Hotwells / Harbourside Area Guide

Every direction you take in Hotwells or Bristol’s Harbourside will present you with reminders of its historical legacy: from the stunning architecture and interesting landmarks to its cosy pubs and unique street names.

Sandwiched below Clifton and the river, several attractive Georgian houses dot the curving old streets and line its long main road. Ever present is the opportunity to gaze along that glorious view of the river and several moored boats bobbing in the harbour while recalling Bristol’s glorious past as a significant British port.

The name of the area came from the hot springs that emerge through the rocks of the Avon Gorge below Bristol’s famous landmark, Clifton Suspension Bridge, and during the Georgian era the district became a spa town intended to rival the prestige of Bath.

However, it’s not all about old boats and historic homes: the area has recently undergone a concentrated programme of development, with stylish modern apartments and new restaurants popping up on an almost monthly basis, mainly claiming the best vantage points over the water.

Several of the city’s most interesting and popular pubs and bars can be found in Hotwells and Harbourside, providing ample opportunity to maintain an active social life or just take a break from the homestead. Hotwells is, after all, well-endowed with ethnic restaurants, charming pubs and revered eateries?

One such eatery is the stylish Pump House pub. Perennially full with diners and drinkers sitting on the wooden benches in the summer soaking up the sun, this fantastic establishment is something of an unknown gem in Bristol. The quaint Cottage pub over the river can always be relied upon for some hearty pub grub, while along the main Hotwells Road you will find Indian, Thai, Persian, Cantonese and Lebanese cuisine, along with several convenience stores and the trendy Grain Barge pub-come-boat. Nearby, Millennium Square features Bristol’s second centre with lots of commercial eateries and bars.

The area is perfect for young professionals and families alike; close by are several schools and colleges including the City’s prestigious QEH School. With the city centre on your doorstep and access routes to all of the major motorways running through the county a swift drive away, this area could not be better located for work, rest, play and lashings of the good life.