Located just a short two-mile distance from the city centre, is St. Andrews, a charming and picturesque suburb that boasts excellent connectivity to the thriving Gloucester Road and bustling city centre. The majority of the stunning Victorian villas that make up most of the single-residence properties in the area were constructed in the late 19th century, lending the suburb an old-world charm. Although there has been some modern development in the area since the First World War, St. Andrews experienced significant rebuilding in the aftermath of the Second World War, particularly in Cromwell Road and Belvoir Road due to the bombing damage sustained during the war.
Despite the rebuilding, St. Andrews has retained its quaint and idyllic charm, thanks to the tree-lined streets and the many old buildings that dot the area. Once a popular residential area, St. Andrews fell out of fashion in the mid-20th century, with many local properties converted into multiple occupancy residences. However, the trend has since been reversed, with many converted flats being re-converted back into family homes since the 1990s. Today, St. Andrews has once again become a highly sought-after area, reflected in its relatively high property prices.
St Andrews’ Location in Bristol
St. Andrews is a highly desirable suburb of Bristol, whose specific boundaries are somewhat disputed. However, most agree that the area is generally bordered by Gloucester Road to the west, Somerville Road to the north, the Severn Beach Railway Line to the east, and Cromwell Road to the south.
Despite the border dispute, St. Andrews boasts easy access to many major routes, with the Gloucester Road (A38) being the largest road in the area. This road runs up north past the Memorial Stadium, home to the Bristol Rovers Football Club, and on towards Gloucester. To the south, the A38 leads towards Bristol’s city centre, crossing the River Avon and heading past Potters Hill, towards Bristol Airport. The B4052 runs up the eastern side of St. Andrews and connects to the major junction between Saint Anges and St. Paul’s.
St. Andrews is well served by a variety of public transport options, including several bus routes that connect to the city centre and other parts of Bristol. The nearest railway station is Montpelier station, situated at the southern end of the suburb, beyond Cromwell Road. This station is served by Great Western Railway, providing excellent connectivity to the wider region.
The History of St Andrews
The history of St. Andrews is closely tied to its boundaries, with disagreements dating back many years. The modern Ordnance Survey map and the National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland, published over 150 years ago, differ on the exact location of the suburb’s boundaries.
However, it is known that St. Andrews takes its name from St. Andrews Church, which was originally located on St. Andrews Road in Montpelier. The church played a significant role in the area’s early development, and its name has endured to this day, even though the original building was demolished in 1969.
Another notable church in the area was the David Thomas Memorial Church, which stood for over a century before being redeveloped in 1987. Designed by renowned British architect Stuart Colman, the church was a stunning example of Gothic fantasy. Although much of the original building was replaced by flats, the octagonal spire and west front remain, providing a glimpse into the past.
Sports enthusiasts will be delighted to learn that St. Andrews is situated southwest of Ashley Down, where the Gloucestershire Cricket club plays its home games. The Bristol County Ground is just a short walk from the northern end of town, and the cricket club has a rich history as one of England and Wales’ first-class county cricket clubs. The legendary W.G. Grace, whose father founded the club in 1870, once served as its captain.
Shopping In St Andrews
St. Andrews is home to Gloucester Road, which is renowned for its plethora of shopping opportunities, offering an eclectic mix of trendy, independent shops and well-known brands. Clothing stores like Don Majors, Fox + Feather, and Make are popular choices for fashion enthusiasts. Additionally, visitors can browse through a variety of second-hand shops including those operated by Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation, and Marie Curie.
Art lovers will appreciate the presence of music stores like Drum Bank Music and Prime Cuts, as well as the wide selection of artistic wares available at Imaginations Fine Art shop. Aside from these, visitors can explore several other options like gift shops, home goods, and toys, ensuring an unforgettable shopping experience.
St Andrews Bars and Restaurants
St. Andrews boasts a vibrant culinary scene, with the main thoroughfares of Gloucester Road and Cheltenham Road offering the highest concentration of bars and restaurants. Check out Palomar for fresh seafood dishes, while Hobgoblin serves up mouthwatering burgers and loaded fries.Â
The area has numerous restaurants offering cuisines from all over the world, including Jamaican food at St Mary’s Kitchen, Caribbean dishes at Turtle Bay and authentic Sri Lankan flavours from The Coconut Tree. And we can’t forget to mention the many pizza, fish and chips and traditional British food options available.
If you’re in the mood for cocktails, head to the cosy Bootlegger or the trendy Filthy Thirteen. Traditional pubs are plentiful as well, with many serving food and hosting bar games, such as the Bishops Tavern on Cheltenham Road. For a night out, head to The Blue Lagoon or the Old England for an evening of live music at Bath Buildings.
Other St Andrews’ Attractions
St Andrews Park is located in the middle of the suburb and is a lovely green area to relax enjoy being outdoors. It is popular with all sorts of people from people walking their dogs to families playing together.
