Nestled right in the heart of the city, next to Bristol’s iconic Floating Harbour, Redcliffe is a small but vibrant area which offers fantastic opportunities for those keen to live in the city centre. The majority of residential properties in Redcliffe are flats, and due to their location, rents are more expensive here than the Bristol average: a two-bed flat typically lets for £1,249 pcm, and sells for around £437,000. However, if you have a bigger budget and a desire to live right in the heart of the action, here’s all you need to know about Redcliffe.
History
Redcliffe is named after the red sandstone cliffs which can be seen in the nearby Floating Harbour. Historically, Redcliffe was a glass-making area, and because it is on the water it was also used for the transportation and storage of goods. Following the Second World War, Redcliffe was developed into more of a residential area, and now many of its traditional buildings have been converted into modern flats. Because of Redcliffe’s rich history, many of its buildings are protected: it contains two Scheduled Ancient Monuments (the Hermitage in the Quaker Burial Ground, and Temple Church) and over 80 listed buildings.
Getting around
Due to its central location, Redcliffe is well connected to the rest of the city. Bristol’s shopping quarter and the Harbourside are only a short walk away, and the centre of Bristol is well-served by buses that connect to all corners of the city, including Filton, Kingswood, Clifton, Southville and Cribbs Causeway. Redcliffe is also located very close to Bristol’s main train station, Temple Meads, which has direct connections to Bristol Airport, Wales, Cornwall, London, Birmingham and Scotland. For those who want an alternative way to get around, there is also the Bristol Ferry and a network of designated cycle lanes.
Amenities
As well as residential flats, Redcliffe is home to office buildings, hotels, shops and cafes. Bristol’s County Court is located in the area, as well as one of the city’s most recognisable churches: St Mary Redcliffe. There are plenty of convenience stores where locals can top up on the basics, and a small number of green spaces – Temple Gardens, the grounds of St Mary Redcliffe – to enjoy on a sunny day. Currently under construction is Redcliff Quarter, which is located in the heart of Redcliffe and will include restaurants, bars and a food market once it has been completed.
Things to do
Redcliffe offers a good variety of things to do, so you are guaranteed to find something that suits you. For a night out, the area boasts a casino, several pubs, and even a bar directly by the waterfront. The Mercure Hotel offers a swimming pool and spa to its guests, and Redcliffe Caves – a network of caves which burrow under the area – plays host to all sort of events, from underground tours to art installations to storytelling sessions. The Fleece, one of Bristol’s most important and influential music venues, is also located in Redcliffe and is an essential destination for anyone who likes live music, tribute acts and club nights.
Interested in living in Bristol, or have a property to rent in Redcliffe? Contact Gough Quarters to find out more.
Image sources:
Redcliffe by Harshil Shah via Flickr under Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivs 2.0 Generic License
St Mary Redcliffe by Zhurakovskyi – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50771926
Redcliffe terrace by Gillie Rhodes via Flickr under Attribution Non-Commercial 2.0 Generic License
