City of Bristol

Bristol is a famous seafaring port and the gateway to the South West of England. It is known for its rich heritage in trading and a darker past in slavery. All around the city are reminders of the history of this great city such as converted warehouses and the SS Great Britain which is a restored ship originally designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and was the world’s first propeller driven ocean going iron ship.

Bristol is dominated by the imposing Clifton Suspension Bridge across Avon Gorge. Visit the Kings Weston Roman Villa to see some ancient history from the area, and the City Art Gallery and Museum for more archaeology and design. The Red Lodge is a beautiful Elizabethan house open to visitors.  At Berkeley with its famous castle is the house of Edward Jenner who invented the smallpox vaccination. In nearby Yeovilton the Fleet Air Arm Museum has Europe’s largest collection of naval aircraft.

Visit Cheddar Caves for some excellent climbing, or relax on a boat trip around Bristol Harbour. The city of Bristol has a lively night scene with some excellent bars and clubs. There is a wide selection of restaurants and an excellent range of pubs. The student scene is very active in Bristol thanks to the university campuses. Bristol Zoo is a popular family attraction and the bird reserve at Slimbridge a renowned centre for wetland bird watching. Bristol also has an aquarium and a 5 acre Botanical Garden. The city centre has an excellent selection of shops and malls attracting visitors from all over the South West.

One of the most famous exports is Bristol Blue Glass which visitors can see being made in the workshops. The sea is an integral part of Bristol and the city celebrates this relationship with festivals and special events throughout the year.