Car Rental Bristol

Bristol is served by the M4 and M5 motorways. The M4 is to the north and runs east to London – taking just under two hours – and west across the Severn Bridge to Cardiff, a 90-minute journey.

The M32 runs from the M4 into the city centre, where Whiteladies Road guides you out to the nearby suburb of Clifton.

The M5 motorway runs down the city’s western edge – southwards to the popular vacation destinations of Devon and Cornwall in the far south-west, and northwards to Birmingham and the Midlands.

The A4 road runs through the heart of the city, following the River Avon and passing below the Clifton Suspension Bridge. It takes you west to meet the M5 motorway and is also the main route east to glorious Bath.

The delights of the Cotswolds lie only an hour away and easily reached via the M4 heading east before turning off onto the A429 to lovely Cirencester, ‘Capital of the Cotswolds’.

Driving around Bristol is problem-free, though you need to be aware of the one-way system that operates in the centre of town. There is plenty of parking available in several large parking garages, including at Millennium Square – perfect if you’re visiting the sights of the Harbourside area, and Cabot Circus for the Shopping Quarter.

There’s plenty of on-street parking but this can be quite expensive if you’re staying more than a few hours.

Driving in the UK is on the left-hand side of the road, with passing on the left. Wearing a seatbelt is mandatory for all drivers and passengers in the UK.

Most cars in the UK are manual (stick shift) but we can offer a range of automatic vehicles if you prefer. Speed limits are generally 70mph (113km/h) on highways, 60mph (97km/h) on two-lane highways and main roads, and 30mph (55km/h) on smaller roads and in towns.

The heart of the city is where you’ll find most of the main attractions, but renting a car in Bristol means that you can also explore many of the wonderful places in the surrounding area.

Take a trip through history

Bristol has a proud seafaring past and its docks have been revamped and reinvigorated with lots of restaurants, bars, stores and hotels.

Millennium Square lies at the heart of this new development, surrounded by a bunch of cool attractions such as We the Curious, an interactive science museum, and the internationally acclaimed Arnolfini contemporary arts centre – which hosts art, dance and music performances regularly.

Also here is one of the city’s great historical attractions, the SS Great Britain. Designed by the famous Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, this was once the world's longest transatlantic passenger steamship. You can explore below deck and see the striking difference between comfortable first-class accommodation and the cramped bunks in steerage.

Shopper’s paradise

Bristol’s redeveloped ‘Shopping Quarter’ is home to well-known UK chains, while the maze of narrow streets and alleyways nearby is lined with interesting, one-off smaller stores where you’ll find anything from jewellery and crystals to hats and instruments.

Head for the bohemian Old Market for vintage fashion, art and antiques, before recharging your batteries at one of the cool cafés.

Feast like a true foodie

Bristol is a food-lover’s paradise with a vast selection of eateries, from cool neighbourhood bistros to elegant fine-dining establishments. One of the city’s perennial favourites is Bell’s Diner, only 10 minutes’ drive from the centre, in the district of Montpelier.

Out by Clifton, in the outlying neighbourhood of Redland, is Chandos Road, one of Bristol’s hottest foodie destinations. It’s home to the Michelin-starred Wilks as well as local gems such as Wilsons, a fabulous little bistro, and the excellent No Man’s Grace.

Explore gorge-ous Clifton

Clifton is the city’s most desirable suburb, an area of elegant Georgian houses that’s best known for the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge.

This stunning structure was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and it’s worth paying the £1 bridge toll to drive across and enjoy unparalleled views of the Avon Gorge and surrounding countryside. Close by is Bristol Zoo Gardens, one of the country’s best zoos and a world leader in wildlife conservation.

Drive through England’s green and pleasant land

Bristol is a gateway to many of South-west England’s greatest treasures. The architectural delights of Georgian Bath lie only 20 kilometres to the east. The city is famous the world over for its perfectly preserved Roman baths but take the time to also explore its elegant streets, especially the spectacular Royal Crescent and Circus.

Also easily reachable in your rental car from Bristol are the picture-perfect Cotswolds, a beautiful region of rolling hills and many people’s vision of rural England at its most beautiful.

The countryside is punctuated by villages of honey-coloured stone where you can stop and enjoy lunch in a traditional English country pub.

Car rental in Bristol from Hertz allows you to explore the best of Bristol and beyond – all at your own pace.