, including Troopers Hill which boasts stunning views across the entire city. Make a day of it and consider a free guided tour up the hill or simply recline on a bench and breathe in the fresh air. Across the city in North Bristol, find Bacdock's Wood. As well as being a regular dog walking spot, it is great for those needing to take a step away from city life or for joggers looking for a scenic route.

Looking for a spectator sport instead? Consider visiting Ashton Gate football stadium for a great match on a Sunday afternoon. Both Bristol City Football and the Bristol Bears Rugby train here and, with a capacity of 27,000, there's plenty of seats for you to score. 

Data in Bristol

Data is a must-have for a stay abroad. Plenty of supermarkets, like Tesco or ASDA, provide easy-to-access SIM cards with pay-as-you-go deals, great for a trip with no finalised end date. Airports are also a good place to pick them up for those last-minute journeys. In Bristol, the best coverage can be provided by EE, O2 and Three, who all have in-person stores to buy SIMs or new mobile plans from.

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Cuisine in Bristol

Bristol's cuisine, like its people, comes from all over the globe. As well as a plethora of recognisable chain restaurants, Bristol boasts a wide range of independent bars and cafés. From quirky breakfast bars on a Saturday morning to Michelin star fine dining on a Friday evening, everything can be found in the city if you know the right places to look. Cabot Circus is Bristol’s prime shopping destination which also offers a wide selection of bars and international chain restaurants .

Street food is also common in Bristol, namely in the array of markets that the city hosts, like Temple Quay market or Harbourside Street Food Market. To highlight Bristol’s diverse cuisine, July sees the Feast On festival, where the city’s eateries are invited to set up stalls of their best dishes for visitors to try and buy

Speaking the Language in Bristol, England

Between the nearly half a million people that inhabit Bristol, over 60 languages are shared. English is the most common but with large international communities, Polish and Spanish can also be heard. The Bristolian accent is distinct, and locals use their own collection of slang words. Here’s a couple of phrases that you might hear out in the wild:

Shrammed = Freezing. Used when temperatures drop during Bristolian winters.

Nipper = Youngster. Thanks to the university population, many can be found across the city.

Speck = A shortened version of "suspect" - often the Bristol dialect can chop words in half.

Glider = Cider. Bristol's dialect is reminiscent of cockney rhyming slang, where rhyming words are used as alternatives to the desired word.

Transport in Bristol- Getting Around Bristol, England

Getting around Bristol is easy, thanks to the interlinked bus system across all vital locations in the city. Buses can be tracked live through the FirstBus app, simplifying travel plans and commuting, and single trips are currently capped at £3. For those bringing a car, Bristol's park and ride is a great way to avoid traffic congestion in the city centre.

Bristol also has two train stations: Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway. From Temple Meads runs a direct bus to the airport, making international travel easy. Taxi apps like Uber and Bolt also operate in Bristol for those seeking private travel or convenient airport transfers.

Bristol Serviced Apartment Norms

Our Bristol property partners have plenty of different apartment types and are certain to have the right one for you. Serviced apartment buildings can vary in terms of facilities and amenities, two different accommodation models that we can offer in Bristol are:

• Aparthotels come with similar benefits as a hotel, some with 24-hour receptions and gyms, but with the added amenities of an apartment, such as kitchen facilities and living spaces.
• Dedicated serviced apartment buildings function similarly to rental apartment blocks, but with the bonus of housekeeping services and more flexibility of terms for your tenancy. A similar option is a special apartment serviced individually in the same building as long-term residents.

High season for the city is between mid-May to mid-September when the temperatures peak. Summer sees an abundance of free events like Bristol Harbour Festival and Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, which draw in more tourists and can cause higher nightly rates. One of the most popular is Old City Sounds, a vibrant music festival staged over the August bank holiday weekend. The festival covers all genres, celebrating the city’s diverse history. Local venues and larger scale stages all contribute to the festival, bringing attention to lesser-known artists, as well as names that you might recognise.

Bristol City Map

And that's Bristol in a nutshell! Got a corporate trip to Bristol planned soon? Feel free to take a look at our curated catalogue of Bristol serviced apartments here, and speak to our trained team of experts to find the right apartment for you. Need any extras like a work desk or want to know the commute times to your workplace? Just ask, we are here to help.