2-3 days in Bristol, England

I would go to Bath - to be honest, I would probably stay in Bath rather than Bristol unless there was a burning reason for Bristol

Rick was saying last week that he has recently discovered how great Bristol is, and that it is to be in his 2024 guidebook. I think his notes about Bristol are out now, ahead of the new guide book, but can't remember how.
Stonehenge is by train from either Bristol or Bath to Salisbury.

Thank you for your responses and advice, it's very helpful.

Be sure to visit Bath which is just 15 minutes away by train.

If you want to go to Stonehenge - take train to Salisbury and then shuttle bus to the stones. Be sure to visit Salisbury Cathedral before taking the train back to Bristol.

Cardiff, the Welsh Capital is also worth visiting & is just under an hour away by train with trains very 30 minutes. Trains > https://www.nationalrail.co.uk
Video of Bristol.

Ahh not much love for Bristol here. Most people are telling you to leave!

Bristol is a big, diverse city not a cute chocolate box experience. It’s one of the most popular (and expensive) cities to move to. It’s very hilly so you get some spectacular views. The Harbourside is heavily instagrammed because of the views of colourful houses, water and boats. SS Great Britain is the top sight.

Clifton Village is another great area to explore. It’s full of lovely shops and beautiful Georgian terraces. There’s the famous Suspension Bridge as well which is a very dramatic sight cutting across the Avon Gorge. The city was a huge port and grew rich on the ‘triangular trade’ of slaves, sugar, cocoa and tobacco. This history is seen all around the city in the buildings that wealthy merchants lived in and endowed to the city. There’s Georgian House museum with full recreated interiors that’s free to visit.

Other that there are diverse neighbourhoods, many with good places to eat and drink. There’s a ton of street art everywhere. Let me know what you’re interested in and I’ll have more ideas.

Best places to stay would be Brooks Guest House, Horts (a pub with recently redone rooms) or the new Clayton Hotel. These are all in the old part of the city centre (a lot of the centre was bombed to destruction in WW2 and has been rebuilt with varying degrees of success)) giving easy access to everywhere.

I'm with Helen. Bristol is a fantastic city to spend some time in and for me much more interesting than just joining all the other Americans in Bath. There is more than enough to do to occupy several days and I would not even think of using one of them to go to Stonehenge unless you have a particular interest in pre-history.

Always been a big Bristol fan.

Bristol is a fantastic city. Maybe a kind of British San Francisco in terms of its hills, diversity and hipster/arts scene? Much bigger and more urban than Bath, with a lot of students and so much history.

Bristol was the focal point for some of the protests in the wake of George Floyd, with the statue of John Colston (who made his money from slavery) being toppled by protestors, and that felt a very quintessentially Bristol thing.

The SS Great Britain is perhaps my favourite of all the many historic ship museums in the UK. Clifton offers classy Bath-like Georgian houses. Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge is unmissable. There is a wonderful Tudor merchant’s house (the details of which I forget). Numerous Banksie artworks. Great food and drink. What’s not to love?

I’d say that perhaps it’s a bit more challenging and much less “quaint” than Bath, but (like Liverpool and Glasgow, with which it shares maritime DNA) it’s truly one of Britain’s great cities.

Oh, and in terms of Stonehenge, it’s an easy train ride to Salisbury, from where you can get the Stonehenge tour bus. And Bristol is also a very easy short train ride to Bath.

Bristol has always been neglected in favour of Bath, which I've always found to be very busy. So it is nice to see it appearing on the tourist itineraries.

SS Great Britain must be the top attraction - for both its history and significanc. It was a stunning when built. A trip under the hull is an unforgretable experience.

There is also the Cathedral, which I find is architecturally much better than Bath Abbey (especially the Norman Chapter House). St Mary Radcliffe Church with its tall spire is nearly as good. And then there is St James' Priory - somewhere a little different...

Red Lodge Museum is a hidden gem in an Elizabethan town house. This is due to reopen in June.

In addition to Bwth, Wells is another possible side trip from Bristol, but it will take over an hour (by bus).

I can't tell you how much I appreciate everyone's response to my inquiry about Bristol. I will use Helen's information. And everything that has been written will be considered. I am anxious to go there now. Thanks again everyone on the forum.....My appreciation for the kindness and attention from you all means a lot to me. It is easy to lose faith, and it is heartwarming to be reminded what is so great in our world...