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Bristolis a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, 105 miles (169 km) west of London, and 24 miles (39 km) east of Cardiff.

With an estimated population of 421,300 for the unitary authority in 2008, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone (LUZ) with an estimated 1,006,600 residents, it is England's sixth, and the United Kingdom's eighth most populous city, one of the group of English Core Cities and the most populous city in South West England. It received a Royal Charter in 1155 and was granted County status in 1373. From the 13th century, for half a millennium, it ranked amongst the top three English cities after London, alongside York and Norwich, on the basis of tax receipts, until the rapid rise of Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester during the Industrial Revolution in the latter part of the 18th century. It borders the counties of Somerset and Gloucestershire, and is also located near the historic cities of Bath to the south east and Gloucester to the north. The city is built around the River Avon, and it also has a short coastline on the Severn Estuary, which flows into the Bristol Channel.

Bristol is the largest centre of culture, employment and education in the region. Its prosperity has been linked with the sea since its earliest days. The commercial Port of Bristol was originally in the city centre before being moved to the Severn Estuary at Avonmouth; Royal Portbury Dock is on the western edge of the city boundary. In more recent years the economy has depended on the creative media, electronics and aerospace industries, and the city centre docks have been regenerated as a centre of heritage and culture. There are 34 other populated places on Earth named Bristol, most in the United States, but also in Peru, Canada, Jamaica and Costa Rica, all presumably commemorating the original.

Understand

Bristol is the United Kingdom’s eighth most populous city (aprroximately 421,000) and the most populated city in South West England, making it a core city in England. It received a Royal Charter in 1155 and was granted County status in 1373. From the 13th century, for half a millennium, it ranked amongst the top three English cities after London, alongside York and Norwich, until the rapid rise of Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester during the Industrial Revolution in the latter part of the 18th century. It borders the counties of Somerset and Gloucestershire and is also located near the historic cities of Bath to the south east, Gloucester to the north and Cardiff, the capital city of Wales which lies to the north west. The city is built around the River Avon, and has a short coastline on the estuary of the River Severn where it flows into the Bristol Channel.

Although it’s often overlooked as a tourist destination, Bristol has a lot to offer of its own and is also an excellent base for exploring the West Country, with relatively inexpensive accommodation compared to some of the main ‘tourist traps’ (such as nearby Bath) and a huge choice of bars, restaurants and shops. It is one of the most culturally vibrant cities in the South of England, hosting a wide variety of visual arts, theatre, speciality shopping and live music.

See

Bristol has many attractions you’ll not want to miss. So much in  fact, it is sometimes difficult to find out what you definitely  shouldn’t miss. Therefore the following list provides ten things you  really don’t want to miss.

• At-Bristol,Anchor Road, Harbourside, 0845 345 1235 (fax: 0117 915 7200). Mon-Fri: 10 - 17 Sat-Sun:  10-18. At-Bristol involves people of  all ages in an incredible journey through the workings of the world  around us. Plus there is always something new to discover with Explore's programme of special exhibitions - from animation to flight, illusions  and sport!£11.90 (adults); £9.90 (students  & senior citizens); £7.70 (children).
• Bristol Zoo Gardens, Guthry Road, Clifton, Ž0117 974 7399. Open summer 9am-5:30pm; winter 9am-5pm; closed Dec 25. It is the 5th oldest zoo in the world and  the oldest outside of a capital city. It was awarded Zoo of the Year  2004 by the Good Britain Guide.£13  (adults); £11.50 (students & senior citizens; £8 (children 3 - 14).
• Blue Reef Aquarium & IMAX 3D Cinema, Anchor road, Harbourside (In The City Centre), 0117 9298929.10:00 - 17:00. From the hidden world of UK waters, this amazing new aquarium transports  visitors to the spectacular 'underwater gardens' of the Mediterranean  and stunning beauty of tropical waters - home to everything from  seahorses and puffer fish to living corals and tropical sharks.Adult £13.50; Child 3 - 14 years £9.20 (must be  accompanied by an adult); Seniors & Students £11.50 Family of 4  £43.40 (2 adults and 2 children). (51.45081108358272,-2.599210739135742)
• Brunel's ss Great Britain, Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, 0117 926 0680 (fax: 0117 925 5788). Open daily from 10am  (except Dec 24 and 25 and Jan 10 2011) Closing times: 4.30pm (to Mar 26) 5.30pm (Mar 26 to Oct 31). Last entry one hour before closing. The world's first iron hulled, screw  propeller-driven, steam-powered passenger liner, built by Brunel in 1843 and now preserved in a dry-dock alongside the floating harbour. Winner  of the Gulbenkian Prize for Museum of the Year 2006 - the Biggest Arts  Prize in the U.K.Adult £11.95; Concession  £9.50; Child (16 and under) £5.95; Child (4 and under) FREE.
• Clifton Suspenson Bridge, +44 (0)117 974 4664.Always open. Possibly the city's most famous landmark, Brunel's 19th century suspension  bridge spans the spectacular Avon Gorge at a height of 75m. A visitor  centre is on the other side of bridge.Free  to walk across, 50 pence to drive over.
• Cabot Circus, Central  Bristol, 0117 952 9360.Having taken over three years to build and  costing in excess of £500 million, Cabot Circus will provide city centre visitors with over 120 new shops, including 15 major flagship stores.  Of these, Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser will set the precedent,  offering a combined area of well over 200,000 ft of prime retail space  with all of the top brands and labels that are usually associated with  these famous chains.
• Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Queens Road, West End, ☎01179223571. Daily 10am - 5pm. Bristol's major museum and art gallery houses an  outstanding and diverse range of objects, from sea dinosaurs to  magnificent art. A visit to the region's largest museum and art gallery  is guaranteed to inspire! A range of subjects can be found. From  Archaeology to History and Art. It also has a cafe.free.
• Ferry Boat Co., Welsh  Back (Ferry stops all around the city), ☎0117  9273416. Throughout the day. Catch a ferry and enjoy the exciting world of Bristol's Historic Harbour -  for a round trip tour, hop-on and hop-off, or getting from A to B; and  to many of the harbourside attractions. Timetables are available online  and at many places in the city.
• Pirate Walks, Meet at  Milennium or Anchor Square., 079 505  664 83. Join Pirate Pete for a 1 hour guided walking tour of Bristol's historic harbourside. Walking tours of Bristol's 16th, 17th  and 18th century Maritime History of discovery, trade , slavery and  piracy (always call before visiting).Adults  £6.00 Children £3.50.
• Clifton Downs and Observatory, BS8, 0117 974  1242.  The Downs provide a huge open space within Bristol, with great views over the Avon Gorge and the suspension bridge. On top  of the downs, right by the bridge is the Observatory, housing a camera  obscura and a cave leading down towards an observation point within the  250-foot sheer cliff face of the gorge.