You must be very lucky to see Bristol in the sun.
I wasn’t.
OK, let’s be fair and let’s say that ONE afternoon was SUNNY. The rest of my stay in Bristol was cloudy, rainy and foggy. Let’s not say a word about the stereotypes and let’s just say it was simply rainy. And it was not typical English weather. It might have happened elsewhere as well.
I enjoyed my stay in Bristol very much. Despite the bad weather and one visit in dental emergency everything was really fine. The city is a lovely mix of old English harbor town and the modern vibrant city with numerous revitalized spots.
Bristol University
I started the visit in the city from a lazy walk along the canals, enjoying the wet sidewalks and the sound of the rain on my umbrella (my good advice: NEVER EVER go to the UK without an umbrella. Unless you wish to purchase one there. Umbrella is a MUST!).
So, regretting I had no wellington boots with me I continued my walk towards the Clifton Suspension Bridge which- I admit- is spectacular. The construction of this bridge is really remarkable and even it is rather long (412 m) it gives you an impression of being solid and stable. The two towers seams to be well grounded on the two shores and the bridge suspended on the three independent iron chains allow you to cross Avon Gorge feeling safe and secure. Even the bridge is suspended it will not give you the feeling of suspended wooden bridge in the middle of the jungle which bounces with every step you make.
As for the monuments I would advice you to visit the Bristol Cathedral which gives a good sense of English sacral architecture. When you enter you will see the perfection of capturing the light in Norman style. It is splendid. (PLUS: it is NOT raining inside!) Little less interesting is the church of St. Mary Redcliffe, nevertheless, it is close to the Clifton Suspension Bridge and it is still worthy to see. If you like the crime novels you will be probably interested in the fact that in one of the the churches in Clifton Agatha Christie and her first husband were married (Emmanuel Church).
Bristol Cathedral
Bristol Cathedral
Being a fan of crime&mystery novels does not necessary mean that you like Shaun the Sheep but it is true in my case. Therefore, I was delighted with a short visit in Aasrdman Animations and the stock of a small boutique. Splendid bookmarks with Shaun the Sheep were once precious Christmas gifts for my family members (cheers!).
And now the classics: the Royal York Crescent. This majestic spot located in Clifton is under a MUST SEE category on my travel list. I went there with my Italian friend and we spend a lovely sunny morning in this spectacular place. The view from the terrace is breathtaking: you see the whole city and the docks. The houses on the Royal Crescent are SO elegant and refined. It is actually hard to believe that somebody lives there (but they do!). It reminded me a similar impression from Amsterdam when I was hanging around the city center and watching the traditional houses over canals. These houses looked like museum site rather than normal houses reminding me a funny sign from Louvre Museum in Paris saying: DO NOT TOUCH THE WORKS OF ART. Fortunately the Royal York Crescent in real, well preserved and at the same time inhabited which makes this place even more beautiful.
The Royal Letterbox
While being in Clifton we stepped in the small workshop called the Village Pottery (Unique Hand-made Functional Ceramics) where a lovely little cream jug was bought. The jug has nice blue pots and is very handy. We also ate there a marvelous hand made cake, a cheesecake if I’m not wrong. This place is highly recommended as a perfect conclusion of a morning walk in Clifton!
The Village Pottery
