Bristol Property Guide
Bristol is a vibrant and diverse city in the South-West of England with a thriving economy, beautiful architecture, and rich maritime history. Bristol’s past is reflected in fine buildings throughout the city with a wide range of spectacular Georgian, Edwardian, and Victorian terraced homes. Bristol is home to just under 500,000 people, making it the largest city in the south-west. Its proximity to Bath and Cardiff and beautiful English countryside makes it a popular city to live and work in.
Bristol lies on the rivers Avon and Frome that were once vital in the city’s shipbuilding and engineering past. To the west is the River Severn, the Bristol Channel and Wales. Travelling east from Bristol takes you through the Cotswolds and North Wessex Downs to London, only 120 miles away along the M4.
There is plenty to see and do for the city’s residents and visitors. Twice, Bristol has been voted “The Best City to Live in Britain”. And it constantly wins awards for its friendliness, kindness, diversity, and innovation as a “green” city. Due to the city’s reputation for being a great place to live, there is always a high demand for property.
What is it like to live and work in Bristol? What are the reasons why Bristol is a popular choice for home buyers and renters? Please read on to find out more about this beautiful city in the south-west of England.
Bristol Properties
The affluence and prosperity of Bristol are reflected in the range of period properties in the city. Large Regency, Georgian, Edwardian, and Victorian terraced properties dominate much of the property market. Thanks to the dock area regeneration, modern apartments and spacious warehouse conversions, riverside properties offer stunning views over the waterways.
Many of Bristol’s best Victorian and Georgian properties have been converted into flats and apartments offering generous living spaces. Converted townhouses make buying or renting a flat affordable for you professionals in the city centre. Bristol also has residential suburbs with two to five-bedroom semi-detached and detached homes that are ideal for families.
Desirable Areas to Live in Bristol
Where are the best properties if you want to rent or buy a house or apartment in Bristol? Here is a brief guide to the type of property you can expect to find in Bristol’s best areas.
Redland
The suburb of Redland is characterised by Victorian terraces giving the neighbourhood a unique appeal. Most houses are large terraced and semi-detached period homes. Because of the quality of spacious homes, property in Redland tends to sell for above-average prices compared to other Bristol suburbs.
You’ll find that many of the large Victorian homes have been converted into modern flats. These one and two-bedroom properties make it affordable for young professionals and families to live here. In addition, new build developments in Redland offer luxurious flats with modern conveniences.
The best streets in Redland are off Whiteladies Road. Look for properties in Clyde Road, Hampton Road and Greenway Road. Residents of Redland also enjoy easy access to Durdham Downs and Clifton Downs. Some of the best homes and flats in the area can fetch around £1 million.
Sneyd Park
Sneyd Park is one of the most desirable areas of Bristol. The salubrious neighbourhood has large Victorian and Edwardian detached villas in quiet leafy streets. In among the luxurious period homes, you will find large newly built detached homes with extensive gardens.
Some areas of Sneyd Park have terraced Victorian homes and semi-detached properties that have been converted into affordable yet spacious flats. Depending on the type of flat, finish and area, you can find properties to buy for around £250,000. However, for large five and six-bedroom Victorian residences, expect to pay over $1 million.
Leigh Woods
One of the most exclusive and attractive Bristol neighbourhoods is Leigh Woods. The small residential village-like area is nestled between Ashton Court golf course and Leigh Woods parkland. Some of the large, detached villas and luxury flats have views out over the Clifton Suspension Bridge. A characteristic feature of Leigh Woods properties is its diversity. Here you will find properties in various styles such as Arts and Crafts, Scottish Baronial, Swiss Chalet, and Domestic Revival.
It is rare for properties to come on the market in Leigh Woods. Most of the houses for sale are detached villas that sell for over £1 million. However, some apartment blocks on North Road and Church Road have more affordable flats for sale or rent.
Clifton
Clifton is one of the most popular Bristol neighbourhoods to live in. The area features fine examples of Georgian terraces with spectacular four-storey properties, many of which overlook private gardens or green spaces. In Clifton, you will also find some of the best examples of stone-built Victorian terraced houses in the city.
The best streets in Clifton are next to the suspension bridge — Royal York Crescent, Caledonia Place and Princess Victoria Street. The sprawling Victorian terraces of Apsley Road and Worrall Road also have the advantage of their proximity to Clifton Downs.
