Balloons, boats and bars in Bristol

During the annual Bristol Balloon Fiesta tons of of scorching air balloons drift over the boats moored in Bristol’s well-known Floating Harbour, now residence to a cluster of busy bars.

The  historic metropolis of Bristol lies on the River Avon and for hundreds of years was well-liked as a industrial port. Now a complete regeneration of its previous port has meant the town has achieved fame for its many festivals together with the annual Harbour Festival, the world-famous  Bristol Balloon Fiesta and the brand new Bristol Cocktail Weekend.

The Bristol Balloon Fiesta

Bristol has a protracted custom of scorching air ballooning impressed by the primary aerostatic flight achieved by the Montgolfier brothers over Versailles in 1783. Nearly 200 hundred years later a bunch of gliding fanatics in Bristol examine ballooning improvements in America. Spearheaded by Don Cameron, they determined to construct their very own scorching air balloon. They succeeded and the Bristol Belle, Western Europe’s first fashionable scorching air balloon, took to the skies in 1967. In 1971, inspired by this achievement, Cameron resigned from his job at Bristol Aeroplane Company to discovered Cameron Balloons Ltd. It was an off-the-cuff dialog in a neighborhood pub one night in 1978 that the seed was sown for a scorching air balloon meet in Bristol. The following 12 months, 1979, scorching air balloon groups travelled throughout Europe to participate in the primary Bristol Balloon Fiesta. It was held over 3 days on the Ashton Court Estate, a mansion home with in depth grounds. Thanks to the nice climate over 100 flights have been attainable and the occasion was a fantastic success.

That first occasion at Ashton Court Estate was so profitable Bristol has hosted a Balloon Fiesta yearly since then. It continues to be primarily based at Ashton Court which is the best location because it has house for the hundreds of people that come to Bristol yearly to benefit from the sight of the balloons floating throughout the sky. A various programme fills the three days however the principle occasions are the early morning and early night mass ascent of the balloons. The first two days shut with well-liked Nightglow when the burners of the tethered balloons mild them up as they sway to the beat of thunderous music. What a good way to finish a day at this fabulous pageant.  In 2025 this occasion will happen from 08 to 10 August. Admission is free however expenses apply to parking and the shuttle buses. The availability of a shuttle bus service from Temple Meads station and Prince Street to Ashton Court make a metropolis break over the interval of the pageant a horny proposition as the town has a lot to supply round its historic floating harbour. 

The Floating Harbour in Bristol

For centuries Bristol has been an vital industrial port attributable to its place on the River Avon that joins the Severn Estuary just a few miles downstream and then flows into the Bristol Channel. However, the good tidal vary of the River Avon meant that ships could possibly be stranded in shallow water. As the port acquired busier through the eighteenth century and to keep up its reputation this drawback needed to be addressed.  And in 1807 the set up of a number of docks ensured the water in the harbour maintained a continuing stage, unaffected by the tides of the River Avon. This system was dubbed The Floating Harbour. Although new docks have been constructed on the Severn estuary at Avonmouth and Portishead for bigger ocean-going ships in the 1870s the Floating Harbour or City Docks maintained its significance till it was closed to industrial transport in 1975. Since then, the regeneration of empty and derelict wharves, sheds and warehouses has breathed new life into this space. Popular sights right here embrace the steamship SS Great Britain, the Matthew, a duplicate of the caravel sailed by John Cabot from Bristol to Newfoundland in 1947 and the MShed, a collection of galleries relating the historical past of Bristol. And yearly the annual Harbour Festival in July brings the very best of Bristol’s rising artists in addition to established and worldwide performers throughout all genres for 3 days of free back-to-back leisure. Restaurants, cafés and bars now line the waterfronts and the bars now have their very own pageant.

The bars of Bristol

There is not any scarcity of choices when it’s time for a sundowner overlooking the waters of the River Avon and the Floating Harbour. And there’s a new bar in city, Rick’s Bar, a current addition to the river-fronting The Bristol Hotel. This glitzy bar has shortly grow to be very talked-about with its fascinating checklist of cocktails and some uncommon mild bites. It will probably be collaborating in the Bristol Cocktail Weekend (26 – 29 September) when 35 of the town’s finest bars will probably be serving unique signature cocktails and progressive drinks.

Where to remain in Bristol

The Bristol Hotel gives consolation and comfort in addition to a number of the finest views of Bristol itself. Situated on the waterfront it’s handy for the sights alongside the Floating Harbour. Several native buses cross by on Prince Street serving the practice station, the airport and different sights in the neighborhood. The resort gives totally different requirements of rooms however each has all of the services required to boost a metropolis break. It additionally options cosy, secluded lounges, a small bar and the River Grill restaurant.  Parking in the adjoining multi-storey automotive park (discounted for residents) means you’ll be able to drive to Bristol and park and trip after that. The resort is housed in a Grade II listed constructing as a result of concrete lattice work on the façade of the multi-storey automotive park. Its austere exterior belies its luxurious inside.

Getting to Bristol

Bristol has an airport and two railway stations. Public transport hyperlinks them to the town centre. It can also be shut to three motorways – the M5, M4 and M32.

Valery Collins

Valery began travelling practically 30 years in the past when, throughout a spot 12 months, she discvoered the thrill of travelling as a tour supervisor. Since then she has labored on copy for journey brochures, written 4 journey books, created her personal web site and written for five different journey web sites. Her ardour for journey covers all issues associated to journey from luxurious safaris to sylish ski goggles.