We visited Bristol for a day out, but unfortunately the weather was bad so we tended to find places to shelter. However, there are plenty of things to see and do in the city.
One of the most popular attractions is Brunel’s SS Great Britain, which was the world’s first ocean liner. Guides take you around the site and tell the story of Brunel and the ship itself. You can get a unique view of the hull and can visit two interactive museums. “Being Brunel” is the museum which is dedicated to Isambard Kingdom Brunel and it contains thousands of his items. You can also explore the ship itself which recreates Victorian life at sea with smells, sights and sounds! We stopped for tea and cakes at the Harbourside Kitchen located alongside the ship with views of the harbour.
Bristol has a number of art centres and galleries. For contemporary art there is the Arnolfini gallery. It is situated on the harbourside and is a centre for events, music, film, dance, performance and visual arts. Another popular museum is the M Shed – a former transit shed on the historic wharf. It uncovers Bristol’s trading past, industrial heritage and its role in the transatlantic slave trade. Outside the M Shed is The Matthew – a modern reconstruction of the original ship that John Cabot sailed to Newfoundland in 1497. From this spot you can see the Clifton Suspension Bridge also built by Brunel and proudly spanning the River Avon Gorge. We visited the Georgian House in Great George Street which was the home of a slave owner. There are eleven rooms to see spread over four floors ,which reveal what life was like above and below stairs in the 18th century.
We also visited Bristol Cathedral, which is over 900 years old. There was an exhibition entitled “All God’s Children”, which explored the impact of the slave economy and how the exploiters did not see that their actions were incompatible with their Christian faith. Throughout the building there are ancient artefacts and intricate carvings. The Chapter House dates from around 1160. The cathedral is worth a visit as there special events and exhibitions that take place regularly.
Bristol is the UNESCO city of film where many famous films have been created such as Wallace and Gromit. In fact, film and TV production is a major part of the city’s economy. Because of the miserable weather we did not see as much as originally planned – such as the Banksy walking tour or the beautiful parks. However, we did enjoy an Italian meal in Prezzo by the harbourside before returning to the railway station.
A Grand Day Out!