Worth a visit if you are in the area. The suspension bridge is quite majestic especially if you see…read moreit from the woods there. You can also travel across it by car for one pound, aswell as walk across it. The area around is located In Clifton which has beautiful houses and parks and walks around. There is an observation tower which also offers great views aswell as a cafe..

It's a must visit if you're in Bristol ,the area is so beautiful,the views is gorgeousread more

Cabot Tower is a tower in Bristol, England, situated in a public park on Brandon Hill, between the…read morecity centre, Clifton and Hotwells. It is a grade II listed building. The tower was built in the 1890s to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the journey of John Cabot from Bristol to land which later became Canada. It makes for a pleasant walk through the park, although a steep climb if you go to the top.. Lovely views of Bristol once you are there.

When I asked where we were going, I was told to see the Folly. Who doesn't love a good folly? Turns…read moreout my friend was talking about Cabot Tower. The park surrounding the tower is lovely, even a dreary November day. The tower allows great views of the city. The only problem is getting up and down on a busy Sunday. The steps are narrow and I may have slipped and thought I was going to die. Definitely worth a tour around and hopefully you won't have to pass folks on the stairs as you go up and down.

Bristol University's music department is a prominent feature at the top of the triangle on Queens…read moreStreet. The grandeur of the building is put to use for other purposes - concerts, open-days, graduation ceremonies, and ball venues. The epitome of Bristol's wealth and propriety, this changes when student celebrations are in full-swing. A common sight is of students jumping into the fountains at the front of the steps, splashing around in the water and even being so rebellious as to pour washing-up liquid into the water. There are lots of rooms of various sizes and this makes it a perfect venue for almost any occasion. The building is mainly host to concerts and recitals, but I had my end of first year prom here. A large but cosy dining room for dinner, a room fit for dancing and a two smaller, connecting-rooms to hold a casino night.

Bristol University's music department is housed in this stunning Victorian building at the top of…read morepark street, where the route splits between Clifton and Whiteladies Road. With the fountains and sculptures adorning its front facade, it is an imposing building to add to a list of impressive architecture in Bristol. Inside, there are two large recital rooms that serve as the concert hall for both the students who study here and a range of independent music performances, from classical superstars to the local Bristol Schools Orchestra. There's also a wide variety of teaching rooms. The university only turned this into the music department in 1996, but the building was purpose built in 1842 for the use of music. There are tours available through the University, or alternatively just buy a ticket to one of the concerts, but the Victoria Rooms is a Bristol asset that is definitely worth appreciating.

This is Bristol's uber landmark - along with the suspension bridge and cabot tower, you could pop…read morethem all on a postcard and have a pretty good tourist notion of Brizzle. I'm quite a fan of this tower. It was begun in 1915, and finally completed in 1925, to commemorate Henry Overton Wills, the first chancellor of Bristol University and whose family were the owners of Bristol Tobacco, and as such were very wealthy. The architect, Sir George Oatley, was told to 'build to last', which he certainly has done. In a neo gothic style, the building dominates the Bristol skyline in a majestic way. On Open Doors day every summer there's a an opportunity to go inside the the tower for free. It is, without doubt, the highest point in Bristol and the view is just phenomenal from the top. It's not just a view though, as you can get up close to the massive bell that chimes each hour, and stand in the bell room as it does so (don't worry, they give you ear plugs, which you'll definitely need!). If you miss out on the open doors day, there's a guide who does a tour on the first tuesday of every month, I believe, though this won't be free but well worth the visit.

Now that it's free of all that scaffolding, Wills Memorial Building is once again standing bright…read moreand proud at the top of Park Street, hosting Bristol University graduations (including mine a few years ago!), exams (again, including mine!), and other grand university ceremonies. It's also got some teaching space here, particularly for the Law students, which is why you'll see many students hanging about here during the day. The patch of green in front of the building is a great place for a picnic, though not particularly quiet or peaceful, given that it's near the busy Triangle and that you'll be surrounded by gossipy undergrads. I came to sit here on my first visit to Bristol when I was looking around the university. I spilt a whole cup of boiling tea on my foot and it swelled up monstrously. I considered myself well and truly physically branded by my Bristol experience, and therefore decided to take up the offer to study here! The Memorial Building is truly beautiful inside; a big cathedral with vast stained glass windows. Walking up the big flight of steps inside really does provide that lovely feeling of hushed awe.

Millenium Square is quite a stunning open space in the city center. It is always filled with kids…read moreplaying around in the shiny silvery water features, flatland BMXers practicing their tricks in the middle of the square, or just people sitting around the benches and steps, having a good relax. This square plays host to a variety of things, such as a Sunday art market and numerous festivals when summer rolls by. There is a computery device on one of the square that provides some minutes of fun, where it points to any planet you type in, and tells you how many kilometers it is away from the earth. Interesting, but I think it gets abused by the drunk masses on a Friday and Saturday night. In the floor of the square is an analemma - lights that show the path of the sun as viewed from the earth. On the benches at another end of the square, are brass statues of historical figures, one of which I know is William Tyndale translating the New Testament. All these little quirks of Millenium Square give it its soul, despite it being just a big, flat, bare open space. Thumbs up!

