All About Bristol

In this guide we cover everything relating to the city of Bristol in Avon, including where is it, what attractions to visit and much more.

Where Is Bristol?

Bristol is a city in the southwest of England and lies between Gloucestershire and Somerset. Bristol is located around 120 miles west of London.

Getting To Bristol By Car

From London – 2 Hours 25 Minutes
From Liverpool – 2 Hours 35 Minutes
From Bath – 40 Minutes
From Cardiff – 55 Minutes
From Manchester – 3 Hours 30 Minutes
From Birmingham – 1 Hour 35 Minutes

Who Founded The City Of Bristol?

The area of Bristol has been settled since the stone age and began life as a village called Brigg Stow which means the meeting place at the bridge in old Saxon language. As the place grew in popularity the name changed to Bristol and by the 10th century it had turned into a town.

About Sport In Bristol

The major sporting clubs in Bristol include the two professional football clubs of Bristol City and Bristol Rovers, the rugby union side Bristol Bears who currently play in the top flight of English rugby and finally Gloucestershire County Cricket Club who play at the Bristol Country Ground which holds around 8,000 people for a normal county game. Both Bristol City and Bristol Bears play at Ashton Gate which holds around 27,000 people. And if you like getting involved Bristol has it’s very own inland surfing lagoon and artificial wave pool called The Wave.

Entertainment In Bristol

The city of Bristol has something to do for all ages and interests:

Street Art – Bristol is covered in some fantastic street art, this includes a number of pieces by the world famous artist Banksy who was born in Bristol in 1974. You can go on a Banksy Walking Art Tour to see all his work throughout the city.

Bristol Museum & Art Galleries – There are a number of interesting museums and galleries in Bristol including: Bristol Aerospace, M Shed, Red Lodge Museum, We The Curious, Brunel’s SS Great Britain & Oakham Treasures.

Theatre In Bristol – The Bristol Old Vic Theatre is the oldest working theatre in the English speaking world, this restored Georgian building is well worth a visit, view all upcoming shows here.
restored Georgian

Shopping In Bristol – In the heart of the Bristol city centre, you will find the Bristol Shopping Quarter, which is home to hundreds of well known shops, independent boutiques, restaurants, cinemas and bars.

Animals In Bristol – In Bristol you will find a fantastic aquarium and the Bristol Zoo, which is the 5th oldest zoo in the world and opened in 1836.

Gardens In Bristol – Enjoy the great outdoors in Bristol by visiting on the glorious gardens, we suggest exploring Tyntesfield a national trust victoria gothic house with gardens and Ashton Court Estate, which includes a mansion with 850 acres of woodland and grassland.

Education In Bristol

Bristol has 2 major universities, the University Of Bristol and the University Of The West Of England which became a university in 1992.

Top 10 Attraction In Bristol

1. Cheddar Gorge & Caves – Britain’s highest inland limestone cliffs rising up 450ft.
2. Tyntesfield – The house is a Grade I listed building named after the Tynte baronets, who had owned estates in the area since about 1500.
3. Bristol Cathedral – Free to visit and is open to the public 365 days a year.
4. Clifton Suspension Bridge – Linking Clifton in Bristol to Leigh Woods in North Somerset.
5. Bristol Zoo – Includes over 400 species of exotic and endangered animals.
6. SS Great Britain Museum Ship – Was The longest passenger ship in the world from 1845 to 1854.
7. Cabot Circus – A covered shopping centre in Bristol, containing shops, offices, cinemas and hotels.
8. Bristol Museum & Art Gallery – Open six days a week and has free entry.
9. Bristol Harbour – The harbourside area of Bristol is now a modern development filled with restaurants, bars, shops and hotels.
10. Smoke & Mirrors – A unique intimate, magic-themed pub based on Denmark Street.

Facts About Bristol

• On a ship from Bristol in 1497 John Cabot became the first European to land on mainland North America. And in 1499 William Weston a Bristol merchant became the first Englishman to lead an exploration to North America.
• The Sunday Times named Bristol the best city in Great Britain to live in on two separate occasions (2014 & 2017).
• The name Bristol derives from the old English form Brycgstow, which translates to place at the bridge.
• Bristol was one of the first cities to adopt town twinning after World War 2, the city is twinned with Bordeaux (France), Hanover (Germany), Porto (Portugal), Tbilisi (Georgia), Puerto Morazan (Nicaragua), Beira (Mozambique) and Guangzhou (China).
• During the late 17th and 18th centuries Bristol prospered as a processing centre for sugar and tobacco which had been imported from Britain’s colonies in the Americas.
• There are over 400 gardens and parks in Bristol.
• Bristol was the first city in the UK to be awarded European Green Capital in 2015.
• The Hatchet is the oldest pub in Bristol and was built in 1606. Some say its ancient door is covered in the skins of executed criminals.
  Fossils of the oldest known dinosaur in Great Britain were found in Bristol.

Places Near Bristol

• Bath
• Chippenham
• Western – Super – Mare
• Stroud
• Newport

If you have any questions about the city of Bristol, leave a comment below and we will do our best to answer them.

If you are visiting Bristol or would like a relaxing drive across this historic city call us on 01225 220789 to book.

Sources: Visit Britain / Visit Bristol / Bristol Post