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Bristolians are in for a treat this weekend as hundreds of balloons take to the skies as part of the 44^th Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. The largest event of its kind in Europe, the festival is a firm favourite in Bristol’s annual calendar and as synonymous with the city as Brunel, Wallace and Gromit or Concord.

The four-day festival, which ‘launched’ yesterday and runs until 14 August, is expected to attract around 500,000 visitors, with the focus being the festival site at the Ashton Court Estate. The estate comprises 850 acres of grassland and woods, providing a wonderful setting for the twice-daily mass ascents and night glow events. However, by virtue of Bristol’s characteristically undulating geography, the display can be enjoyed from almost anywhere in the city and its surrounds.

Hotspots for balloon-watching correspond to some of the most desirable areas in which to live. Indeed, the Clifton Suspension Bridge is undoubtedly the most famous backdrop to the display, and likewise, the north west Bristol suburb of Clifton Village is arguably the most prestigious within the city.

Boasting elegant Georgian architecture, in among picture-perfect leafy surrounds, it attracts buyers from all over the world. A short hop over the bridge, the areas around Ashton Court – Abbots Leigh, Leigh Woods and Long Ashton – are also well-established property hotspots, catering well for family buyers who may be looking for more space but still want to live within striking distance of the city.

With more than 400 parks and green spaces, one of Bristol’s greatest assets is its relationship with nature. And with access to nature becoming increasingly important to buyers it is no surprise that areas close to some of the city’s best parks, such as St Andrews and Bishopston (St Andrews Park) and Stoke Bishop (The Downs), have seen some of the strongest house price growth in recent years.

The city has benefitted from good quality residential development, notably along the harbourside, which has been transformed into a vibrant leisure and cultural destination, with conversions such as The General helping to put the area on the map.

Further east along the Avon, the Paintworks scheme in Arnos Vale has been incredibly popular, and over the last couple of years areas such as Old Market and Greenbank have captured the imaginations of buyers and investors.

You don’t have to venture far from the city before you are enveloped in the glorious countryside of the South West, with Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Towns and villages within North Somerset have seen strong growth, with average house prices in Backwell and the Gordano Valley, encompassing the upmarket towns of Portishead and Clevedon, exceeding £500,000 in 2021.

Demand for property in Bristol far outstrips supply and therefore, despite the predicted headwinds in the property market, its future – like this weekend’s balloons – is destined to fly high.

Here are some of the best properties currently on the market in Bristol.