Bristol Hotels

featured hotels

Express by Holiday Inn Bristol City Centre
Corus Hotel Bristol - Bristol
Express by Holiday Inn Bristol-North
Holiday Inn Bristol-Filton

bristol weather

Bristol's early existence can be traced back to the beginning of the 11th century, including one of the strongest castles in southern England built by the Normans. The River Avon in the city centre has slowly evolved into Bristol Harbour, and since the 12th century the harbour has been an important port. Bristol was made a city in 1542, with the Abbey of St. Augustine becoming Bristol Cathedral.

Bristol is currently England's sixth most populated city and for almost five hundred years remained the third largest (after London and York) until the rapid rise of Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham during the Industrial Revolution. It's early prosperity was due to its role as a commercial port (as well as shipbuilding and manufacturing), handling much of England's trade with Ireland and later with other parts of the world, including slave trade with the American colonies.

In recent years, one of Bristol's main industries has been aeronautics, including aircraft and spare part manufacture. Other industries include information technology, financial services and tourism.

Places of interest in Bristol include:

• Arnolfini Gallery
• Ashton Court (home to the annual Ashton Court or Bristol Community Festival and the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta)
• Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery
• Bristol Industrial Museum
• St. Nicholas' Church Museum
• The City Museum (running the Tudor Red Lodge, the Georgian House and Blaise Castle House)
• The Watershed Media Centre

Bristol theatres & concert venues include:

• Bristol Old Vic (associated with the Old Vic in London and cosisting the Theatre Royal and the New Vic)
• Colston Hall
• The Bristol Hippodrome
• The Old Duke