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Bristol
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Bristol
is the unofficial capital of the West Country of England. Famous for its maritime history it also offers a great and diverse range of attractions, hotels, bars and events. Bristol ranks fourth in England’s top visitor destinations. The best time to visit is in the summer when major festivals are held in the city.
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Understand
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Bristol is the United Kingdom’s eighth most populous city (aprroximately 421,000) and the most populated city in South West England, making it a core city in England. It received a Royal Charter in 1155
and was granted County status in 1373. From the 13th century, for half a millennium, it ranked amongst the top three English cities after London,
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Brunel's Clifton Suspension Bridge spans the Avon Gorge.
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alongside York and Norwich, until the rapid rise of Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester during the Industrial Revolution in the latter part of the 18th century. It borders the counties of Somerset and
Gloucestershire and is also located near the historic cities of Bath to the south east, Gloucester to the north and Cardiff, the capital city of Wales which lies to the north west. The city is built around the River
Avon, and has a short coastline on the estuary of the River Severn where it flows into the Bristol Channel.
Although it’s often overlooked as a tourist destination, Bristol has a lot to offer of its own and
is also an excellent base for exploring the West Country, with relatively inexpensive accommodation compared to some of the main ‘tourist traps’ (such as nearby Bath) and a huge choice of bars, restaurants and
shops. It is one of the most culturally vibrant cities in the South of England, hosting a wide variety of visual arts, theatre, speciality shopping and live music.
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See |
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Bristol has many attractions you’ll not want to miss. So much in fact, it is sometimes difficult to find out what you definitely shouldn’t miss.
Therefore the following list provides ten things you really don’t want to miss.
- At-Bristol,Anchor Road, Harbourside, 0845 345 1235 (fax: 0117 915 7200). Mon-Fri: 10 - 17 Sat-Sun: 10-18. At-Bristol involves people of all ages in an incredible journey through the workings of the
world around us. Plus there is always something new to discover with Explore's programme of special exhibitions - from animation to flight, illusions and sport!£11.90 (adults); £9.90 (students
& senior citizens); £7.70 (children).
- Bristol Zoo Gardens, Guthry Road, Clifton, Ž0117 974 7399. Open summer 9am-5:30pm; winter 9am-5pm; closed Dec 25. It is the 5th oldest zoo in the world and the oldest outside of a capital city. It was
awarded Zoo of the Year 2004 by the Good Britain Guide.£13 (adults); £11.50 (students & senior citizens; £8 (children 3 - 14).
- Blue Reef Aquarium & IMAX 3D Cinema, Anchor road, Harbourside (In The City Centre), 0117 9298929.10:00 - 17:00. From the hidden world of UK waters, this amazing new aquarium transports visitors to the
spectacular 'underwater gardens' of the Mediterranean and stunning beauty of tropical waters - home to everything from seahorses and puffer fish to living corals and tropical sharks.Adult £13.50;
Child 3 - 14 years £9.20 (must be accompanied by an adult); Seniors & Students £11.50 Family of 4 £43.40 (2 adults and 2 children). (51.45081108358272,-2.599210739135742)
- Brunel's ss Great Britain, Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, 0117 926 0680 (fax: 0117 925 5788). Open daily from 10am (except Dec 24 and 25 and Jan 10 2011) Closing times: 4.30pm (to Mar 26) 5.30pm
(Mar 26 to Oct 31). Last entry one hour before closing. The world's first iron hulled, screw propeller-driven, steam-powered passenger liner, built by Brunel in 1843 and now preserved in a dry-dock
alongside the floating harbour. Winner of the Gulbenkian Prize for Museum of the Year 2006 - the Biggest Arts Prize in the U.K.Adult £11.95; Concession £9.50; Child (16 and under) £5.95; Child
(4 and under) FREE.
- Clifton Suspenson Bridge, +44 (0)117 974 4664.Always open. Possibly the city's most famous landmark, Brunel's 19th century suspension bridge spans the spectacular Avon Gorge at a height of 75m. A
visitor centre is on the other side of bridge.Free to walk across, 50 pence to drive over.
- Cabot Circus, Central Bristol, 0117 952 9360.Having taken over three years to build and costing in excess of £500 million, Cabot Circus will provide city centre visitors with over 120 new shops,
including 15 major flagship stores. Of these, Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser will set the precedent, offering a combined area of well over 200,000 ft of prime retail space with all of the
top brands and labels that are usually associated with these famous chains.
- Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Queens Road, West End, ☎01179223571. Daily 10am - 5pm. Bristol's major museum and art gallery houses an outstanding and diverse range of objects, from sea dinosaurs
to magnificent art. A visit to the region's largest museum and art gallery is guaranteed to inspire! A range of subjects can be found. From Archaeology to History and Art. It also has a
cafe.free.
- Ferry Boat Co., Welsh Back (Ferry stops all around the city), ☎0117 9273416. Throughout the day. Catch a ferry and enjoy the exciting world of Bristol's Historic Harbour - for a round trip
tour, hop-on and hop-off, or getting from A to B; and to many of the harbourside attractions. Timetables are available online and at many places in the city.
- Pirate Walks, Meet at Milennium or Anchor Square., 079 505 664 83. Join Pirate Pete for a 1 hour guided walking tour of Bristol's historic harbourside. Walking tours of Bristol's 16th, 17th and
18th century Maritime History of discovery, trade , slavery and piracy (always call before visiting).Adults £6.00 Children £3.50.
- Clifton Downs and Observatory, BS8, 0117 974 1242. The Downs provide a huge open space within Bristol, with great views over the Avon Gorge and the suspension bridge. On top of the downs, right
by the bridge is the Observatory, housing a camera obscura and a cave leading down towards an observation point within the 250-foot sheer cliff face of the gorge.
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