LONDON
VS
BRISTOL
The last time I saw my friend Ellie was in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. We had just spent a week volunteering at an orphanage in Siem Reap and exploring the off-the-beaten-path island of Koh Ta Kiev. Two and a bit years later, we reunited in quite a different settling: England! Clad in scarf and gloves rather than flowy elephant pants, and facing sleet and snow rather than humid sticky heat, we took on the two cities of London and Bristol.
Cue Frozen’s “The cold never bothered me anyway” (except it really did… I’m a whimp). Despite the bitter cold, Ellie and I managed to have a lovely weekend and I got a flavor for the two distinct cities. Check out these similarities and differences to find out which city would be worth a visit!
If you like…
Big City: LONDON
London is HUGE and we just barely explored it. With numerous distinct neighborhoods, there’s sure to be a spot that caters to your particular interests, whether they are hitting the top tourist attractions, peeking into vintage shops, or cozying up in a pub.
We stayed in Brixton, known as a multicultural neighborhood with yummy food finds. Be sure not to miss Brixton Village, a covered marketplace with loads of lil pop-up restaurants with cuisine from around the world.
Small-town vibe in a mid-sized city: BRISTOL
Bristol is much mellower than London– fewer crowds of people, quieter (you can actually hear the seagulls), and jam-packed with pubs frequented by locals. So. Many. Pubs. (18 on Gloucester road within the span of 15 minutes). With classic names like Hobgoblin, Prince of Wales, and The Crafty Cow.
Vegan food: BOTH
I was thoroughly impressed by the amount of truly delicious vegan food in both cities. I visited London in 2010 and oh my goodness how times have changed! Veganism is on the up-and-up and even if you’re not vegan, these plant-based meals are undeniably scrumptious.
Kata Kata in Brixton 
Vegan crepe
Okay, this last photo is worth a description. A classic English breakfast done vegan style! Baked beans, sauteed mushrooms, veggie sausage, hash browns, and rye toast. Tea not pictured, although I consumed my weight in tea this weekend. Every morning Ellie would wake me up with, “Want a cup of tea?” Such a nice hygge gesture.
Grand parks, streets, & monuments: LONDON
Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Parliament, London Eye, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, and River Thames to name a few.
Quaint parks, harbors, & street art: BRISTOL
Taking an hour-long stroll across the city will bring you through hipster-grungy graffiti-lined streets to upscale parks with Scottish Terriers and snow-splotched grass.
High street window shopping: BOTH
I love the concept of English high streets– main roads lined with shops, cafes, pubs, and bakeries. I could spend hours popping in and out of each shop and drinking copious amounts of tea and IPAs.
A classic “British” experience: LONDON
London is undoubtedly lovely and it’s no wonder why Brit flicks like “Love Actually” and “Notting Hill” chose this location for their films.
Quirky and artsy: BRISTOL
Bristol is an old port city (traced all the way back to the 16th century!) and still has red brick factory-like buildings and old shipping containers that have been repurposed into bars, pubs, shops, and even yoga studios. Some of Bristol’s claims to fame: a giant ship and the birthplace of Banksy along with Wallace and Gromit.
So, there you have it! Hopefully my quick comparison of the two cities gives you some insight into where you’d like to plan your next U.K. weekend trip.
Traveler There Is No Road 