For some Bristol dwellers, cycling along the Bristol – Bath Railway Path is the first thought on waking up to a glorious summer day. This 13 mile route has a rather unpromising start, found by passing through an industrial and slightly insalubrious area of Bristol. However, once on it you’re soon away, leaving the city behind as you pass through the cool and dark Staple Hill Tunnel and emerge into the picturesque countryside of South Gloucestershire.
Along the way there are plenty of idyllic picnic spots and opportunities to cool off in the River Avon. You can also take a ride on a heritage steam train at Bitton, or just enjoy watching it puff past. A couple of decent pubs provide refreshments; it’s worth taking the turning for Saltford and heading to the Jolly Sailor to sit in the garden overlooking Saltford Lock supping a local ale. This can be a destination in itself, located 9 miles from Bristol. Otherwise, continue on to Bath and spend a few hours wandering around this pretty spa town. For those who feel this is quite enough exercise for one day, trains run frequently back to Bristol, taking just 10 minutes.
The path can get busy but never unpleasantly so as it remains at a comfortable three metre width for the duration. There are also no significant hills to contend with, meaning it has all the makings of a fun, free and active day out, suitable for all ages and levels – the perfect way to celebrate the arrival of longer days.

www.bristolbathrailwaypath.org.uk contains all the information about the route, history and attractions.
www.avonvalleyrailway.org has information about the heritage railway
www.jollysailorpub.com has menus and photos
Google map: bit.ly/GYAGhT

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I discovered Lahloo tea a few years ago at a small food festival and have been hooked since. When I heard that they had opened a specialist tea shop in Bristol, I was eager to visit!
Lahloo pantry is an independent modern tea room serving the most delicious home baked teas, cakes, tarts and savory dishes.
I was delighted by the passion and enthusiasm behind the shop and the place has a lovely, warm, relaxing atmosphere. We had the afternoon tea for £13.50 per person, it was fun, beautifully executed and a real special treat. I'll be back on a weekly basis for their macaroons!
It's a little gem in the heart of Clifton village.

www.lahloopantry.co.uk
12 King's Road, Clifton village, BS8 4AB
+44(0)117 3292029
Google map: bit.ly/yEqo9m

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Taj Palace, located in Bristol city centre is a newly established Indian restaurant but is on its way to be among the most prestige restaurants in Bristol.
The exterior of this place is not so special at first glance, but don't let the that fool you. The food is really flavoursome, well implemented with a a nice relaxing ambiance.
Favorite dish: it was the chicken Bombay flame. The flavour and texture of this dish is really nice and a twist of my favourite traditional Bombay dish cooked with boiled egg.

www.tajpalacebristol.com
39-41 Saint Nicholas st Bristol BS1 1TP
+44(0)117 329 0086
Google map: bit.ly/HajUQ8

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It's a 45 acre historic cemetery close to the centre of Bristol, "where the history of the city is told in a leafy and tranquil setting." Don't be put off by the idea of visiting a cemetery - this place is beautiful and so peaceful. Among beautiful monuments, there is an abundance of plants and flowers. And bird song to lift the heart! The guide book says there are about two dozen species there. Also, exhibitions about the history of the place, and a lovely gift shop. A real, and unusual, treat.

Bath Road, Bristol, BS4 3EW
+44(0)117-971-9117
www.arnosvale.org.uk
Google map: bit.ly/qWUou2
On several bus routes and close to Temple Meads station.

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This place cooks the best English breakfast as well as a vegetarian option in Bristol. There are two - one in Cotham Hill and one in Clifton Village.
If you fancy a real breakfast you should try this place.

www.havanacoffee.co.uk
37A Cotham Road, BS6 6JY
Google map: bit.ly/m9fvNz

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Independent deli that has won lots of awards for it's cheese and range of products. They run lots of free tastings and also have a great cafe. You just have to try their New Yorker sandwich, it's huge.

