A useful guide to Bristol and its wedding venues. Places to see, places to go, places to get hitched.
Bristol is where I live. It's a vibrant and progressive city. A city brimming with interesting people and interesting places. From the newly developed waterfront to Bristol's Old City, it has an abundance of things to do and see.
It has some really wonderful wedding venues and an endless choice of great wedding photo locations ranging from really cool urban spots like Stokes Croft to more leafy areas like Clifton and Redland.
Many of Bristol's wedding venues are made up of large former houses that are located on the edge of the city. These are ideal as they have all the space you need but are conveniently close to all of Bristol's amenities. These venues include Backwell House, Kings Weston House and Berwick Lodge.
Kings Weston House is set within beautiful grounds with views out towards the Bristol Channel. It's full of quirky rooms, each one uniquely decorated.
Berwick Lodge is located near the M5 so it's really easy to get to. It's a hotel and has an award-winning restaurant.
The heart of Bristol is its busy bustling streets and markets. St. Nicholas Market, in Bristol's Old City, is the perfect place for a wonder with stalls selling vibrant international offerings from Kurdish kebabs, Jerk chicken, fresh flowers and fabrics. Within St. Nick's there is Brooks Guest House - a boutique stylish hotel with a terrace that offers some amazing views of the city.
Adjacent to St. Nick's market lies Corn Street: A grand old street mostly made up of Georgian and Victorian buildings; this is where you'll find The Old Council House - Bristol's registry office. This beautiful grade II neoclassical building was built in 1824 by Sir Robert Smirke.
Next door sits the Bristol Harbour Hotel. This newly created hotel was converted from a bank and boasts one of the most stunning function rooms in Bristol.
Also, on nearby Broad street is The Grand Hotel. This newly refurbished gem is Bristol's oldest hotel.
Bristol has so much to offer, but arguably its most defining feature is its waterways. The majestic river Avon that flows out to the Bristol Channel via the impressive Avon gorge and of course there's the floating harbour.
This is where you will find many of Bristol's attractions, such as Millennium Square, the harbourside, the steam railway and lots more...
The Arnolfini - Arnolfini is Bristol’s arts house located on the harbourside in the heart of the city
The Watershed - Cultural cinema and digital creativity centre in Bristol
The SS Great Britain - The beautifully restored ship lies in the heart of Bristol’s harbourside. Launched in 1843, the SS Great Britain is a truly unique venue for your wedding ceremony and reception.
The Harbour offers some wonderful wedding venues too. One such venue is the Glassboat - a boat that's moored next to Bristol Bridge on Welshback. It's a bit of Bristol institution that's been serving up some of the City's best dining experiences for decades. It's also incredibly romantic with views of the harbour.
Welshback and the adjacent King Street is home to some of Bristol's best bars and pubs.
The Old Duke - home to live Jazz since before anyone can remember.
The Llandoger Trow - a pub dating from 1664. This is where Daniel Dafoe wrote Robinson Crusoe.
Small Bar - if you like beer then this place is unmissable.
In the summer, King street and Welshback are filled with hundreds of people drinking (mostly Thatchers) on its cobbled streets. It's also home to the Old Vic - built in 1766 it's the oldest continuously working theatre in the English speaking world.
One of the things you notice about Bristol is how independents thrive here. One such example is its businesses. Home to Gloucester road - said to be one the most independent high streets in Europe.
It's adorned with great pubs, bakeries, fishmongers, butchers, coffee houses and everything in between. It's where Cary Grant grew up and where you'll find some of Banksy's most famous works.
Over the years it's had a bit of a bohemian revival and is undoubtedly one of Bristol's best night spots with clubs and venues like Lakota, The Full Moon Attic Bar, the Left Bank, The Love Inn and The Canteen
Bristol has its water, its urban edginess and its old city, but it also has its grandeur and its Georgian splendour. Take a walk up Park Street, pass the City Museum and art gallery and Will's Memorial building, that makes up part of Bristol Univerity and you arrive in Clifton. An area synonymous with grande houses, leafy parks and boutique shops.
In the heart of Clifton is Clifton village - home to Bristol's iconic Suspension Bridge. This is the city's most predictable and yet worthwhile photo opportunity. Other great photo locations include Boyce's Avenue, Cliftonwood, the Botanic gardens and Royal York Crescent - the longest crescent in Europe.
It's also home to a wonderful array of restaurants and cafes, small shops and some cracking pubs too.
Here you will find some truly exceptional wedding venues...
The Mansion House - One of Bristol's best kept secrets, The Mansion House Bristol integrates the romance and grandeur of the Victorian era with the luxury, style and service you would expect from Bristol's most prestigious address.
Bristol Zoo - The Clifton Pavilion at Bristol Zoo Gardens provides the perfect setting for your wedding ceremony, reception and evening party.
The Avon Gorge Hotel - Settings rarely come like this, your wedding celebrations will have the most stunning backdrop of The Avon Gorge and Brunel’s world famous Suspension Bridge.