Bristol Trades On Its Vibrant Past

Bristol is a city that has never really stood still. It made its name as a great trading port and a centre of innovation and invention, and the famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel epitomised everything that the city stood for, his incredible feats include the development of the Great Western Railway to London and the design of the Clifton Suspension Bridge, as well as ships like the Great Britain, Great Eastern and Great Western.

Although remains found by archaeologists have dated human activity back some 60,000 years, public perception of this beautiful city has always been that this is a centre of innovation and expansion, a place that never rests on its laurels. Latterly the development of the Concorde supersonic aeroplane at Filton continued to cement Bristol's reputation for invention.

Trace history back to the latter days of the 15th century, and you will find the Italian navigator and explorer John Cabot coming to Bristol for sponsorship because the city had a reputation as being the only such city to have experience in expeditions of exploration.

A lot of this marine heritage is still available for you today to enjoy a short holiday break, for despite savage bombing during the Second World War resulting from its coastal importance, many fine old buildings and their surroundings remain intact today.

Redevelopment of the old docks area has resulted from the docks area being moved further down the Avon, and there are many modern family-based attractions. For more traditional tourist attractions, seek out places such as Bristol Cathedral and the famous Bristol Zoo. The cathedral is a Grade I listed building and displays many building designs and styles reflecting its long and varied history. Originally founded in 1140 it displays some features that were incorporated as late as 1888.

Bristol Zoo was founded in 1836, and is deemed to be the world's oldest provincial Zoo. Kids will love Explorers Creek and there is an aerial ropes course, known as ZooRopia.

Make sure that you find time to take in the views from the spectacular Clifton Suspension Bridge over the Avon Gorge, and the Cabot Tower, named after the aforementioned John Cabot who sailed from Bristol and landed in what became known as Canada in 1497.

Bristol also boasts a superb aquarium that is to be found in the Harbourside area. There are displays and exhibitions that include a full sized re-creation of a sunken ship. At-Bristol is a state of the art interactive science centre, while for something a little bit more sedate try a few hours at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery.

Brunel's SS Great Britain takes centre stage as the first iron steamer to cross the Atlantic, doing so in 1845 on a journey that took only fourteen days

As Bristol is regarded as Britain's eighth largest conurbation, you would expect it to deliver the goods as a fabulous tourist destination. Whether it is culture or down to earth old fashioned enjoyment, it really hits the mark.