Introduction This guide is intended for tourists or visitors who are limited to a two day visit to Bristol.
There is a short historical section followed by the 6 'must see' sites or attractions which Bristol has to offer followed by a selection ofgood Hotels or accommodation which are in proximity to the chosen attractions.
History The city stands at the mouth of the river Avon which flows into the Severn Estuary in England, which in turn flows directly into the Atlantic Ocean.
Thus since medieval times Bristol developed as a major sea faring port in England.
In 1497 John Cabot set sailfrom Bristol in his ship The Matthew with a crew of 26 and is credited with the discovery of America.
Latterly a number of Americans have been able to trace their ancestry back to that first voyage.
In1547 the city was visited by Queen Elizabeth 1 and described the Church of St Mary Redcliffe as the 'fairest, goodliest and most famous Parish Church in England'.
Trade from the City boomed and was boosted tremendously by the advent of the Slave Trade in the 18th Century.
Bristol ships would sail to Africa where slaves would be bought or exchanged for goods and then transported on to The West Indiesand America where they were sold on or exchanged for Tobacco, Sugar and Chocolate.
Bristol became a centre for Shipbuilding to very high standards and gave rise to the phrase 'ship shape and Bristol fashion'.
It washere that Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed and built The SS Great Britain, at that time the world's largest iron, propelled steamship.
She was launched by Prince Albert in 1843 and sailed on her maiden voyage to America in 1845.
Brunel also famously designed the Clifton Suspension Bridge, which spans the Avon Gorge in Bristol.
He died 5 years before its completion in 1864.
Nowadays the City is very cosmopolitan andhas a thriving businessand finance quarter in addition to a large student population at the city's two universities.
6 'Must see'attractions in the 2 days 1.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge The bridge is only a short distance form the city centre.
It spans the Avon Gorge and is a magnificent testament to the genius of Brunel.
Be sure to view it from below by car as you drive along the Portway then up bridge Valley Road.
Park on the Clifton side of the bridge and walk across the bridge to take in magnificent views towards the city or down the Avon Gorge.
2.
St Mary Redcliffe Church This church was built by the Merchant Venturers of Bristol and is so grand in aspect and architecture that it is frequently mistaken to be the Cathedral.
Try its Undercroft café where regular live jazz sessions are held.
3.
Tour of the Docks and waterfronts by Ferry.
Go to the city centre where ferry trips leave on a regular basis throughout everyday of the year.
Take the guided tour ferries which are very inexpensive and observe many attractive waterfront features and sites including The Arnolfini Gallery, The Watershed Media Centre, The Industrial Museum (currently closed for refurbishmentand flanked by the 19th Century Cranes),the impressive Lloyds TSB Headquarters building and a replica of The Matthew moored alongside the giant SS Great Britain.
4.
The SS Great Britain and The Matthew The SS Great Britain was brought back to Bristol in 1970 after being left to rot in the Falkland Islands after haing its mast destroyed in storms off Cape Horn.
The ship has undergone continuous restoration in dry dock and is now a magnificent museum which has won several major tourist awards.
Berthed alongside in the water is the replica ofThe Matthew (see History section above), which is a working ship/museum which can be hired for sailings and upon which trips can be taken in the docks area.
One entrance fee includes both ships.
The Matthew is dwarfed by the SS Great Britain and it is difficult to contemplate the cramped conditions Cabot and his crew of 26 must have endured in their voyage across the Atlantic to America.
5.
The British and Empire Commonwealth Museum at Temple Meads Station This museum is situated at the mainline railway station in Bristol.
The original Terminal for the GWR was designed by Brunel and now houses the Museum alongside the newer station.
Recently the Museum has now taken over the housing of the Slave Trade Exhibition which was formerly at the Industrial Museum in the Docks.
6.
Millennium Square, IMAX, Wildscreen and Explore @ Bristol This is a modern waterside complex built on the site of former warehouses at Canons Marsh.
This is a very popular area for visitors with children - there being lots of interesting water features for children to play in.
The IMAX cinema is a 3D cinema with programmes for children and the modern Wildscreen and Explore@ Bristol are hi-tech modern science and nature themed buildings and hands on exhibitions.
Hotels close to the attractions Jury's Hotel, Prince Street This 4 star hotel is on the waterfront near the Watershed Media Centre and to the Arnolfini Gallery.
The Marriot Royal Hotel, College Green, Bristol This is Bristol's most luxurious hotel ( 4star) situated on College Green next to the Cathedral and is usually frequented by actors and stars performing at the City's Hippodrome Theatre nearby.
Originally Victorian but now totally refurbished.
Mercure Brigstow Hotel, Welshback, Bristol This is Bristol's newest modern hotel with a central riverside location.
Close to The famous Llandoger Trow pub and hotel and The Duke pub (live jazz sessions evenings and weekends).
The Youth Hostel, Narrow Quay, Bristol Operates from a converted warehouse right on the waterfront, close to the city centre and isexcellent value for money.
The Avon Gorge Hotel, Sion Hill, Clifton , Bristol This Hotel enjoys a spectacular aspect overlooking the Avon Gorge and the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Its exterior sunterrace bar which overlooks the Gorge and Bridge is very popular in Spring and Summer.
