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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.
- 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...
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Feb 7, 2021 · Banksy, one of the most famous street artists of all time, was born and raised in Bristol. In the 1980s, when Banksy was just a young kid, there was a major street art wave in Bristol that Banksy was a part of. As a result, some of his earliest pieces can still be found around the city. While unfortunately some of his work is no longer there ...
Nov 28, 2023 · Clifton. Clifton is a suburb, and along with the city center has some of the best landmarks that Bristol is famous for. The most visited attraction here is the Clifton Suspension Bridge over the Avon Gorge, dangling 100 meters above the water. The Clifton Observatory offers a panoramic view of the surrounding greenery.
- 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.
Places to visit in Bristol. Bristol is as well known for Brunel's elegant Clifton Suspension Bridge as it is for Banksy's street art. And not forgetting Aardman, creators of plasticine superstars Wallace and Gromit. It's little wonder that innovative museums packed with objets d'art and historic relics have set up shop here.
Jul 10, 2020 · The ultimate Bristol travel guide. With graffiti as colourful as the hot-air balloons that float over its cobbled alleyways, Bristol is one of Europe's best city breaks. Bristol doesn’t like to brag. If anything, it’s the precise opposite. City native Banksy ’s mural in Stokes Croft reminds visitors that this is ‘The Mild, Mild West’.
