Bristol is located just 120 miles west of London and is the largest city in the south west of England.

Bristol was a starting place for early voyages of exploration to the New World. On a ship out of Bristol in 1497John Cabot, a Venetian, became the first European to land on mainland North America. The city has a brutal and shameful past in the enslavement of people from Africa. Because of Bristol's position on the River Avon, it has been an important location for marine trade for centuries. The city's involvement with Transatlantic slavery peaked between 1730 and 1745, when it became the leading slaving port.

In the 19^th century, Bristol pioneered the era of the ocean-going stream liner with the constriction of the SS Great Britain. Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, this was the world’s first large iron passenger ship. Launched in 1843, she travelled 32 times round the world before being abandoned in the Falkland Islands in 1886.

The defining symbol of Bristol is the Clifton Suspension Bridge, it was designed as well by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who won the commission at the age 23. 

In Bristol Museum and Art Gallery you will find varied collections include Egyptology, fossils, Roman finds, Chinese glass and fine paintings. Bristol artists include Sir Tomas Lawrence, Francis Danby and Banksy. As mysterious as he is prolific, Bristol-born Banksy is the world’s best known, yet secretive, graffiti artist. There are excellent tours taking in his works around the city, which include MILD MILD WEST and MASKED GORILLA.

John Summerson once said about Bristol: “If I had to show a foreigner one English city to give him a balanced idea of English architecture, I should take him to Bristol, which has developed in all directions, and where nearly everything has happened”