It’s been a few years since I last wandered through Clifton in Bristol. If Stokes Croft is the Shoreditch of Bristol then Clifton is surely the Kensington. I always loved grandeur of the sweeping Royal York Crescent and used to love visiting a friend who lived there albeit in a basement apartment, but come on, who hasn’t dreamed of living in one of those sensational townhouses?
I always feel that Park Street is the gateway to Clifton, swapping the street art for elegant balconies. Park Street has a mix of cool vintage stores, shops, and bars, and neatly leads you over the Clifton Triangle, great for restaurants, and onto Whiteladies Road. As I retraced my steps, I felt a twinge of nostalgia mixed with a rush of aspiration. It felt really good to be in this part of town.
I’ve often fantasised about living in a proper Georgian townhouse, something to do with the impossibly high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, rooms so big they echo, and ornate cornicing. Let’s face it, it’s a whole vibe, and if you positioned one opposite a Lido, I think my dream would be complete. That’s not a throwaway detail. I spent three blissful years living near Brockwell Lido and by the end of it I was titled “Queen of the Lido”. Arriving at the Lido Townhouse you can only imagine how thrilled I was.
I am, unapologetically, a water baby. It grounds me and lifts my mood every, single time so being able to access the Bristol Lido freely as part of the stay at the Lido Townhouse suited me perfectly.
The Bristol Lido is not just a pool; it’s a lifestyle. Unlike out-of-town spas that can feel transient and anonymous, the Lido has personality. There’s a real sense of community that you just don’t get when you’re wrapped in a corporate spa robe, sipping cucumber water on a golf course.
Here, you glimpse Clifton life, gorgeous, grounded, and quietly glamorous. The regulars nod knowingly whilst the friendly banter over the cold bucket gives you the boost you need after the shock. There are routines and rhythms, a feeling that this is where you come to both escape and belong. It made me pine for my lido days, and wonder, what if I had made different life choices? Could I be a Clifton lady who builds her day around her swim?
The Lido itself has been part of Bristol since 1850, lovingly refurbished with tons of humorous details into the tranquil urban oasis it is today. It offers everything you need for a total reset: a glorious sauna, a proper steam room overlooking the pool, an outdoor hot tub, cold bucket showers, and spa treatment rooms where you can book facials and massages etc.
Staying opposite in the Lido Townhouse, you’re winning. There’s a beautiful luxury to being able to float back to your room, lie down mid-afternoon, then wander across the cobbles for dinner without ever really leaving your bliss bubble.
And the food? Huge, powerful flavours. The seasonal asparagus with pine nut sauce was fantastically moreish, and the Greek-style stuffed tomatoes and peppers were plump with rich, flavoursome rice, so comforting yet elevated. I rolled home, joyfully full, to my bed with crisp sheets, a TV with Chromecast, and floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the Lido.
You don’t have to spend all day in the Lido like me, if you do venture out, Clifton has plenty to explore. You’re a stone’s throw from the Observatory, endless leafy walks, and the epic Clifton Suspension Bridge. Fun fact, I just discovered its brick base of the bridge is in fact hollow with the workings of the vaults inside! If unbelievable feats of engineering are your thing, they now offer tours of the vaults inside Clifton Suspension Bridge. Once your mind has been blown, you can stroll down for a pint at the White Lion Pub for the best view of Avon Gorge and the of course the bridge.
The Lido Townhouse offers that rare thing: a spa break with soul. Yes, it’s a city break. Yes, it’s a wellness retreat. But above all, it’s a peek into a deliciously balanced life. The staff are laid-back but on point, and the breakfast again champions big, bold flavours. Please order the chorizo, egg, cheese, and bacon chop breakfast muffin. It was incredible paired with a spicy Bloody Mary.. I didn’t eat again until 7pm, it was so filling and delicious.
For anyone who finds peace by water but wants their mini-break to be combined with the fun of the city, Clifton’s Lido Townhouse is your next happy place.
Review and Images by Emmie Blower @emmiebhungry
Feature image supplied
