A Trip to Bristol England
PLACE = Bristol, England
DATE = July 7, 2004
Martha and Jack decided to have a fun day in Bristol, England.
Martha and Jack live in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, England. Sitting high on a sandstone cliff, overlooking a large loop in the beautiful River Wye is the historic market town of Ross-on-Wye. Situated in the heart of rural Herefordshire and in the picturesque Wye Valley it has become a popular destination for tourists.
Ross is an attractive and friendly town with Tudor timbered houses clustered around the striking 17th Century Market Hall where the twice-weekly markets are still held. In the town itself there are some excellent shops ranging from small craft shops to some of the larger high street chains.
The surrounding area is steeped in history with prehistoric caves, Neolithic settlements, Roman forts and Medieval Castles. The local villages, valleys and hillsides have yielded a veritable treasure trove of artifacts and archaeological evidence of the areas colourful past.
Today Ross is an ideal base for exploring the district with its excellent road communications and wide range of accommodation. The Forest of Dean, Brecon Beacons, Black Mountains and Malvern Hills are all within easy reach as are the Cathedral Cities of Hereford, Gloucester and Worcester each of which have their own unique attractions.
Visitors are welcomed all year round and there is always something to see and do. Relax on the Riverside Meadows, stroll along the Riverbank, take a river cruise or view the surrounding countryside from a Hot-Air Balloon. Ross is also becoming famous for the International Music Festival that takes place every year in August on the banks of the River Wye and features world famous artists from television, music, dance and theatre. The town is guaranteed to be buzzing at this time of year.
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To learn more about Ross-on-Wye, just click on the photo above.
Martha and Jack traveled in a rather old mini bus about 50 miles down to Bristol England.
Bristol is the largest city in the south west of England, with a population of approximately half a million. The city lies between Somerset and Gloucestershire and has been politically administered by both counties in part at various times. However, Bristol is historically a county in its own right and is properly entitled the City and County of Bristol.
This famed port town is actually about 8 mi/13 km inland, on the River Avon. It's a nice place to spend a day, although you do have to search out the attractions amid some rather unappealing post-World War II construction. Tour the historic old part of town and the restored waterfront and quays. (Bristol's "floating harbor" is in fact an original stretch of river that was isolated by locks when the watercourse was redirected.) Then stop at St. Mary Redcliffe church, Lord Mayor's Chapel (beautiful stained glass), the SS Great Britain and the At-Bristol science and nature complex. The Georgian neighborhood of Clifton is located just across the river and is connected to the main town by a graceful suspension bridge. It remains one of the best parts of town to visit. If you have additional time, head to the suburb of Henbury, where you'll find the Blaise Castle House, a folk museum surrounded by lovely grounds, and the picture-postcard Blaise Hamlet. 105 mi/170 km west of London.
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While in Bristol, Martha and Jack visited the revolutionary ship "The SS Great Britain". Martha could not get over the length of the vessel and the fact that it was steered from the rear. Due to the length of the vessel, the man at the helm could not possibly see where he was steering in tight spaces and would have had boys running up and down the deck and climbing the masts looking out for him.
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To learn more about "The SS Great Britain" just click on the photo above
Bristol, England
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Following Martha and Jack's trip to the The SS Great Britain, they had lunch in a nice Restaurant overlooking the water in Briston, England..
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Hotswells Road, Bristol, South Bristol, BS8 4RU
Telephone: 0117 925 0597
Moored opposite "The SS Great Britain", The Shoots Floating Bar & Restaurant is the ideal choice for all occasions. Whether you are celebrating with family or friends or looking for a romantic meal for two, Shoots will ensure your feet won't touch the ground! Superb food, attentive service, wonderful atmosphere and views.
Martha and Jack learned much about the history of The SS Great Britain.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed The SS Great Britain. Brunel was a fantastic, visionary engineer on all counts. He built bridges, boats and railways, linking up Victorian London with Bristol and other parts of the country. The "Great Britain" was built about 60 years prior to the Titanic. It was the first iron vessel, as previously all ships had been made of wood. People thought he was mad and it would never float due to its weight and size. It had a propellor, a wonderful engine and sails for backup. Victoria's husband Prince Albert came to assist in the launching ceremony.
