Bristol

The biggest city in the West Country, Bristol ranked after London, among the wealthiest cities in England between the 13th and 18th centuries. As a thriving port city it stood at the center of a maritime empire that once spanned the globe; a point of first contact with the exotic worlds beyond these isles.

Settlement of the area has been dated back to 60,000 years ago, and the Normans built one of strongest castles in southern England here, by what was then called Brycgstow. Remains can still be seen today.

The many expeditions undertaken by Bristol merchants included the voyage of John Cabot in 1497. Even greater growth and prosperity came with the rise of the American colonies and Britain's role in the slave trade. The Seven Stars pub still exists, where abolitionist Thomas Clarkson collected information about this trade, in the efforts to abolish it. Today the docks are mostly given to tourism, but there are plenty of diversions here, from museums to stores to restaurants. At night, the quayside is a nightlife destination.

Cary Grant fans might want to stay at the Avon Gorge Hotel. The Hollywood star, who grew up in Bristol as Archibald Leach, resided here when visiting his mother. Hotel windows, and the White Horse pub terrace, have good views of Brunel's Clifton Suspension Bridge -- considered to be among the world's finest.

Big summer events include: the Bristol Harbour Festival in July; the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in August; and the Bristol Kite Festival each August or September.

The historic Old Vic Theatre, home to famous theater year-round, also does elaborate open-air summer productions in the streets. Brunel’s ss Great Britain, "the ship that changed the world" as the world’s first great ocean liner, is one of the harbor sights. From the Kings Weston Roman Villa to the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, there's plenty more to see around the city.

As this is the area’s largest city, the gay community is friendly and diverse. There are about a dozen gay bars and clubs here, many along Old Market Street or West Street. Bristol Pride is held in July with a week of activities.

See our map & listings section for area gay and gay-friendly businesses.

Getting here

Bristol International Airport has flights from around the continent, and a few from farther afield. There are some direct flights from the U.S., so you may not have to change planes in London. Buses and taxis are your best bet for getting downtown.

Bus/coach companies such as National Express connect London and many other cities in the UK.

Bristol Temple Meads is the main rail station at the city center with regional and national rail links. First Great Western operates local and regional rail services, plus intercity services that include London, Paddington. CrossCountry has intercity routes from Bristol to Southwest England, the Midlands, the North of England and Scotland.  South West Trains runs two trains a day between Bristol and London Waterloo, via Salisbury.

Getting around

Central Bristol is made for walking or cycling, and you’ll see many locals doing just that. For bus service around Bristol and surrounding towns see the First Bristol website.

To get to the town of Cheddar, of eponymous cheese fame, take a National Express bus/coach. Britain's largest Gorge, the underground river Cheddar Yeo at Gough's Cave, and impressive limestone cliffs are all nearby.

Passenger trains of the Severn Beach Line run from Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach, with nine local stations along the way. 

Just 15 minutes away by train from Temple Meads station, the city of Bath has Roman Baths, High Tea and "the waters" in the Pump Room, plus the impressive Georgian archetecture from the city's heyday as a fashionable resort spa.

The Bristol Ferry Boat Company and Number Seven Boats operate passenger ferry boat services on Bristol Harbour at the center of Bristol with stops at Bristol Cathedral and the Watershed Arts Centre, among other landings.

Currency and Money

The British pound is the currency. ATMs are sprinkled throughout the downtown area at banks and shopping areas. Consult your home bank before departure, for possible British partner banks to save on debit card withdrawal fees.

Media and resources

Pride West has club listings along with details on pride celebrations and other community news, and OutBristol Magazine has info on Bristol and other nearby towns. LGBT Bristol is another local gay website. LeatherWest magazine and website is the place for the scoop on the region's leather/fetish community and upcoming events.

Attitude, Gay Times, PinkUK and QX are national UK gay magazines or portals with information about what’s going on around the country, including Bristol. Don't Panic website lists club nights around town.

ShoutOut, "out of the closet and into your ears," can be heard on BCfm radio, 93.2, Thursdays 7pm local time. Listen to them live or to the previously aired program archive online.

Venue Magazine and Visit Bristol, the website for the local Tourist Information Center, are two general-public information sources for lifestyle, food, drinks, film, music and performances.