Car Hire Bristol Airport

A quick guide to Bristol and beyond

Bristol is a city that bursts with life. Whether you’re an avid historian wanting to learn more about the city’s maritime past, or aiming to throw yourself into the cutting-edge music scene, you’ll find plenty to occupy yourself with in this jewel of the south-west.

A city of boats and bridges

Bristol is home to the SS Great Britain, one of its most popular attractions. You’ll find it down on the docks where, standing in its shadow, you’ll appreciate the epic scale of this famous boat. Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and launched in 1843, it’s considered to be the template for building modern ships and spent over 40 years as a passenger liner. You can take a fascinating tour that allows you to take in the size of the ship and the technology used in its development, which was ground-breaking and experimental at the time.

Head up to Clifton Suspension Bridge while you’re in Bristol. It spans the Avon Gorge and treats you to incredible views of the city. It’s a striking piece of engineering and has become an iconic part of the Bristol landscape.

Go west

Take the A370 from Bristol Airport and in 30 minutes you’ll be in Weston-super-Mare. This wonderful seaside town has a proud Victorian history that can be seen in the architecture across the seafront and throughout the town. The pinnacle of the town has to be the Grand Pier, which stretches out across the beach, into the sea, and is home to many fantastic places to eat and play. Here, you’re also very close to many other excellent Somerset attractions, including Glastonbury Abbey, Bishop’s Palace and Exmoor.

Meander by car to the incredible Cornish coast, a mixture of rugged coves and sandy bays. It’s around 150km to Torquay, a handsome seaside resort and harbour filled with independent shops and delicious restaurants – this is an area known as the English Riviera. It’s just one of the charming towns to visit in the region, home to many star attractions including the Eden Project – a community of enormous biomes housing an epic rainforest.

Filled with family fun

Bristol is a fantastic city to visit if you’re arriving with the whole family in tow. Bristol Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the world and has grown to be a huge attraction. As well as a wide range of different animals, you can also enjoy an activity centre and aquarium filled with fascinating sea life. You can find it easily via the A38 from Bristol Airport in just over 20 minutes.

A stone’s throw from the Cotswolds

If you want to appreciate more of England’s natural beauty, there are few places as striking as the Cotswolds. Take the M5 and in just over an hour you’ll arrive in the heart of this graceful region. Towns here have a charm straight out of the past. Head for Chipping Campden, with its gorgeous market square, shops and tea rooms, or just drive through an area that has few peers when it comes to natural, understated glory. Car hire at Bristol Airport opens up this quaint and unique corner of the world to you.

Driving in and around Bristol Airport

Take to the roads around Bristol Airport and you’ll find so many exciting places just waiting to be explored. Getting out and about from Bristol Airport couldn't be easier – you can join a number of different routes whether you’re planning to head south or travel up north. The roads around the airport are well-connected and clearly signposted.

Bristol is only 5km away from Bristol Airport. The A38 will get you there in 20 minutes. Navigating your way around town is straightforward, with the ring road and main streets largely quiet outside of peak times. There are a number of bus lanes in the city that you need to avoid, so be sure to pay close attention to the signs. The A4044 runs north to south through the centre of the city, a good starting point to access all the major sights.

If you decide to venture further afield and explore the rest of the south-west of England, you’ll enjoy incredible views and the beautiful blue sea of the Bristol Channel. Take the A38 from Bristol Airport and you’ll reach Bournemouth, on the English coast, in two hours. Bournemouth is home to some stunning beaches where you can take part in a host of exhilarating water sports. Similar to Bristol, Bournemouth has a young and vibrant edge, but its Victorian architecture is quintessentially British.

While in the UK you’ll be driving on the left side of road and overtaking on the road, different to the rest of Europe. Speed limits vary by type of road, from 70mph on motorways down to 30mph in built-up areas and as low as 20mph in school zones.