We’d planned a return visit to the city of Bristol, this time in midsummer making it a complete contrast to our festive break in the city a little over three years ago. Summer it might have been, but with the weather forecast predicting heavy rain all weekend we had come prepared. Bristol is located in southern England and is easily accessible by road with both the M4 and M5 motorways serving the city together with good rail links across the country from Bristol Temple Meads Station.
It was around 3.00 p.m. when we opened the door into the stylish apartment that we had kindly been invited to stay in by Your Apartments. Located in the desirable suburb of Clifton with its rows of Georgian townhouses, our spacious accommodation felt like a luxurious home from home as it came equipped with everything we could need, and more.
After settling in with cups of tea and a quick catch up on what was happening in the European football championships, we were ready to start exploring. Leaving the apartment it was just a fifteen minute downhill walk to the harbourside.
Just before reaching there we paused at the foot of Park Street to admire Bristol’s historic 12th century cathedral located on College Green. This pleasant open space covers over two acres and is also home to the impressive City Hall, a neo-gothic curved building featuring a mirror pool which beautifully reflects the summer bedding plants bordering it.
Bristol Harbourside was once a busy dock where merchants and sailors met to trade goods and has been transformed into a vibrant area with numerous bars and restaurants in the former dock buildings all with outdoor terraces overlooking the harbour.
Despite it being late in the evening we were able to take advantage of the long daylight hours to continue our walk along the floating harbour after finding a cosy restaurant to enjoy a meal. Our stroll took us along the north bank of the harbour passing the elegant crescent shaped headquarters of Lloyds Bank with its large amphitheatre built for concerts and festivals. Unfortunately it wasn’t possible to include a photo of the building as it was surrounded by a large number of television vehicles as some filming was taking place.
Across the water, the masts and rigging of SS Great Britain came into view and we looked forward to the prospect of touring this famous ship later in the weekend. Continuing slightly further we could see a row of colourful cottages clinging to the hillside and some canal boats moored in the floating harbour. On the water itself a rowing eight were out practising from the nearby boat club so we paused awhile to watch them.
Glancing at the time, we then decided that we still had time to walk up to the top of Brandon Hill before it went dark. It didn’t actually take very long to reach Bristol’s oldest park but it was a steep climb up several flights of stone steps.
It was worth the climb as even in the dim light there were some splendid views through the trees across the city and over the harbour. Standing proudly on the hilltop is Cabot Tower which was paid for by public subscription and erected to commemorate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot’s voyage from Bristol to Newfoundland, Canada in 1497.
The previous year Henry VII had given Cabot the task of finding the quickest trade route to Japan and China and he made history when he crossed the Atlantic in his 78ft ship The Matthew and hoisted a flag on the North American shore.
Both he and Christopher Columbus believed sailing west would take them to Asia as they were not yet aware of America. Cabot thought he had discovered an island off the coast of Asia but as he had reached land he named it Newfoundland. The tower is currently closed but is usually open daily with free admission and on a clear day must be one of the best places in the city to enjoy far reaching views.
It was then falling dark so we returned to our lovely apartment and enjoyed a bedtime drink before sliding between the sheets of our extremely comfortable bed and falling asleep in seconds. To be continued.
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Love Travelling Blog 
What a great start to a visit to Bristol. Id say its been 25 years since I was there. Such a lovely city ill get reading the other couple days.
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Bristol is such a wonderful city and we had a brilliant weekend there. Thanks so much for commenting.
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Wow another fabulous post Marion. You are the Travelling Queen – going to such amazing places.
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Thanks so much for the compliment Sue! All those months of being stuck at home are soon forgotten when we’re out exploring once again and I’m so enjoying seeing more of my own country! Hope things are going well for you too! Marion
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Amazing blog 😀
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Thank you for your kind words
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It’s funny to see this Cabot Tower, as I show Cabot Trail in my articles about Nova Scotia. There is also a Cabot Tower in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
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It’s good that he was remembered for touching land in Canada even if he though he had reached Asia! One day hopefully I’ll get an opportunity to visit these parts of Canada myself as I’ve so far only been to BC and Victoria Island.
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I cannot promise that we will build a tower for you 🙂
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That’s too bad about the rain, but glad to hear that you came prepared and that you were able to to still explore some of the sites around Bristol. It’s always nice to return to a warm and dry place. Cabot Tower looks beautiful.
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Thanks Cabot Tower and its surrounding gardens were beautiful for a warm summer’s evening stroll.
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I’m looking forward to reading your accounts on Bristol, Marion. It looks very interesting from this first piece. I’ve noticed it in a couple of drama series recently and its maritime connections fascinate. Passed by twenty years ago but really intend to give it a visit in the future.
