Bristol Local Information: 10 top things to know... more

  • 1. History of Bristol

    The settlement of Bristol began in Anglo Saxon times between the rivers Avon and Frome, and was known as Brigstowe – which means settlement by the bridge. The Normans built a castle in the area known as Castle Park, and remains of this can be seen today. Bristol traded with countries all over the world from its port. Merchants began to build houses further away from the docks...Read more area, and this new area became Clifton. In the 19th century Isambard Kingdom Brunel was responsible for designing the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Bristol Temple Meads station, both of which still stand today. Read less

  • 2. Now in Bristol

    The old dock area has been redeveloped into Bristol Harbourside with museums, galleries, arts centres, shops, wine bars, pubs and restaurants. A lot of the old architecture still remains in Bristol, sitting alongside modern buildings and shopping centres. The Harbourside area of the city now houses the Arnolfini arts centre and the Watershed media centre. Bristol University ens...Read moreures the student scene is a big part of the city’s identity. Read less

  • 3. Events in Bristol

    Pride Bristol is the festival for the gay community in Bristol and runs for a week in the summer with music, comedy, book, film, theatre and sport. Bristol VegFest UK takes place in the city every year and aims to promote a vegan and eco-friendly way of life. The three-day event includes live music and entertainment. The Upfest festival is held in Bristol every year and is a ce...Read morelebration of urban painting and the graffiti culture. This event runs for two days. We, The People Festival is a live music event that took place in the Bristol Harbour area of the city. The event lasts for two days. The Bristol Shakespeare Festival is held every July with open-air and indoor performances. Read less

  • 4. Attractions in Bristol

    Bristol Zoo Gardens has 400 species of animal, including exotic and endangered animals. The zoo also offers an adventure play area, a water play area, animal talks and more. Brunel’s ss Great Britain sits in the city’s Harbourside and allows visitors to peek back in time as they climb aboard and find out what life was like for the Victorian passengers. Bristol Museum and Ar...Read moret Gallery has three floors of exhibits ranging from dinosaurs to hands-on discovery areas. At-Bristol is an interactive science centre based in Millennium Square. It also features a planetarium. Bristol Aquarium includes a ‘walk-in’ seahorse display, a coral seas display and a life-size recreation of a sunken ship. It also boasts an IMAX cinema. Read less

  • 5. Things To Do in Bristol

    There is plenty of sightseeing to be done in Bristol. Churches, cathedrals and the Clifton Suspension Bridge are among the many historic sites to visit. Tourists can check out some of the artwork of the city’s famous graffiti artist Banksy as they walk around Bristol. Open top bus tours, ghost tours and hot air balloon rides are other ways to see the city of Bristol. The Bris...Read moretol Pirate Walks are popular. Read less

  • 6. Business in Bristol

    The aerospace industry has always been a big part of business in Bristol, and it still is today. The Bristol Aeroplane Company was founded in the city in 1910 and Concorde was built in Bristol in the 1960s. It is a popular relocation spot for business and investment, and regeneration of the waterfront areas is still ongoing. There are two main indoor shopping centres in the cit...Read morey centre and the outdoor streets are packed with the usual mix of designer, high street and independent names. There are more than 50 cafes and restaurants in the city centre. Read less

  • 7. Transport in Bristol

    Bristol Airport has flights to cities in the UK and all over the world. Bristol Temple Meads train station has direct links to London, Scotland, Wales, Manchester and Birmingham. The M4 and M5 motorways serve Bristol, giving easy access by road.

  • 8. Entertainment in Bristol

    Bristol Old Vic Theatre is Britain’s oldest working theatre and stages classics, new works and shows for families. The Watershed media centre shows film, digital media and events as well as live music and themed events. The Tobacco Factory is a studio theatre that shows a variety of performances. The Bristol Hippodrome is the venue to see West End and Broadway productions in ...Read morethe city. Live music venues include Ashton Gate Football Stadium, St George’s Bristol, the Victoria Rooms, Colston Hall Bristol and Arnolfini. Big screens in Millennium Square show free performances of opera and ballet during the summer Read less

  • 9. Famous Landmarks in Bristol

    Clifton Suspension Bridge spans the Avon Gorge and is a Grade I listed structure. The Severn Bridges sit in the Avonmouth area of Bristol. There is a visitor centre at the site.

  • 10. Interesting Facts about Bristol

    Famous pirate Blackbeard is said to have come from Bristol.

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Bristol Events

  • Pride Bristol

    July 2012 The first Pride
    Bristol event took place in
    2010. It is a week-long event
    for the LGBT (lesbian, gay,
    bisexual and transgender)
    community, their friends and
    family and anyone who
    celebrates diversity. It aims
    to promote acceptance, reduce
    ...more

  • 02 January 2012 - 30 March 2012

    The After Work Club

    Celebrate finishing work with
    our after work club. All
    house spririts, wines and
    draught beers or cider only
    £2.50 from 5-7pm Weekdays.

  • 02 January 2012 - 26 March 2012

    Monday Night is Wine Night

    50% off all bottles of wine
    and Champagne when you order
    a main meal in the Bridge
    Cafe - every Monday.

  • Upfest

    June 2012 Upfest is a free
    annual event in Bristol that
    promotes and celebrates the
    work of urban street painters
    or graffiti artists. It has
    been running since 2007 and
    takes part over two days in
    June. Bristol is famous for
    its graffiti art thanks t ...more

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  • Award for Bristol mum who shed more than six stone

    A woman from Bristol has won an award after losing six stone in just 15 months. Nicola Saunders has been named as the Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness Magazine Regional Slimmer of the Year 2012 after shedding 6st 8lb. She used to be 16st 1lb and wore a dress size 20-22, and she is now 9st 7lb and a size 8-10. Nicola was presented with her award at Quorn House, Quorn’s head office in Leicestershire. Nicola lost the weight with …

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  • When I was born I was so tiny I had to wear doll’s clothes

    In 1933, when George Perry was born 14 weeks early, no one expected him to still be here 78 years later. Mr Perry was born on October 13, 1933 at Bristol General Hospital and weighed just 2lbs. The former shoe repairer, who is married to Sally, was blue when he was born due to lack of oxygen. He had to spend the first three months of his life in the hospital. When he was a few years older doctors discovered …

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  • National award for GP practice

    A doctor’s surgery in Weston-Super-Mare is celebrating after being voted General Practice of the Year. The national competition was organised by healthcare magazine publisher Campden Publications and named Tudor Lodge Surgery the winner of the new award. Val Denton, the practice’s manager, was named Practice Manager of the Year and received a £2,500 bursary which can be used to make the surgery even better. The practice and Val gained recognition for their focus on “Keeping Care Closer to Home”. This …

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  • Hardy swimmers take New Year dip at Clevedon

    Many courageous swimmers braved the winter temperatures to take a dip in the Clevedon sea for the annual New Year’s Day Swim. Dozens of members of the Middle Yeo Surf Lifesaving Club wore pantomime fancy dress, including Captain Hook and Snow White costumes and took a stroll from the Campbell’s Landing pub to the beach whilst singing songs. They were led by Channel swimmer Steve Price who was accompanying the songs with his banjo. The swimmers encouraged the crowd who …

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