There is a short historical section followed by the 6 'must see' sites or attractions which Bristol has to offer followed by a selection ofgood Hotels or accommodation which are in proximity to the chosen attractions.
History The city stands at the mouth of the river Avon which flows into the Severn Estuary in England, which in turn flows directly into the Atlantic Ocean.
Thus since medieval times Bristol developed as a major sea faring port in England.
In 1497 John Cabot set sailfrom Bristol in his ship The Matthew with a crew of 26 and is credited with the discovery of America.
Latterly a number of Americans have been able to trace their ancestry back to that first voyage.
In1547 the city was visited by Queen Elizabeth 1 and described the Church of St Mary Redcliffe as the 'fairest, goodliest and most famous Parish Church in England'.
Trade from the City boomed and was boosted tremendously by the advent of the Slave Trade in the 18th Century.
Bristol ships would sail to Africa where slaves would be bought or exchanged for goods and then transported on to The West Indiesand America where they were sold on or exchanged for Tobacco, Sugar and Chocolate.
Bristol became a centre for Shipbuilding to very high standards and gave rise to the phrase 'ship shape and Bristol fashion'.
It washere that Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed and built The SS Great Britain, at that time the world's largest iron, propelled steamship.
She was launched by Prince Albert in 1843 and sailed on her maiden voyage to America in 1845.
Brunel also famously designed the Clifton Suspension Bridge, which spans the Avon Gorge in Bristol.
He died 5 years before its completion in 1864.
Nowadays the City is very cosmopolitan andhas a thriving businessand finance quarter in addition to a large student population at the city's two universities.
6 'Must see'attractions in the 2 days 1.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge The bridge is only a short distance form the city centre.
It spans the Avon Gorge and is a magnificent testament to the genius of Brunel.
Be sure to view it from below by car as you drive along the Portway then up bridge Valley Road.
Park on the Clifton side of the bridge and walk across the bridge to take in magnificent views towards the city or down the Avon Gorge.
2.
St Mary Redcliffe Church This church was built by the Merchant Venturers of Bristol and is so grand in aspect and architecture that it is frequently mistaken to be the Cathedral.
Try its Undercroft café where regular live jazz sessions are held.
3.
Tour of the Docks and waterfronts by Ferry.
Go to the city centre where ferry trips leave on a regular basis throughout everyday of the year.
Take the guided tour ferries which are very inexpensive and observe many attractive waterfront features and sites including The Arnolfini Gallery, The Watershed Media Centre, The Industrial Museum (currently closed for refurbishmentand flanked by the 19th Century Cranes),the impressive Lloyds TSB Headquarters building and a replica of The Matthew moored alongside the giant SS Great Britain.
4.
The SS Great Britain and The Matthew The SS Great Britain was brought back to Bristol in 1970 after being left to rot in the Falkland Islands after haing its mast destroyed in storms off Cape Horn.
The ship has undergone continuous restoration in dry dock and is now a magnificent museum which has won several major tourist awards.
Berthed alongside in the water is the replica ofThe Matthew (see History section above), which is a working ship/museum which can be hired for sailings and upon which trips can be taken in the docks area.
One entrance fee includes both ships.
The Matthew is dwarfed by the SS Great Britain and it is difficult to contemplate the cramped conditions Cabot and his crew of 26 must have endured in their voyage across the Atlantic to America.
5.
The British and Empire Commonwealth Museum at Temple Meads Station This museum is situated at the mainline railway station in Bristol.
The original Terminal for the GWR was designed by Brunel and now houses the Museum alongside the newer station.
Recently the Museum has now taken over the housing of the Slave Trade Exhibition which was formerly at the Industrial Museum in the Docks.
6.
Millennium Square, IMAX, Wildscreen and Explore @ Bristol This is a modern waterside complex built on the site of former warehouses at Canons Marsh.
This is a very popular area for visitors with children - there being lots of interesting water features for children to play in.
The IMAX cinema is a 3D cinema with programmes for children and the modern Wildscreen and Explore@ Bristol are hi-tech modern science and nature themed buildings and hands on exhibitions.
Hotels close to the attractions Jury's Hotel, Prince Street This 4 star hotel is on the waterfront near the Watershed Media Centre and to the Arnolfini Gallery.
The Marriot Royal Hotel, College Green, Bristol This is Bristol's most luxurious hotel ( 4star) situated on College Green next to the Cathedral and is usually frequented by actors and stars performing at the City's Hippodrome Theatre nearby.
Originally Victorian but now totally refurbished.
Mercure Brigstow Hotel, Welshback, Bristol This is Bristol's newest modern hotel with a central riverside location.
Close to The famous Llandoger Trow pub and hotel and The Duke pub (live jazz sessions evenings and weekends).
The Youth Hostel, Narrow Quay, Bristol Operates from a converted warehouse right on the waterfront, close to the city centre and isexcellent value for money.
The Avon Gorge Hotel, Sion Hill, Clifton , Bristol This Hotel enjoys a spectacular aspect overlooking the Avon Gorge and the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Its exterior sunterrace bar which overlooks the Gorge and Bridge is very popular in Spring and Summer.