Not a bristolian myself but they've got my full respect as someone from the home counties!

Theres the severn bridge ofcourse, very big piece of engineering there! But i'm not aware of any hidden gems… very near to cheddar gorge as well in that part of the country.

Michael W

The rather splendid old industrial museum near the SS Great Britain has unfortunately been replaced by a modern trendy museum called the M Shed, fortunately most of the old industrial stuff is still on site albeit in storage and you can still see it. Google M Shed Bristol and follow the links to treasures in store.

The camera obscura in the Clifton Observatory is worth a visit. One of the few, if not the only, public camera obscura’s in England. Gives a fabulous birds eye view of the suspension bridge, best on sunny days. Easy short walk from the entry to the bridge, on the city side.

In addition to the above suggestions: Clifton Village, because it is relaxed; The Underfall Yard, a boat building yard and museum next to the Nova Scotia (I have fond memories of the Scotia from years ago); Broadmead shopping centre if you want to see how the planners of the 1940s & 50s can mess up a city.

The two bridges over the Severn are a bit difficult to get to by public transport. The new bridge is best seen from Severn Beach which is at the end of a suburban rail line from Temple Meads. The journey will show you a side of Bristol that the tourists never see and there is nothing at Severn Beach other than the bridge. The old bridge can be crossed using the Chepstow bus. Getting to the actual bridge is another matter.

Unfortunately the new aircraft museum on the north side of Filton airfield is not opening until later this year.

Bristol is a great vibrant city. The traffic is a bit dire but the city buses are pretty good and most of the city is walkable. Unlike Bath it is not a tourist trap.

JA

Edited By JA on 10/05/2017 19:11:36

As in Birmingham the Luftwaffe just helped the planners to achieve their aims. I agree with you about some German cities and towns such as Celle.

JA

Geoff

Please give us, or at least me, your impressions of the fine city of Bristol.

JA

Bristol museum is a must to see the jet engines, also if you find a good guide of what is around there are things to visit like an old Georgian Merchants house. Clifton village is worth a look, my Daughter has a flat on Royal York Crescent which is well worth a walk down to see the buildings started in 1790 and finished later due to developer running out of money. Pub grub and ale pricey in Clifton. Marvel at the suspension bridge.

Thanks for the impressions, Geoff.

Real Bristolian is not really West Country. It involves the use of infamous Bristol L which is put on the end of any word ending in a hard vowel. Idea becomes ideal, area areal and so on. The clever Bristolians can even put it in the middle of words. Unfortunately its use is disappearing.

JA