The Boatyard

Bristolians know Totterdown for its vertiginous streets of brightly coloured houses, sloping down to the riverside. It’s a neighbourhood with a distinct character, community focused and home to independent restaurants and businesses. It even has its own arts trail, hosted by local residents in their homes. 

Just 3 minutes’ walk from The Boatyard along Bath Road, you’ll find a unique venue that’s typical of the area: Paintworks, an old warehouse that’s now a lively hub of food, drink, events and art. Bocabar is part of it, a multi-award-winning restaurant and bar which might easily become your ‘local’. You might also be tempted to drop in for breakfast or lunch at Paintworks, served from vintage American Airstream trailers. 

Bristol often scores highly in ‘best place to live’ surveys, and it’s easy to see why. The city has a fantastic choice of restaurants, heritage, culture and shopping. 
The Shopping Quarter is a collection of neighbourhoods centred around Broadmead. Cabot Circus is great for fashion, whether you want Zara or Harvey Nichols. The Galleries is about high street favourites such as Boots and Argos, The Arcade is for the independents. The Shopping Quarter also has M&S, House of Fraser and Primark. 

If you love a good market, Bristol won’t disappoint. St Nicholas Market is the main one, and it plays host to various themed markets such as street food, vegan and wellness, bric-a-brac and crafts. 
Bristol is a real foodie city, the restaurants reflecting its multicultural population. Eateries of every nationality include conventional, classy, quirky, vegan, vegetarian, Michelin star status, and some devoted to pies. Pubs, bars and cocktail bars abound too, again with something for every mood and occasion.

The waterside plays a big part in Bristol life. Its most iconic landmark, Clifton Suspension Bridge, has spanned the Avon Gorge since 1864. More recently, Harbourside has become a destination in itself, a lively scene of restaurants, bars, shops, water sport, film and events at The Watershed, and the mooring place of Brunel’s SS Great Britain.

At The Boatyard many of the city centre’s shops and attractions are just a short bus trip, cycle ride or drive. For example, if you catch the bus just outside, you can be in the Shopping Quarter in as little as 10 minutes. 

Temple Meads is the main station, 14 minutes on foot from The Boatyard, 8 minutes on your bike. Incidentally it is Britain’s oldest and largest station, dating from 1840 and another Brunel masterpiece. Modern day destinations include London Paddington, Cardiff and Reading. If you’re heading for the motorway, junction 19 of the M4 is 7 miles, approximately 14 minutes, from The Boatyard.