Bristol has many charming and noteworthy streets: Vale Street, Christmas Steps, Leonard Lane, Gloucester Road, Stokes Croft, and Cheers Drive among them. But to pick our favourite, we must go with one of the most prettiest streets in Bristol, Royal York Crescent.
Royal York Crescent was once reputed to be the longest crescent in Europe (definitely in Bristol) and only a short walk from Clifton Village. Now, we don’t intend to move here any time soon – at its peak in 2018, it had an overall average price of £610,273, according to Rightmove – but is still worth visiting for ‘gram opportunities, beautiful views and a bit of history.
Built during the Georgian era, these residential homes – many of which have been converted into flats – form a single Grade II* listed building. Until 1855, Nos. 1–3 were used as a boarding school for girls and in 1837 the school was attended by Eugénie de Montijo. Who is that? The former Empress of France and wife of Napoleon III, who was also joined by her sister Paca, the future Duchess of Alba.
She’s not the only famous face to have lived on Royal York Crescent either. All Bristol book lovers should know that Angela Carter lived at No. 38 for eight years (1961 – 1969). Better known for her later work, like The Bloody Chamber and Nights at the Circus, three of her early novels are set in Bristol (Shadow Dance, Several Perceptions and Love). All worth reading to experience the smell, taste and sights of late 1960s Clifton and Hotwells.
But the real star has to be those views… Set on the hillside, those massive doors and windows open over a raised terrace. From here, you can so far below, overlooking much of Harbourside, South Bristol and the countryside beyond. You should be able to see Royal York Crescent’s majestic design looking up from the other way too. So next time you find yourself wandering around Clifton Village, take a quick detour to one of Bristol’s prettiest streets.