Welcome USA

With two royal weddings in 2011 and the 2012 Olympic Games on the horizon, all the eyes of the world will be on England over the next two years. Rich in heritage and surrounded by breathtaking coast and countryside in South West England, Bristol is ideally located for touring England and Wales. View a map of Bristol for more information about our conveniently walkable and friendly city. If you're visiting England for the royal wedding, click here for a list of activities and offers.

Download our 2011 guide to Bristol for American visitors.

Why visit in 2011?

New US Flights

For US visitors, 2011 offers an even greater reason to enjoy this dynamic and exciting city with the addition of a new Aer Lingus route from four US destinations to Bristol, via Dublin. Flying via Dublin to Bristol even provides the opportunity to tour Ireland along the way. Aer Lingus has even developed a special offer for US visitors to enjoy savings to Bristol for a limited time.  www.aerlingus.com

Guided Tours

Vacation England offers escorted travel vacation tours  for small groups of up to 5 guests to see Great Britain at its best. The company specializes in Southern England and are based in Bristol. Vacation England provides customized, tailor made itineraries staying in comfortable B&Bs or hotels & inns if you prefer. Vacation England offers a friendly escort service for single or female only travellers. Their travel tours use old coaching roads and quiet country lanes to visit fascinating 'out of the way' places without forgetting classic tourist attractions. The company is especially interested to help with family history research. Vacation England attempts to find the places that are connected to your family's past (before your visit) and make the contacts for you. If time permits, they would enjoy researching records for you, too. www.vacationengland.com

Fun for the whole family

The largest city in South West England, Bristol is home to a wealth of attractions and is the ballooning capital of Europe. The historic and vibrant Harbourside in the city center features a major science attraction and a new aquarium. Nearby, is the world’s first great transatlantic liner, Brunel’s ss Great Britain. 
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A city with a past

This area is also home to the infamous Bristol-born pirate Blackbeard, notorious slave traders and a man who may have named America, Richard Amerike. American visitors love touring the city's churches and cathedrals, while just taking in English life in this laid- back city. The world’s first Methodist chapel in Bristol is a popular visitor attraction, drawing thousands of Americans annually to the city. 

On arrival into Bristol, visitors are impressed by the city’s collection of world-class museums, galleries, as well as some of the country's finest theaters. In June 2011, the city's new M Shed museum will uncover Bristol's thousand year history, including the city's trading past, its wartime experiences and the testimonies of ordinary Bristolians. 
More about Bristol's history >

Shopping Flair

Bristol is the shopping capital of South West England with a city center retail area that features over 500 stores, two separate covered shopping centers, and more than 50 cafes and restaurants. Bristol has it all. In Bristol, enjoy your pick of city, coast and countryside. 
More shopping options >

A Taste of America in Bristol

• St Mary Redcliffe Church: Here you can enjoy several unique ties to America. Ask to see the American Chapel and William Penn Senior’s monument and the whale bone that John Cabot brought back to Bristol from his journey to North America.
• The Matthew: Take a tour of Bristol’s historic Harbourside on John Cabot’s replica ship, The Matthew. John Cabot sailed from Bristol to North America and there is a theory that John Cabot may have actually named America after the funder of his voyage, Richard Amerike.
• Bristol Pirate Walks: To learn more about this possible naming of America, take a Bristol Pirate Walk and ask Pirate Pete who named America.
• Brunel’s ss Great Britain: Visit this amazing ship, originally built as a sailing ship to New York which was the largest ocean liner when it was built in Bristol by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
• John Wesley and Methodism: The New Room (John Wesley’s Chapel) is the oldest Methodist building in the world and draws thousands of Americans annually to Bristol. Visitors can also see Charles Wesley's House. If you’re active, take the Portishead cycle path from Bristol and stop in Pill to view the American Monument where John Wesley sailed to America to spread Methodism.
• Queen Square: Visit Queen Square to see where the first American consulate in the UK originally stood in 1792.
• Other Options:
  
  Best Option for American Food: You must try authentic English food whilst in Bristol, such as Bristol's very own Pieminister Pies. Don't forget the Fish and Chips, along with Bangers and Mash. But if you're craving an American treat, Rocotillos is an American style diner near the Clifton Triangle. For other American treats, stop by Swinky’s Sweets on Park Street.
  
  Best American Hotels in Bristol: If you'd like a hotel that feels like home, there are two Marriott hotels in the city. The Bristol Marriott Royal is a quintessential British hotel, where the Marriott City Centre is located right next to Bristol’s main shopping area. Bristol offers an amazing range of hotel options.