Artist Residence Bristol

Worth getting out of bed for

Swing out of bed to Circomedia in Portland Square – Bristol’s contemporary circus school – where you can try out trapeze and aerial hoop. Stretch out after with a stroll to creative Stokes Croft – it’s filled to bursting with cafés – and has the longest stretch of independent stores in Europe. Wander further to Monpellier’s aesthetic arches, and browse the vintage shops, organic food stores and trendy artwork-lined streets (with a freshly-ground coffee in hand, of course). Cross over the river to Easton, and head to BAM Store + Space, a not-for-profit shop selling eclectic wares, original artwork, books and records to fund community-centered events. Clifton is postcard-perfect with its honey-hued Georgian buildings and that bridge (if you’ve not heard of it before, you will do). The restored Victorian Lido here is worth a dip, and you can dry off by enjoying a meal of monkfish or wood-roasted scallops in the Lido restaurant. New Harbourside is a 25-minute walk from the hotel and has plenty of exhibitions, including M Shed, which takes you on a journey through Bristol’s diverse history. Spike Island’s colossal white walls preside over Bristol’s historic docks, and are home to a community of over 70 artists. It’s a hub of activity, with free exhibitions, talks from artists and film screenings. Post exhibit-perusing, head to Whapping Wharf for eateries housed in water-side shipping containers.

Local restaurants

Just five minutes from the hotel you’ll find Poko, a rustic tapas bar dishing up inventive plates of locally sourced ingredients. Check the giant chalkboard for ever-changing seasonal specials, and wash down your ethically prepared meal with a glass of organic wine. Expect dishes such as spring onion and fava bean hummus; kid goat leg; and charred fennel and squash with orzo pasta. Just over the road is Bokman – a Korean hole-in-the-wall on Nine Tree Hill. Its fuss-free interior and friendly chefs only hint at what is an outstanding menu. You can often judge a Korean restaurant by its pickles, and the rose-pickled radishes here are on another level. Watch as melt-in-the-mouth ribs, platters of Korean tapas, XXL dumplings and kimchi fried rice fire out of the open kitchen, still steaming. Jafra is a home-cooking style Palestinian kitchen based in the Old Market. Try the lamb, bil hur or mushroom-topped mana’eesh flatbreads in-house, or grab a Hishik Bishik box to feast on by the river or back at the hotel. We love the slow-fermented sourdough pizzas at Pizzarova in Park Street: their handmade bases are topped with produce sourced only from the South West. Toppings include double chorizo and hot honey; goats cheese, caramelised onion and sundried tomato; or crispy harissa tempeh, roasted red pepper, and vegan cheese. Other ethically sourced eats can be found at Garden of Easton, a cosy restaurant rich in colours, plants, lanterns and natural light, serving up plant-based dishes such as crunchy cauliflower bites, tahini-topped butternut squash and crispy patatas bravas (you’ll want two plates, trust us).

Local cafés

Bakers & Co is a laidback spot with an emphasis on sourdough and Extract coffee (which pairs perfectly with an oven-fresh almond croissant). Walk-ins are welcome at The Crafty Egg for mimosas, syrup-drenched pancakes and loaded buttery toast. FED 303’s counters are stacked high with delights: seasonal salads, hearty soups, huge sandwiches and crumbling cakes. Pair with a barista-made Yallah coffee for a strong start to the morning.

Local bars

Bristol’s bar scene can take you from classy cocktail bar to underground drum n’ bass club within minutes. Canteen is five minutes from the hotel, its urban terrace a popular place to eat, drink and dance late into the night. For a speakeasy-style spot, head under the arches to Filthy XIII – named after the WWII paratroopers and decked out with drapes at the door and moody low lighting. Try the zero degree G&T, the clover club and the peach americano. Enter through the inconspicuous phone booth of Her Majesty’s Secret Service for themed cocktails or pull up a stool in Crying Wolf’s dark and moody cocktail bar in Cotham Hill. The cocktails are all fashioned using local produce; syrups and cordials are homemade, and shrubs and herbs are grown on-site. A convenient end-spot is Cosies, a Bristol institution and basement bar in the same square as the Artist Residence.