| Conveniently located just over 100 miles | | | | spectacular. |
| from London, the city of Bristol is the | | | | 5. Engineering Feats |
| sixth largest city in England and it is | | | | The Clifton Suspension Bridge links the |
| the largest city in the South West | | | | area of Clifton across the tidal Avon |
| region of the country. | | | | Gorge to Leigh Woods. It is one of |
| 1. Entertainment | | | | Isambard Kingdom Brunel's most |
| Bristol has a number of theatres, | | | | distinctive works and is illuminated at |
| ranging in size from the intimate New | | | | night, making for a nice photo |
| Vic up to the relatively large Bristol | | | | opportunity. Or you could walk or drive |
| Hippodrome and Colston Hall. These | | | | across it and witness first hand the |
| feature plays and concerts all year | | | | skill and detail that went into the |
| round, so there's likely to be something | | | | construction of one of the world's |
| of interest during your stay in the city | | | | earlier suspension bridges. |
| but you will need to book early for the | | | | 6. Concord |
| more popular events. | | | | Bristol's area of Filton was one of the |
| 2. Nightlife | | | | major players in the construction of the |
| With a thriving university, Bristol has | | | | supersonic airliner Concord, now sadly |
| no shortage of pubs and clubs to visit | | | | no longer flying. The city still has a |
| if you can keep up with the pace. There | | | | major aeronautical influence and is home |
| are also many different cinemas | | | | to companies such as BAE, Airbus and |
| including the more "art house" films at | | | | Rolls-Royce. On a slightly less |
| the Watershed, a relatively new | | | | high-tech note, it is also home to the |
| development located next to a harbour | | | | prolific manufacturer of hot air |
| near the centre of the city. | | | | balloons, Cameron Balloons. |
| 3. Sports and Leisure | | | | 7. Parks |
| Bristol is home to two League football | | | | The Downs covers around 400 acres and |
| clubs: Bristol City and Bristol Rovers, | | | | bordering the Clifton Suspension Bridge. |
| so you may be able to watch a match | | | | However, it is dwarfed in size by the |
| during your stay. They are also the home | | | | Ashton Court estate which is more than |
| of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club | | | | double the size of The Downs. Here you |
| for those who prefer their sport in a | | | | can experience horse riding, a deer park |
| more leisurely fashion. | | | | or pedal your mountain bike along one of |
| 4. Bristol International Balloon Fiesta | | | | the many trails. It is also host to one |
| Early birds will be rewarded during | | | | of Bristol's many conference centres, |
| August when this festival features mass | | | | located inside the mansion house in the |
| ascents of up to 100 hot air balloons at | | | | park. |
| a time. The sight of these balloons has | | | | Whether you are going to Bristol for a |
| been known to stop traffic on nearby | | | | business trip or to enjoy one of the |
| roads as the balloons come in all | | | | many cultural events in this city, there |
| different shapes and sizes. If you don't | | | | are plenty of places to stay, from small |
| rise early enough for the morning part | | | | family run establishments through to |
| of the festival, all is not lost as the | | | | large chain hotels. |
| evening night glow display is truly | | | | |