Bristol Neighbourhood Guide: Redcliffe

Bristol Neighbourhood Guide: Redcliffe

Posted on: 07 Feb 2023

We’re back with our guide to Bristol’s diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods – with some cherrypicked spots to showcase just how much is going on in each corner of the city.

 

This week, we’re taking a look at the historic area of Redcliffe, a neighbourhood paved with history, cosy pubs and trendy hangouts.

 

Read on for our guide to all the nightlife, food, shopping, cultural and historical highlights of Redcliffe and Finzels Reach…

 

Nightlife:

 

Redcliffe is home to a range of historic pubs, so what better place to begin our rundown than a boozer that was supposedly frequented by notorious Bristol pirate Blackbeard? Nestled quietly away from the hustle and bustle of the Harbourside, The Golden Guinea offers a sociable environment with events on most nights and a function room available free of charge.

 

Just down the road, perched on the edge of Bristol’s historic Harbourside, is The Ostrich. Boasting a massive riverside beer garden and two stories of cosy interiors, the large pub has an extensive menu with their outside Portside BBQ serving up quality street food, ice cream and boozy treats throughout the summer.

 

Moving away from the docks, Redcliffe is also home to two of Bristol’s best-kept secrets when it comes to drinking establishments. First, we have The Cornubia (pictured below), tucked away on Temple Street and surrounded by uber-modern office blocks, this centuries-old building sticks out like a sore thumb and has the real ale selection to prove it.

Another historic pub, The King's Head (pictured below), was recently taken over by popular Bristol brewery Good Chemistry. The only Bristol pub of National Importance in the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)’s Heritage Listed Interior, the back bar dates back to around 1865, making it potentially the oldest surviving in the country. Read our article about The King's Head here.

 

If you’re a Bristolian beer lover, then you have probably heard of Left Handed Giant. One of Redcliffe’s micro-neighbourhoods, Finzel’s Reach is the home of the independent brewery’s ‘brewpub’ – which opened in 2019. As well as a bar, the site boasts delicious pizzas and a games floor, perfect for settling down for a night of drinking.

 

Redcliffe is also home to two of Bristol’s most well-loved venues, both of which regularly host club nights and live gigs. The Fleece is a legendary live music hangout that has hosted the likes of Oasis, Radiohead, Ed Sheeran and Queens of the Stone Age over the years. Thekla is one of the country’s best-known on-boat venues and has hosted artists including Massive Attack, Stormzy, Phoebe Bridgers and Pete Doherty.

Food:

 

As one of the city’s cultural hubs, Redcliffe also has a vibrant selection of well-known and not-so-well-known restaurants and cafes. First up is Marco’s Olive Branch, a traditional Italian/Sardinian restaurant located on Victoria Street. The family-run restaurant serves renowned homemade Sardinian dishes as well as a range of cocktails.

 

If you’re looking for an incredible Italian sandwich made with real passion, then look no further than Redcliff Street’s Basil & Co. Another top cafe located in the Redcliffe area is Pickled Jill’s Kitchen; a prime destination for hungry students at Redcliffe sixth form, this is one of the last proper greasy spoons in and around the City Centre.

 

Moving on to a slightly more upmarket eating establishment, Riverstation (pictured below) – with its stunning terrace and unrivalled views of the docks – is one of the best alfresco dining experiences in the city. Foodies can expect seasonally changing menus with English classics, brunches and cocktails served throughout the year.

Culture:

 

As one of the city’s historic and cultural hotspots, there’s plenty to do around Redcliffe. First up, we’re returning to Finzel’s Reach for their popular twice-weekly market (pictured below). The carefully curated Street Food Market takes place each Wednesday at lunchtime while the Producers’ Market takes place every Friday at lunchtime.

 

If your interest was piqued earlier in this article then you may be intrigued by the prospect of ‘Blood, Blackbeard and Buccaneers’, a tour series about history’s most feared pirate (and Bristolian), Edward Teach – Blackbeard. A fully qualified pirate guide will accompany all tour parties as you learn about the rum-soaked history of one of the city’s most infamous sons.

 

It’s a fact little known by those outside of Bristol that beneath the streets of Redcliffe is a labyrinth of man-made tunnels. Hidden behind a small door on the banks of the harbour are Redcliffe Caves, connecting many of the buildings around central Bristol.

 

While these tunnels are generally not open to the public, on special occasions tours, performances and art installations take place below the street of Redcliffe.

History:

 

Perhaps the centre point of the neighbourhood is St Mary Redcliffe Church. Often mistaken for the cathedral, the site of St Mary Redcliffe has been a Christian place of worship for over 800 years. A Grade I listed building, the Gothic church’s history is intertwined with such historic figures as John Cabot, renowned painter, and social critic William Hogarth and even Queen Elizabeth I.

 

Redcliffe is spoilt for choice when it comes to recognisable buildings, however. Located a mere 5-minute walk away is Temple Meads Station. Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the station was opened in 1840 as the western terminus of the Great Western Railway, another of Brunel’s triumphs. 

 

The station’s name comes from the nearby Temple Church (which was destroyed by bombs during World War II) with the word “Meads” referring to the water meadows along the River Avon. Temple Meads has been expanded several times but has always retained its astonishing Gothic style and stunning steel and glass roof.

So, there it is, 365Bristol’s guide to Redcliffe. It’s impossible to round up all the nightlife, food, shopping, cultural and historical highlights in less than 1,000 words but please get in contact with us here and let us know your favourite hangouts or locations.

 

Images: Patrick Bate

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Article by:

Stanley Gray

Stan is a born and bred Bristolian, recently graduated from studying English Literature in Sheffield. His passions are music and literature and he spends the majority of his time in venues all over the city, immersing himself in Bristol’s alternative music scene. A lifelong Bristol City fan, Stan’s Saturdays are spent watching his team both home and away.