Bristol is the 8th largest city in the UK and seen as the informal capital of the West Country of England. Its population is approximately433,100 (2009) and in the bigger urban area 1,070,000 (2007) The Royal Charter was obtained 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. There has been a living community in the Bristol area dating back around 60,000 years, the Paleolithic time. This has been shown by archaeological artifacts.

The substantial boating and shipping legacy associated with Bristol came from the city’s construction around the River Avon and the short coastline of the River Severn Estuary. In Bristol the principal industries were shipbuilding and manufacturing in the thirteenth century. This business spread to Ireland and Iceland in the fifteenth century and by the sixteenth century, they were further trading with Spain and the Americas.

Bristol Cathedral dates back to 1140 and was formerly the Abbey of St Augustine. Slave trading was established amongst the UK and the Americas in the seventeenth century until its abolition in 1807. The Clifton Suspension Bridge and Bristol Temple Meads Station were designed and constructed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, thus creating a strong link between the Victorian Engineer and the city. Brunel was voted one of the most foremost citizens in Britain’s history in 2002.

Bristol University was formed in 1909. In 1992, the West of England University was developed from Bristol Polytechnic, and is now one of the country’s leading centres for design and media studies.

An attempt to lame England’s shipping routes in the South West, the Luftwaffe violently bombed the city centre World War II. The city was remade in the 1960s. The construction comprised tower blocks and road expansion.

Bristol is an great base for visiting the West Country and is a culturally vibrant city, with a wide potpourri of attractions and events.

Attractions:-

* At-Bristol illustrates the operations of our world. Plus explores is a range of special exhibitions – from animation to flight, illusions and sport!

* Bristol Zoo Gardens is the fifth oldest zoo outside a capital city and also the 5th oldest in the world.

*Blue Reef Aquarium is home to everything from seahorses and puffer fish to living corals and tropical sharks.

*Brunel’s SS Great Britain is the world’s first iron hulled, screw propeller-driven, steam-powered passenger liner. It was built in 1843 by Brunel. Now it is preserved alongside the city’s floating harbour in a dry-dock.

* Clifton Suspension Bridge is possibly Bristol’s most famous landmark. and Built by the Victorian engineer Brunel in the 19th century. At a height of 75m, it stretches across the spectacular Avon Gorge.

* Cabot Circus – the city centre of Bristol has over 120 shops, which includes 15 important flagship stores in the shopping area.

* Bristol Museum and Art Gallery – the main museum in Bristol.

* Ferry Boat Company Throughout the day a circular trip tour, hop-on and hop-off, or getting from A to B; and to numerous harbour-side attractions.

* Pirate Walks is a 1 hour guided walking tour of Bristol’s historic harbour-side. Walking tours of Bristol’s 16th, 17th and 18th century Maritime History.

* Clifton Downs and Observatory lies in The Downs, a vast open spot within Bristol. Its vistas sweep across the Avon Gorge and the suspension bridge. The top of the Downs is the position of the Observatory. It houses a camera obscura and inside has a cave leading to an observation point though a perpendicular cliff face.

*Bristol to Bath Railway Cycle Path – runs from Bristol to Bath on a no longer in service railway line.

Events:

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.