Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Boats & Balloons
Soak up Bristol's seafaring roots by jump-
ing on board a
Bristol Ferry Boat Com-
pany
ferry (
&
0117/927-3416;
www.
bristolferry.com). Boats run throughout
the day along the River Avon, enabling
you to hop-on and hop-off for £1.90 per
trip or £4.90 for a circular tour of the
entire route. For a more exhilarating
view of the city, take to the skies with
Bristol Balloons
(
&
0117/947-1050;
www.bristolballoons.co.uk), which runs
a variety of mesmerizing “flights” from
just £90.
8
display, and an open-top giant coral installation, and is home to sharks and stringrays.
As part of the admission price, visitors can also watch a selection of dazzling marine-
themed 3D films on a four-story IMAX screen.
Anchor Rd.
&
0117/929-8929.
www.bristolaquarium.co.uk. Admission £14 adults, £12.50 seniors,
£9.20 children 3-14, £43 family ticket. Daily 10am-5pm (to 6pm Sat-Sun and holidays). Closed Christ-
mas Day. Bus: 8 or 9.
Bristol Cathedral
CATHEDRAL This handsome example of monumental
Gothic architecture, originally an Augustinian abbey, dates back to the 12th century;
the central tower was added in 1466. In 1539, the abbey was dissolved by Henry VIII,
and it became a cathedral church soon after. The eastern end of the cathedral, espe-
cially the choir, is one of Britain's most brilliant examples of early Decorated Gothic
style, while the Eastern Lady Chapel (1220) has exquisite heraldic stained glass. The
finest late Norman architecture can be found off the south transept, amid the rich
carvings of the Chapter House.
College Green, West End.
&
0117/926-4879.
www.bristol-cathedral.co.uk. Free admission; £2.50
donation requested. Mon-Sat 8am-6pm; Sun 7:20am-5pm. Bus: 8 or 9.
Cabot Tower
OBSERVATION POINT This 32-m (105-ft.) sandstone tower
was built in 1897 to commemorate John Cabot's voyage from Bristol to Newfound-
land 400 years earlier. Today climbing to the top provides the best views of the city.
Brandon Hill Park, just off Park St., West End.
&
0117/922-3719.
www.bristol-cathedral.co.uk. Free
admission. Daily 8am to 30 minutes before dusk.
M Shed
MUSEUM This absorbing museum opened in 2011, with three
main galleries exploring the history and culture of the city through interactive displays
and exhibits: Bristol People, Bristol Places, and Bristol Life. Everything from Bristol's
musical traditions to the slave trade is covered—there's even remains of Bristol's very
own dinosaur, Thecodontosaurus, discovered locally in the 19th century.
Wapping Rd, Princes Wharf.
&
0117-925-1470
or 0117-922-3143. mshed.org. Free admission. Tues-Fri
10am-5pm; Sat-Sun and bank holidays 10am-6pm.
SS
Great Britain
HISTORIC SITE Bristol's pride and joy, the SS
Great
Britain
was the world's first iron steamship when it was launched here in 1843. Two
years later it crossed the Atlantic in 14 days—a record at the time. Thanks to a
remarkable salvage project in 1970 and subsequent restoration, you can now roam
the ship's Victorian interior, pondering the skill and vision of designer Isambard King-
dom Brunel. Admission includes the adjacent Dockyard Museum, which provides
background and history on the ship, and entry to the replica of John Cabot's ship,
The
Matthew
(www.matthew.co.uk), whenever she is in Bristol.
