Coach and Minibus Hire in the United Kingdom

Bristol Minibus Hire for Harbourside and Countryside

Bristol is a lovely city to explore together, from the SS Great Britain on the harbourside to the Georgian terraces of Clifton. And within an hour you can be in Bath, at Cheddar Gorge or in the cathedral city of Wells.

Clifton and the famous bridge

The Clifton Suspension Bridge carries a 4-ton weight limit, enforced by weighbridges that lock the barriers, so coaches can't cross. Groups usually step off on Observatory Road in Clifton and walk out onto the bridge for the view over the gorge.

Other set-down points include Bond Street South and Colston Street in town, with coach parking at places like Canon's Road and Cumberland Road for longer waits.

Executive Sprinter minibus, exterior
Executive Sprinter minibus, exterior

The Clean Air Zone

Bristol's small central Clean Air Zone has been in place since November 2022. It includes minibuses: a diesel usually needs to be Euro 6, roughly late 2015 or newer, and a petrol Euro 4. Coaches need Euro VI.

It's easy to avoid any fuss by asking for a compliant vehicle, which is what we do when we pass your trip to an operator.

Flying into Bristol

Places your group will want to see

  • Cabot Tower and Brandon Hill — Views over the city
  • Bristol Zoo Project — Wildlife park near junction 17 of the M5
  • Bristol Museum and Art Gallery — Queens Road, Clifton
  • Bristol Aquarium — Harbourside
  • We The Curious — Science centre, Millennium Square
  • Bristol Cathedral and College Green — Coach set-down nearby
  • M Shed — City museum on the Harbourside
  • Clifton Suspension Bridge — Coaches cannot cross; coach set-down on Observatory Road, Clifton
  • Brunel's SS Great Britain — Harbourside

Where groups usually stay

  • Bristol Airport area
  • Cribbs Causeway / Aztec West (M5)
  • Clifton
  • Temple Quay / Temple Meads
  • Harbourside
  • City centre / Broadmead / Cabot Circus

Meeting you at Bristol Airport

The airport is about 9 miles from Temple Meads, some 20 to 25 minutes. A minibus of up to 16 seats, or anything taller than 2.5 m, parks in the Minibus and Over Height car park, a short stroll away, for an hour at most. Bigger vehicles book a slot in the Bus and Coach Park in the Transport Interchange, for up to 30 minutes.

Because the stay limits are short, your driver will time arrival to your landing. Just send your flight details when you book.

Bath, Cheddar and over to Wales

Bath is barely 35 minutes away, easy for a morning at the Roman Baths. Cheddar, Wells and Glastonbury string together into a fine Somerset day. Since tolls on both Severn crossings were scrapped in 2018, Cardiff is a free, hour-long hop.

Your questions

Can the minibus drive us across the Clifton Suspension Bridge?

Only a vehicle inside the bridge's 4-ton limit can cross, and coaches never can. Most groups set down on Observatory Road and enjoy the walk across instead.

Where will we meet the driver at Bristol Airport?

Minibuses of 16 seats or fewer wait in the over-height car park close by. Anything bigger books a slot in the Bus and Coach Park.

Is Stonehenge possible as a day out from Bristol?

Certainly. The stones are roughly 50 miles off, so they combine comfortably with Bath or Longleat on the same day.

More trips we can arrange

Vehicles