The biggest metropolis in southwest Britain, this once vital trade and industry route for the region has since reinvented itself as a haven for art galleries, theaters, and hungry shoppers. HAPPYCAR is here to help you find the best rental car Bristol has to offer so you can take full advantage of this innovative city, with pick up locations as close as the Bristol Airport. We check the prices of international and local providers so that you don’t have to check each website and provide you with the best deals to make your money go further on a rental car specific to your needs.
General Information
Bristol was listed in 1051 as a port and played an extremely important role in sea trade for hundreds of years. Home to Blackbeard the pirate, piracy was widespread until the city famously cracked down on the illegal act and many of the buildings you see in Bristol are closely linked to pirating and privateering. These days, Bristol is home to the likes of famous graffiti artist Banksy, JK Rowling and Wallace and Gromit, and a blend of historic importance and modern creativity flows through every street of the city.
To Do
From boat trips and pirate walks to walking tours and cycling the city, there are surprises around every corner of winding Bristol. Take a ferry boat to learn more about the city from its harbor and gain a unique perspective on Bristol, or just use it to commute to one of the many shopping quarters like Cabot Circus. You can also walk around the city and take in some of Banksy’s hidden early works, stopping every once in a while to sample some of the bars, cafes and restaurants that gives Bristol its trendy moniker. For a bit of culture, head to Bristol’s museum and art gallery, visit the At-Bristol science center for one of the most interactive science centers in Europe, and explore the well-known Bristol Zoo with over 400 species of exotic animals.
Attractions
A rental car in Bristol can open you up to the area’s most famous and iconic landmark, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, built by Isenbard Kingdom Brunel in 1831. The bridge draws spectacular views of the Avon Gorge and Bristol city beyond and guided tours are available. A trip to Bristol isn’t complete without experiencing some of the churches scattered around the city, particularly the beautiful Bristol Cathedral, which has been standing for well over 1000 years. Voted the number one attraction in Bristol for 2013, Brunel’s SS Great Britain is a step back in time. The world’s first great ocean liner has been restored over the decades and provides an illuminating interactive experience for all the family, and it is no surprise that it has won numerous awards for the pleasure.
Eating
Award-winning restaurants rub shoulders with pubs and afternoon tea rooms in Bristol with options to dine on boats. For a true taste of Bristol, stop by the Glassboat Restaurant, a converted barge with a wow factor and a hearty selection of 150 different wines. For something a little more rustic, try Pieminister, one of Bristol’s favourite eateries with award-winning pies and trimmings that sources exclusively from local producers. For a cream tea you won’t forget, head to Cox and Baloney tea rooms for quintessential English favorites. But for Bristol’s very best – and most adventurous – try Bell’s Diner. Here, one of the city’s most respected chefs, Christopher Wicks, utilizes unexpected flavor combinations to imprint an unforgettable experience on your taste buds.
Excursions
As a historic trade hub the connections around Bristol are very good and best experienced with a Bristol car hire. There are many National Trust sites in the area, but west about eight miles from Bristol brings you to the Tyntesfield, a stunning Gothic Revival estate that can be explored to learn more about the industrial heritage of the area. Further north you can cross the Severn Bridge into Wales, and driving south will take you to Cheddar Gorge, Britain’s biggest gorge and a National Nature Reserve. Created by ice-age melt-water over millions of years, it is also a famous site for prehistoric discoveries. Birmingham to the north and Bath to the south are also very accessible from the city, thanks to its strong network of major roadways.