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- Bristol was the place of exile for Diarmait Mac Murchada, the Irish king of Leinster, after being overthrown. The Bristol merchants subsequently played a prominent role in funding Richard Strongbow de Clare and the Norman invasion of Ireland.
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- Wallace and Gromit. This popular UK television show was created by animator Nick Park. This Oscar-nominated show follows the titular characters Wallace, an inventor, and his pet dog Gromit.
- Ribena. A staple in lunch boxes, many kids and teens all over the UK grew up drinking Ribena. This juice brand is known for its blackcurrant-based soft drink, and the decision to use blackcurrants in drinks has an interesting history.
- Colston bun. Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. A popular sweet bread that originated in Bristol, the Colston bun is a round bread made with yeast dough, dried fruits, candied peels, and various spices such as cinnamon and ginger.
- Laughing gas. Laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, was discovered as early as 1772 by a scientist named Joseph Priestly. Although the discovery is credited to his name, it was a chemist who worked with the Pneumatic Institution in Bristol - Humphry Davy - who tested the effects of nitrous oxide and named it “laughing gas” when he discovered that using this chemical compound caused him to laugh.
Feb 7, 2021 · Over the years, Bristol has been home to many notable people and famous inventions like nitrous oxide (gas and air), the detachable motorcycle sidecar, and smooth tarmacked roads. As the city’s new and modern sights have been developed, it has continued to produce exciting, and revolutionary products and minds that you might not even be aware ...
Nov 28, 2023 · Bristol is known for its maritime history, hot air balloon festival, creativity, and inventive spirit. From street artists like Banksy to the immaculately-designed historical landmarks, the city is overflowing with culture.
- Colonial History
- Bristol: A Pirate’s Paradise
- The Famous Bristol Accent
- Cargo & Wapping Wharf
- Bristol’s Own Currency
- Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
- Clifton Suspension Bridge
- SS Great Britain
- Explorers of North America
- Famous Bristolians Like Banksy
Bristol’s famous beginnings shaped history both in Britain and the Americas. From as early as the 13th century, the location of Bristol harbor made it an ideal trading place. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, Bristol acquired most of its wealth through trading tobacco, sugar, rum, rice, cotton, and most regrettably, slaves. In 1499, Bristolian W...
Did you know that Robert Louis Stevenson created Long John Silver for Treasure Island in Bristol? The Bristol accent became synonymous with pirates because it was home to some of the most fearsome pirates in history. One in particular, Blackbeard, made Bristol infamous with his formidable past. Born in Bristol, 1680, Edward Teach gained the nicknam...
Luckily, times have changed since Blackbeard’s day. Bristol was voted the U.K.’s kindest cityand the Bristol accent has made locals recognizable just through the dulcet tones of “arr!” The famous Bristol accent can be glimpsed through popular culture, perhaps most notably Hagrid from the Harry Potter series. Although the giant appears as intimidati...
If Bristol’s historical criminal underbelly intrigues you, you’ll be glad to know that you can find it even in the trendiest parts of the city. Originally, Wapping Wharf used to be a site for displaced shipyards, and later in 1820, it became the site for the New Gaol. In 1833, the inmates of the New Gaol rioted and burned it to the ground. Although...
Speaking of supporting local businesses, you can really experience Bristol differently by using the Bristolian currency. This quirky addition came in 2012 to encourage buying locally and it’s definitely a cool souvenir to bring back with you! Available from the tourist information office at the quintessential Watershed, near Wapping Wharf, the curr...
Held annually between 6-9 August, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is a celebration of hot air balloons in Bristol. Crowds as large as 100,000 people flock to see the mass launches of hot air balloons which look spectacular against the Bristol backdrop. We recommend you experience it at 9.30pm when dark begins to settle in and the balloons ...
The Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel called the Clifton Suspension Bridge his “first love” and you will know why when you see it. The bridge links Clifton in Bristol to Leigh Woods in North Somerset and it’s approximately 1,352 feet long. Experience awe-inspiring views of the entire city by walking or driving across this historic landmark...
The SS Great Britain is another of Brunel’s designs that puts Bristol on the map – she held the title of the longest passenger ship in the world from 1845 to 1854. Ships used to be built either of iron or equipped with a screw propeller. The SS Great Britain combined these features and was the first ocean steamer to cross the Atlantic Ocean. She di...
Bristol was very often the launch city for famous explorers from the past. Known in Bristol for having a shopping district named after him, John Cabot is one of Bristol’s greatest claims to fame. Born Giovanni Caboto, John Cabot was an Italian explorer who sailed from Bristol in 1497 aboard a small ship called The Matthew and claimed the title of t...
The street artist Banksy made Bristol famous by painting anti-authoritarian graffiti around the city. No one is quite sure where or who he is at the moment; he’s always been a figure of mystery – much like his birthplace. His work is on display in major museums around the world, including New York and London. If you’re outdoorsy, we recommend takin...
- Cross one of the world’s most famous bridges. It’s all about location. Visionary Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel oversaw many groundbreaking projects throughout his illustrious career, and few are as spectacular as the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
- Go belowdecks on a 19th-century ship. Another masterpiece of design by Brunel, the SS Great Britain has resided in Bristol since 1970. A heroic salvage operation in the Falkland Islands thousands of miles away brought the ship back to the Bristol harbor, where she was first built in 1856; it’s remarkable she still exists in one piece.
- Experience the counterculture in Stokes Croft. The epicenter of Bristol’s creative movement, the Strokes Croft neighborhood offers a smorgasbord of jaunty art, cool cafes, quirky pubs, vintage shops and more.
- Enjoy the views from Cabot Tower. From the tumbling cliffsides of the Avon Gorge to the breathlessly steep walk up Nine Tree Hill, Bristol promises wild topography.
Bristol is sometimes described, by its inhabitants, as being built on seven hills, like Rome. From 18th-century guidebooks, these 7 hills were known as simply Bristol (the Old Town), Castle Hill, College Green, Kingsdown, St Michaels Hill, Brandon Hill and Redcliffe Hill.
May 18, 2020 · Bristol is a city with its own vibrant identity, brimming with creativity and colour. It’s well known for Brunel’s elegant Clifton Suspension Bridge and Banksy’s street art, along with many other unique attributes.