Arch House, Boyces Avenue, Clifton Village, Bristol, BS8 4AA
www.archhousedeli.com
+44(0)117 974 1166
Google map: bit.ly/mjTF2P

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A tiny basement gallery showcasing local and some farther reaching photography, but mostly unheardofs, embracing new and often unconventional approaches in cosy surrounds. Rapid turnover of shows so always something new to see.

www.photographique.co.uk/
31 Baldwin Street, Bristol BS1 1RG
+44(0)117 930 0622
Google map: bit.ly/hhkBhJ

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This was a very relaxed and pleasant place with river views and very good value meals (children were free before 6pm.)

www.riverstation.co.uk
The Grove, Bristol, Avon BS1 4RB
+44(0)117 9144434
Google map: bit.ly/effUUf

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Easton in Bristol is home to this small vegetarian restaurant, offering excellent, unusual vegetarian dishes. On a recent visit pistachio and shallot wontons and cashew cakes were among dishes that make one smile for days after. Cafe Maitreya only opens for dinner and bookings are recommended. Go for the three course menu, you'll enjoy every last morsel!

89 St Mark's Road, Easton, Bristol, BS5 6HY
+44(0)117 951 0100
cafemaitreya.co.uk/
Google map: bit.ly/gBkNbD

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Bristol's City Museum and Art Gallery offers a great collection of two and three dimensional art and design from across the world, as well as a wide-ranging archaeological collection of, particularly, objects from Ancient Egypt.

The paintings from the late Nineteenth century and the glassware, ceramics and prints from Asia benefited enormously by a bequest in the late 1940's, from Max Schiller, whose brother, Ferdinand, in addition, collected Chinese ceramics. As a result of this gift the museum has examples of work, for example, by Vuillard, Alma-Tadema and Sisley, as well as glassware from the Tang and Sung dynasties, of great quality. There is much other work of equally high quality including a beautiful Japanese woodblock print of a waterfall by Hokusai.

At certain times of the day and at weekends the museum is full of young children, which is of course an admirable feature but the racket they create can become wearisome. Perhaps like cinemas, museums should arrange noisy days for kids and quiet days for those who want to get close to the art work without being run over or deafened.

There's a good museum shop and cafeteria. The latter is particularly good.

Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1RL
+44(0)117 922 3599
Google map: bit.ly/f5unHQ

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Like your cider? This is the place for you then. Moored just along the Welsh Back, the Apple has a very small serving bar area but boasts a whole variety of ciders with special deals for students too. The Venue is usually packed during the summer months as they have an enormous seating area which always draws in the crowds. Service is quite quick and prices are reasonable.

www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2469999047

Welsh Back, Bristol, BS1 4SB‎
0117 925 3500‎

Google map: bit.ly/aoGhEc

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In an ordinary street, with large residential houses, lies the Relaxation Centre. It's tucked away from the city centre in peaceful Cliftonand is quite small, with a jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and outside hot tub, sauna and plunge pool. However, somehow, it never seems crowded. Upstairs there is a cafe bar where wonderfully relaxing teas and toasted teacakes are offered. With a choice of beds, beanbags and sofas overlooking the beautifully tended gardens.
Varying between women only, mixed and couples sessions, at varying prices, it is an inexpensive spa, where a few hours can help weeks of troubles drift away.

9 All Saints Road
Bristol
BS8 2JG
0117 970 6616
www.relaxationcentre.co.uk/

Google map: tinyurl.com/38xs8pe

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I had a perfect, hassle free experience in booking and staying at Future Inns and the restaurant wasn't too bad either. Going by the rather unusual name of Fishbones, they do indeed have more than a few decent fish dishes. I went for the breaded sardines as this seemed to be a 'proper' fish dish and I wasn't disappointed. Almost as good as some of the fish mezes I have enjoyed in Cyprus.

www.futureinns.co.uk/bristol-hotel
Cabot Circus Hotel, Bond Street South, Bristol, BS1 3EN

Google map: tinyurl.com/34hke6m

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Bristol's Lido, tucked away in the heart of Clifton, predates the nearby famous suspension bridge and is more than just an outdoor pool. Since its stylish transformation you can also relax in the poolside bar, savour food from the Italian wood-fired oven in the restaurant in the former Victorian viewing gallery, or be pampered in the spa. It's a perfect place for a swim all year round in the solar panel-heated pool. But go at night, under the stars, and you're in heaven.

