Redland is the quiet, leafy stretch between Clifton and Gloucester Road, built around handsome Victorian terraces and a cluster of independent cafés on Chandos Road. It's mostly residential rather than a destination in its own right, but it rewards a detour if you want good coffee and a proper Sunday roast away from the tourist crowd, and it's one of the more sought-after places in the city to actually live.
Where Redland is and what it's like
Redland sits north of Clifton and Cotham, bordered by Gloucester Road to the east and the Downs to the west, with Whiteladies Road forming a rough boundary on its southern edge. It's almost entirely residential: tall Victorian bay-fronted houses on tree-lined streets, split into flats for a mix of young professionals, families and students who've graduated from the noisier streets closer to the university. There's no single high street. Instead, the area's shops and cafés cluster on two roads, Chandos Road and Lower Redland Road, both a short walk from the grander houses around Redland Green.
Chandos Road: the actual reason to visit
If you're not local, Chandos Road is the one street worth knowing. It's a short run of independent cafés, delis and small restaurants that locals treat as their own high street, busiest on weekend mornings when people are after a slow breakfast rather than a fast one. It's a quieter, more residential version of the food scene on Gloucester Road a few minutes away, worth combining into the same trip if you're exploring that end of the city. For a pint or a sit-down meal, the Kensington Arms and the Cambridge Arms are the area's two well-known dining pubs, both the kind of place that fills up fast on a Sunday for roast dinner.
Getting there and getting around
Redland has its own stop on the Severn Beach Line, the local train line that runs from Bristol Temple Meads through the city centre and out towards Avonmouth, with Redland station a few minutes from Chandos Road on foot. It's also well served by buses along Whiteladies Road and Gloucester Road, both a short walk from most of the neighbourhood, and it's an easy walk into Clifton or onto the Downs from the western side of the area. Street parking is largely residents' permit zones, so if you're driving, it's easier to park near Gloucester Road or use a city centre car park and walk.
Living in Redland: what it actually costs
Redland is one of the pricier parts of Bristol to rent or buy in, and the Redland Green School catchment pushes prices up further on streets that fall inside it, sometimes noticeably above an equivalent house just outside the boundary. It's popular with professionals and families who want a quieter, leafier street than Clifton's but still want to be close to the shops and restaurants on Whiteladies Road and Gloucester Road. If you're weighing it up against nearby areas, our Bristol neighbourhoods guide and guide to moving to Bristol cover how it compares to Clifton, Bishopston and the rest of the city.
What's nearby
Redland borders two of Bristol's best-known streets for food and shopping. Gloucester Road, one of Europe's longest runs of independent shops, is a few minutes' walk to the east, and Clifton Village, with its boutiques and the Suspension Bridge, is a similar distance to the west. The Downs, Bristol's big open green space with views over the Avon Gorge, are also walkable from the western edge of Redland, making it a genuinely convenient base if you want green space and two different shopping streets all within a short walk.
Comparing Redland to its neighbours
| Area | Feel | Best for | Price level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redland | Quiet, leafy, residential | Cafés, a pub Sunday roast, a base near the Downs | High |
| Clifton | Grand, touristy in parts | The Suspension Bridge, boutique shopping | High |
| Gloucester Road | Busy, independent, scruffy-cool | Vintage shops, world food, charity shops | Mid |
| Bishopston | Family-friendly, residential | Similar to Redland, slightly cheaper | Mid to high |
FAQs
Is Redland a good area to stay in as a visitor? It's not really set up for short stays, there are no hotels of note, but it's a pleasant, walkable base if you've booked an Airbnb or flat nearby and want easy access to both Clifton and Gloucester Road.
What's the main street in Redland? Chandos Road is the closest thing Redland has to a high street, a short run of independent cafés and small restaurants. Lower Redland Road has a handful more.
Is Redland expensive to live in? Yes, relative to much of Bristol. It's one of the pricier residential areas, and houses inside the Redland Green School catchment typically cost more than equivalent properties just outside it.
How do I get to Redland without a car? Redland has its own stop on the Severn Beach Line train service from Temple Meads, and frequent buses run along Whiteladies Road and Gloucester Road nearby.
Is Redland close to Clifton? Yes, they're adjoining neighbourhoods. It's a walkable 10 to 15 minutes between Redland's Chandos Road and Clifton Village.
Does Redland have anywhere to eat besides Chandos Road? The Kensington Arms and the Cambridge Arms are both well-regarded dining pubs in the area, and Whiteladies Road, forming Redland's southern edge, has a wider run of restaurants and bars.