Bristol, Gloucestershire travel information
Bristol Gloucestershire England
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As the largest city in the South West, Bristol has plenty to offer residents and visitors alike. Its rich maritime heritage is evident from the popular Harbourside area and the splendid Georgian architecture of the houses, many of which originally belonged to wealthy merchants.
The city used to act as a vital port for trading with countries such as Spain, Portugal and Iceland, as well as being the starting point for voyages to the New World. The most famous of these voyages was John Cabot’s journey from Bristol in 1497, when he set sail on the Matthew in search of a passage to the spice islands and ended up discovering Newfoundland instead!
Today Bristol is a vibrant and happening place, with a wealth of things to see and do. It’s also a city that makes the most of its nightlife with a good range of bars and restaurants, excellent theatres and a huge choice of nightclubs. Bristol’s social calendar is packed full of events throughout the year including the famous Balloon Fiesta where colourful hot air balloons take to the skies out over the city. There’s also the annual Kite Festival, the Harbour Festival and St Paul’s Carnival, celebrating Asian and Caribbean cultures.As if there wasn’t more than enough to keep you occupied in the city, if you fancy a day out in the countryside then the nearby Mendips and the Cotswolds are simply stunning.
