Just got back from a great weekend in Bristol for a gig which was made more enjoyable by having your own space to chill out in. Sophie's flat is very comfortable and very easy to access from most of the main points of Bristol. On the Sunday morning we went for a walk to the bridge and Clifton Down which took about twenty minutes, before heading into Redlands to try a fantastic Hungarian cafe (Aron's Deli - amazing food, try the salt beef hash and fried eggs).
Coming from Temple Meads on foot on arrival, our friend suggested we take a 'shorter' route through town and parks, and whilst as the crow flies I'm sure it's very economical and a seemingly more direct route, Constitution Hill is VERY steep and I had a stinking cold, so unless you're prepared / happy for an energetic yomp over Bristol, I suggest you take the infinitely flatter lovely walk along the river and a few minutes on part of the A4 (on a pavement); this is an easy level walk until right towards the end, with a short incline up Hope Chapel Hill then left to Sophie's. She lives in a very impressive row of huge houses, on the top floor. The bed is very comfortable, and we slept well. Sophie's small son, Austin, has a bed that is set up bunk-bed style but is a double, and Jez, our tall friend, assures me he was really comfy and he had plenty of space.
Sophie was there to meet us and then left with her fella and boy to spend the weekend at her parents, so after just a few minutes of general information chat (we could use their tea and coffee etc if we wanted to, although we had brought our own) we were left to our own devices.
I would happily stay here again if I came to Bristol, which I really should do more often as it is a great place and only 80 miles away from smaller, less 'interesting' Exeter :)