Bristol is located in the South East of England and has around 550.000 inhabitants.

Its beat is the River Avon, twisting its way through the city, with shopping, cafés and bars for every taste. Bristol combines its maritime and architectural heritage side-by-side with becoming a modern and developed city.

The historical pride of the city is the works of the great Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, with his Suspension Bridge spanning the Avon gorge.

REASONS TO GO

Beautiful gardens, a majestic cathedral, museums, art galleries.

The gateway to Cornwall and Devon.

Harvey Nichols Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

ORIENTATION

Bristol is located in the South West England, in a limestone area, which runs from the Mendip Hills to the south and the Cotswolds to the north east. The rivers Avon and Frome divide this limestone to the underlying clays, creating Bristol's characteristic hilly landscape.

The Avon flows from Bath in the east, through flood plains and areas which were muddy before the growth of the city. The gorge and estuary of the Avon form the county's border with North Somerset, and the river flows into the Bristol Channel at Avonmouth at the entrance of the River Severn. There is another gorge in the city, in the Blaise Castle estate, to the north.

BEST TIME TO GO

Although Bristol has a pleasant weather all year round the best time to visit this city is July.

HOW TO GET THERE

By Plane

It takes 30 minutes to get from the city centre to the Bristol International Airport by train or bus (www.bristolairport.co.uk). The train departs every 20 minutes from Bristol Temple Meads. The Bristol International Flyer bus runs every 30 minutes between Bristol Temple Meads, Bristol Bus station, Bedminster, Bridgewater Road and Bristol Airport. A taxi to the city centre costs around � 20.

From London - Stansted Airport to Bristol there are daily low cost flights.

By Train

Bristol Temple Meads is the major railway station, located just about 15 minutes' walk from the city centre. The 8 and 9 bus services run regularly between Bristol Temple Meads Station and the city centre, Broadmead and Cabot Circus. Regular trains operate between Bristol Temple Meads and stations between London Paddington, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Penzance.

London Flyer coaches run between Bristol and London, and Megabus operates from Bristol to London and Cwmbran.

TRAVELLING AROUND

Bristol's central area - including the harbour side, Old City, Broadmead and Cabot Circus - is well signposted for visitors on foot or even by bicycle.

It's really easy to get around the city by bus, with lots of fast and handy services available from important locations such as Temple Meads train station, the city centre and Clifton village.

Bristol is at the hub of the national rail network in the West of England. First Great Western and other major train operators run local, regional and inter-city services from the main station at Temple Meads.

Bristol has many suburban rail stations serving Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road, Montpelier, Redland, Clifton Down, Sea Mills, Shirehampton, Avonmouth, Bedminster and Parson Street, as well as a branch line to Severn Beach.

The Bristol Ferry Boat Company operates regular ferry services to and from waterfront attractions and key points along the harbour side.

INFO

http://visitbristol.co.uk/