The Swankier Side Of Bristol: Clifton In 48 Hours

Colourful Victorian terraces, symmetrical townhouses and Regency railings – the vibrant and historic suburb of Clifton, to the west of Bristol’s bustling centre, is lined with cafes, wine bars and beautiful boutiques. It’s one of the city’s most affluent areas – we’ve selected five fundamentals for a 48-hour trip.

1. Clifton Suspension Bridge

Bridge

Sitting thousands of feet above the Avon Gorge, Clifton Suspension Bridge is without doubt one of the most defining features of the Clifton area. Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and completed in the late 19th century, this majestic bridge links Clifton with Leigh Woods. There is a small toll charge for motorbikes and cars, but you can breathe in the sights on foot, bike or horse for free via a pedestrian footpath that overlooks the city and the surroundings of Somerset.

2. White Lion Bar and Terrace

Bar, Pub, Pub Grub

If you’re looking for views, the White Lion Bar won’t disappoint. Next to the suspension bridge, this gastropub is part of the Avon Gorge Hotel and has one of the largest heated terraces in the southwest. With umbrellas and wooden benches in abundance, this local favourite, open throughout the year, can get busy during summer. But come in winter and enjoy the warmth of the wood-panelled interior, large leather sofas, real ales and gourmet pies.

3. The Lido

Spa

One of the oldest surviving lidos in the country, this 19th-century outdoor swimming pool, tucked away in the heart of Clifton, is open to the public all year round. Framed by pastel-coloured changing cabins and an award-winning poolside restaurant, the 24m (79ft) pool is also heated. Other features include a hot tub, sauna and a steam room, with a number of treatments available such as bamboo massage, and a tearoom to relax in afterwards.

5. Clifton Observatory

Building

Situated on Clifton Down, this Grade II-listed former snuff mill provides the perfect opportunity to home in on the horizon. Dating back to the 18th century, it houses a working camera obscura, which projects a true image of the Suspension Bridge, Leigh Woods and the Avon Gorge onto a table using a convex lens and sloping mirror. Below the deep-rooted structure, a tunnel to St Vincent’s Cave also survives, leading to St Vincent’s Rocks on the cliff face.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.