Bristol

A Brief History of Bristol

Bristol's part in the Atlantic slave trade
Bristol had a prominent role in the 'Triangular Trade', a route trade merchants took to Northwest Africa and the Caribbean between the late 17th century and the early 18th century. Over 2000 slaving voyages were made by Bristol ships until its abolition in 1807. It was known as England's leading slaving port.

Bristolian merchants would trade goods produced in the city, such as gunpowder and brass, in exchange for enslaved people from Nigeria and Angola. They would then supply English colonies demanding free labour to work on their plantations, generating a mass profit for the British economy.

The merchants' demand for brass caused a manufacturing boom in Bristol and assisted the progress of the Industrial Revolution. Fortunately,  Bristol was also the home of many anti-slavery campaigners who recognised that human rights should not be sacrificed for profit.

Radicals such as Hannah More, Mary Carpenter and the poets William Wordsworth and Samuel Coleridge, who were connected to Bristol, started some of the earliest campaigns against the practice. These protests were also the beginning of reform movements for women's rights. Bristol Cathedral contains multiple memorials to people active in the cause, including a bust of Robert Southey. 

Britain abolished the Slave Trade in 1807, and enforced the ban upon the globe, probably our finest hour. During the early 19th century, Britain's Royal Navy waged war (1807-1860) against the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The navy seized around 1600 ships and probably freed as many as 150,000 Africans. 

Bristol's Architecture
Bristol's architecture consists of an intriguing combination of styles dating from the medieval to the 20th century.

Bristol Castle was built in the 11th century by Geoffrey of Countances and later became a squatting ground for criminals in the 1500s. The excavated ruins of the motte and bailey castle can be seen at Castle Park.

Acton Court in Bristol is a prime example of Tudor design. English courtier Nicholas Poyntz improved the manor house in 1535 to impress his monarch, King Henry VIII. The beautifully conserved house will be re-opening in 2025. Visitors can also explore elegant Georgian parks such as Queen Square, a luxury spot to relax amongst architectural history.

The Bristol Byzantine style of building can be spotted around the city too. Characterised by decorative arches and varicoloured brick, this aesthetic was used by Victorian designers of factories, warehouses and council buildings. Some examples of this architecture can be located around Victoria Street or on the harbour, such as Bush House, which now houses an art gallery.

Brunel's SS Great Britain
Isambard Kingdom Bunel's SS Great Britain is undoubtedly one of the greatest ships historically. At launch in 1843, the ship was called 'the greatest experiment since the creation'.
The fact that nobody apart from Brunel could get their heads around a ship built of Iron. Not only did the great Victorian engineer fitted her with the most powerful steam engine ever used at sea, but he refused to use a "paddle". He gave SS Great Britain a screw propeller. This was cutting-edge technology – the ship changed history.

Home of Banksy
​Some of Banksy's most famous street artworks are dotted around Bristol, such as 'Well Hung Lover' and 'The Girl with a Pierced Eardrum.' Banksy began his legacy in the city as an anonymous spray-painter during the 1990's. Bristol's powerful arts and culture scene is said to have influenced his work.

Countless walking tours are available for visitors who want to immerse themselves in Banksy's murals and see Bristol from the eyes of the most iconic graffiti artist ever.

Attractions
Bristol is full of exciting attractions for tourists to investigate. The Bristol Museum and Art Gallery displays a fascinating mixture of history and culture where visitors can see anything from Egyptian mummies, Romany wagons and priceless paintings. Another example of maritime greatness is Brunel's SS Great Britain which is docked at the Great Western Dockyard. It holds the title of Bristol's number one attraction and provides an extraordinary day out for the family. Bristol Cathedral is an I-listed cathedral that is open to the public. Not only is the church a beautiful sight to see, but it also has a track record as a film location for period dramas such as 'The White Princess', 'Wolf Hall' and 'The Medusa Touch'.

Meet the colourful array of animals at the Bristol Zoo Project, a conservation site for creatures big and small. The zoo is perfect for families and is the home to bears, cheetahs, monkeys, giraffes and numerous other exotic species.

Touring and Accommodation
Bristol is a short hop from the historic city of Bath, close to the Cotswolds and 20 minutes from the border with Wales and the Brecon Beacons beyond. Bristol is the much larger and edgier version of Bath. The city can also be used as a launch pad into Devon and Cornwall, breaking up rural touring with a city break within England's South Coast suggested tour.

Stay at the Harbour Hotel Bristol to be in the thick of all the action. The hotel sits within two former banks, very grand Grade Two listed.