Durdham Hall is situated in the Stoke Bishop area of Bristol, approximately 3 miles north of the city centre. Just on the edge of the Downs, a large expanse of open grassland, there is good access to the Hall from all major routes, including the M4/M5, and it is easy to reach other parts of this beautiful, historic and vibrant city.
There are numerous local attractions which will add to the enjoyment of your stay in Bristol. These include: the Clifton Suspension Bridge, built between 1831-1864 by IK Brunel; the Avon Gorge, which has its own micro-ecology; Bristol Zoological Gardens; the SS Great Britain; the @Bristol Exhibition; the Victoria Rooms and the Royal Western Academy.
Additionally, there are many pubs and clubs in the area to cater for all tastes in nights out. Whiteladies Road and Clifton have several very good places to eat and drink, and are but 20 minutes' walk from Durdham Hall, or about the same distance from the University Precinct.
We have attempted to compile some basic information to get you started on your stay in Bristol. This is by no means a complete guide to the city, but should at least give a flavour. Please read on...
Durdham Hall is the newest of the six halls of residence set in this large campus, approximately three miles from the centre of Bristol.
The campus boasts large areas of open grassland, and has impressive views over the lower-lying suburbs of Bristol to the north.
Getting to the Stoke Bishop campus is very straight-forward, with easy access from the M4/M5, and good transport links with the academic precinct and city centre.
The academic precinct is approximately 45 minutes' walk from Durdham Hall. Unless your conference organisers have arranged alternative transport, it is probably easiest to walk to the academic precinct.
This bus station runs both National Express routes and local Badgerline services to the area surrounding Bristol. Additionally, there is the Bristol Flyer service to Bristol International Airport via Temple Meads Railway Station. A taxi fare to the Bus Station from Durdham Hall will be of the order of £7.50. A bus journey to London is approximately 2½ hours.
Bristol International Airport has regular flights between a wide range of destinations. Approximately ten miles from Durdham Hall, there are two main ways of getting to/from the airport - the Airport Carz service and the Bristol Flyer bus, which runs a circular route via Temple Meads Railway Station and the National Express Bus Station.
Here are the details of some local supermarkets and other shops:
A small store, but sells most essentials.
Location: ~1 mile. Northumbria Drive, Henleaze.
Directions: From Durdham Hall, proceed along Hollybush Lane. When you reach the Downs, turn left on to Saville Road. At the end of Saville Road, turn right towards Whitetree Roundabout. Go straight over Whitetree Roundabout on to North View. Proceed along North View until the Texaco petrol station, where you should turn left. The entrance to Waitrose is then immediately on the left.
Very small store, essentials.
Location: ~1 mile. 169a Whiteladies Road.
Directions: From Durdham Hall, proceed along Hollybush Lane. When you reach the Downs, turn right onto Saville Road. At the traffic lights, turn left onto Stoke Road. Continue to walk all the way across the Downs until you reach the top of Whiteladies Road (past the water tower). At the large junction, take Whiteladies Road (which goes downhill, and you should pass an Esso petrol station on your left). The store is a minute walk from here, on the left.
A mall shopping centre. Hosts Sainsbury's, WHSmith, Baker's Dolphin Travel Agency, etc. Carpark may be accessed from Alma Road.
Location: ~2½ miles. Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol.
Directions: From Durdham Hall, proceed along Hollybush Lane. When you reach the Downs, turn right onto Saville Road. At the traffic lights, turn left onto Stoke Road. Continue to walk all the way accross the Downs until you reach the top of Whiteladies Road (past the water tower). At the large junction, take Whiteladies Road (which goes downhill, and you should pass an Esso petrol station on your left). Proceed along Whiteladies Road for approximately another mile until you reach the Clifton Down Centre on your right. (The Centre is opposite the third pelican crossing along Whiteladies Road, on the junction with Cotham Hill. Its road-facing premises include Boots.)
Bristol Tourist Information..."probably the most comprehensive guide to Bristol, its coast and the surrounding countryside".
