Bristol

Bristol's hotels and B&Bs cluster mainly around the harbourside, city centre and Clifton, putting you within walking distance of the Old City, the SS Great Britain and the shops of Cabot Circus. Places like Brooks Guesthouse Bristol and ibis Bristol Centre suit those who want to be in the thick of things, with restaurants, bars and museums all close at hand.

Further out, options such as Old Gloucester Road Farm Bed and Breakfast or Cleeves Cottage offer a quieter, more rural feel while still being a short drive from the centre, useful if you're travelling by car or need easier parking. There are also practical choices near the airport, including Open Acres Accommodation and Airport Parking, handy for early flights.

Guesthouses and mews conversions like The Brunel Mews and Ferndale Mews give a more personal alternative to the larger city hotels, and a few, such as The Base Vegan Retreat, cater to particular tastes or dietary preferences. With this much choice, it's worth deciding first whether you want to be in Bristol itself or on its edges.

Bristol packs a lot into a compact area, and its attractions reflect a city that likes to do things a bit differently. Alongside the well-known museums and harbourside sights are walking tours with a storytelling bent, such as Curious About Bristol and Pirate Petes Walking Tour, plus adventurous options like Ashton Court Disc Golf Park and Active Reality Bristol for those wanting to be outdoors and active.

Families are well catered for too, with soft play at I-Play Softplay, circus skills through Flying Trapeze Above & Beyond Circus, and pottery sessions at Wot Pots offering a change of pace from sightseeing. Smaller, independent operators like Little Mess Central Bristol and Little Murmur sit comfortably alongside bigger-name venues, so it is worth deciding whether you want a structured tour, a hands-on activity, or somewhere to let children burn off energy before picking where to start.

Bristol's eating and drinking scene spreads across a city built on hills, a harbourside and a patchwork of distinct neighbourhoods, so where you choose to eat often depends on which part of Bristol you're in. Harbourside spots like the Glass Boat trade on views and a bit of occasion, while areas such as Bedminster and Stokes Croft lean towards independent kitchens doing everything from Indian and Japanese to pizza and street food.

The sheer range on offer, from Masala Master and Spicy Aroma to Iro Sushi and Geppetto's Pizza, means the city suits both a quick bite and a proper night out. Fast food and takeaways sit alongside pubs old and new, and newer names like Bikkle Island and Yaji Republik show a scene that keeps adding to its mix rather than standing still.

Camping around Bristol tends to mean a short drive out to the countryside that surrounds the city, with sites like Avon Valley Camping and Brook Lodge Farm Camping & Caravan Park offering easy access to the Chew Valley and rural south Gloucestershire while still keeping the centre within reach. Woodside Field Motorhome Park and Nesta Valley Camping suit those touring by van who want a straightforward base rather than a full holiday park.

For something closer to the action, Baltic Wharf Caravan and Motorhome Club Site sits right on the harbourside, putting you within walking distance of the city's museums, restaurants and waterfront pubs. Elsewhere, Dagger Wood Campsite and Walnut Tree Farm lean towards a quieter, more rural stay, while The Wave and Camp at The Wave combine camping with surfing at the inland wave pool, and The Stables offers another rural option away from the crowds.

Bristol's self-catering cottages and apartments tend to favour city convenience over rural quiet, with properties like Cave Street, Clifton House and South Parade Mansions putting you within walking distance of the harbourside, Clifton's shops and the museums that make the city worth a longer stay. This is a good option if you want to come and go as you please rather than build a holiday around fixed mealtimes.

Further out, places such as the Shirehampton Apartment offer a quieter base near the river, useful if you fancy exploring the Avon Gorge or heading towards the coast without giving up easy access back into town. Options range from compact city flats to larger houses like The Avenue or The Chippings, so it's worth matching the size and location to whether you want nightlife on the doorstep or somewhere calmer to return to after a day out.