A fabulous public open space. A great big screen for the sports-inclined and fountains and pools…read morefor the little ones. It may have been mid-March, but my little cousin adored the water. He splashed about with his dad for ages. Surrounded by lovely restaurants and lots of museums, etc. (@Bristol). Great for young and old alike.

This is art! This is one of my favourite Banksys!…read more It looks really real and I think, that people, who dontt know, that it is a grafitty, can think in the darkness, that is real...

Great street piece by Banksy, located on Upper Maudlin Street (opposite a Childrens Hospital) in…read moreBristol & worthy of seeking out when living or visiting Bristol if you have an interest in either of Banksy's work or street art generally. Someone has since painted in something different in the boy's hand & I think wire has been added by the owners to protect it a bit, but otherwise it's still looking pretty decent, probably because it's in a more awkward spot to get to, located above a rooftoop.

Framing the end of Bristol's Broad Street, St John's is a rare surviving mediaeval church gate,…read morecomplete with an extensive crypt and interesting furnishings. It is now in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT). History St John's is the only survivor of the five gate churches that once lined Bristol's inner Saxon town walls. Built originally in the 12th century, there was once another church, dedicated to St Lawrence, on the other side of the tower (which it shared). St Lawrence was deconsecrated and sold in 1580, and demolished by 1824. The crypt dates from two building phases in the 14th century, and had a separate dedication to the Holy cross. The second phase was paid for by William Frampton, who died in 1388, as well as the nave, which also dates from this period. The two-bay chancel was built c. 1480. The church was used until 1984 and was passed to the care of the CCT in 1985. The church had an outlet of the St John's Conduit, built in 1267 to supply water to a Carmelite Priory on the site of the present Colston Hall. This originally came to a conduit house inside the gate, but was moved to its present position on the Quay Street side in 1827 and restored in 1866. The church The exterior is dominated by the tower and the gate. The central gateway and tower dates to the 14th century and incorporates statues of Brennus and Bellinus, legendary founders of Bristol. The two outer walkways and the present church entrance on Nelson Street are Victorian alterations. The gateway is vaulted and the groove of the portcullis are clearly visible in the main arch. To the East, the tall Perpendicular Gothic windows of the nave characterise the nave and chancel. The crypt entrance is in Quay Street. The crypt is low, with vaulted ceilings, and the division between the earlier eastern part and the later western part. In the eastern part is a rather defaced but still impressive merchant's tomb with alabaster effigies of him and his wife, with ten kneeling children in panels below. Next, under an ogee arched and crocketed canopy, is the tomb with an incised cross of Thomas White (d. 1542), Mayor of Bristol in 1530, and his wife. A tomb chest in the western part has incised figures of a man and his two wives, next to a damaged piscina. The church is now entered by a door in Nelson Street, through the Victorian narthex. The nave is a great surprise after the crypt: the six regular tall bays and windows fill the church with light, giving it an unexpectedly spacious feel. The last bay is higher and has two clerestory windows, presumably to light an elaborate rood screen. A tall, sweeping chancel arch leads to the two-bay chancel, which has a peculiar battlemented Tudor screen on the east wall, behind where the reredos once stood. This wall was formed in 1570 to form a vestry behind. The furnishings are particularly rich. At the West End is a gallery dating from the late 17th century, with square fluted pillars, and paintings of saints in the Dutch style. The screen incorporates two fine 16th century carved doors. Next to this is the elaborate font, dating from 1624, with no fewer than 24 panelled faces, decorated with 16 cherubs and 8 rosettes, standing on four clawed lions' feet. The nave pews date from 1621, but were remodelled by the Victorians. The tall nave windows are clear except for fragments of mediaeval stained glass. In the chancel are two impressive monuments: that of the donor Walter Frampton (d. 1388) has an excellent life-like effigy with angels and a long-tailed dog. On the opposite wall are well preserved brasses to Thomas Rowley (d. 1478) and his wife. Other items include the fine Communion table (1635), Communion rails (late 17th century), lectern (c. 1690) and an 18th century sword rest. Before you leave, look down the chancel has a particularly fine decorated floor of colourful Minton tiles.

This full-size replica of a Tudor merchant ship is based in Bristol, although it's very much a…read more'working' vessel that disappears off on harbour tours for tourists, and offshore sailing cruises from March to September. It's an exact copy of the ship that John Cabot and his crew set sail on for Asia more than 500 years ago, planning to trade goods there - although they actually ended up in North America! You can go on board the Matthew when it's moored in Bristol harbour next to the SS Great Britain, or you can join one of the trips - from one hour harbour tours to the regular fish & chip supper sails! They even do specials such as father's day breakfast cruises, so it's worth checking their website for up to date details. On board, you're given a bit of the ship's history, and in such an intimate space you can begin to imagine how cramped life would have been below board.

