Bristol Walking Tour

BRISTOL WALKING TOUR

BRISTOL WALKING TOUR Join us on a relaxing walking tour for an unforgettable experience; you will have the chance to discover the beautiful attractions of Bristol, once described by the poet Sir John Betjeman as 'the finest suburb in England'. This walking tour is about 3 km long; we recommend you to take your time and enjoy every attraction. You will surely be impressed by the beauties of this city.

1. BRISTOL TEMPLE MEADS RAILWAY STATION Our walk will start with Bristol Temple Meads railway station. Even if you use the bus, the train or the car to arrive in the city, your tour will surely start in the oldest and largest railway station in Bristol. You can park your car in 'Temple Gate parking', which is near the railway station, just across the Temple Gate Street; it is open 24 hours per day, with a capacity of 495 parking spots.

Bristol Temple Meads railway station is the most important transport hub for public transport in Bristol, with a ferry service to the city centre and bus services (double-decker buses) to various parts of the city and surrounding districts, in addition to the ferry services. HISTORY

The original terminal station was built in 18391841 for the Great Western Railway (GWR), which was the first passenger railway in Bristol. The name of the station comes from Temple Church, which is located nearby. The word "mds" derivation of meadow from Old English, and it refers to the water meadows alongside the River Avon that were part of Temple parish. Temple Meads was designed by the British engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. To cope with the increasing number of trains and passengers, the railroad station was expended in 1870 by Francis Fox and again in the 1930s by P E Culverhouse. Even today the Brunel's terminus is no longer in use, the historical significance will not be forgotten.

Engraving of interior of Brunel's train-shed Original terminus in 1958 by Ben Brooksbank from 1843, by John Cooke Bourne.


2. ST. MARY REDCLIFFE CHURCH HOW TO GET THERE

After leaving the Temple Meads railway station, go left at the intersection presented in the first picture. Keep straight on Redcliffe Way, until you see on the left side, St. Mary Redcliffe Church (as presented in the second picture). St. Mary Redcliffe is an Anglican parish church located in the Redcliffe district, near the city center. Constructed from the 12th to the 15th centuries, St. Mary Redcliffe is known for the beauty of its Gothic architecture. The spire, which measures 292 ft, is the third tallest of English's parish churches, after St. Walburge and St. James. Queen Elizabeth once described it as "the fairest, goodliest, and most famous parish church in England." HISTORY

One of the great masterpieces of Gothic Architecture, St. Mary Redcliffe Church, has stood on this site for some 800 years. The church was built and beautified by Bristol's wealthy merchants; they paid to have masses sung for their souls and many of whom are commemorated in this church. Within its walls, you will find one of the most beautiful collections of carved bosses, elegant 18th century ironwork, a world famous organ, built by Harris and Byfield in 1726, and some beautiful stained glass. In the 17th century, the church loss much of the stained glass, during the Reformation and English Civil War. The interior of St. Mary Redcliffe was refitted in the Baroque style due to Queen Anne, who partially funded the renovation.

Canopied tomb of William II Canynges(d.1474) at St Mary Redcliffe Church, Bristol.

St. Mary Redcliffe from the North West


3. QUEEN SQUARE HOW TO GET THERE

After leaving the St. Mary Redcliffe Church, go straight on the same Street, Redcliffe Way, until you reach Redcliffe Bridge. Cross the bridge, and when you reach the intersection, turn left, on The Grove Street, as seen in the first picture. After 140m, turn right on Grove Ave and you will see the beautiful Queen Square lying in front of you. Queen Square is an elegant grassy area which measures 2.4 hectares (5.9 acres) and was named in honor of Queen Anne. It was originally a beautiful residential address, but now most of the constructions are in office use. The site on which the Queens Square was built lay outside Bristol's city walls and has been known as the Town Marsh. The Square was planned in 1699 and building finished in 1727. Almost all the north side and much of the west were destroyed in the Bristol Riots in 1831 and rebuilt years later. In 1937 the Inner Circuit Road was driven like a diagonal across the Square but in 2000 it was discard and the open space restored. In the centre of the Square you will find the statue of William III by Flemish sculptor John Michael Rysbrack, reckoned to be the best equestrian statue in the country. It was cast in 1733 and erected in 1736 to signify the city's loyalty.

