Bristol Waterside
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Click on the WWW link above for general links about Bristol.
This page describes a tour around Bristol's Waterside - the docks.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel's famous Clifton Suspension Bridge
The suspension bridge is in Clifton; coming along the river from the suspension bridge takes you to Hotwells, a former spa. From Hotwells, you can walk alongside the docks all the way into the centre. The Hotwells end of the docks is well served by the yellow Bristol ferries, has several pubs and is a popular place for windsurfers and sailing. This picture shows the scene outside "The Cottage" pub, with the brightly coloured houses of Clifton Wood visible behind.
Also visible from this spot is Brandon Hill, with the Cabot Tower:
Walking towards the centre brings you to the Marina, the Matthew and the S.S. Great Britain - Brunel's transatlantic steam ship:
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Bristol Marina. Bristol has always been famous for shipbuilding; nowadays, it is mainly small local boat builders operating near the Marina. |
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Near the Marina is the S. S. Great Britain, Brunel's steamship. This has been restored and is open to the public. This shot also shows the Matthew moored nearby, and a yellow ferry in the foreground. This shot is taken from the other side of the docks. |
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The first recorded European to reach the North American coast was not Columbus - he got to the West Indies - but John Cabot, who named his boat "The Matthew" after his son and reached Newfoundland in 1497. John Cabot and Isambard Kingdom Brunel are the most famous Bristolians - though in fact, Cabot was Italian, and Brunel a Londoner; you don't have to be born here to be a proper Bristolian! Bristol's newest ship is The Matthew - a replica of Cabot's original (or a guess at the replica - Cabot didn't leave any plans behind), which also sailed to Newfoundland in 1997 to mark the 500th anniversary. She is now moored near the S.S. Great Britain (although this photo shows her moored outside the Arnolfini during the Bristol Regatta). |
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Continuing along the docks, you reach Broad Quay in the centre of Bristol. This photo shows a shot of Broad Quay, during the Bristol Regatta in July 1999, with the Arnolfini. The Arnolfini is a converted grain warehouse which is now an arts centre and café. |
Looking up Broad Quay towards the centre, you'll see a new pedestrian bridge - the Perot Bridge, named after an African slave. As a major shipping centre, Bristol played a pivotal role in the slave trade, and has tended to keep rather quiet about this. It has only been recently that some attempt has been made to highlight the fact that the city's wealth came at an appallingly high cost in human lives and dignity.
View of Broad Quay from Perot Bridge
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Crossing over Prince Street near the Arnolfini leads to St. Mary Redcliffe, and further along the water again lies Castle Green, site of Bristol Castle. The castle was built in the 11th century, but demolished on Cromwell's orders in 1656. Its remains can still be seen today. The white ball in the picture is a helium balloon, which was tethered in Castle Green during summer 2000 and offered rides giving amazing views over the city. |
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Crossing over from Castle Green takes you to Welsh Back and King Street. This is home to the famous "Old Duke" jazz pub, and the Llandoger Trow - reputed by some to be the Smugglers Inn mentioned in Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island (although there are several more likely candidates, notably the nearby Hole in the Wall). Bristol's Old Vic and Theatre Royal are also in King Street, and live music is frequently played outside. |
