A Brief History of Bristol
Bristol is seen as the unofficial capital of the West Country of England and is the 8th largest city in the UK. Its ballpark population is 433,100 (2009) and in the larger urban area 1,070,000 (2007). The Royal Charter was received in 1155 and later in 1373 it was granted county status. The nearest cities are historical Gloucester, Bath and Cardiff and it borders the counties of Somerset and Gloucestershire. Following archaeological finds dating back to the Paleolithic era, it has been shown that Bristol's history as a living group of people dates back around 60,000 years.
Bristol was created around the River Avon and the short coastline of the River Severn Estuary and so developing a substantial boating and shipping legacy. Shipbuilding and manufacturing were the primary industries in the thirteenth century. Trading spread to Ireland and Iceland in the fifteenth century and by the sixteenth century, Bristol was trading with Spain and the Americas.
Bristol has a cathedral, formerly the Abbey of St Augustine, dating back to 1140. Slave trading was established amongst the UK and the Americas in the seventeenth century until its abolition in 1807. The city has a powerful link with the Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel who planned and made the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Bristol Temple Meads Station, in 2002 Brunel was voted as one of the most influential citizens in Britain's 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.
A bid to cripple England's shipping routes in the south-west was made in World War II by the German Luftwaffe. They violently bombed the centre of Bristol. It was an attempt to cripple England's shipping routes in the country's south-west. Bristol city was remade in the 1960s, and included tower blocks and road expansion.
Bristol is a culturally resonant city, with a wide variety of attractions and events. In addition, it is an first-class foundation from which to visit the rest of the West Country.
Attractions:-
* At-Bristol looks through the operations of our world. Plus explores is a programme of different exhibitions - from animation to flight, illusions and sport!
* Bristol Zoo Gardens is the world's 5th oldest zoo and the oldest zoo outside a conurbation.
* Blue Reef Aquarium contains flora and fauna, from seahorses and puffer fish to living corals and tropical sharks.
* Brunel's SS Great Britain is the world's 1st steam-powered, iron hulled, screw propeller-driven passenger liner. It was made in 1843 by Brunel. Now it is preserved alongside the city's floating harbour in a dry-dock.
* Clifton Suspenson Bridge, maybe Bristol's most renowned landmark, Brunel's 19th century suspension bridge strings the dramatic Avon Gorge at a height of 75m.
* Cabot Circus - this provides visitors to the city centre with over 120 shops, with 15 important flagship stores.
* Bristol Museum and Art Gallery is the principal museum in the city.
* Ferry Boat Company - in the day there is an around trip tour; a hop on/off or is good for getting from A to B and to numerous harbour-side attractions.
* Pirate Walks is a guided walking journey of Bristol's historical harbour-side and takes one hour. Tours of Bristol's 16th, 17th and 18th century Maritime History are available on foot.
* Clifton Downs and Observatory lies in The Downs, a large sweeping place within Bristol. Its panoramas span including the Avon Gorge and the suspension bridge. 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 perpendicualr cliff face.
*Bristol to Bath Railway Cycle Path goes on a no longer used railway line. It runs from central Bristol to Bath.
Bristol was created around the River Avon and the short coastline of the River Severn Estuary and so developing a substantial boating and shipping legacy. Shipbuilding and manufacturing were the primary industries in the thirteenth century. Trading spread to Ireland and Iceland in the fifteenth century and by the sixteenth century, Bristol was trading with Spain and the Americas.
Bristol has a cathedral, formerly the Abbey of St Augustine, dating back to 1140. Slave trading was established amongst the UK and the Americas in the seventeenth century until its abolition in 1807. The city has a powerful link with the Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel who planned and made the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Bristol Temple Meads Station, in 2002 Brunel was voted as one of the most influential citizens in Britain's 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.
A bid to cripple England's shipping routes in the south-west was made in World War II by the German Luftwaffe. They violently bombed the centre of Bristol. It was an attempt to cripple England's shipping routes in the country's south-west. Bristol city was remade in the 1960s, and included tower blocks and road expansion.
Bristol is a culturally resonant city, with a wide variety of attractions and events. In addition, it is an first-class foundation from which to visit the rest of the West Country.
Attractions:-
* At-Bristol looks through the operations of our world. Plus explores is a programme of different exhibitions - from animation to flight, illusions and sport!
* Bristol Zoo Gardens is the world's 5th oldest zoo and the oldest zoo outside a conurbation.
* Blue Reef Aquarium contains flora and fauna, from seahorses and puffer fish to living corals and tropical sharks.
* Brunel's SS Great Britain is the world's 1st steam-powered, iron hulled, screw propeller-driven passenger liner. It was made in 1843 by Brunel. Now it is preserved alongside the city's floating harbour in a dry-dock.
* Clifton Suspenson Bridge, maybe Bristol's most renowned landmark, Brunel's 19th century suspension bridge strings the dramatic Avon Gorge at a height of 75m.
* Cabot Circus - this provides visitors to the city centre with over 120 shops, with 15 important flagship stores.
* Bristol Museum and Art Gallery is the principal museum in the city.
* Ferry Boat Company - in the day there is an around trip tour; a hop on/off or is good for getting from A to B and to numerous harbour-side attractions.
* Pirate Walks is a guided walking journey of Bristol's historical harbour-side and takes one hour. Tours of Bristol's 16th, 17th and 18th century Maritime History are available on foot.
* Clifton Downs and Observatory lies in The Downs, a large sweeping place within Bristol. Its panoramas span including the Avon Gorge and the suspension bridge. 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 perpendicualr cliff face.
*Bristol to Bath Railway Cycle Path goes on a no longer used railway line. It runs from central Bristol to Bath.
About the Author:
B&B Bristol Airport. The Langford Inn is an award winning village pub, restaurant and inn, situated in Langford just outside Bristol. The traditional country pub offers excellent quality food and a superb range of local cask ales. B&B Bristol Airport.