Lois Larson
Bristol Airport, located near the cities of Bristol and Bath, is a great gateway to South West England. The airport itself offers a range of shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars, as well as an Escape Lounge for relaxation before your flight. The area surrounding the airport boasts a plethora of attractions, including the Bristol Zoo Gardens, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, and Arnolfini, one of Britain's finest contemporary art galleries. History buffs can explore the old city of Bristol, featuring the impressive 16th-century Bristol Cathedral and the UK's oldest working theatre, the Bristol Old Vic. For shopping enthusiasts, Cabot Circus and Broadmead offer a wide variety of stores, restaurants, and entertainment options. Additionally, with easy access to major roads and public transportation, day trips to nearby destinations such as Stonehenge, Bath, the Cotswolds, and Glastonbury Abbey are also feasible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Lounges | Escape Lounge, brand-new Escape Lounge |
| Attractions | Bristol Zoo Gardens, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Arnolfini, Bristol Old Vic, Brunel's SS Great Britain, Bristol Cathedral, Stonehenge, Bath, the Cotswolds, Glastonbury Abbey, Cabot Circus, Broadmead Shopping Centre |
| Transport | Arrow Cars, Bristol Airport Taxis |
| Food | Ritazza, Soho Coffee Co, Subway, Bar Zero9, Dexters, Starbucks, Burger King, Seafood Bar |
| Shops | WHSmith, Flying Visit, World Duty Free, Collection, WHSmith Books, Superdrug, Claire's |
| Tours | Guided Walking Tour of Bristol Old City, Brunel's Bristol: A Self-Guided Tour |
| Games | West Country Games |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Explore Bristol's history and culture
Bristol has a rich and eventful history stretching back over many centuries. The first inhabitants of the region probably came during the last Ice Age. The Paleo-Indian Man descended from immigrants who crossed the Bering Straits into North America and settled in the area as the last glacier withdrew, between twelve and twenty thousand years ago.
During the 15th century, Bristol was the second most important port in the country, trading with Ireland, Iceland and Gascony. It was the starting point for many voyages, including Robert Sturmy's (1457–58) attempt to break the Italian monopoly of Eastern Mediterranean trade. In 1497, Venetian John Cabot made landfall in North America, having set off from Bristol to try and discover a new route to Asia. In 1499, merchant William Weston of Bristol led the first expedition commanded by an Englishman to North America. In the first decade of the 16th century, Bristol's merchants undertook a series of exploration voyages to North America and even founded a commercial organisation, 'The Company Adventurers to the New Found Land', to assist their endeavours.
From the 13th to the 18th century, Bristol was among the top three English cities, after London, in tax receipts. A major port, it was also a key hub for the slave trade. Between 1700 and 1807, more than 2,000 slave ships carried an estimated 500,000 people from Africa into slavery in the Americas. In 1795, poet William Coleridge gave an anti-slavery lecture in Bristol, and in 1807, an Act of Parliament signalled the end of the British trade in enslaved Africans.
In more recent times, Bristol has been a hub for music, with a particular focus on trip hop and drum and bass. Bands and artists from the city include Tricky, Portishead, Massive Attack, Roni Size, Reprazent, DJ Krust, More Rockers and TC. The Downs Festival, which started in 2016, is a major event in the city, and Bristol was named 'Britain's most musical city' in 2010.
Bristol is also known for its art scene, with galleries including the Arnolfini, the Watershed Media Centre, the Royal West of England Academy, and the Antlers Gallery exhibiting contemporary art, photography and cinema. The city is believed to be the home of the graffiti artist Banksy, and many of his works are on display in Bristol.
Central Oregon's Airport: An Essential Travel Hub?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$7.98 $19.87
Visit Bristol Zoo Gardens
Bristol Zoo Gardens, formerly known as Bristol Zoological Gardens, is a great place to visit for those seeking a fun and educational experience. Located in the city of Bristol in South West England, the zoo is easily accessible from Bristol Airport, which is known as the gateway to this region. With a rich history dating back to 1836, Bristol Zoo Gardens has been a beloved attraction for locals and tourists alike.
At Bristol Zoo Gardens, you'll discover a wide variety of animals from around the world. The zoo is committed to conserving threatened species and protecting their natural habitats. You'll be able to see mischievous lemurs from Madagascar, magnificent European brown bears, and even the rare Livingstone's fruit bats, aye-ayes, and quolls, which are hard to find in other UK zoos. The zoo also has a successful breeding program, with notable firsts such as the first black rhino born in Britain in 1958 and the first chimpanzee born in Europe in 1934.
The zoo offers a range of exhibits and experiences to engage and delight visitors. The Butterfly House, for example, is a sustainably-heated, climate-controlled polytunnel where you can walk through and admire beautiful butterflies like the blue morpho and glasswings. The zoo's Twilight Zone, the first of its kind when it opened, showcases indoor exhibits like the insect and reptile house, as well as outdoor aviaries and a seal and penguin enclosure. The lakes' islands are home to a variety of primates, including gorillas and several species of tamarins.
In addition to its focus on animal welfare and conservation, Bristol Zoo Gardens also prioritises entertainment and guest experience. They offer exclusive after-hours events, allowing visitors to explore the zoo after regular hours and enjoy delicious food and drink while learning about the evening routines of the animals. The zoo also has a three-storey, conservation-themed play area that is open all day at no extra cost.