Regular readers will have already heard me lecture on John Cabot. Basically, he was a Portuguese…read moreman that sailed from Bristol and discovered the new world, landing at Newfoundland. A sources of local pride, he's had various things (shopping centres, schools, towers) named after him and also this replica of the ship he sailed in built. It's an eye opener to have a look round this boat - there's a big effort to make sure you pick up a bit of history when you visit. Also, it's just pretty amazing that he managed to get across the Atlantic at all in something like this, let alone for the first time. Enough of the history. They do offshore sailing (e.g. proper country to country voyages), which means the boats not always moored up in Bristol harbour. When they are in town they have have various different events going on, with education and corporate stuff featuring heavily. For the general tourist they have 'Fish and Ships' cruises. Here you get to go on a cruise around Bristol's docks, drink a bit of wine and have some chips. All very nice and a lovely way to see the sights of Bristol. At sixteen quid it isn't the cheapest of evenings. A good treat for someone that's interested in the history or just would like to get chauffeured round Bristol's docks.

Queen Square is one of Bristol's great architectural set-pieces, and one of the most impressive…read moresquares in the UK. Planned in 1699 and completed in 1727, it is named after Queen Anne. Over the years many of the individual houses have been rebuilt, but it contains a wealth of 18th and early 19th century buildings in excellent condition, many of which are listed. Many of these belonged to wealthy merchants, but also included the first American Embassy following the Revolution in 1776. In 1831, the Square was the scene of riots following the failure of the Second Reform Act: hundreds rioted, and many buildings were burned and looted. After several days, order was restored by troops who killed and wounded hundreds of the protesters. Until recently, the square was bisected by a main road, but this has now been diverted and the Square restored to its rightful form, with lawns and trees. At its centre is a statue of William III by the famous sculptor, Rysbrack, erected in 1736.

As far as green spaces go, Bristols got some humdingers. And Queen Square is possibly the most…read more'happening' of all the green areas Bristol has to offer; playing host to lots of big events throughout the year. On a normal day you find a perfectly flat grassy space with nice graveled walk ways from one corner to the other. It's a really nice place to sit in the sun for pic-nic or just chill out on your lunch break. But what makes Queen Square so great is the event and festivals that are put on during the summer. You'll find: Eat, Drink, Bristol Fashion, Harbour festival, Thai Festival and Bristol Refugee Week to name just a few. It's a great central spot and I've got so many memories of watching live bands, eating great food and generally having fun here.

The Lord Mayor's Chapel is often overlooked by those visiting the nearby Cathedral, which it faces…read moreacross College Green. But this small, Grade I Listed chapel contains a wealth of history, including an impressive collection of tombs and stained glass behind its attractive west front. History The chapel was established to serve a religious hospital foundation in 1230, to care for the sick, feed the poor and educate 12 poor boys. Originally administered by the Cathedral, it became a separate foundation in the late 13th century, and was endowed with lands by wealthy Bristol merchants until it was dissolved, along with other such religious foundations, in 1539. It was purchased by Bristol Corporation in 1541 and has remained in their possession ever since: it is now the country's only functioning chapel in civic ownership. Most of the foundation's other buildings have long-since disappeared. The building The nave was erected around 1230, followed by the south aisle around 1280. The tower visible from the passage at the side was erected in 1487, and the chancel was rebuilt and the south aisle chapel added in 1500. In 1523, Sir Robert Poyntz, a close associate of Henry VII and Henry VIII, built a chantry chapel south of the chancel. The church underwent a major restoration in 1889, undertaken by the renowned church architect J L Pearson, who rebuilt the West Front (albeit retaining the window design) and North Transept. The original west window now resides in a garden, as a romantic ruin, in the Bristol suburbs. Although the chapel has some fine architecture the nave roof, the fan vaulting of the Poyntz Chapel and the Tudor East Window are all impressive the church is chiefly known for its rich glass and fittings. Pride of place must go to the tombs, dating from the 13th to the 18th centuries. Most of these were moved to the south aisle and south aisle chapel in the 18th century. There are simply too many to describe in detail, but as a collection they are worthy of any cathedral. The earliest are two crusader tombs in the South Aisle Chapel, with effigies in full chain mail armour, believed to be of the co-founders, Maurice de Gaunt (d. 1230) and his nephew Robert de Gournay (d. 1269). In the south aisle is a very rare merchant's tomb from around 1360, wearing civilian dress, including short 'pixie' boots, stockings and a full-length cloak. Most poignant is that of John Cookin, dated 1627, who died aged 11. He is depicted, life-size, on one knee, carrying his schoolbooks, under a fine classical canopy. But the stained and painted glass is also impressive: although some is original, most came from the Abbey of Fonthill in 1823, and dates from the late mediaeval period. Most of this, from England, France and Cologne, was inserted in the East Window. The south aisle chapel has 23 roundels of German and Flemish glass from the 16th and 17th centuries, and the Poyntz Chapel roundels from the 15th century. Also of note are the fine 15th century reredos, and a large number of mediaeval piscinas and carved heads, including a wonderful grotesque face in the south transept. The Poyntz Chapel floor is laid with 16th century floor tiles from Spain - the largest such collection outside the Iberian Peninsular. Practicalities The church is open Tuesdays to Saturdays 10-12h and 13-16h, with a service on Sundays at 11h. Entrance is free, but photography is not permitted. The tower and a rare external corbel table can be seen by walking down the short passage to the right of the church.