A couple of days ago, the Telegraph announced that Bristol is the ‘best city to live in the UK’ and having lived here for over five years, I can only agree. Bristol is friendly, vibrant and full of culture. It also seems to be the secret blogging capital of the UK, so I have asked my local blogger friends exactly why they think that Bristol is the best city to live in the UK.
And here’s what they said:
Fritha from Tigerlilly Quinn says: I have lived in Bristol for almost five years now and love it! It is a very vegetarian and vegan friendly city which is brilliant for me and my family. Our little corner of Bristol is quite multicultural and I love that my son is growing up with people of all cultures. I grew up in the countryside but love that Bristol is small enough to not feel like too much of a city, and with parks every ten minutes walk there is no end of greenery.
Kath from Knitty Mummy says: One of the things I love about Bristol is the sense of community - Bristol is the street party capital of Europe. I love that the council are really behind schemes like “playing out” allowing regular temporary road closures to allow kids to play safely in the street with their friends. So nice in the middle of a city where open space is minimal.
Jo from Slummy Single Mummy says: I moved to Bristol from a small dead-end town two years ago after years of dreaming and planning. Bristol is a great place to live because it makes me happy! It has so much going on, and a vibrancy and excitement about it that lifts my spirits just walking down the street. I have been amazed too at how many friends I have made in the local community in such a short space of time.
Gemma from Helloitsgemma loves that: The city centre is threaded with water, the harbour and the river. It creates a calm amongst the city traffic jams. A walk around the harbourside, is always interesting, never the same. We moved to Bristol last year and I love the festivals the city plays host to, clustered around the waters edge in town or out at Aston court to the iconic balloon festival.
Emily from Bristol Bites says: There’s just so much going on in the world of food and drink in Bristol: we have new restaurants, coffee shops, delis and more springing up all the time. There’s something to suit all budgets and tastes here, and we’re also lucky enough to have some amazing local producers on our doorstep. What’s not to love?
Jen from Instinctive Mum found it hard to sum up why Bristol is a great place to live. She tried it with these very poignant words: Vibrant, diverse, busy, never still. Changing, growing, adapting and blended. So much to do, many people to meet, places to visit. Old and new, historical, unique.
Adele from Circus Queen thinks: Bristol is a fantastic place to raise kids with a ‘natural’ approach. There are so many beautiful outdoor spaces and a huge community of people devoted to holistic living. There are lots of creative options for home educating families too, which really appeals to us.
Nichola from Globalmouse Travels finds that: Bristol is one of the most colourful cities in the UK - whether it’s the hot air balloons that are always floating over it, the individually painted houses of Totterdown or Hotwells or the Harbourside festivals that go on throughout the summer. I love the colour it brings, it’s happy and fun and shouts out about a city that loves life and embraces it to the full!
Martin from Bristol Culture says: Green spaces, cider, close to London, water, Massive Attack, yadda yadda yadda. All well and good, yes, but what I love about Bristol is its myriad of secret corners. Such as the miniature commemorative plaque underneath the clock at the bottom of Park Street, Redcliffe Caves, the chocolate path, hidden trails in Leigh Woods and th post-apocalyptic children’s playground in Castle Park.
Jenny from Mum To One answered: I love that Bristol has numerous vibrant festivals throughout the year, my favourite being UpFest, a celebration of Bristol’s hugely talented Urban Painters. I love the large number of independent cafes, bars and restaurants that thrive on Gloucester Rd and I love the community spirit of Southville where I live.
Are you from Bristol? I’d love to know what you love about the city or what would maybe make it even better! If you are not from this neck of the woods, but have been to Bristol on a visit - what did you think about it? Is Bristol a place that you would want to live in and does it deserve the title ‘best city to live in the UK’?
PS: Thanks to all bloggers who got involved with this blog post and to Matt Gibson for the photo of the Grain Barge. All other photos have been supplied by the bloggers in this blog post.
It really is awesome. What a lucky bunch we are!
RIGHT I WANT TO MOVE THERE TOMORROW!!!!!
I used to travel to Bristol once a month for a week with work and I adore the city. I used to explore a lot, and I would love to live there. In fact if we weren’t so close to my parents then we have said it is one of the places we would live. x
I love Bristol. I have lived here for 5 years. The first time I came here, I drove up Gloucester road and nearly killed about a hundred cyclists! The city is individual: each area has a vibe and a feel to it. So many things to see and do, and so much history is here, the past mixes with the present. When I drive into Bristol and see the suspension bridge, it feels like I am home. And I haven’t felt that way about a place before x
Carolin i love this psot and i love how you have incorporated real Bristol living folk with their thoughts and with photos they have taken of the city in which they live. I often say to Jon that if we had to move away then Bristol is a place I could move too. I always enjoy a visit x
Great round up Carolin, well done. Love that is represents not just the diversity of the city but the diversity of bloggers here in Bristol! Clever you.
All of the above is so right.
As you know we moved to Bristol almost two years ago to be closer to my family. Aside from having my family nearby, I cannot think of a better place to bring up my child. Each area has it’s own identity, it’s own feel. It is a bustling, vibrant city with some lovely, huge quiet parks. Diverse, multi-cultural and friendly. Plenty of family friendly venues and activities and a huge student population to appeal to younger people. From cafes, bars, restaurants, museums, I could go on. What isn’t to love?!
Much like Emily, I have never felt at home before and I do here.
I have never visited, I now want to live there!
I’ve lived here since 1996 - the longest place I have ever lived anywhere - and I’m so proud to call Bristol my home city. We live but a mile from Temple Meads station in a sneaky tree filled corner of the city. Badgers, foxes, owls and kingfishers live in the woods below y house. Yet in 5-10 minutes I can be bang in the middle of city life. Perfect. Great for kids, young and old. Great food & drink. Great festivals & events. Great architecture. What’s not to love?
Never been to Bristol - yet, but you sure make it one of the places ‘on my list of places to go’.
Have been to many countries in the world but sadly have not been the length and breadth of the UK yet. Waiting until we can’t go overseas anymore and then - UK, here we come….
Visited Bristol a few times now, & it’s a lovely part of the country. Truly wonderful. However, for me, home is where the heart is. As a Scot, my most beloved city is Edinburgh. Diverse, historic, atmospheric and beautiful. I never tire of all it’s wonders and secrets. Don’t be fooled by reports of deep fried mars bars. Those were created merely for the amusement of tourists & having travelled Scotland far and wide I have only ever found 2 places where they are available! Anyway, I digress. Bristol is definitely a wonderful place & anytime I happen to be in the vicinity I will make a point of visiting. What a wonderful place to call home!
Never been but Bristol sounds great!
Never been but would love to go one day and I can see why you love it!
I have not been recently to Bristol. My memory though is that I couldn’t walk on the Clifton suspension bridge. I was just too petrified.
Great article - maybe we can make it into your list next time!