Large Victorian and Georgian period properties fetch a premium in Clifton. Converted flats close to Clifton Down Station are popular with students and young professionals for their affordable rents. The best converted modern flats are in Clifton Village.
Bristol Average House Price Sales
Most properties for sale in Bristol sell for between £200,000 and £400,000. Typically, period houses in terraced streets with two or three bedrooms are the most common property sales. However, many of the large three and four-storey townhouses sell for upward of 1 million. It is also not uncommon for three and four-bedroom luxury apartments in large, converted mansions to command an asking price of between £800,000 and £900,000.
Renting in Bristol
There is a thriving rental market in Bristol, despite rent prices being some of the highest in the South East. Compared to other large cities in the UK, the high demand for rentals is one of the greatest, mainly due to the large student population. Typically, the cost of renting a flat is between £200 and £250 per week. However, the affordability of rent depends on the area and proximity to amenities.
Neighbourhoods such as Clifton and Redland are the most expensive areas to find rental accommodation. Areas further away from the city centre such as Emersons Green, Bishopton, Horfield and Henleaze have the cheapest flats to rent. However, if you work in the city centre, you will have a 20-minute commute to deal with.
Properties in Bristol sell for considerably less than London and the south-east. As a result, the city also attracts many buy-to-let property investors.
Bristol Transport
Bristol has an excellent bus network providing fast and convenient services in and around the city. The Metrobus is an excellent commuter service that helps workers and students get to where they want to go fast. Additionally, there are frequent services to key destinations in the South West. Bristol has also won awards for encouraging cycling, and there are several urban cycle routes in the city.
There are two main train stations in Bristol — Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads. These stations provide direct train links to Central London, and the journey takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes. There are also direct trains to all major cities on the West coast, including Cardiff, Portsmouth, Weston-Super-Mare, and Glasgow.
Residents of Bristol also enjoy easy access to the M4 and M5 motorways. The journey by car is under two and half hours to the centre of London. Driving north to Birmingham along the M5 takes just under two hours and Cardiff is an hour’s drive away over the Severn Bridge.
For international travel, Bristol Airport has regular flights to popular destinations.
Bristol Schools
Families living in Bristol have access to many excellent schools, both independent and state schools. Several of Bristol’s schools have an “outstanding” rating from Ofsted, and the city’s grammar schools are popular with parents.
For example, Clifton College is a mixed-gender primary and secondary education school that consistently gets excellent grades. Additionally, Redland Green School enjoys an “outstanding” rating for its commitment to academic success and high pupil grades. Other notable schools in the city are Chew Valley School, Bristol Grammar School, and Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital.
There are several universities in Bristol that cater for higher education students. The most popular ones are the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England. In addition, there are theological colleges and the University of Law campus.
Bristol Employment
The main industries in Bristol are aerospace, creative media, finance, and electronics. In the city, you will find that the principal employers are Rolls-Royce, the Ministry of Defence, Airbus, and BAE Systems. Other notable companies with a significant presence in Bristol are Aviva, EE telecommunications, John Lewis, and Tesco.
The investment from large multinational companies in Bristol means that residents enjoy a high standard of living. As a result, Bristol enjoys a high gross value added (GVA) per head compared to the Core Cities — only behind London, Belfast, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.
Living in Bristol
One of the attractions of living in Bristol is that there are plenty of green spaces in the city and Bristol is surrounded by stunning countryside. For example, the Bristol Downs offer quiet places to relax and have spectacular views of the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Additionally, the rejuvenated quayside has restaurants, cafes, and riverside walks. For art lovers, the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery provides a rich cultural experience.
Bristol is an excellent place for shopping thanks to its numerous street markets. In addition, there are weekly farmers’ markets throughout the city selling a range of locally grown produce. Of course, you can find all the typical high street fashion brands and large shopping malls common to all large cities. Bristol city centre is also home to the Bristol Shopping Quarter, which has a fantastic array of restaurants, cafes, and shops, including Harvey Nichols.
If you are thinking about moving to Bristol or have a property in Bristol to sell, get in contact with Hydes of Bristol. We’re one of the leading estate agent in Bristol, located in the heart of Clifton, with an exceptional market and area knowledge that really sets us apart. Give us a call today or browse our popular pages below.