Durdham Hall, which takes its name from Durdham Down, is situated a mere 5 minutes' walk from The Downs (Durdham Down and Clifton Down). This is a large expanse of open grassland, stretching from Whitetree Roundabout on the border of Henleaze in the North East to the Avon Gorge in the South West. There are two viewing points overlooking the River Avon, and the area is ideally suited to a quiet family stroll. Additionally, it is a popular spot for running/jogging, and has its own amateur Saturday football league.
Bristol city centre is referred to locally as just "The Centre" - and boasts many attractions, including the Watershed, Bristol Cathedral, Broadmead Shopping Centre, etc.
The Mall at Cribbs Causeway is the regional shopping centre, and was opened five years ago. It is easily accessible from Bristol and all local motorways. Also in that area is a large cinema, ASDA and Morrisons.
The Avon Gorge is internationally famous both for having its own micro-climate, and for its interest to climbers. By car, you can get to the Gorge in less than five minutes, or on foot in about twenty. For an alternative view, however, you may wish to go to either the Clifton Suspension Bridge or The Portway, part of the A4 road, running parrallel to the River Avon below the Gorge.
IK Brunel's Clifton Suspension Bridge is one of Bristol's most famous landmarks, and can be seen from many areas of the city. It is especially beautiful at night, when the lights which run along its outline are switched on. The bridge is still an essential component of Bristol's transport infrastructure, connecting Leigh Woods and other outlying areas with the main part of the city.
Bristol Zoo is located within a mile and a half of Durdham Hall, and makes for a very interesting trip for people of all ages, families or individuals
The Blaise Castle estate is within 15 minutes' drive of Durdham Hall, and presents some superb parkland, a museum and woodlands.
There are several cinemas which are readily accessible from Durdham Hall: closest is the Orpheus in Henleaze, however if you prefer the bigger screens, then you should try the Warner Village at Cribbs Causeway. Additionally, there is an Odeon in Broadmead in the city centre.
Broadmead is Bristol's city central shopping district. There is a variety of different shops, covering everything from food to clothes, music to DIY. Parking is convenient, and the bus services from the surrounding suburbs are good.
The Watershed is a premier entertainment and cultural venue, situated in the centre of Bristol, just at the bottom of Park Street.
Located in Bristol's harbourside, Arnolfini is on of Europe's leading centres for the contemporary arts, with an international reputation for presenting new and innovative work.
Bristol Industrial Museum is situated in the Floating Harbour in an old transit shed for goods coming into the city. Printing, flying, trains, cars, buses, ships are just some of the subjects you can expect to experience at the Industrial Museum, which contains over 700 exhibits relating to Bristol's long and varied industrial past.
The steam ship Great Britain is a unique survival from Victorian times: the worlds first iron hulled, screw propeller-driven, steam-powered passenger liner, and the only surviving 19th century example of the type. When launched in 1843 she was twice the tonnage of any previous ship, and the combination of revolutionary features in her design had a seminal influence on virtually all modern ships.
One of the UK's most exciting hands-on science centres!.
Ashton Court Estate was acquired by Bristol City Council as late as 1959, but the place has a long history. There is clear evidence of the ridged strips of Saxon fields, but with the coming of William the Conqueror the area was transferred into Norman ownership. In 1392 Thomas de Lyons was granted a licence to enclose his lands and make a park, the foundation of the modern one. The estate is a venue for a variety of leisure activities, including the Ashton Court festival and the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.
Bristol Cathedral, situated on College Green, at the bottom of Park Street, is a beautiful building in its own right, and an important example of church architecture. The site is thought to have been occupied by a church for over a thousand years. See website for further details, including times of worship and guided tours.
Situated in Brandon Hill Park, the Cabot Tower commands a magnificent view over large areas of the city of Bristol. Brandon Hill Park can be accessed from Park Street. For further details of the Tower, and other features of the park, click on the Go To Website button to see information provided by the Wildlife Trust.