Bristol

Edgier than Bath, though not as pretty, Bristol is the creative hub of the southwest. Like Brighton and Manchester, the city has attracted arty types from across the country, giving the streets a tangible big city cool. With strong links to the BBC, Bristol is a famous spawning ground for actors, artists, musicians and comedians, launching such unique talents as Banksy, Massive Attack, Simon Pegg, Matt Lucas and David Walliams (of Little Britain fame) and - surprisingly - Gene Wilder. While the legacy of shipbuilding and heavy industry lives on, the fading docks have been regenerated and revitalized and the streets are overflowing with ...

Edgier than Bath, though not as pretty, Bristol is the creative hub of the southwest. Like Brighton and Manchester, the city has attracted arty types from across the country, giving the streets a tangible big city cool. With strong links to the BBC, Bristol is a famous spawning ground for actors, artists, musicians and comedians, launching such unique talents as Banksy, Massive Attack, Simon Pegg, Matt Lucas and David Walliams (of Little Britain fame) and - surprisingly - Gene Wilder. While the legacy of shipbuilding and heavy industry lives on, the fading docks have been regenerated and revitalized and the streets are overflowing with trendy venues, sleek bars and shiny new cultural attractions. Impressively, the city has not balked at exploring its historical links to colonialism and the slave trade - the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum is one of the most thought-provoking sights in the country. The city center sprawls north from the harbor, but Bristol’s most famous landmark - the Clifton Suspension Bridge, built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel - is out on the western outskirts.

About the Expert

Joe Bindloss has written more than 30 guidebooks for Lonely Planet, Time Out and other publishers, with a focus on Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and island nations.