Living in Totterdown, Bristol
A quirky, colourful neighbourhood with painted Victorian terraces and a strong creative community
Totterdown Quick Facts
Key information at a glance
Award-Winning Location
The Times 5th Hippest Place to Live in UK (2016)
Artistic vibe, colourful Victorian homes and independent local businesses
What's the vibe?
A colourful hillside neighbourhood south-east of Bristol city centre, known for its steep streets of painted Victorian terraces, independent eateries and strong community events like the Front Room arts trail. This lively area combines artistic flair with a family-friendly community spirit.
Population
Mostly young families and creatives, with strong community events and a local arts scene
Walkability Score
Totterdown Scrapbook
Colourful Victorian houses, community spaces and the artistic spirit of this hillside neighbourhood
Swipe or tap a photo to enlarge
Transport & Commute
Bus Routes
City Centre
10-15 minutes walk/cycle to Temple Meads, quick access to city centre
Nearest station: Bristol Temple Meads (10-15 minutes walk/cycle)
Distance to Bristol's Main Employer Hubs
Approximate distances from Totterdown to the city's largest employment centres.
- Central Bristol~1.5 mi
- Southmead Hospital~5.0 mi
- Filton / Abbey Wood~5.5 mi
- UWE Frenchay~5.5 mi
- Aztec West~8.5 mi
- Filton Aerospace~7.0 mi
Who Lives Here?
Families
High - 40% families attracted by parks and community
Professionals
High - 40% young professionals & creatives
Students
Moderate - 15% in shared terraces
Retirees
Low - 5% older residents
Local Amenities
Shopping & Dining
- • Independent coffee shops
- • Local convenience stores
- • Weekly community markets
- • The Oxford
- • The Thunderbolt
- • Shakespeare pub (live music)
- • Mrs Brown's café
Healthcare & Services
- • Tesco Express
- • Patco Supermarket
- • GP surgery nearby
Key Investment Factors
Strong mix of families and young professionals with active community
Excellent proximity to Temple Meads and city centre with unique character
Outstanding transport links with Temple Meads walking distance
Steady growth supported by community events and improving amenities
Limited local secondary school options but improving primary provision
Honest Pros & Cons
Pros
- Highly walkable and cycle-friendly
- Great parks and play areas (Victoria & Perrett's Park)
- Colourful houses, real community buzz, family events
- Affordable relative to nearby central areas
- Strong creative community with arts events
Cons
- Very steep roads can be awkward for mobility
- Parking limited; hills make driving/strolling tiring
- Schools in local catchment vary in quality
- Narrow streets can feel overcrowded
- Limited evening entertainment options
How residents describe Totterdown
The words that come up most often in real feedback from people who live in Totterdown, Bristol.
- totterdown6
- bristol2
- within2
- walking2
- nice2
- budget2
- lived2
- artistic1
- vibe1
- colourful1
- victorian1
- homes1
- independent1
- local1
Word size reflects how often each word appears in the resident reviews quoted above for Totterdown. Numbers show the mention count.
What people are saying about Totterdown
Real feedback from residents and recent movers, gathered from local conversations and community groups.
"Artistic vibe, colourful Victorian homes and independent local businesses… perfect for those seeking affordability and proximity to central Bristol"
"Totterdown seems to be at the more affordable end of the spectrum (it's not exactly cheap but it's all relative)."
"We moved to Totterdown … there's plenty within reasonable walking distance… walking along the river to Wapping Wharf is not only a really nice walk… As for Totterdown itself, Sundial kitchen has just opened … Eat Your Greens makes some beautiful dishes."
"I used to live there and I loved it. The Shakespeare pub and the Oxford pub are definitely worth a visit and both do a friendly open mic."
"Budget will play a big role … Totterdown (no train but walkable and buses)."
"I've lived in … Totterdown. All pretty safe to be honest."
Notable Residents
Independent food and craft business owners
Local entrepreneurs running artisan businesses
Front Room Art Trail artists
Local artists involved in community arts events
Creative community members
Writers, artists, and cultural contributors
Young families and professionals
Active community members and volunteers
Property Overview
Schools & Education
Primary Schools
Secondary Schools
Parks & Green Spaces
Our Favourite Roads in Totterdown
Totterdown is full of charming streets with real character—whether you're drawn to period homes, green views, or that wow-factor design. Here are a few of our favourite roads in the area:
🚌 Wells Road
Main bus route with local amenities and easy city access
🏠 Bath Road
Higher-value properties with some of area's best houses
☕ Victoria Park area
Close to the main park with independent coffee shops
Totterdown FAQs
Is Totterdown a good place to live in Bristol?
A colourful hillside neighbourhood south-east of Bristol city centre, known for its steep streets of painted Victorian terraces, independent eateries and strong community events like the Front Room arts trail. This lively area combines artistic flair with a family-friendly community spirit. A quirky, colourful neighbourhood with painted Victorian terraces and a strong creative community
How much do houses cost in Totterdown?
The average sold price in Totterdown is around £375k, with the wider range roughly £300k - £570k. Average rent is about £1,300/month. Typical housing stock includes painted victorian terraces, some modern infill.
What are the schools like in Totterdown?
Primary options include Victoria Park Primary (0.5 miles). Secondary options include Bedminster Down School (1.0 miles).
How do you get into Bristol city centre from Totterdown?
10-15 minutes walk/cycle to Temple Meads, quick access to city centre. Bus routes serving the area: Several bus routes along Wells Road. Nearest station: Bristol Temple Meads (10-15 minutes walk/cycle). Cycling: Good routes via A37/Wells Road to centre.
What are the pros and cons of living in Totterdown?
Pros: Highly walkable and cycle-friendly; Great parks and play areas (Victoria & Perrett's Park); Colourful houses, real community buzz, family events; Affordable relative to nearby central areas; Strong creative community with arts events. Cons: Very steep roads can be awkward for mobility; Parking limited; hills make driving/strolling tiring; Schools in local catchment vary in quality; Narrow streets can feel overcrowded; Limited evening entertainment options.
Is Totterdown walkable?
Totterdown scores 80/100 for walkability in our assessment. Green space within walking distance includes Victoria Park, Perrett's Park, School Road playground. Everyday shopping: Independent coffee shops, Local convenience stores, Weekly community markets.
If you like Totterdown, you might also like these areas
Other creative areas in and around Bristol
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Other young professional areas in and around Bristol
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Waterfront apartments, cultural venues and everything within walking distance.
South Bristol energy: murals, micropubs and an independent high street.
Period homes, Redland Green School and quick access to the city centre.
Leafy avenues and grand period homes on the edge of the city centre.
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