Home » Student Shopping Guide to Bristol
If you really are going to live life as a real student, a considerable part of your loan will be going straight onto the high street. The thrill of spending money on new, shiny things never tires and we’re betting that during your search for your favourite Uni, what the city had to offer in terms of shops as well as nightlife was something you considered.
Luckily, Bristol is fast becoming one of the best cities to go shopping in, thanks to the newly built Cabot Circus. Whether it’s high street or vintage boutiques that you’re after, Bristol has plenty to boast about.
It’s central, just ahead of the Broadmead shopping area and beside the M32. Most buses will stop nearby and it’s signposted across the city.
Bristol’s newest shopping development, it contains over 120 shops, around 25 cafes and restaurants and even a Showcase Cinema de Lux. Since it opened in September 2008, it’s been a huge success and its newest attraction is an eagerly awaited branch of Krispy Kreme.
If you’re into your high street stores such as Urban Outfitters, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Zara and even American Apparel and you like to combine a shopping spree with a tasty lunch in the likes of Nandos, Giraffe and Yo Sushi, this is the place to go. Oh, and it also includes Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf, which will
keep you occupied once the shops close at 8pm.
A 15 minute walk from Temple Meads and only a 5 minute walk from the bus station.
The original hub of high street shopping prior to Cabot Circus being built, this area still holds the most popular stores such as Marks and Spencer, Boots, Debenhams, a huge Primark and H&M too.
It’s always busy and is where you will find your banks local branch and the Post Office for when you want to write those letters to your long lost buddies. Just up the road is St Nicholas Market, which is full of market stalls selling wonderful food, second hand clothing, fabric and music, plus every Wednesday it hosts a Farmers Market which serves you the tastiest food from the West Country.
A 10 minute walk from Broadmead or a 5 minute walk up from the centre /waterfront area.
It’s a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of the Broadmead/Cabot Circus area and there’s even some of Banky’s art to look at along the way.
A hub of vintage shops, fashionable boutiques, quirky stores and hip hangouts. The only Motel sits here, alongside BS8 which hosts the best of new and retro clothing and accessories aswell as quirky gifts and Uncle Sam’s vintage haven. Don’t let the hill put you off, there’s plenty of treats on the way up. You’ll probably recognise the street from many a scene on Channel 4’s Skins and looking around, it’s no surprise.
A little way out of the city centre but easily reachable by public transport, especially those of you around Frenchay Campus. Nearest train station is Parkway.
It boasts 135 stores, 7,000 free parking spaces, late night openings and more than 15 cafés and restaurants including Patisserie Valerie, Carluccio’s and Café Rouge.
It has everything you’d ever want, from huge department stores such as John Lewis, to big high street favourites and plenty of places to eat, making it a perfect day out with your friends outside of the city centre.
It also hosts Bristol Fashion Week twice a year and the largest ice rink in the South West around Christmas.
A short walk from the top of Park Street / Whiteladies area. Buses run regularly from the centre if you’re not up for the walk.
Clifton Village is choca full of boutiques, delis, cosy cafes, jewellery stores and quaint little shops for you to have a leisurely browse at.
It’s one of, if not the most desirable areas of the city, hosting many a mansion and wealthy locals who love the quiet life but can’t live without the city lifestyle. It’s also home to the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge which is a must for a visit, especially if you have visitors for the weekend.
Located north of the city centre but easily reachable by bus or foot (if you’re feeling up to it) from Broadmead.
It’s home to various bits of street art, small record shops, second hand clothing stores, numerous pubs and a vibrant atmosphere. It’s popular with students and the arty types and is definitely a lot different to everything about Clifton!
If you want to check out a more cosmopolitan area that’s a little rough around the edges, this is it. You certainly get a real flavour of what Bristol’s so loved for and you may even pick up some thrifty bits along the way. It’s perfect if you’d rather have a chilled night at a few pubs rather than hardrore clubbing too.