Bristol has got to be one of my favourite UK cities. Having spent a stint of time there in my early 20s, I have fond memories of it. Bristol is the largest city in the South West so it was always seen as a place of fascination and excitement for us small-village folk who grew up in Cornwall. Not surprisingly, over the years many of my peers ended up moving there.
It has a relatively young population, making it a vibrant and happening place to live for uni students and young professionals alike. What I love so much about Bristol is that it brings opposites together. Expect urban vibes thanks to its popular street art scene kickstarted by graffiti legend, Banksy, constrasted with twee scenes of high end boutiques and picture perfect Georgian architecture.
Clifton Village
One of my all-time favourite places to hang out in Bristol when the weather is good is Clifton Village. With its al fresco markets, green spaces and stunning scenery, this elevated suburb of Bristol makes for the perfect place to soak in the sunshine.
Clifton Suspension Bridge
The first thing that warrants a mention is the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge which serves as an unmissable landmark for Bristol. The impressive structure was created by Brunel, the same mastermind behind London’s Tower Bridge, and can be seen from many different vantage points. I would also recommend walking across the bridge via the designated pedestrian path, where you can enjoy sprawling views of Bristol on-high.
Clifton Observatory
If coffee, cakes and cracking views sound good to you then be sure to add Clifton Observatory to your itinerary. This cute little museum-come-cafe is situated on an elevated position above the Avon Gorge and is the perfect place to take five.
Clifton Downs
Once you’re well fueled up at Clifton Observatory cafe, you may fancy a bit of a turn and Clifton Downs is just the destination. The protected parkland is the ideal palace for a dose of green and leafy scenes.
Avon Gorge Hotel
For unparalleled views of the Clifton Suspension Bridge then get yourself over to Avon Gorge Hotel. From its al fresco terrace you can drink in the views whilst you drink in your tipple of choice. There’s also a restaurant with equally as impressive views where you can enjoy a classic French or modern British fare. What’s more, the rooms are spacious and comfortable and I would definitely recommend it if you’re planning a trip to Bristol.
Hay-on-Wye – UK
Sometimes, we all need a little escapism from the minutiae of the day-to-day, and for me there are presciently two ways that I like to do just that: an adventure somewhere new or disappearing into something all engrossing, such as a book. On this occasion I decided to...
First glance at Raffles London at the OWO
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Life lately #13
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Escape to the Cotswolds
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Cornwall drinking and dining favourites – UK
There are countless good reasons to visit Cornwall. It’s my favourite place in the world so I could easily spend all day extolling its virtues. But let’s get right to the good stuff. The food. If there’s one thing that’s guaranteed when in Cornwall, it’s that you’ll...
North Wales favourites
As I grew up in Cornwall, I’ve always had a soft spot for Celtic destinations. Among the famous Celtic lineup is Wales, a land of castles, rugged coastline and stunning mountainous national parks. During my time living up North, North Wales was one of my favourite...
Bucharest – Romania
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The best pools in Dubai
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Top 10 sky bars across the world
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Exploring the UAE
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A weekend at Thornbury Castle
I had the privilege of spending the weekend at Thornbury Castle in Bristol during the summer months. Staying in a castle was definitely something to cross off the bucket list, especially as I am someone who adores historic architecture. Dating back to the 1500s,...
Northern dining and nightlife favourites – UK
Having lived up North (many moons ago), over the years I have been lucky enough to get a taste of what the region has to offer in the culinary department. Whether you are fortunate enough to call the North your home or are simply planning a trip there in the future, I...
Top 10 unmissable attractions in Cornwall
My favourite place in the world will always be Cornwall. Admittedly, I am somewhat biassed having grown up there but even so, I am convinced this would be the case regardless. Cornwall brings a combination of coast, countryside and culture giving it unmissable...
Up and away in a hot air balloon
We were up and out the door at the ungodly hour of 4am to head over to Ragland in South East Wales to cross something big off the bucket list, to fly in a hot air balloon. I have my brother to thank for this truly unforgettable experience as he had initially...
6 top-tier gardens in Cornwall
Cornwall is home to some of the country’s finest historically and horticulturally significant gardens. Who needs a holiday when Cornish gardens often bring New Zealand, Mediterranean and South African vibes to the fore, instantly transporting you to far-flung climes....
ME Dubai hotel at The Opus by Zaha Hadid
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Salcombe, Devon – UK
Though I grew up in Cornwall, the neighbouring county of Devon is very much uncharted territory for me and up until recently, I had yet to explore it in any meaningful detail. Though there has been a long-standing (albeit friendly) rivalry between the two counties,...
The best cafes and coffee in Dubai
When it comes to Dubai’s wide selection of fabulous cafes, you are spoilt for choice if you are partial to some good coffee and perhaps something sweet whilst you’re at it. I just love cafes, they are probably my favourite place to hang out. Be if for solo laptop...
Bulgari Resort Dubai
When it comes to high-end hangouts where you can get your dose of sun, fun and indulgence then it’s no surprise that you are spoilt for choice in Dubai. If there's one place that really stands out amongst the pack, for me it’s an easy choice. Enter: Bulgari Resort...
Life lately #4
I feel like I am well and truly settled back in the UK now. It feels good to be immersed in greenery and nature once again having been away from these things for so long whilst out in Dubai. During the entirety of my time out there, I never got the chance to visit...