From arts and culture to history and nature, Bristol is filled with plenty of new things to discover about its past and present. So, what can we teach you about our favourite city? Here are 9 facts you might not know about Bristol – we hope you enjoy!
Fact 1: Bristol is the largest city in the Southwest
You can find us nestled in the English countryside, a stone’s throw from the famous Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We’re just 12 miles west of the historic city of Bath, 120 miles to the west of London and 45 miles east of the Welsh capital city of Cardiff. The beaches of Weston-Super-Mare and Clevedon are just 20 miles away. This makes Bristol a real hub for exploring what the South West has to offer!
As the largest city in the region, Bristol is also classed as both a city and a county in its own right.
Fact 2: Bristol is an old city
Here’s a bit of history for you – Bristol gained county status back in 1373 when Edward III granted it The Great Charter of Liberties.
Even though the city was officially founded in the 11th Century, Bristol has a long history dating back even further than that. In the Saxon period, this port city grew rapidly because it was heavily involved in exporting goods such as wool and leather.
But how do we know people were living here hundreds of years ago? The answer is simple – coins were being issued to use as legal tender to buy and sell goods. We know that from 1010 coins were issued to local people, and the rest – as they say – is history.
Fact 3: Bristol began life as a village called Brigg Stow (Brycgstow)
Bristol wasn’t always known as Bristol. In fact, it started off as a village known as Brigg Stow, which roughly translates from the old Saxon language to ‘the meeting place at the bridge’.
A wooden bridge was built across the Avon (meaning river in Celtic), near where Bristol Bridge now stands proudly. As you’ve probably guessed from the name, the bridge was used as a meeting place, and over time, a village grew up by it.
Fact 4: Banksy is a Bristol local
Although Banksy is a man of mystery, many think that he must’ve been born near Bristol because his first mural covered a wall in the city. This mural of a teddy bear throwing a Molotov cocktail at a group of riot police appeared in the late 90s.
With many other Banksy original artworks popping up around the city over the years, including ‘The Girl with Pearl Earring’ and the ‘Valentine’s Day’ mural, you’re likely to spot a fair few on a stroll around the city. Guided tours run regularly throughout the city, so if you like your street art, we recommend tagging along!
Fact 5: Bristol has a brilliant music scene
From Massive Attack and Portishead to Idles, Bristol is considered by many people to have been a hub for musical innovation in the 80s through to today. With its unique trip-hop genre coming from the underground club scene, a plethora of vinyl shops, and plenty of incredible music venues, this really is the place to be for breakout artists!
Fact 6: Bristol was home to some of the most famous and ruthless pirates in the world
Because of Bristol’s coastal location, it became the perfect place for some of the world’s most infamous pirates to set up shop. For around 200 years during the 17th and 18th centuries, Bristol was at the centre of the golden age of piracy. The legends also hint at treasure being hidden in the coves along the coastlines to this day, so if you’re feeling lucky, you can go on a treasure hunt!
Bristol’s most famous pirate, Edward Teach, also known as Blackbeard, is thought to have been born near the old harbour. If you’re wondering how he got his fearsome name, we’re here to shed some light. He would light fuses in his dark beard to scare not only his enemies but also his crew, who he would often shoot to ensure they stayed loyal.
After successfully capturing the vessel Concord and renaming it Queen Anne’s Revenge, Blackbeard and his trusty crew sailed around the Caribbean Sea, seizing any ships and treasures they could get their hands on. But in 1718, his reign of terror came to an end after losing a battle against the navy. And here’s a gruesome fact – Blackbeard’s head was actually displayed for all to see on the ship that captured him.
Fact 7: Bristol has its own ‘leaning tower’
Move over Leaning Tower of Pisa – we have our very own version!
The tower of Temple Church in the Redcliffe area of Bristol leans at 2.7 degrees, which is just one degree less than the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. It might not be a famous tourist trap, but this 12th-century site sits on the ground where the round church of the Knights Templar once was.
Fact 8: Some of the world’s most popular animated shows and films were made in Bristol
Many of the most famous animations such as Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run, and Morph were created by Oscar-award-winningAardman Animations, based here in Bristol.
In fact, one of the founders even said that a visit to Bristol Zoo Gardens was the main inspiration for the ‘Creature Comforts’ animation, which also features the voices of local Bristolians.
Fact 9: The Bristol Channel is filled with lots of marine species
Dolphins, blue sharks, grey seals, porpoises and many more species all call the waters of the Bristol Channel their home. While you can sometimes spot these from Cardigan Bay and Bristol Harbour, Bristol Aquarium is also a great place to see and learn more about local marine wildlife as well as how to get involved in conservation initiatives to protect these amazing creatures.
Whether you’re a Bristolian or not, we hope you’ve enjoyed learning a thing or two about the city. Why not plan a day in Bristol to explore some of its incredible things to do and see? As part of your visit, book your tickets to Bristol Aquarium in advance to avoid any disappointment on the day!