Bristol builds for the future
Long associated with world-beating inventions and ideas, north Bristol is being redeveloped for the modern age. Sally Trelford visits the Holiday Inn Bristol Filton, a reminder of innovation past and present
Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but I suspect only serious fans of 1970s architecture would delight in the exterior of the Holiday Inn Bristol Filton.
But arriving on foot from nearby Bristol Parkway - direct from London Paddington - in some rare spring sunshine with the daffs bobbing and ducks on the hotel’s lake, the barracks-style appearance was intriguing. And the contrast to entering the sleekly refurbished lobby a welcome surprise.
The hotel has recently undergone a huge renovation. White, contemporary with stylish pops of colour, the public areas feel light and airy and the bedrooms clean and fresh. Spacious with a fridge, safe, desk, Dulce Gusto coffee machine plus kettle and a range of teas and snacks, it’s more than comfortable.
Room gifts of Ribena cartons and Fry’s Chocolate Cream are a reminder of the city’s innovation and history. The famous blackcurrant drink was first developed by scientists at the University of Bristol in the 1930s to help combat a Vitamin C deficiency in the population. Chocolate manufacturer JS Fry & Sons was founded in 1756 and first produced Fry’s Chocolate Cream in the city in 1866. The arguably more famous Fry’s Peppermint Cream was introduced in 1934 and Fry’s chocolate bars were regularly handed to crews of the RAF Bomber Command before missions.
As any child of the ‘70s will remember, these were once treats indeed.
The hotel is in north Bristol near Filton airfield, where Concorde was built and from where it took its first British test flight in 1969. A short walk from Bristol Business Park, home to Babcock, Boeing and Thales offices and with Airbus, GKN and MBDA all close by, the area is still closely associated with R&D in aviation and nautical engineering. The University of the West of England is also based here and where the award-winning Future Space, designed to help businesses grow in health tech, AI & digital tech, advanced engineering and green tech, is co-located.
The Bristol & Bath Science Park and Bristol University have growing connections to the aviation, nautical and space industries, too.
The old Filton airfield is now undergoing a huge development project to include the Bristol Aviva due to open in 2028. Just four miles from the hotel, think O2 for the West Country. The legendary Brabazon Hangars are being transformed into a new 20,000 seat arena, operated by YTL Live, and set to host music, comedy, sport and entertainment.
In fact the Brabazon development has just been confirmed as one of the seven new towns to be built across England. The Brabazon and West Innovation Arc, to give it its full title, will be an entirely new neighbourhood for north Bristol including 40,000 homes, student accommodation, schools and 3.4m sqft of commercial space designed to attract start-ups, concept stores labs and offices. There will be a 15-acre public park and the Spitfire Hangar will be a new social hub located in the Grade II listed building. A new railway station should open this autumn providing connections to Bristol Temple Meads in around 20 minutes.
Photo by Lynn Kintziger on Unsplash
Photo by Lynn Kintziger on Unsplash
It’s immediately apparent just how much building and development is taking place in this happening area and it is all very well-served by the motorway network. The hotel sits in a large plot and offers parking for more than 300 cars as well as being surrounded by green space available for team building and al fresco events when the weather permits. Bristol Airport is 14 miles away.
Vibrant Bristol proper isn’t far away either with all its many restaurants, bars and nightlife. Nominated by Lonely Planet as one of the best places in the world to visit in 2026, this arty, buzzy city is definitely having a moment. And it’s easy to see why with its highly-rated universities, iconic sites including the Clifton Suspension Bridge and independent foodie scene.
With 211 bedrooms and meeting space for up to 250 theatre-style, the newly-refurbished Holiday Inn Filton looks all set to benefit from the old adage: location, location, location, and enter its latest incarnation of a brave new world.