HISTORY

One of the attractions of Queen Square was The Bristol Riots of 1831. The riot took place after the House of Lords rejected the second Reform Bill, which aimed to get rid of some of the rotten boroughs and give Britain's fast growing industrial towns such as Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, Bradford and Leeds, an important representation in the House of Commons. Bristol had been represented in the House of Commons since 1295; however by 1830, only 6,000 of the total population had the vote. In 1937 Bristol Corporation approved the building of a dual carriageway road diagonally across the Square. This formed part of the Inner Circuit Road, connecting Redcliffe Way with The Centre, and involved the demolition of property in both corners of the Square and the re-alignment of the Rysbrack statue. In 1992 the dual carriageway was closed for traffic for an initial six-month trial period but it was never reopened.

The centre of Queen Square Statue of William III by J.M.Rysbrack The 1831 Riot


4. PERO`S BRIDGE HOW TO GET THERE

Leave Queen Square through Middle Avenue (as presented in the first picture), turn left on Prince Street and after this, right on Farr`s Ln. To reach Pero`s Bridge, you just have to go straight, and you will discover a unique pedestrian bridge, as seen in the second picture. Pero's Bridge, which is a pedestrian bascule bridge, spans St Augustine's Reach in Bristol

Harbour and it links Queen Square and Millennium Square. The bridge is composed of three

spans, the longest measuring 36ft; the two outer ones are fixed and the central section can

be raised in order to provide a good waterway in the harbor. The unique design of the

bridge is revealed by the pair of horn-shaped sculptures which act as counterweights for the

lifting section, leading it to be commonly known as the Horned Bridge.

HISTORY

The bridge is named after "Pero"

who lived from around 1753 to

1798, arriving in Bristol probably

from the Caribbean Island of Nevis in

1783, as the slave of the merchant

John Pinney (17401818) at 5 Great

George Street. The bridge bears the

signature of the Irish artist Eilis O'Connell, in conjunction with Ove Arup & Partners

engineers and opened in 1999.

SINCE YOU ARE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, YOU CAN ALSO TRY THE BRISTOL AQUARIUM After you Cross The Pero`s Bridge, you must go straight for 250 ft, until you intersect with Anchor Rd. There, you have to turn right, walk 25 ft. and on the right side, you will discover the Aquarium. Bristol Aquarium is a must see attraction for nature lovers; it allows you to get face to face with a fabulous array of tropical and native marine life. You can find there stingrays, octopus, freshwater turtles, tropical sharks and also, seahorses. Displays range from sunken ships to the Amazon, thought the enormous Coral Sea tank, with its underwater tunnel and circling sharks, is the most impressive, even if you are an adult or a child. In the Aquarium you can find an IMAX 3D Cinema, included in the price, which gives you a good idea of what a 40ft-tall shark might look like.


5. BRISTOL CATHEDRAL HOW TO GET THERE

After you Cross The Pero`s Bridge, you must go straight for 250 ft, until you intersect with Anchor Rd. Turn left and immediately, on your right, you will be amazed by Bristol Cathedral. Bristol Cathedral, the Church of England

cathedral in the city of Bristol, was

founded in 1140, and it became the seat

of the bishop and cathedral of the new

Diocese of Bristol in 1542. Located on

College Green, its Gothic architecture

acknowledges the fact that it was

constructed over a period of more than

700 years. You can find here some

unusual memorial, but also an historic organ. Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity

HISTORY

In 1140, Robert Fitzharding, a local landowner and royal official, founded Bristol Cathedral

as St Augustine's Abbey. The original abbey church, of which only fragments you can see

today, was built between 1140 and 1148 in the Romanesque style, known as Norman in

English culture. Beside the Cathedral, others buildings were constructed on the site between

1148 and 1164. Among these we have the chapterhouse and the abbey gatehouse, together

with a second Romanesque gateway, which originally led into the abbot's quarters. Another

important building is the chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was erected

under Abbot David (12161234). This construction, which still stands after so many years,

was to become the well-known "Elder Lady Chapel".

Bristol Cathedral in an 1873 engraving, still incomplete

The unique "lierne" vaulting of the choir and tower can be seen here from Street's nave, with clustered columns and Purbeck marble shafts


6. SS GREAT BRITAIN HOW TO GET THERE

Leaving Bristol Cathedral, turn right on Anchor

Rd. When Anchor Rd intersects with Lime Kiln

Rd, turn left on it, as presented in the picture

below. Go straight on Lime Kiln Rd until you see

Capricorn Quay Ferry Landing. On the other side

of the river you will be able to admire the SS

Great Britain Museum Ship.

SS Great Britain is now a museum ship after a long working life. This iconic ship, and now a

national treasure, was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. You can visit the First Class

Dining, once admired by Queen Victoria, or you can explore under water, below the

beautiful and amazing glass sea.

