Holiday homes to rent in Bristol

If you are thinking of taking a city break in the UK at any point in the near future, you would be foolish not to consider the beating heart of the South West, Bristol. Arguably the UK’s most varied and exciting city (other than London) right now, this West Country gem quite literally has the lot: iconic landmarks, thriving social scenes and even an outstandingly beautiful landscape. (Did I mention the instantly identifiable, but always endearing accents of the locals – who just so happen to be some of the friendliest in the world?)    

• View holiday homes in Bristol

Yes, Bristol is an absolute diamond of a city to visit. And there really is no better way to see it than a self-catering holiday let. The benefits of general self-catering holidays are obvious and vast, but when it comes to Bristol, you definitely don’t want to be tied down to specific meals, at specific places, at specific times. They say variety is the spice of life, after all, and when it comes to eating in Bristol, this has never been truer.

By taking a self-catering holiday let in Bristol, in an apartment or house, you can put good use to the incredible farmers’ markets that pop up all over the city (keep a close eye on St Nick’s Market!), while still having the freedom to eat out at some truly fantastic restaurants and gastro pubs. There are also an increasing number of pop-up eateries in the city, which are being run by local people and using locally-sourced ingredients. This might go some way to explaining Bristol’s huge (and immensely passionate) vegetarian and vegan contingent, who love to celebrate their way of consuming food.    

Holiday lets are the most economical city break option

But aside from just eating, a self-catering holiday let in Bristol has its benefits; it will often save you money, for example, and gives you a sense of freedom. Which actually begs the question: why would you want to splash out on a pricey hotel, when you can sort yourself out for half the price? You will probably find that, after a bit of quick and easy web research, staying in self-catered accommodation that is full of character, is just a couple of quick clicks away. It’s what they call a ‘no-brainer’, really.

Rent relaxing holiday accommodation in Bristol

In a city the size of Bristol, which has around 600,000 inhabitants, location is particularly important. While the vast numbers of locals do indeed live in suburban areas, most points of interest are part of a nucleus that spreads itself around the city centre. And while this is easily accessible by bus, Bristol is renowned for its traffic, unfortunately, which can make getting from A to B a little bit of a pain. The centre can also be quite lively at night, so if you are seeking a relaxing self-catering holiday let rather than a party-orientated one, a suburban option may actually prove the best course of action.

Lots to see during a Bristol holiday

In and around the city centre, you have an abundance of things to do. The gorgeous harbour side, for example, is home to incredible pubs and eateries, historic ships, quaint walkways – and even tales of famous pirates! A little walk from the city centre lays the world-renowned Clifton Suspension Bridge, which is the brainchild of the celebrated engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. This is an absolute must for anybody visiting the city for the first time, and looks particularly impressive when lit up at night. (And take heed, the romantic among you: this is a great hang out for couples, due to some fantastic, luxurious bars complimenting the scenery.)  

The city’s eclectic mix of people also ensures its cultural melting pot status remains intact, with thriving street art, music and food scenes proving a very happy result. If you are a bit of a socialite, and enjoy really getting under the skin of a city, a self-catering holiday let in Bristol’s Gloucester Road or Stokes Croft regions could be your perfect match. The booming underground music scene can be experienced in clubs that roll on until around 6am, while the photographers among you will be in heaven exploring what is essentially a living, breathing and ever-changing street art gallery. (Bristol is home of the legendary Banksy, after all.)

Pensioners visiting Bristol may like the idea of booking a small holiday cottage in Somerset, near Bristol so that they have somewhere peaceful to stay and using their free bus passes to go sightseeing.

• View small holiday cottages near Bristol

There really is something for everybody in Bristol, and its fantastic food offering make it the ideal city break for those seeking self-catering holiday lets. Especially if you are foodies!