Bristol City Guide - overview

The River Avon winds picturesquely through the bustling city centre of Bristol in the south west of England, and has played a key role in the development of the city as a major English commercial port. Surrounded by charming hilly landscape and the spectacular ice-carved Avon Gorge, Bristol is an interesting mix of history, commerce and culture.

The city contains a mish-mash of architecture spanning over 400 years, much of which has been rebuilt, destroyed, relocated or vandalised over time. The City Fathers seem to have had a constant need to modernise and today, few of the city's earliest treasures remain, particularly after Bristol was severely blitzed during World War II. Although there is little or no remnant of Bristol's 11th-century origins, the city is not devoid of character by any means and there has been an attempt to restore the remaining jewels, evident in the beautiful Queen and Portland Squares. There are still plenty of Georgian and Victorian churches, buildings and monuments to be seen and the city's strong maritime history can still be explored.

Bristol's busy city centre contains a number of excellent museums, galleries, parks and churches, including the Bristol Cathedral. The city receives over nine million visitors a year and as one of the current top ten UK destinations, its tourism industry is rapidly expanding. Its thriving music scene is still dominated by trip-hop (also known as the Bristol Sound), which emerged in the city in the 1980s and 1990s, and with two universities, Bristol has a thriving nightlife, plenty of restaurants and shops.

Bristol's green lung has long been the Downs. Over 400 acres of grassland stretch from Avon Gorge to the Victorian-built suburbs of the city and locals and visitors alike flock to enjoy the peace and quiet they offer. A favourite in the city is also the Bristol Zoo and Gardens and the Bristol Clifton Observatory and caves, near the eye-catching Bristol Clifton Suspension Bridge.

The diversity and muddled history of the city make it well worth the visit, and it is also a convenient distance from the nearby city of Bath, as well as the fascinating Stonehenge.

Getting around: Bristol is an easy city to negotiate on foot, with plenty of attractions close to one another. There are, however, taxis, trains and an extensive bus network available. While the bus service has been criticized in the past, plans for a five-year project to transform it, reducing congestion and improving safety, are in place. There are plenty of car rental agencies available, though the city centre can get congested. Bristol is a popular place for cyclists and despite plenty of hills, the city has an excellent urban bike route. The Bristol Ferry Boat is a fun and leisurely way to explore the city; it offers leisure and commuter services on the harbour.