Living in Bristol
A city with beautiful architecture and a storied past
Packed with art and culture and enveloped by green hills, the creative capital of England could be a wise choice for an exciting new start in life. Named as the best city in Britain to live in (2014 and 2017), Bristol allows you to enjoy a full and active retirement. Plus, by choosing one of our retirement properties in Bristol, you’ll be within touching distance of all the great sights and attractions.
Lifestyle in Bristol
Attractions
You can explore Bristol’s rich maritime history at the M Shed museum, or go below deck on the SS Great Britain, the first iron-hulled, propeller-driven ocean liner. You’ll find the SS Great Britain in Bristol Harbour, which is now also a popular tourist destination packed with bars, restaurants, museums and exhibitions.
As well as its famous art galleries – including the Royal West of England Academy – Bristol's also renowned for its prominent street art. You can take a walking tour of some of the most famous pieces, or just have fun exploring the city and finding them all by yourself.
Community
When you purchase one of our retirement properties in Bristol, you become part of a tight-knit community of Bristolians. All through the year, Bristol hosts a wide range of cultural events and performances, so you'll never be stuck for something to do. You can see touring West End musicals at the Bristol Hippodrome, experience the annual Blues and Jazz Festival at Colston Hall, or see popular drama at the Old Vic, the oldest working theatre in Britain.
Bristol is also a perfect location for keeping up a socially active retirement. You'll find the local ciders and ales that make the South West famous in Bristol's diverse range of cosy establishments, from traditional country pubs to rooftop harbour-side bars. As a local, you’re always welcome.
Sights
With a Norman castle, a Gothic cathedral and a number of Tudor houses and Georgian gardens, Bristol is full of stunning architecture and historical buildings. Ashton Court, for example, has been the site of a manor house since the 11th century, and the 850-acre estate contains a Tudor gatehouse, bays of Gothic windows and Jacobean details.
Even within the city itself, you'll find more than 400 parks and gardens, such as Castle Park and Clifton Down. In fact, Bristol recently became the first UK city to receive the EU's European Green Capital City award. On top of all this, there's a Botanic Garden to admire, and even a city zoo – perfect for an entertaining day out with your family.
Surrounding Areas
Bristol's known as a cycling city, and there are lots of special lanes, cycling tours and bike tracks to explore, both in the centre and in the surrounding countryside. It's also an area that's famous for its hot-air balloons, so book a relaxing ride to discover unbeatable views of the city and the countryside.
Enjoying the countryside doesn't always mean being out in the sticks. The historic city of Bath is just 15 miles away, and there are fast trains from the city centre to take you to Cardiff in less than an hour, or to London in under two hours.
If you'd like to start a new adventure in a creative city surrounded by beautiful countryside, just take a look at our retirement properties in Bristol.
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“It’s just wonderful here and our social life has completely transformed since we moved in … McCarthy Stone has made the whole journey easy and stress-free.”