Bristol is the informal capital of the West Country of England, with a ballpark population of 433,100 (2009) and a larger urban area of 1,070,000 (2007), it is the 8th largest city in the UK. The Royal Charter was received in the year 1155, plus in 1373 county status was granted. HistoricBath, Gloucester and Cardiff are its closest cities. Bordering Bristol are the counties of Somerset and Gloucestershire. There has been a living community in the Bristol area dating back around 60,000 years, the Paleolithic period. This has been shown by archaeological finds.
Bristol’s substantial boating and shipping legacy was created from the city being built around the short coastline of the River Severn Estuary and the River Avon. By the thirteenth century, the city was doing business in manufacturing and shipbuilding, which spread to Ireland and Iceland by the fifteenth century. Any by the sixteenth century, Bristol was doing business with Spain and the Americas.
Bristol Cathedral dates back to 1140 and was formerly the Abbey of St Augustine. Slave business was abolished in 1807, however, prior to this it was established amongst the UK and the Americas in the seventeenth century. Bristol Temple Meads Station and Clifton Suspension Bridge were both planned and constructed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Therefore, there is a strong link between the man and the city. Furthermore, in 2002 the Victorian engineer was voted one of the most foremost men in British history.
1909 saw the formation of the University of Bristol, to be followed in 1992 by the city’s polytechnic becoming the University of the West of England. The latter establishment is now a best centre for media studies and design.
Violent bombing was incurred in the course of World War II in the centre of the city, by the German Luftwaffe. It was an attempt to lame England’s shipping routes in the country’s south-west. Bristol city was reconstructed in the 1960s, and included tower blocks and road expansion.
Bristol is an excellent place for visiting the West Country and is a culturally resonant city, with a wide assortment of attractions and events.
null
* At-Bristol travels through the operations of our world. Plus explores is a range of particular exhibitions – from animation to flight, illusions and sport!
* Bristol Zoo Gardens is the world’s 5th oldest zoo and the oldest zoo beyond a municipality.
* Blue Reef Aquarium has flora and fauna, from seahorses and puffer fish to living corals and tropical sharks.
* Brunel’s SS Great Britain – the world’s original passenger liner to be iron hulled, steam-powered and screw propeller-driven. Made by Brunel in 1843, the ship is now preserved in a dry-dock beside the city’s floating harbour.
* Clifton Suspension Bridge, possibly Bristol’s most famous landmark, Brunel’s 19th century suspension bridge strings the dramatic Avon Gorge at a height of 75m.
* Cabot Circus provides city centre tourists with over 120 new shops, with 15 important flagship stores.
* Bristol Museum and Art Gallery is the principal museum in the city.
* Ferry Boat Company Over the day a circular trip tour, hop-on and hop-off, or getting from A to B; and to many harbour-side attractions.
* Pirate Walks – one hour walking journey, which is guided, of Bristol’s historic harbour-side. Walking tours of Bristol’s 16th, 17th and 18th century Maritime History.
* Clifton Downs and Observatory is in The Downs, which is a prominent open area inside Bristol, with views including the suspension bridge and the Avon Gorge. The Observatory is located at the top of the Downs and housing a camera obscura, plus a cave leading downwards to an observation point in a sheer cliff face.
*Bristol to Bath Railway Cycle Path – runs from Bristol to Bath on a no longer used railway line.
Things Happening in Bristol:
Bristol Balloon Festival
- St Pauls Carnival
Bristol Balloon Fiesta
Bristol Open Doors Day
: Venn Festival
Mayfest
- Festival of Ideas
- Bristol Harbour Festival
Soil Association Organic Food Festival
- Bristol International Kite Festival
Visit Bristol We want you to get out there and enjoy everything Bristol. This is our online video guide to whats waiting for you…. now do it! Things to do Bristol.