Oakfield Place, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2BJ.
www.lidobristol.com
Google map: tinyurl.com/2vuaphf

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Swimming in the inky dark pool at Bristol's recently renovated lido is a delicious winter's evening pleasure(summer lovers may disagree). If the chill air gets too much, jump into the hot tub or sauna for heat then plunge back into the dark pool to start the cycle again. Deckchair-striped, curtained shower/changing rooms line one side of the pool and a tasty glass fronted caff borders the other. All in all sublime.

lidobristol.com
tinyurl.com/37n23mw

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Swimming in the inky dark pool at Bristol's recently renovated lido is a delicious winter's evening pleasure(summer lovers may disagree) if the chill air gets too much, jump into the hot tub or sauna for heat then plunge back into the dark pool to start the cycle again. The gaily, deckchair striped, curtained shower/changing rooms, line one side of the pool and a tasty glass fronted caff borders the other. All in all sublime.

lidobristol.com
Oakfield Place, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2BJ
0117 933 9530

Google map: tinyurl.com/2v9wgw2

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Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn once stayed at this Tudor castle, now a romantic hotel set in historic gardens and with its own vineyard. It offers a luxurious experience, with four poster beds, log fires, tapestries, and even a bedroom with (perfect for Cupid) arrow-slit windows. The crowning glory, reached by a stone spiral staircase, is the Tower Bedchamber, with far-reaching views and a ten foot wide bed that Anne Boleyn would have died for. At our recent visit the snow made everything even more enchanting. Magic.

www.thornburycastle.co.uk
Castle Street, Thornbury, South Gloucestershire BS35 1HH
+44(0)1454281182

Google map: tinyurl.com/yb7lyjz

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A lovely delicatessen, with beautifully painted ceilings and handmade fixtures. Their on site chef makes a selection of daily dishes to eat in the cafe or take away. They also do a great range of gluten free cakes and source lots of local products as well as the best from France.

Arch House, Boyces Avenue, Clifton Village, Bristol, BS8 4AA
www.archhousedeli.com
0117 974 1166

Google map: tinyurl.com/yd792hl

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Without a doubt the best post-pub food ever. There's no where else I'd rather go after a night of drinking. They serve huge tasty wraps filled with a choice of cheeses, meats, hummus, falafel, salads ... the list goes on! The prices are a little steeper than I'd usually spend on late night food but every penny is worth it. The portions are so generous; a medium wrap will satisfy all but the most hungry; and the fillings are delicious. I recommend a lamb and haloumi combination, toasted until it's a warm and melted and then topped off with hot chilli sauce. And the best thing is - I never get post-food guilt as it feels so much healthier than the other options. The temptation is even enough to make me forgo a taxi home so I get to feel virtuous about that too!

Magic Roll
3 Queens Row
Triangle South
Clifton
Bristol
BS8 1EZ
www.magicroll.co.uk
Tel: 0117 922 1435

Google map: tinyurl.com/ybbvmdj

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A modern twist on a tea-house that is also a restaurant. So far I have had brunch, afternoon tea and dinner there! I love it because it's a relaxed environment with great food and you can people watch everyone going past on Whiteladies Road. The staff are very friendly and helpful when trying to choose a tea which is a bit overwhelming at first.

Papaji's House of Teas
109 Whiteladies Road
Clifton
BS8 2PB

opposite Clifton Down train station
www.papajis.co.uk

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