Good morning, and welcome ..
I’m sure many of you, when travelling to a new location, with all good intentions, have maps and plans of where you are staying and what you want to do. Bristol was no exception. Arriving too early to check into our accommodation we decided to check out where it was, only to find the street blocked by construction workers.
Ok, we will try later. Finding a park was another issue when we decided to go down to Harbourside, ending up parked outside the Raddison Hotel. I called into reception to see if they had a map which was a boon, then as it turned out the Information Centre was across the road at which we collected a few other pieces of information.
At Harbourside there are many restaurants and shops, plus they have a small market. We wandered around and found a cafe, New Cut Coffee, where we decided to have lunch, it was attached to a framing shop, The Art Warehouse and Framing Co. which had a lovely collection of paintings and cards.
After lunch and perusing the gallery we walked along the waterway towards the SS Great Britain, this passenger ship was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, for the Great Western Steamship Company, it’s commission ran from 1845-1853, it is one of the most important historic ships in the world, fitted with a 1000hp steam engine, rejecting conventional paddle wheels, and also giving the ship a screw propeller, changing the design of a ship that changed history. https://www.ssgreatbritain.org/our-story/
Despite the historical significance of this ship we chose not to spend the £12 admission due to the fact we could see a significant amount of the ship from the outside and have had in the past, wandered around similar ships and maritime museums.
On the other side of the river is the area known as Hotwells where all the houses are painted in different colours, we had planned to go there after visiting the bridge but it was not an easy place to find, the roads were very windy and narrow, and trying to get a park was difficult, I think you need to be in the know as to how to access that area. We did see some of the houses from the bridge and also Harbourside so that had to suffice.
Brunel’s design for the Clifton Suspension Bridge was halted due to the Bristol riots and wasn’t built until after his death in 1864. It is an amazing structure, but unfortunately for us the road going across was closed so we were unable to drive to the other side, albeit we did walk across.
My Great Grandmother was born in Bristol, so now was a good opportunity to find the St Nicholas Church where she had been Baptised. I couldn’t believe it when I found it to be just across the river from where we were staying. It has not operated as a church since the 2nd World War that is why I couldn’t find it on the map, at present it is being totally renovated inside and will incorporate a Church museum.
Other places of interest we visited were Corn Street, The Christmas Steps, St Nicholas Markets and St Mary Redcliffe Church.
St Mary Redcliffe Church was a chance discovery, what a magnificent building and the interior was stunning. The high arches, stained glass windows and the workmanship on the exterior amazing.
Corn Street has some beautiful old buildings and nearby are The Christmas Steps which forms quite a narrow pathway, St Nicholas Markets are also close by, quite an eclectic mix of shops, and thankfully a bookmaker whom I got to repair my bag as one of the straps was breaking.
A short distance from there we came across the food shops, and deciding which one we should choose to buy from, we noticed quite a queue lining up for a Moroccan stand, they had several varieties of meats and salads, the salads being piled into conical mounds, the shop was small and they had three chaps there working their tails off serving customers. We ordered one wrap which they cut in half for us as they were quite large, definitely enough for the two of us. And it was delicious!!
I know I have left him until last, but Banksy is an icon of Bristol, probably one of the first taggers that became famous for his work. There is a map taking you to all of his artwork plus everywhere you can buy tshirts, fridge magnets etc with his pieces emblazened. According to Google his name is psuedonomist, he is an English based street artist, a political activist, a film director and whose real name and identity are still unknown. But I bet his accountant knows who he is, I wonder whether the tax department do lol…..
Who would have thought all these years later his work would be worth hundreds if not thousands of dollars, of course I had to buy a souvenir, and also for my sister who is a fan.
Time to leave Bristol and drive to our son and daughter in laws before heading to our next adventure in Brugge, but before I leave you this week, here is this weeks artwork.
Portland Head Lighthouse, Maine USA
Until we meet again and once again you Come Away with Me
Bye for now
Sally 🤗
Such wonderful places you have been Sally. The colourful homes seem to be present in so many places - I know we have them here too in Newfoundland and in the Niagara area. They brighten a town don’t they? I love that. Thanks for sharing!
Another excellent post . Bristol is a great city and for you one with history too. Fabulous you found the church where your Great grandmother was baptised . Love the painting . I have a lot of learning and practising to do lol