Just outside of the city centre and around Temple Meads railway station, you'll find a dazzling mix of heritage and new developments. Explore more of these districts to discover interesting stories, riverside vistas and friendly locals.
Temple Quay
Temple Meads railway station sits at the heart of this developing area, which in recent years has become a centre for commerce, business and creative industries. Bristol's central railway station, Temple Meads, is a historically significant building, with a stunning architectural façade. It first opened in 1840 as the western terminus of the Great Western Railway, which was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Temple Meads derives from the nearby Temple Church, which was built by the Knights Templar in the 12th century and today has a tower that leans 1.6 metres out of the vertical, meaning Bristol has its own leaning tower!
Temple Quay is fast becoming a new hub of the city with businesses moving into the waterside area, leading to the opening of popular bars, cafes and restaurants such as stylish wine bar Veeno or , and the seriously good artisan bakery Harts Bakery. There's also Temple Quay Market held every Tuesday and Thursday.
If you’re looking for a hotel close to Temple Meads station, Ibis Temple Meads Quay and Leonardo Hotel Bristol are both just a few minutes away.
Redcliffe
Snaking around the opposite bank of the floating harbour is the area of Redcliffe, home to the striking St Mary Redcliffe Church. The church is a gothic masterpiece that has been standing on this site for 800 years. In 1574, Queen Elizabeth I proclaimed St Mary Redcliffe "the fairest, goodliest, and most famous parish church in England."
Running beneath the area is a network of caves. There are many entrance and the full extent is unknown. It is thought that these cave have had many uses, including providing fine sand for the city's glass making trade and providing storage for goods that were to be shipped to America.
It is also thought that these caves could have been used in the Transatlantic Slave Trade, and there are local tales that the caves may have been used by smugglers and pirates to hide treasure. The caves are closed to the public, but special tours can be arranged, and the network is opened to the public every September as part of Bristol's Open Doors Day. Bristol Film Festival also host special film screenings in the caves, including spooky Halloween events if you’re brave enough!
Redcliffe has plenty of options when it comes to places to stay, with hotels such as DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol City Centre closer to the harbour, or Hilton Garden Inn Bristol City Centre and Novotel Bristol Centre if you want to be closer to the train station. Premier Suites also have self catering apartments in the area.
Finzels Reach
Finzels Reach is a flourishing neighbourhood in the heart of Bristol, based in many of the former buildings of Georges Bristol Brewery.
Wander across the striking, s-shaped Castle Bridge, which wends its way across the river from Castle Park to Finzels Reach, to discover all that this vibrant new area has to offer. You can enjoy a bite to eat or coffee at Spicer+Cole or Ruby Hue, or enjoy soaking up the sun on Bocabar’s outdoor terrace. Head to the huge Left Handed Giant brewpub for beers with waterside views, The Wellhead for classy cocktails and Le Vignoble for sumptuous wine tasting. There's also a weekly Finzels Reach street food market every Friday.
As well as restaurants and bars, there’s a thriving community of people living and working at Finzels Reach, including the likes of Channel 4's national Creative Hub based in the historic Fermentation Buildings. With striking new architecture combining with sensitively renovated historic buildings, Finzels Reach has its own unique identity.
