'Bristol is alive and kicking like a can-can girl. If this were a European city, we would visit it in droves, admire the old buildings, enjoy the nightlife, find quirky restaurants in exotic locations, and savour the relaxed cosmopolitan atmosphere.'
The Sunday Telegraph
Bristol has been described as an ancient city with a modern outlook. It knows how to keep things in balance and has a character of its own. A high tech business centre, Bristol boasts a robust economy which is mainly attributable to the diverse nature of its industries. With a strong presence amongst the media, manufacturing, IT, aviation and defence sectors, Bristol is also home to some of the largest financial services organisations and an array of high technology start-ups.
Such diversity has secured prosperity and, irrespective of the downturn in technology, Bristol has and will continue to benefit from the resilience of other areas, notably defence. Therefore, one can only assume that the city is well placed for the future and organisations and individuals will continue to choose Bristol as their base. The legal marketplace in Bristol has grown on the back of the South West region's economic success and is one of the most established outside London.
Equally, Bristol is hard to match for its vibrant cultural and entertainment scenes. Throughout the year Bristol is home to a variety of festivals and regattas, ranging from the Balloon Fiesta to The Bristol Community Festival - the UK's largest free music festival, St. Paul's Carnival, and Gig at the Gate.
There is no end to the variety of bars and restaurants you will find along the waterfront, lining the streets, and in more tucked away corners of the city. Whether your tastes run to upmarket, budget, funky, cheesy or all four, there truly is something for everyone. The same applies to shopping. You will find all the big names you would expect from a major regional capital, coupled with exquisite boutiques, trendy clothes shops, arts and crafts, and music shops amongst others.
Combined with all this bustling activity, Bristol offers breathtaking scenery. The city is full of magnificent architecture, from Bristol Cathedral, the prestigious University and the Brunel Suspension Bridge to the more modern developments along the waterfront and business areas. There are plenty of open spaces, such as Leigh Woods, the Ashton Court Estate and the glorious Durdham Downs with views over the Gorge and Suspension Bridge. Venture slightly further a field, and you will find that some of England's most stunning landscapes and coastlines are right on your doorstep.
For sports enthusiasts, first class rugby, football, horseracing, mountain biking, cricket, sailing, and surfing are all within easy reach. As well as many more adventurous sports that may take your fancy.