After months stuck at home with trips cancelled, plans rearranged, and very little to look forward to on the horizon, Adam and I decided to pack our bags and head West for a whistle-stop road trip and countryside staycation. Conveniently located only a couple of hours from London with Bath and the Cotswolds nearby, Bristol makes for a great short break destination from the Capital. It's not just convenience though - there's a cool cocktail scene, arty neighbourhoods to explore (after all, this is Banksy's stomping ground!), and plenty of nature, culture, and history. Oh, and great food, which is pretty much the number one reason I go anywhere! Happy stomach = Happy Noush.
I've compiled a list of some of the best things we did, ate and saw on our trip. It's short but sweet, as we only went for a day and sadly a lot of things were still shut due to Covid (an excuse to return!). Let me know if you have any other recommendations in the comments!
Where We Stayed: De Vere Tortworth Court Hotel
As we had the car with us we decided to stay a little outside of Bristol at the beautiful De Vere Tortworth Court Hotel. Only 20 minutes drive from the city, the hotel feels quintessentially British countryside and a real retreat from the buzz of Bristol. A majestic Grade II listed turreted manor house, the 30 acre grounds are home to a Victorian Orangery (which has skyrocketed up my dream one day wedding venue list, talk about dreamy), and Arboretum (a tree-centric botanical garden, dw I had to google it too!).
De Vere Tortworth Court feels like the perfect setting for a classic British crime drama, with the glamour and intrigue of a rose-tinted yesteryear of socialites and scandal. I'd half expect to see Poirot peering over his spectacles at the breakfast buffet (currently breakfast baps and continental room service as a safety precaution), or perhaps Colonel Mustard mulling over a whisky in the Library Bar. It may have the charm of a bygone era but the facilities are all modern and comfortable. There's the amply-stocked spa, which we nipped into for a socially-distanced morning swim, and the all day dining restaurant, which serves up a menu of casual international options in grand surrounds.
If you've got the option to drive and are looking for something well connected, completely unique and yet timelessly British, De Vere offers accessible luxury and a complete break from the city. Now, who's up for a game of Cluedo in the Atrium?
De Vere Tortworth Court Hotel
Tortworth
Wotton-under-Edge
GL12 8HH
Breakfast in Bristol: The Bristolian
Social media has taken over so many aspects of our lives, from influencing our shopping habits to where we travel and choose to eat and drink. I found The Bristolian whilst scrolling through Instagram trying to find somewhere good for breakfast, and was instantly drawn in by positively food pornographic images of epic full breakfasts in various guises.
A cosy, no-frills spot in hip Montpelier amidst craft beer bars and vintage markets, The Bristolian is an easy going, unpretentious spot with friendly service and a hefty menu. They serve the aforementioned full breakfasts with a classic, vegetarian, vegan and a fusion option, alongside plenty of classic egg options and a lunch menu with a Mexican flavour.
I went for the fusion breakfast, which paired breakfast staples eggs and mushrooms with chorizo, salsa and flatbread. A hefty, hearty dish, it provided an unexpected twist on a breakfast classic - and it worked. The eggs benedict was our other order, made more flavourful with a tarragon-infused hollandaise and thick cut bacon. All in all, Instagram did not disappoint!
The Bristolian
2 Picton St
Montpelier
Bristol BS6 5QA
Things to Do in Bristol: Explore Colourful Streets
The last time I came to Bristol, the top thing to do (and more importantly, snap) on my itinerary was to wander the colourful streets that are so integral to the city's identity. However fate (or rather, sod's law) interceded and we ended up spending most of the trip huddling in cafes hiding from the rain. Therefore, after a heaving lunch and nursing swollen bellies I forced Adam (amidst much complaining) and myself on a hike up the steep hills from the harbourside for a stroll around the brightly coloured streets. For the best spots and that classic Bristol IG pic, head to Cliftonwood Crescent and ascend to nearby Church Lane and Ambrose Road. Keep in mind these are residential roads, and be respectful when taking pictures of people's houses!
