Les meilleurs hôtels à Bristol

Bristol is a working city, the largest city in the west with a population pushing 400,000. Today its big industries are British Aerospace (developers of the Concorde) and Rolls-Royce. But its roots reach to the sea: It sits on the River Avon close to the Severn Estuary, making it a sea-faring town for the past thousand years. The city dates to Saxon times, when it was set up as a crossing point for the River Avon. Today, one of the city's most noted landmarks is the Clifton Suspension Bridge, which hangs 245 feet over the river and was designed by local hero Isambard Kingdom Brunel. (We're told a little pub called the Blue Ball in the shadow of the bridge serves a fine pint.) Nautical nuts take note: Brunel also designed the SS Great Britain, the first sea-going propeller ship, now moored at a dock in the city. A variety of museums record the city's shipbuilding and industrial years. The city has its cultural side, too. The 18th century Theatre Royal is home to a repertoire company and also hosts national touring companies. The Colton seats 2,000 and hosts rock concerts, which are no doubt a draw to students from one of the city's two universities. Bristol might not be a tourist destination per se, but Bath is close by, as is the Cotswolds and the heart of England.