With its variety of animals, conservation efforts, and engaging exhibits, Bristol Zoo Gardens provides a fun and educational experience for all ages. Easily accessible from Bristol Airport, it is a great choice for families or anyone interested in exploring the wonders of the natural world.
Explore Dining Options at LaGuardia Airport
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Brunel's SS Great Britain
Bristol Airport is known as the gateway to South West England, with the cities of Bristol and Bath right on its doorstep. Bristol is a city rich in history, with plenty to see and do. One of the most popular attractions is Brunel's SS Great Britain, the world's first great ocean liner. Designed by the famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the SS Great Britain is an iconic steamship and Bristol's No.1 Visitor Attraction.
With hundreds of sights, sounds, and smells to explore across two museums and a Victorian steamship, Brunel's SS Great Britain offers an excellent day out for families, history buffs, and engineering enthusiasts. Visitors can step aboard the ship to explore the sights, smells, and sounds of Victorian life at sea. The ship's incredible story and the story of the man behind its design are brought to life in two interactive museums.
One of the most memorable moments for visitors is going 'underwater' to view the ship's original iron hull in the Dry Dock. The SS Great Britain is now listed as part of the National Historic Fleet, and between 150,000 and 200,000 visitors come to see it annually. The ship is also designated a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
The SS Great Britain was designed by the same engineering team that created the SS Great Western of 1838: Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Thomas Guppy, Christopher Claxton, and William Patterson. After the success of the SS Great Western, the team was reassembled to create a sister ship, tentatively named the City of New York. Brunel was an innovator, and when the SS Archimedes, the first screw-propelled steamship, arrived in Bristol in 1840, he was keen to test its new technology. Over several months, Brunel and the ship's creator, Francis Pettit Smith, tested a number of different propellers on the Archimedes to find the most efficient design.
Uber's Contracted Services at Sacramento Airport
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Magical Mystery Tour[DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71VWPsS+61L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
The museum is housed in a beautiful Victorian building, with a rectangular open plan consisting of two sections, each with a large hall featuring barrel-vaulted glazed roofs, separated by a double staircase. The building was extended in 1877 and again in 1930, with the latter extension funded by Sir George Alfred Wills, a cousin of Lord Winterstoke. Unfortunately, during World War II, the museum building was gutted by a bomb, resulting in the loss of thousands of natural history specimens.
The museum offers a diverse range of exhibitions and events throughout the year, including multi-week exhibitions, workshops, and curator talks. The biggest annual event is the Chinese New Year celebration, featuring dancing dragon and lion performances, martial arts, traditional Chinese dances, storytelling, and arts and crafts activities. Other notable exhibitions include the display of one of the most famous British paintings as part of the National Gallery 200 programme, as well as a special exhibition by Banksy in 2009, which was his largest exhibition to date.
The museum caters to visitors of all ages, with a dedicated space for children under seven called Curiosity, located on the ground floor. During school holidays, the museum offers Family Fun days with various themed activities. The first-floor galleries are particularly popular with children, featuring dinosaurs, British and World wildlife, and interactive family areas. The museum also has a gift shop and a coffee shop, providing a relaxing atmosphere to unwind and reflect on your visit.
Atlantic City Gateway: Airport Services and Accessibility
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Bristol Airport Lounges
Bristol Airport has been voted the best airport in the 5-10 million passengers category, and it offers a high standard of service and comfort for those passing through. The airport has an on-site hotel, perfect for an overnight stay, and a range of shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars.
There are plenty of places to eat and drink at Bristol Airport, both before and after security. Before security, you can find Ritazza, Soho CoffeeCo, and Subway, great options for a quick bite or a snack. After passing through security, you have a variety of choices, including Bar Zero9, Dexters, Starbucks, Burger King, another Soho CoffeeCo, and the Seafood Bar.
For those who enjoy shopping, Bristol Airport offers a mix of familiar brands and duty-free options. Before security, you can browse shops like WHSmith and Flying Visit. Once you've cleared security, a range of duty-free shopping options await, including World Duty Free, Collection, WHSmith Books, Superdrug, and Claire's.
If you're looking to relax before your flight, the Escape Lounge at Bristol Airport provides a tranquil environment. The lounge features additional seating and floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering views of the Eastern apron. It's the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the airport ambiance.
In addition to its on-site amenities, Bristol Airport is conveniently located near several attractions. The city of Bristol, rich in history and culture, offers family-friendly destinations such as Bristol Zoo Gardens and Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. For those interested in theatre, the Bristol Old Vic, the UK's oldest working theatre, is a must-visit. Bristol is also known for its shopping areas, including Cabot Circus, which boasts over 120 shops, restaurants, and a cinema, and Broadmead, with over 300 high street stores and department stores.
Gozo's Airport Plans: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Some attractions near Bristol Airport include Bristol Zoo Gardens, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Arnolfini, Bristol Old Vic, Bristol Cathedral, and Brunel's SS Great Britain.
Bristol Zoo Gardens is a great option for families. Additionally, Cabot Circus, located in the city centre, offers a wide range of shopping and dining options, including over 120 shops, 25 cafes and restaurants, and a 13-screen cinema.
There are plenty of dining options at Bristol Airport, both before and after security. Before security, you can find Ritazza, Soho CoffeeCo, and Subway. After security, options include Bar Zero9, Dexters, Starbucks, Burger King, and the Seafood Bar.
You can visit the Tourist Information Centre at E Shed, 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol, BS1 5TX, or call them at 0117 929 9205. They can provide information on transport links, local venues, and events to help you explore Bristol's culture.
