Car Rental Bristol

A quick guide to Bristol

The central Old City is at the heart of Bristolian life, offering superb culture, food, history and shopping, but there are new things afoot in the city too. This is a place that has always prided itself on its musical culture, and that restless energy keeps things interesting.

A sea-faring past

Once a busy dock where merchants traded, and sailors set off on voyages of discovery, Bristol's Harbourside is now an attractive, modern development filled with restaurants, bars, shops and hotels. Start your exploration at Millennium Square, the area’s hub, and fan out to unearth a plethora of top-notch attractions, such as We The Curious, an interactive science museum with over 300 hands-on exhibits, and the Arnolfini, an internationally-renowned contemporary arts centre hosting exhibitions, performances and music and dance events.

Moored opposite, you’ll find the SS Great Britain. Board Isambard Kingdom Brunel's engineering masterpiece and learn about what was the world's first great ocean liner. There’s plenty to explore, from the sumptuous surroundings of the first-class dining saloon and the cramped bunks in steerage, to the iron hull under the glass 'sea' and the massive turning engine.

Bridge magnet

Elegant and picturesque, Clifton is one of Bristol's most exclusive suburbs. The area is best known for the Clifton Suspension Bridge, a stunning vision brought to life by Brunel. Cross the bridge (toll charge of £1) to drink in magnificent views of the Avon Gorge and surrounding countryside. Clifton is also home to Bristol Zoo Gardens, one of the world's longest established and most well-respected zoos, boasting 12 acres of landscaped gardens and over 400 species of exotic animals from around the globe.

Markets and more

For those with a penchant for some retail therapy, Bristol is well known as the shopping capital of the south-west. Sail through the shopping quarter to explore a huge range of large chains. Alternatively, wind through the rabbit warren of narrow cobbled streets and alleys lined by quirky independent shops to find something a little different. Take the time to browse the stalls of the covered St Nicholas Market and the old Corn Exchange, where you’ll find everything from jewellery and crystals to hats and musical instruments. Just a few minutes’ walk from here is the bohemian Old Market, home to an array of traders selling vintage fashion, antiques and art, as well as plenty of cool cafés.

Divine dining

Bristol is a food-lover’s paradise. Pride of place goes to the Michelin-starred Casamia and its sister restaurant, Paco, which blends the ingredients of the West Country with traditional Spanish cooking. There are many fine restaurants around the Harbourside and Millennium Square to discover too, with something for all tastes. The modern River Grille restaurant at The Bristol Hotel offers fantastic views across the Harbourside, as does Za Za Bazaar, which serves up a variety of buffet-style global cuisine.

Best of the West Country

Only 30 minutes east of Bristol lies the glorious ancient city of Bath, famous for its elegant Georgian architecture and perfectly preserved Roman baths. Visiting the baths is a must, but you should also discover the city’s elegant streets, especially the stunning Royal Crescent and Circus.

Car rental in Bristol brings you within easy reach of the copious glories of the Cotswolds. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this region of rolling hills and sweeping meadows is punctuated by timeless towns and villages crafted from honey-hued stone. Visit Bourton-on-the-water, Burford, Chedworth and Cirencester to see the best of this picture-perfect pocket of rural England.

Driving in and around Bristol

Bristol is framed by the M4 and M5 motorways. From the M4, which runs east to west along its northern boundary, connecting London and Wales, the M32 runs directly into the centre, leading you towards the historic Old City and Harbourside districts. From here, Whiteladies Road, one of the city’s main thoroughfares, heads north-west to the desirable suburb of Clifton.

The M5 motorway skirts the western fringes of the city and is a handy link with Devon and Cornwall to the south-west, and Birmingham and the Midlands to the north. The A4 road connects the city centre with the M5 and is also the main route to the neighbouring city of Bath. The delights of the Cotswolds are easily reached in an hour via the M4 heading east and turning onto the A429 to the beautiful town of Cirencester.

Driving around Bristol is straightforward, though you need to be aware of the extensive one-way system operating in the city centre. There is plenty of parking, with large car parks at Millennium Square for the Harbourside area and at Cabot Circus, part of the Shopping Quarter.

We have pick-up locations on the southern outskirts of the city and at Bristol Airport, which is only 30 minutes south-west of the city via the A38 and A370. The airport is also handily placed for accessing the M5, which leads you to the golden sandy beaches of the North Somerset and North Devon coast.

Driving in the UK is pleasant and straight-forward, with excellent roads and connections. Speed limits are in miles per hour and reach a top speed of 70mph on motorways, while in built-up areas they drop to 30mph. You’ll drive on the left-hand side of the road and overtake on the right. If you have any questions about driving in the UK, our branch team will be delighted to help you.