If I liked Bristol city…

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I spent a long weekend in Bristol centre a couple of months ago and really enjoyed it. Before booking to go back, I’d like to know if there’s anywhere else I should visit instead.

What I liked about Bristol:

• some excellent independent restaurants, with a focus on seafood - well priced!
• range of bars, from ‘dive bars’ to fancy independent bars
• felt very safe to walk around at night
• enjoyed the different areas/quarters of the city, which kept the visit varied
• quirky independent shops
• the waterfront was a bonus, but not essential

England or Wales please, as I’d struggle to reach Scotland for a weekend.

Not as big as Bristol but has a lot of what is on your list - Shrewsbury.

Manchester hasn't got the waterfront and I don't know about seafood, but it's a great city to visit. Some excellent restaurants and pubs.

Liverpool has the water and is a brilliant city.

Manchester and Glasgow always have similar vibes to Bristol for me.

Liverpool

I should add, I live near Manchester and so have been there many times - but agree it does have similar vibe, especially with the Ancoats/Northern Quarter area.

Bath.

Oh and Bristol is definitely worth one or more revisits. It has some great restaurants.

Cardiff?

Cardiff? Not sure about the focus on seafood but it does meet all the other criteria "city of arcades" for the indie shops, and bonus waterfront. Not as big as Bristol with a tighter defined 'centre' but definitely a selection of different 'areas' - City Centre for shops, museums, gigs/sporting events etc. Bay for waterfront/main theatre/politics, Canton/Pontcanna - trendie bougie area with indie boutiques and restaurants, Roath Park - nice lake, St Fagans - huge free outdoor museum. Although not technically Cardiff, Penarth is so close it could count as well for seaside.

Chester is my other suggestion. Possibly Bath although I don't know it as well. Both based on not being too big but having enough going on to be interesting, feeling safe, and nice "vibes" whenever I've been there. Neither has the waterfront though.

I thought that you were talking about the football team! Although I prefer Bristol Rovers.

Come back to Bristol! You probably missed something first time.

As a Bristolian I have enjoyed visiting:

The historic dockyard at Portsmouth.
Chester.
Edinburgh (with a bus trip to Leith to see the Royal Yacht.).
Canterbury.
York.
Bath.

Cardiff or Swansea

Plymouth

Brighton

Thanks, everyone. You’ve given me a good range of places to research.

I'm just back from a few days in York and it has a lot of what you describe. Quirky, independent places, lots of history and culture, great places to eat and drink, quirky shops and lovely riverside walks. Bishopthorpe Road is fun for an evening out away from the centre.

Also - how about Oxford or Cambridge?

No offence to those saying it, but Cardiff isn’t a patch on Bristol ime. Nice enough for a couple of days, but Bristol offers so much more.

I find people announcing their subjective opinions as facts supremely annoying (and arrogant).

Can't remember the last time Taylor Swift or Oasis played Bristol.
Or the last time the Olympics, Rugby world cup, FA final, EUFA championship final, or Grand Prix were held there.
Does Bristol have its own professional opera company?
Or huge open air museum?
Cardiff is only 10-15 minutes away from the nearest beach
Bristol may be more multicultural but how likely are you to be able to go and see a play or gig in a language other than English on any given day? AFAIK none of its (state) schools actually teach in any language other than English. Whereas Cardiff is officially bilingual and gives you the chance to experience a completely different culture and heritage.

I like both cities and fully prepared to admit that Bristol is a lot better for some things (airport! balloon festivals! indoor museums!) but which 'offers more' is subjective, as surely it depends on what each individual likes doing!

Agreed.

I loved Bristol and spent 5 days there fully amused.

Cardiff was lovely, but didn't have the same vibe at all.

Oxford and Cambridge have rivers and offer a huge amount for visitors.

Gig availability is an odd one. If you go specifically for a gig, then great. Just walking into a stadium gig because you are there? Virtually impossible! Ditto an international sports event. Most people want a variety of cultural events and options like museums on a weekend away that doesn’t have a specific focus.

If it’s not too far, look at Brighton. York is a good shout and definitely Newcastle. Leeds has canals and so does Birmingham. Both are great. Norwich isn’t big but is interesting and add in Sheffield and Canterbury.

@tokennamechange OBVIOUSLY I’m expressing an OPINION based on my own experience, which is precisely what I said. I’ve spent lots of time in Bristol and some time in Cardiff and I prefer Bristol. If that makes me arrogant, I’m quite happy to be arrogant. And Oasis can fuck right off imo.

Ive heard Liverpool is really fun!

Brighton.

York has all the quirky shops down, extra points if you like harry potter. So many good restaurants too. Youre near the moor.

And whether the schools teach in Welsh matters not a jot to me. Or Taylor Swift. Or any of those sporting events. Or opera. To me, Bristol offers more. You feel free to jump on your high horse and take personal offence though - if you built it all yourself.

I love York so much!

Bath is lovely too. So pretty!

Another vote for Bath. Gorgeous little independent shops. If you get a chance, the heated rooftop pool and thermae spa is lovely in the evening.

Bath is easy to combine with a return to Bristol.

And York is great.