Balloons, boats and bars in Bristol

During the annual Bristol Balloon Fiesta hundreds of hot air balloons drift over the boats moored in Bristol’s famous Floating Harbour, now home to a cluster of busy bars.

The  historic city of Bristol lies on the River Avon and for centuries was popular as a commercial port. Now a comprehensive regeneration of its old port has meant the city has achieved fame for its many festivals including the annual Harbour Festival, the world-famous  Bristol Balloon Fiesta and the new Bristol Cocktail Weekend.

The Bristol Balloon Fiesta

Bristol has a long tradition of hot air ballooning inspired by the first aerostatic flight achieved by the Montgolfier brothers over Versailles in 1783. Nearly 200 hundred years later a group of gliding enthusiasts in Bristol read about ballooning innovations in America. Spearheaded by Don Cameron, they decided to build their own hot air balloon. They succeeded and the Bristol Belle, Western Europe’s first modern hot air balloon, took to the skies in 1967. In 1971, encouraged by this achievement, Cameron resigned from his job at Bristol Aeroplane Company to found Cameron Balloons Ltd. It was a casual conversation in a local pub one evening in 1978 that the seed was sown for a hot air balloon meet in Bristol. The following year, 1979, hot air balloon teams travelled across Europe to take part in the first Bristol Balloon Fiesta. It was held over 3 days on the Ashton Court Estate, a mansion house with extensive grounds. Thanks to the good weather over 100 flights were possible and the event was a great success.

That first event at Ashton Court Estate was so successful Bristol has hosted a Balloon Fiesta every year since then. It is still based at Ashton Court which is the ideal location as it has space for the thousands of people who come to Bristol every year to enjoy the sight of the balloons floating across the sky. A varied programme fills the three days but the main events are the early morning and early evening mass ascent of the balloons. The first two days close with popular Nightglow when the burners of the tethered balloons light them up as they sway to the beat of thunderous music. What a great way to end a day at this fabulous festival.  In 2025 this event will take place from 08 to 10 August. Admission is free but charges apply to parking and the shuttle buses. The availability of a shuttle bus service from Temple Meads station and Prince Street to Ashton Court make a city break over the period of the festival an attractive proposition as the city has so much to offer around its historic floating harbour. 

The Floating Harbour in Bristol

For centuries Bristol has been an important commercial port due to its position on the River Avon that joins the Severn Estuary a few miles downstream and then flows into the Bristol Channel. However, the great tidal range of the River Avon meant that ships could be stranded in shallow water. As the port got busier during the eighteenth century and to maintain its popularity this problem had to be addressed.  And in 1807 the installation of several docks ensured the water in the harbour maintained a constant level, unaffected by the tides of the River Avon. This system was dubbed The Floating Harbour. Although new docks were built on the Severn estuary at Avonmouth and Portishead for larger ocean-going ships in the 1870s the Floating Harbour or City Docks maintained its importance until it was closed to commercial shipping in 1975. Since then, the regeneration of empty and derelict wharves, sheds and warehouses has breathed new life into this area. Popular attractions here include the steamship SS Great Britain, the Matthew, a replica of the caravel sailed by John Cabot from Bristol to Newfoundland in 1947 and the MShed, a series of galleries relating the history of Bristol. And every year the annual Harbour Festival in July brings the best of Bristol’s emerging artists as well as established and international performers across all genres for three days of free back-to-back entertainment. Restaurants, cafés and bars now line the waterfronts and the bars now have their own festival.

The bars of Bristol

There is no shortage of options when it is time for a sundowner overlooking the waters of the River Avon and the Floating Harbour. And there is a new bar in town, Rick’s Bar, a recent addition to the river-fronting The Bristol Hotel. This glitzy bar has quickly become very popular with its interesting list of cocktails and some unusual light bites. It will be taking part in the Bristol Cocktail Weekend (26 – 29 September) when 35 of the city’s best bars will be serving exclusive signature cocktails and innovative drinks.

Where to stay in Bristol

The Bristol Hotel offers comfort and convenience as well as some of the best views of Bristol itself. Situated on the waterfront it is convenient for the attractions along the Floating Harbour. Several local buses pass by on Prince Street serving the train station, the airport and other attractions in the vicinity. The hotel offers different standards of rooms but each one has all the facilities required to enhance a city break. It also features cosy, secluded lounges, a small bar and the River Grill restaurant.  Parking in the adjacent multi-storey car park (discounted for residents) means you can drive to Bristol and park and ride after that. The hotel is housed in a Grade II listed building due to the concrete lattice work on the façade of the multi-storey car park. Its austere exterior belies its luxurious interior.

Getting to Bristol

Bristol has an airport and two railway stations. Public transport links them to the city centre. It is also close to 3 motorways – the M5, M4 and M32.

Valery Collins

Valery started travelling nearly 30 years ago when, during a gap year, she discvoered the joys of travelling as a tour manager. Since then she has worked on copy for travel brochures, written 4 travel books, created her own website and written for 5 other travel websites. Her passion for travel covers all things related to travel from luxury safaris to sylish ski goggles.