September 2023 Journey from Shanghai to Accompany Daughter to Study in the UK - Bristol Chapter

After receiving the confirmation letter for the master's program, we started purchasing flight tickets to the UK. Our child bought a one-way ticket, and with student status she could check in two 23kg suitcases for free. I bought a round-trip ticket and could check in one 23kg suitcase for free. Including carry-on bags and a cabin suitcase, we had a total of four rolling suitcases. How to conveniently and affordably get from London to Bristol was also a consideration when buying tickets.

London is the heart of the entire British Empire, and its six major civilian airports are the city's main lifelines connecting to the outside world. Most domestic flights arrive in London in the late afternoon or evening, and with customs clearance, we would have to stay in London overnight, increasing both time and cost. In the end, we chose Air China's midnight direct flight from Shanghai to London, landing early in the morning at Gatwick Airport. This airport is in the south of London, without a direct train connection, but there are coaches to Bristol that don't require transfers. That way, we wouldn't have to awkwardly change trains with four suitcases and fully loaded backpacks. The coach was National Express, with tickets more expensive than the train but with comfortable seats and luggage space, directly to the city center.

September 14-18, 2023

I had visited the UK many times before, always arriving and departing from Heathrow. This time, entering through Gatwick, the overall passenger flow was much smaller. We passed customs smoothly, with no luggage inspection, and the exit process was much faster than expected. There were machines to buy coach tickets in the departure hall, which was very convenient. The coach stop was on the first floor of another terminal, a transfer point. I asked a staff member, who said tickets could not be changed. We sat at the Costa Coffee in the airport for a few hours, waiting for the coach we had pre-booked in China. After a journey of over two hours, we arrived at Bristol Coach Station. We had already downloaded Uber, and several students-like people at the station were hailing cars with the app.

We planned to arrive a few days before Freshers' Week to buy daily necessities and get a preliminary understanding of Bristol. Then our daughter would participate in many school-organized activities during Freshers' Week to get to know classmates and the school, while I would resume my steps, which had been blocked for three years, and explore the city. So for our four nights in Bristol, we spent the first two at Future Inn Bristol, opposite the largest shopping center, Cabot Circus, for convenience in shopping and sightseeing, and the last two at Taverns Boutique Suites, a guesthouse near the school dormitory, to facilitate cleaning and organizing before moving into the dorm.

The school buildings are all beautiful, with a mix of traditional British architecture and modern structures. For example, Bristol's landmark, the Law School building, Wills Memorial Building. Perhaps what impresses most, beyond the building itself, is Park Street in front of it. This famous steep slope in Bristol has been a challenge for many first-time visitors... Climbing this slope leads to the magnificent Wills Memorial Building, part of the University of Bristol.

Not far from our daughter's dormitory is another iconic building, the Music Department's Victoria Rooms (filmed in Sherlock Season 3 Episode 1). Fountains and sculptures are at the street corner, and the facade has a strong sense of history.

We visited Bristol's most famous landmark, the Suspension Bridge. Walking or cycling across the bridge is free, while driving costs one pound, I don't remember exactly. The bridge and nearby park have great scenery. This park is very close to Clifton Village, which is also nice for a stroll and a cup of coffee.

Clifton Bridge spans the Avon Gorge. From the bridge, you can overlook the entire city and the gorge. The bridge and the surrounding natural scenery complement each other, making it Bristol's most famous and photogenic landmark. We also used a First Bus day ticket to go to the other side of the gorge, to see the turbulent river and the Suspension Bridge from a different angle. The Avon Gorge, a 2.5-kilometer-long gorge on the River Avon, is one of Bristol's iconic sights. Full views of the Avon Gorge can be seen from the suspension bridge and the Clifton Observatory.

Located in the pleasant College Green garden in the city center, Bristol Cathedral is one of the oldest and best-preserved Gothic cathedrals in the UK. The oldest part of Bristol Cathedral is said to date back to 1140. In the Middle Ages, it was the site of the highest religious institution, St Augustine's Abbey.

Opposite the cathedral is Bristol's City Hall. Its beautiful crescent-shaped architectural style, with a semicircular pool in front reflecting the hall, is very attractive. The entire city hall and the cathedral enclose a square, a large lawn. On good weather days, many locals come here to sunbathe and picnic, adding life and vitality to the cathedral behind. Thus, the city's atmosphere becomes quite special. The solemn cathedral, the city hall symbolizing power, and the leisurely crowd on the square all give off a lively yet not unrestrained vibe. I found it quite interesting.

In the evening, we went to St Nicholas Market, rated by The Guardian as one of the ten best markets in the UK. It is Bristol's oldest and most popular market, as well as the largest gathering place for independent retailers. Many food stalls are set up, surrounded by beautiful architecture. We saw many restaurants bustling with noise; without a reservation, it was extremely difficult to get a seat. Fortunately, we ended up dining at an Italian restaurant that might have been less crowded due to higher prices. The waiter spoke English with a thick Italian accent, and we managed to order with our fragmented English.

Over these days, shopping and sightseeing took us back and forth, and we also passed by the leisurely and dreamy Harbour Side. People can walk along the waterfront, drink and chat by the shore, admire the boats docked in the harbor, or watch the graceful seagulls.

Key points for independent travel:

1. Showing a Bristol student ID offers many discounts, both for shopping and transportation.

2. Hotels are very tight during the enrollment season in Bristol; it is advisable to book early for better prices.

3. This city is small but beautiful. Does anyone else have such thoughts? When considering study destinations, we placed great emphasis on this factor. Overall, the UK is relatively safe, and compared to big cities like London, Bristol is even safer. You can even carry your wallet in a backpack without much worry. Of course, there are still occasional thieves, but generally, it's rare.

4. We bought economy class tickets and paid an extra 800 yuan per person to sit in the emergency exit row, which offered the most legroom, making the over-ten-hour flight not too uncomfortable.