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Thank you for taking an interest in this series of posts on Bristol Shane. It’s another of our fine cities and a very pleasant place to explore. Hope you are enjoying a sunny weekend. Marion
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Blue skies dawn till dusk. Like being on the Mediterranean (sort of).
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Great pictures, water scenes, impressive architecture and interesting dialogue. That’s why I keep coming back to your page. 🙂
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Thank you so much for your continued interest in my blog Ian. Bristol is such an interesting city to spend a few days in. Marion
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The UK is home to some of the most interesting, cosmopolitan and beautiful cities in the world, and Bristol is definitely one of them. Your apartment looks very stylish, and I am glad to see that despite the moody weather, you had a great time. Thanks for sharing and have a lovely evening 🙂 Aiva xx
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Thanks Aiva, Bristol is a very interesting city and we enjoyed a lovely few days there. Our accommodation was gorgeous too and had been so tastefully designed. Hope you are enjoying a sunny weekend. Marion
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I always love staying in an apartment. Sometimes we book Airbnb . We are heading to St.John’s next week ..my husband was from Newfoundland.
Always take a hike to the Cabot Tower sitting on Signal Hill. We are planning on heading to London in Sept..love to go see Bristol and see the history there.
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How wonderful that you are planning a trip to St. John’s next week Anita. Were also hoping to get overseas in September but in the meantime enjoying the British summer. It’s younger son’s birthday next week so we’re taking the train to London for a weekend and staying in Kensington. The weather is lovely here now so hopefully it will continue. Hope it’s good with you too. Marion
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The apartment looks gorgeous, I would like to visit there someday
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Thank you for your kind words. The apartment was gorgeous.
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I’ve never been to Bristol, so it’s being added to the list as well! Your apartment looks amazing 🙂
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It’s beautiful Marion! The place looks gorgeous. What does SS stand for?
You seem to have explored Bristol really well. Are you just on Pinterest or have you considered Instagram as well?
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SS stands for Steam Ship. Our apartment was gorgeous too. I’m also on Instagram and you can find me @love_travelling_blog. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, it’s much appreciated. Mario.
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Oh alright. Can’t deny about the apartment, have a good day Marion!
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Love all your photos of Bristol. I haven’t been there. Beautiful apartment!
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Thank you so much for your kind words. Bristol is a really interesting city and the apartment we stayed in was beautiful.
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What a beautiful town. I wish after the pandemic I could give myself a chance to visit such a lovely place. 🥰
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Thank you, Bristol is a very interesting city
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Beautiful accommodation, just what one needs after a day exploring. I love the quietness of Brandon Hill Park and the harbor. Looks like an interesting place for a city break. Have a lovely weekend, Marion.
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Thanks Leighton, Bristol is a very interesting city and our accommodation gorgeous. Hope you have a good weekend too. It’s a heatwave here and we’re still sitting out in the garden as it’s so warm.
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What a lovely beginning of your tour of.Bristol! Those cottages and the harbor is such an incredible picture! Cant wait for more on Bristol 🙂
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Thank you so much for your kind words Meg. The harbourside is extremely pretty.
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Looks like another nice getaway. We have stood at the Cabot Tower in St. John’s Newfoundland. Nice to see the one near the start of the trip. Interesting design for the city hall. It looks a bit like the Royal Crescent in Bath, except, less ornate. Thanks for sharing Marion. Have a great weekend. Allan
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So interesting to read that you have visited the Cabot Tower in Newfoundland Allan. Bristol is a very interesting city and just 15 minutes by train from Bath.
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I had problems to like Bristol in the beginning. I visited Bristol several times because the film production company I worked with had its main office in Bristol. My positive experience of Bristol: I met a lot of creative people there, more than in other place I have been.
Thanks for sharing your view of Bristol
Klausbernd
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Thank you for your kind words. Bristol is a very interesting city with a large number of creatives.
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Yes, we noticed
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You’ve really had lovely accommodation … and isn’t it always a pleasure to have a nice place to rest after a day exploring on foot. Love the look of the cathedral and looking forward to read about your tour on the SS Great Britain 👍🏻.
Have a great weekend.
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Thank you Corna. Our accommodation was beautiful and Bristol is such an interesting city.
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We’ve just spent our break in Bristol as Husband lived there as a child, it’s a very interesting city!
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So pleased to read that you have also just enjoyed a visit to Bristol. It really is a wonderful city.
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I’ve often seen the SS Great Britain mentioned when scanning old newspapers looking for immigrants to Australia in the 19th century.
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Such a wonderful old ship to explore Gwen.
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Not a town I know well – nice apartment!
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Thanks Sheree, I’d visited Bristol a couple of times before and enjoy the city. Hope you have a good weekend.
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Me too!
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