Cheap holidays to Bristol

Get to know a city brimming with history, culture and nightlife with a Bristol flight and hotel package. Bristol city breaks not only offer the chance to explore the area, but also give you easy access to the stunning countryside and miles of coastline at its doorstep.

Bristol is served by Bristol Airport (BRS), which is only a short flight from Manchester and London, and a few miles from the centre of Bristol. There is a regular shuttle bus service to the city centre, which will have you in the heart of Bristol in around half an hour.

Buses are key in Bristol. The city is fairly hilly and its many areas of interest are spread out. As Bristol has no underground system, you may want to get acquainted with the city's bus routes.

With attractions such as the Bristol Downs in the north of the city, Clifton Suspension Bridge and the zoo to the west, and the famous Bristol Cider Shop (which is ideal for gifts and souvenirs) to the east, it's well worth investing in a day pass. These passes can be purchased on any bus and allow you the freedom to explore the many fascinating corners of this charming city. As the city is in England, the currency is the pound sterling (GBP).

With so much culture, sport, history and nightlife to enjoy, you’ll find plenty to see and do on a weekend in Bristol, no matter when you visit. Naturally, the summer months show Bristol in its best light, with the surrounding countryside ablaze with colour and the city’s many parks buzzing with life.

Package holidays in Bristol are especially recommended around the time of the International Balloon Fiesta. Held in August, this eye-popping event sees balloons from all over the world take to the sky. A once-in-a-lifetime sight, these magical, colourful balloons make a flight to Bristol well worth taking.

• The Clifton Suspension Bridge over the River Avon, designed by famed engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was completed in 1864. A walk across is not for the faint-hearted!
• Set in the heart of the city, the magnificent Bristol Cathedral dates from the 12th century.
• Bristol is a hotbed of performing arts, and the Bristol Old Vic, Britain’s oldest working theatre, makes for an entertaining evening out – make sure to book ahead.
• Bristol boasts two professional football teams, City and Rovers. Both teams play in welcoming, old-fashioned stadiums.
• Put on the right trousers and join Wallace and Gromit on the ‘Gromit Unleashed' trail, a charity art trail that features colourful sculptures of the bumbling twosome.

Nothing proudly proclaims Bristol's seafaring history like SS Great Britain. Built in 1843, the Great Britain once sailed passengers between Bristol and New York. It is now a living museum that gives a taste of life on the seas in a bygone age.

Bristol Zoo should be near the top of any itinerary. Situated amid acres of sculpted gardens, the zoo is teeming with all kinds of life. While there's a huge array of animals on display, the highlights are undoubtedly the monkey house and the aquarium.

If you also have time to explore the surrounding area, you can also rent a car in Bristol.

Where to eat in Bristol

Bristol package holidays offer great opportunities to enjoy the bounty of the ocean! Bristol’s strong ties to the sea mean that it is home to a variety of wonderful seafood restaurants. If you’re looking for something upmarket, head to The Spiny Lobster, where you’ll find magnificent fish dishes served in an elegant setting.

For something cheap and cheerful during your weekend in Bristol, try the Clifton Village Fish Bar. This award-winning fish-and-chip emporium not only boasts some of the best batter in Bristol, but works sustainably and uses only the freshest local ingredients.

Bring a drop of Bristol home with you

If Bristol and the West Country are known for one thing, it's cider! Stocking over a hundred varieties, the Bristol Cider Shop is the place to go for all your apple-based needs. Selection boxes and hampers make for a great reminder of city breaks in Bristol.