Bristol
Bristol City Guide
Introduction
Bristol is the largest city in the West Country in Southwest England, with a long maritime history. Situated on hilly slopes just inland from the mouth of the River Avon, it is connected to the sea by a series of waterways and canals. Transatlantic trade is what made Bristol a rich and prosperous city – merchants traded in everything from rum and tobacco to slavery. Nowadays the city has turned its attention to hi-tech industries such as aviation and communications and remains a thriving and exciting place to visit.
The old harbour area has been extensively redeveloped over recent years, which has brought many interesting museums and exhibitions to the city as well as some excellent areas for eating, drinking and socialising.
Attractions
College Green and Brandon Hill Park
The obvious starting point for any visitor is The Centre, a modern boulevard extending from the old port, which was the central focus of the old town. Just around the corner from The Centre is the College Green, where you’ll find some interesting medieval architecture including the 12th century cathedral, the Lord Mayor’s Chapel and the Norman abbey gateway.
Just up the hill from here on the roads around Park Street are some elegant examples of Georgian architecture. Continuing to the top of the hill leads to the Wills Memorial Tower, a neo-gothic building constructed in the early 20th century, from the top of which you can see across the city. The best views, however, are to be enjoyed from the Cabot Tower in Brandon Hill Park just opposite. This tower was erected in 1897 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot’s voyage to North America.
Next to the Wills Memorial Tower on Park Row you’ll find the City Museum and Art Gallery, which has a marvellous collection of Chinese glass as well as some interesting geology and natural history displays and a variety of paintings and sculptures.
Further along Park Row in the opposite direction is the Red Lodge, a 16th century merchant’s house with a stunning oak panelled room and enormous stone carved fireplace.
The Christmas Steps
Connecting Park Row to Lewins Street below is the steep and narrow medieval passageway known as the Christmas Steps, one of the few remnants of medieval Bristol. At the top of the Steps is the 15th century red-brick Foster Almshouse, built by a wealthy medieval merchant named John Foster. The Chapel of the Three Kings of Cologne, which stands in the grounds of the Almshouses, was also built by Foster and was inspired by his frequent travels to Germany.
King Street to Castle Green
King Street is lined with some impressive 17th century buildings, including the Merchant Venturers’ Almshouses, which were originally founded in the 15th century as retirement homes for seamen. Also on this historic street is the Theatre Royal. Built in 1766 and based on London’s Drury Lane, it’s one of the oldest theatres in the country.
A few minutes’ walk north of King Street leads to the Corn Exchange on Corn Street, the old financial centre of the city. Along with the Glass Arcade and Exchange Hall, the Corn Exchange now houses the St Nicholas Markets. There are permanent stalls selling food, drinks, gifts, flowers and clothes, as well as regular specialist street markets such as the farmers’ market on Wednesdays and the arts and crafts fair every Friday and Saturday.
East of the Corn Exchange is one of the oldest parts of Bristol, the Castle Green, where Bristol’s castle once stood. Nothing remains today, although the moat is still visible.
Harbourside
It’s hard to believe that the harbour area was until recently one of the most run down and derelict parts of the city. Thanks to a multi-million pound redevelopment programme, it’s now the heart and soul of Bristol, with some excellent museums as well as plenty of places to eat and drink.
The biggest attraction is At-Bristol, a large leisure and educational complex with some first-class museums. Explore is an interactive exhibition with displays on science, nature and the human body and mind, while Wildwalk is a tropical themed zone with rainforest vegetation and live animals. There’s also an IMAX screen, which shows educational films to complement the two exhibitions. It’s fun and informative for the whole family.
Further along, past the Industrial Museum which houses an interesting collection of vehicles and ship models, is the excellent Maritime Heritage Centre. This is the best place to go to find out all about the history of Bristol. It explores the city’s shipbuilding and seafaring past and also outlines the history of Bristol’s most famous ship, the SS Great Britain. Designed by the eminent 19th century engineer I K Brunel, this enormous luxury passenger liner was one of the most important industrial achievements of its time. Not only was it the world’s first ocean-going passenger liner, but it was also the first ever large ship to be built of iron and the first to be powered by a propeller. It was a major breakthrough in shipbuilding and set new standards for engineering and speed. You can see the marvellous vessel for yourself – it’s moored in the dry dock where it was built, next door to the Heritage Centre, and visitors can go on board to explore.
Another interesting ship that can be viewed at the harbour is a replica of the Matthew, the ship on which John Cabot made his first journey to the New World. It regularly sails around the country, but if you’re lucky enough to be in Bristol when it’s back at home, it’s fascinating to see.
Clifton
Just outside the city centre to the north west, Clifton is one of the most affluent areas of the city. Perched high up on the hill, its elegant Georgian streets provide stunning views of the city and Avon Gorge below, as well as the amazing Clifton Suspension Bridge, another spectacular feat of engineering designed by Bristol’s most famous son, I K Brunel.
Eating Out
The best restaurants can be found on the quay next to St Augustine’s reach, the central area of the floating harbour area, where there’s an enormous choice of permanently moored boat restaurants, cafes and bars.
River Station is a converted river police station on the old docks. It serves excellent European dishes in the restaurant upstairs, and has a more informal deli menu downstairs.
Agua on Welsh Back is one of the trendiest restaurants in the city, serving wholesome, organic dishes using locally sourced ingredients. There’s a heated riverside terrace so that guests can enjoy the harbour views all year round.
Alternatively, why not savour the exotic flavours of the Orient in North African/Middle Eastern surroundings at Byzantium on Portwall Lane.
Nightlife
The Llandoger Trow is one of the most prominent buildings on King Street and one of Bristol’s oldest pubs. The area around here is where you’ll find the highest concentration of pubs, bars and clubs in the city away from the harbour area. Another favourite traditional Bristol pub is The Hole in The Wall on Queen Square.
For evening entertainment, St Augustine’s Reach the cultural centre of Bristol. It’s home to the Arnolfini Arts Centre and the Watershed Media Centre, both of which host innovative visual arts exhibitions and dance, theatre and film performances.