HISTORY

The SS Great Britain enjoyed an impressive working life from 1845 to 1933 thanks to

Brunels engineering skills. In 1886, the ship was badly damaged during a storm and her

ocean-going career came to an end. She spent the next 47 years as a floating warehouse

under Falklands Islands Company. In 1970, SS Great Britain was returned to the Bristol dry

dock where she was built. Now listed as part of the Core Collection, National Historic Fleet,

she is one of the most important attraction and museum ship in Bristol Harbor, with

160,000 visitors annually. The interior is divided into three decks, two upper for the

passengers, and one lower, for the merchandise. The two passenger decks were divided in

two compartments, separated by the boiler and the engines.

Dimensions: Length: 322 ft; Beam (width): 50.5 ft; Height (main deck to keel): 32.5 ft.

Dining saloon in the museum ship SS Great Britain

SS Great Britain in dry dock at Bristol in 2005


7. GEORGIAN HOUSE HOW TO GET THERE

Return to Anchor Rd, turn left and

continue the road until you will arrive in

the intersection presented in the

picture. Continue your way on Jacob`s

Wells Rd and when you have Brandon

Hill on your right, enter the park. Go

straight until you find Great George St.

The Georgian House Museum is located

at the intersection of Great George St. with Hill St.

The Georgian House from 7 Great George Street, Bristol, is today arranged as a period

townhouse. It shows the life style of a wealthy business man towards the end of the

Georgian period (1714-1830). The house was built in about 1790 by John Pinney, who

owned plantations on the Caribbean island of Nevis. Using slave labor, sugar cane was

grown on his land making him a wealthy man. After settling in Bristol, managers were

employed to run the plantations and John Pinney started a company trading in sugar. It is

also believed to be the house where the poets William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor

Coleridge first met.

HISTORY

The Georgian House is an 18th century, six

storey townhouse in the centre of Bristol that

has been restored and furnished to its original

glory. It contains some of the original decoration

and fittings, such as the bureau-bookcase in the

study and a rare cold water plunge bath, which

has been used as a location for a TV series.

There are 11 rooms spread over the four floors

of the house, including: The basement, where

you can discover the kitchen, John Pinney's cold

water plunge pool and housekeeper's room;

Formal rooms, which includes John Pinney's

office, two dining rooms, two drawing rooms,

and a magnificent library ; A small exhibition on

the Pinney's contribution in the sugar trade. The

Georgian House is a well preserved example of a

typical late 18th century town house, making it a symbol of the city. The Georgian House Museum


8. CABOT TOWER How to get there

Return to Brandon Hill, and after 350 ft, on your right, you

will discover the Cabot Tower.

Cabot Tower is the famous tower from Bristol, situated in a

public park on Brandon Hill, between the city

center, Clifton and Hotwells. Hardest work to make it safe

has now been completed, so visitors can once again take the

challenge to climb the spiral staircase inside Cabot Tower in

order to enjoy the panoramic views of the city of Bristol and

its Harbourside. The tower offers a great view of Bristol and

surrounding countryside as you can see in the picture below.

HISTORY

The construction of the tower was made by Love and Waite of Bristol, while the architect of

it was William Venn Gough. It consists of a spiral staircase and two platforms which look

down over the city, the higher point it is approximately 334 feet (102 m) above sea level. It

was built in the name of John Cabot, 400 years after he set sail in the the Matthew from

Bristol and landed in North America, the place which later was to become Canada. The

tower is 105 feet (32 m) high and was built from red sandstone with cream Bath Stone for

decoration and intensity. It was shut in 2007 after some structural issues. According to

specialists, the iron structure had badly corroded which had in turn affected the brickwork.

There was also found to be a lack of structural metal ties which made a real threatening

crash. It was reopened to the public on 16 August 2011, after four years of intense work.

Panorama over Bristol from the Cabot tower


9. CITY MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY How to get there

Leaving Cabot Tower, go straight to Upper Byron

Pl, as presented in the picture below. Continue

your way until you reach Berkeley Square Street.

When you intersect Park St, turn left, and left

again after 50ft, on Queen`s Road. On your right,

you will have the chance to admire one of the

beautiful museums in Bristol.

The Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery is a large museum and art gallery. Bristol Museum

and Art Gallery has twenty galleries over three floors with a diverse range of objects, from

sea dinosaurs to wonderful art. You can find here collections of regional, national and

international importance. At Ground floor (World Cultures), you will find exhibits from

Egypt, Assyria, but also a Caf and a shop. The First Floor holds minerals, some wildlife and

Modern Art galleries. In the summer of 2009 the museum hosted an exhibition by Banksy,

featuring more than 70 works of art, including animatronics and installations.

