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During the annual Bristol Balloon Fiesta hundreds of hot air balloons float over boats moored on Bristol’s famous Floating Harbour, now home to a cluster of busy bars.

The historic city of Bristol sits on the River Avon and was a popular trading port for centuries. Now the extensive regeneration of its old harbor means that the city has gained fame for its many festivals, including the annual Harbor Festival, the world-famous Bristol Balloon Fiesta and the new Bristol Cocktail Weekend.

Bristol Balloon Fiesta

Bristol has a long tradition of hot air ballooning, inspired by the first aerostatic flight achieved by the Montgolfier brothers over Versailles in 1783. About 200 years later a group of gliding enthusiasts in Bristol read about ballooning innovations in America. Led by Don Cameron, they decided to build their own hot air balloon. They succeeded and the Bristol Belle, Western Europe’s first modern hot air balloon, took to the skies in 1967. In 1971, encouraged by this achievement, Cameron resigned from his job at the Bristol Airplane Company to found Cameron Balloons Ltd. It was a normal conversation. One evening in 1978 in a local pub the seed was sown for a hot air balloon meet in Bristol. The following year, 1979, hot air balloon teams traveled across Europe to take part in the first Bristol Balloon Fiesta. It was held over 3 days at Ashton Court Estate, a mansion house with extensive grounds. Good weather made over 100 flights possible and the event was a huge success.

That first event at Ashton Court Estate was such a success that Bristol has hosted a Balloon Fiesta every year since. It is still based at Ashton Court which is the ideal location as it has space for the thousands of people who come to Bristol every year to enjoy the sight of the balloons floating in the sky. A varied program fills the three days but the main events are mass balloon ascensions in the early morning and early evening. The first two days close with the popular Nightglow when tethered balloon burners light them up to the beat of thunderous music. What a great way to end a day at this fabulous festival. In 2025 this event will be held from 08 to 10 August. Admission is free but charges apply for parking and shuttle buses. The availability of a shuttle bus service from Temple Meads station and Princes Street to Ashton Court makes the city an attractive proposition during the festival period as the city has much to offer around its historic floating harbour.

Floating Harbor in Bristol

For centuries Bristol has been an important commercial port due to its position on the River Avon which joins the Severn Estuary a few miles downstream and then flows into the Bristol Channel. However, the wide tidal range of the River Avon meant that ships could be stranded in shallow water. During the eighteenth century the port became increasingly busy and this problem had to be solved in order to maintain its popularity. And the installation of several docks in 1807 ensured a constant water level in the harbor unaffected by the tides of the River Avon. This system was known as Floating Harbour. Although new docks were built along the River Severn at Avonmouth and Portishead in the 1870s for larger ocean-going ships, the Floating Harbor or City Docks retained their importance until they closed to commercial shipping in 1975. Since then, the revival of empty and endless began. Wharves, sheds and warehouses have breathed new life into the area. Popular attractions here include a replica of the steamship SS Great Britain, Matthew, a caravel sailed by John Cabot from Bristol to Newfoundland in 1947, and the MSshed, a series of galleries relating to Bristol’s history. And each year in July the annual Harbor Festival brings together Bristol’s best emerging artists as well as established and international artists across all genres for three days of free back-to-back entertainment. Restaurants, cafes and bars now line the waterfronts and bars now have their own festival.

Bars of Bristol

There’s no shortage of options when it’s sunset time overlooking the waters of the River Avon and Floating Harbour. And there’s a new bar in town, Rick’s Bar, a recent addition to the river-fronting The Bristol Hotel. This glitzy bar has quickly become very popular with its interesting list of cocktails and some unusual light bites. It will take part in Bristol Cocktail Weekend (26 – 29 September) when 35 exclusive signature cocktails and innovative drinks will be served up from the city’s best bars.

Where to stay in Bristol

The Bristol Hotel offers comfort and convenience as well as some of the best views of Bristol itself. Located on the waterfront, it is convenient to attractions along the Floating Harbour. Several local buses serving the train station, airport and other nearby attractions pass through Prince Street. The hotel offers different standards of rooms but each has all the amenities needed to enhance a city break. It also has a comfortable, secluded lounge, a small bar and the River Grill restaurant. Parking in the nearby multi-storey car park (discount for residents) means you can drive into Bristol and then park and ride. The hotel is housed in a Grade II listed building due to the concrete lattice work on the multi-storey car park facade. Its austere exterior belies its luxurious interior.

Arriving in Bristol

Bristol has an airport and two railway stations. Public transport connects them to the city centre. It is also close to 3 motorways – the M5, M4 and M32.