Home to Banksy’s world-class street art and with the accolades of ‘World’s best culinary destination’ in the 2019 Food Trekking Awards and UNESCO City of Film in 2017, Bristol is renowned for its vibrant arts and culture scene. The city buzzes all year round from an outstanding range of independent restaurants, bars, pubs and cafés and an annual programme of events in an eclectic mix of venues and outdoor spaces, including Upfest - Europe’s largest street art festival - and the spectacular Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. With iconic sights including Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge and the historic SS Great Britain on the harbourside, Bristol’s reputation for pioneering engineering and innovation is as relevant today as it has always been.
Bristol is the only UK city to be named European Green Capital (2015) and was the UK’s first cycling city. As one of the UK’s leading cities for sustainable development it is home to leading environmental and ethical organisations such as the Soil Association, Triodos Bank and Sustrans.
The University of Bristol is one of the most popular and successful universities in the UK, ranked 9th in the United Kingdom and 11th in Europe according to the QS World University rankings, which analyse the world’s top 1,000 universities in 85 countries.
The University of the West of England is focused on solving future global challenges through outstanding learning, world-leading research, and a culture of enterprise. Partnerships with industry leading organisations heighten their innovation and enterprise programmes.
Rural & Coastal Locations
The city of Bristol is surrounded by picturesque countryside, some of the finest in the South West. The rolling hills of rural Somerset and the Cotswolds are practically on the doorstep. With these greener areas just beyond city limits, choosing a rural venue near Bristol or Bath means you get the best of both worlds. You’ll enjoy a picturesque and peaceful backdrop to your event while remaining a stone’s throw from the amenities and buzz of the city. There are many locations to hold your conference in a private setting, exclusively hire stately homes, hotels and castles or take part in wellness and team building activities.
Also on Bristol’s doorstep is coastal North Somerset, an area with miles of spectacular coastline and beautiful rural landscapes. Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon and Portishead are the three main towns along the coastline with attractive villages and glorious countryside in-between.