HISTORY

The Museum and Art Gallery has its origins in the foundation, in 1823, of the Bristol

Institution for the Advancement of Science and Art. The neoclassical construction was

designed by Sir Charles Robert Cockerell (17881863). In February 1947, the remains of the

old Museum building (the exception made the undamaged lecture theatre) were sold to

Bristol University; it was then rebuilt with the actual design.

The museum's natural history galleries include a large selection of taxidermies animals

Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery


10. ST STEPHEN`S CHURCH How to get there

After you visit Bristol

Museum and Art Gallery,

turn left on Queen`s Rd and

at the first intersection,

continue your way on Park

Row (as seen in the first

picture). After 800 ft, turn right on Lodge St, as seen in the second picture. Go until the

street ends and turn right on Trenchard St. After 100 ft, turn left on Pipe Ln, and right after

200 ft. Cross the pedestrian area and keep straight on Clare St. Turn left on Saint Stephen`s

Avenue and after 100 ft. you will discover St Stephen`s Church.

St Stephen`s Church is a parish church for the city of Bristol and it is located in St Stephen`s

Avenue. This is a large and well preserved 15th century town church, filled with

monuments, quiet churchyard, and a small modern caf; the impressive tower is the symbol

of it. In there you can find the tombs of Edmund Blanket, a 14th-century clothier

and wool merchant, and also the tomb of Martin Pring, a navigator, explorer and merchant

which discovered what is now called Cape Cod Bay.

HISTORY

Although there has been a church on the site since the 11th

century, the present structure was rebuilt around 1470. The

tower and East window were paid for by John Shipward,

Mayor of Bristol (d. 1473). The aisle and east window were

repaired in 1873 and the clerestory was repaired after a storm

in 1703. It now has an active ministry to the City Centre, with

innovative, modern forms of worship. The tower measures

approximately 18 ft. by 20 ft. at its base, and rises to a total

height of 152 ft. Over the years, the initial six bells were

replaced and the number increased to twelve.

St Stephen's Church

SINCE YOU ARE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, YOU CAN TRY SOME CHOCOLATE AT

GUILBERTS CHOCOLATES LTD Return to Clare St and go left on Corn St. At the intersection, take the left on Small St and after 200 ft., on your right, you will find the best chocolate in Bristol. Guilberts is iconic for the city of Bristol, being the only remaining chocolate maker in town. 100 years ago, Piers Guilbert opened his first chocolate shop/ factory at 40 Park Street. During the war, the location was bombed and in 1958 Guilbert decided to move to Leonard Lane.


11. ST NICHOLAS MARKET How to get there

Return to Clare St and go left on Corn St. When you intersect with Christmas St, go right, and again right on High St. after 50 ft. you will be in the front of St Nicholas Market. HISTORY

St Nicholas Market, known as St Nicks, is a market located on Corn Street, in The Exchange at Bristol City Center. Its permanent market constructions are home to the largest collection of independent retailers in Bristol but you can also consider the home to the Nails Market, the Slow Food Market and Bristol Farmers' Market, all of which are located on Corn Street in front of the Exchange. St Nicholas Market was named as one of the ten best markets in the UK, and it is the living embodiment of what a market should be.

The Exchange at dusk

GRADE I LISTED BUILDINGS IN BRISTOL There are 100 Grade I listed buildings in Bristol, according to Bristol City Council. In the United Kingdom, the term refers to a construction or other structure with officially designation for having a cultural significance, especially architectural, or historical. Here is a list with the buildings you just visited which are Grade I listed buildings.

1. Bristol Cathedral 2. Bristol Temple Meads Railway Station 3. St Mary Redcliffe 4. St Stephan`s Church

THE CLIFTON SUSPENSION BRIDGE The Clifton Suspension Bridge is the symbol of the city of Bristol. For almost 150 years this structure has attracted visitors from all over the world. All started in 1754 with a dream of a wine merchant from Bristol; 24 year old Isambard Kingdom Brunel was declared the winner and appointed project engineer. If you would like to visit this wonderful bridge, from Bristol Museum and Art Gallery go straight on Queen`s Rd, continue with Clifton Rd, Merchants Rd, and then take right on Regent St that continues with Clifton Down Rd. When you will intersect with Clifton Bridge Street, go left on it and continue your way until you see the Suspension Bridge. We did not include it in our tour due to the long distance from the city center. However you will find here a small map if you really want to see this unique bridge.

We hope that you had a great experience and enjoyed every step in our walking tour. If

you have any comments or feedback about it, please do not hesitate to contact us.


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Bristol Walking Tour

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