Things to Do in Bristol: Clifton
We didn't manage to make it on our most recent trip but when I last visited Bristol I spent most of my time in the neighbourhood of Clifton, known for it's Georgian architecture, chic boutiques and restaurants, and of course the iconic suspension bridge. You can get great views of the bridge from the Observatory, and the White Lion Pub. It's pretty hilly, so wear comfortable shoes!
Coffee in Bristol: Mud Dock Cafe
Cycle cafes had a bit of a *moment* when cycling became the thing (alongside hipsters and moustaches, remember the days...?) circa, ooh, I want to say 2014. The trend of drinking your coffee whilst a tattooed moustachioed bicycle enthusiast oils up your gears (okay that sounds like a euphemism) may have died down since then but it seems there's still something to be said for the concept. Enter Mud Dock Cafe, a harbour-side cafe overlooking the ground floor cycle shop. An airy, eclectically decorated space serving up drinks, breakfast, burgers and bowls, it's a great spot for a casual bite or coffee with friends. We just popped in for a quick drink (the blackberry mojito gets a thumbs up from me!) but I've heard good things about their breakfast offering too. Try it and report back, yeah?
Mud Dock Cafe
40 The Grove
Bristol BS1 4RB
Dining in Bristol: Seven Lucky Gods
Bristol’s busting harbour is home to many food and drink outlets but my favourite spot for wining and dining is Wapping Wharf, a construction of shipping containers containing restaurants, bars and shops. For lunch we ended up at Seven Lucky Gods, an asian fusion restaurant on the first floor offering a short but sweet menu of sushi, small plates and grilled dishes.
I’d heard good things about the arancini so they were on the must try list, an unusual twist on the Italian classic with a filling of chicken katsu curry. I'm not quite the katsu enthusiast my boyfriend is, but his devouring of the arancini in mere seconds was a fairly convincing testimonial. We also tucked into the spicy Korean fried chicken, Sichuan fried cauliflower, and charcoal grilled prawns, of which my favourite was the chicken, cooked in a crispy batter and smothered in a tangy sauce suggestive of Sriracha (always a win in my books). The cauliflower was a surprisingly complex and moreish dish, and the prawns were a nightmare to peel but so worth it for the juicy morsels inside.
All in all it might not be the most exciting offering for any real food snobs, but it's nonetheless an unpretentious menu of easy, accessible Asian dishes that don't require elevated taste-buds to enjoy.
Seven Lucky Gods
Unit 26, Cargo
2 Wapping Rd
Bristol BS1 4RW
Cocktails in Bristol: The Florist
London may be the best known UK city for photogenic cafes and bars, but Bristol is providing some serious competition with The Florist, an Instagram paradise serving up cocktails and all day dining amidst a myriad of snap-worthy floral installations. On my visit I stopped by for a round of cocktails (and a whole load of photos), and can report that the cocktails are just as photo-inclined as the decor, with botanical flavours and flourishes. Spread out over several rooms, there's something to be discovered (and duly shared on Instagram), around every corner, but my favourite spot is the flower wall bedecked in neon signage. I'll definitely be coming back to try the food next time too!
The Florist
69 Park St
Bristol BS1 5PB
Bars in Bristol: The Milk Thistle
I love a speakeasy bar, something in no short supply in Bristol. However on our trip most venues were still shuttered due to Covid so we found ourselves at the only one open, Milk Thistle. What seemed at first like a compromise turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Spread out over four floors including a members area and private hire space, what hides behind an unassuming unmarked door is a cocktail haven with more than a whiff of nostalgia and whimsy. Decked out in leather sofas and ornate fireplaces, the ground floor bar space is suggestive of an old fashioned members club, or perhaps your rich great uncle's cigar room.
I'll be honest, by this point on in the trip I think I was too exhausted to make any notes you sadly don't get a breakdown of our drinks order in minute detail (I know, you're gutted), but I remember they were good, if that helps any! Considering they're comfortably placed at no.16 on the list of the UK's best cocktail bars, I wouldn't expect any less.
The Milk Thistle
Quay Head House
Colston Ave
Bristol BS1 1EB
