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SKYLINE VIEW OF GREEN BRISTOL

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We are set on a hill facing Avon Gorge, about 2 miles from the City centre and I thought you might enjoy seeing the places we can go for walks in Bristol.
Firstly Ashton Court Mansion set in woodlands, with a deer park

Then Clifton Suspension Bridge, with the Observatory to the right and immediately underneath is Royal York Crescent. You can walk across the Suspension Bridge and cross the road and through the Lodge Gate of Ashton Court. Or walk to the other side and arrive at the big expanse of tree lined Durdham Downs, part of which is used for the Saturday Local Inter-Bristol football matches. Another walk takes you into Clifton Village, at the top end of which is Christ Church and Bristol Zoo.

Below is a picture of Christ Church (left) the Pro Cathedral (centre) and Cabot Tower (right). Cabot Tower is set on Brandon Hill, where there are pretty walks and good views (including our house!). The walks are very steep tho, but there are lots of tame squirrels who come to see you to beg for titbits.

Below shows Cabot Tower again (left) and the Wills University Tower housing the bell Big George which rings the hours and we can hear if the wind is in the right direction. Directly below and slightly left is Bristol Cathedral’s main tower, and in between is Park Street, once a very swanky shopping street for rich Cliftonians.
From here you can walk around the docks area which has a large marina, theatre, shops, museums and the ferry. In the summer we have the Harbour Festival which has lots of stalls (many from France and Germany) of food and fancy goods, you can visit the SS Great Britain and also the tall ship Matthew when she is in port. You can also take the ferry down the river and under the Suspension Bridge.

This picture below shows the University Tower again (left) and the Royal Fort (right) which you are able to visit on Bristol Open Day, together with many old churches, and houses of historic interest in the city.

Many of the green patches you see are parks, of which 3 are within walking distance from us, and there are many, many more dotted around Bristol.
Once or twice a year, we visit places like the Georgian House and the Red Lodge (which are all free entry), and Cabot Tower (which has now been refurbished) and along the Gorge to Blaise Castle which have fantastic walks and some Beau Nash cottages to rival Selworthy to see.
The Gorge is home to Peregrine Falcons, Kingfishers make their homes at the river end of Leigh Woods (tho Ive never seen one) and foxes and other wildlife abound in this lovely city. Is it any wonder we were polled as the happiest city in England?

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Comments

 

Thats a really nice claim to fame 'the happiest city in England' ~ not surprised you live there Tet

what an interesting blog ~ thank you! great idea to show walks around a city.

if i can add a personal note ~ i was lucky enough to have two excellent guides on my walk ~ in the shape of Tet and her OH. It is really lovely to be taken by someone who knows their history and appreciates architecture and views. Thanks again Tet.

17 Nov, 2011

 

Thats so kind of you Sticki, hope we can repeat the experience one day and take you around some of the other places. I know you would love Cabot Tower and Bristol Cathedral and Avon Gorge with the Leigh Woods Walks would be a treat for Ken and me.

17 Nov, 2011

 

You are too kind, it would be nice, have to make a date when the weather is kinder; which will give you time to research the teashops too!!!
I have been taking some photos for a blog of things around here ~ there is of course food involved!!!

17 Nov, 2011

 

Thats a definite then!

17 Nov, 2011

 

yes you are on!! please.

do you know i can imagine you doing one of those bus top tours ~ you would be very good

as it is [without a bus] the GoY tour of Bristol, led by Tet, will be commencing in 2012.

17 Nov, 2011

 

Wonderful views Tet. I get to look over Wellingborough...not quite the same Lol!

17 Nov, 2011

 

We had a super holiday in Bristol one year. Used to have friends there..sadly not any more. We went to the Zoo, and to Weston Supermare and Wells Cathedral...it was a great trip...and the weather was nice too...as if often in in Bristol of course! The bridge is fantastic...we enjoyed seeing it very much...though we didn't cross over ..not that I can remember. Thanks for sharing your lovely blue skies with us...we actually have sunshine here today, first time since last Saturday!

17 Nov, 2011

 

Glad you enjoyed the city and the blog Karen. Yes, lovely day today, going for a walk later. Im so pleased you have some sunshine..I always think of you when watching the forecast on TV and I know it hasnt been a great year for you sunshine wise. Lets hope next year will be really good for you.
Thanks Annella. As you saw, will take Sticki around next year. If anyone visits, do let us know, we would love to take any of you around. It would be our pleasure!

17 Nov, 2011

 

karen, if you had crossed the bridge you would have remembered ~ its spectacular.

17 Nov, 2011

 

Lovely blog Tet, really enjoyed it. I would love to go for a walk with you when I visit your way. It would need to be dog friendly though.

17 Nov, 2011

 

Thats no problem Poppy, the garden is dog proof (as Flori and BJS will tell you) and many places dogs are allowed to roam (tho occasionally on the lead if sheep or deer around)

17 Nov, 2011

 

Lovely! Ill come armed with leads and plastic bags then...lol

17 Nov, 2011

 

Great blog Tet! Have you always lived there?? I lived in Bristol in the 1960s (a flat in Cotham) before getting married, and remember playing tennis at the Ashton Country Club - wonder if that's still there? I also remember a Swedish furniture shop on Park Street where we bought our first armchair, which was modern-looking and not very comfortable!!

I'd love to go back one day . . . and what a lovely accolade to be named the "happiest city". :))

17 Nov, 2011

 

Lovely interesting blog Tet, I've only passed by on m5 when heading for Devon or Cornwall.
we overlook the village -- its on the river Soar in leicestershire we can also see Charnwood forest which is where 'local lad' David Attenborough found his first fossil... (as seen on tv!)

17 Nov, 2011

 

that would be another nice blog pam ~ the view from pam's?? and her famous neighbour???

17 Nov, 2011

 

Interesting set of pics..
thanks for sharing :o)

17 Nov, 2011

 

Brill photos and blog Tet. thank you so much, great skyline there.

17 Nov, 2011

 

did you watch 'frozen planet' what a series!

17 Nov, 2011

 

i did pam ~ brilliant isnt it. did it have bristol on??

17 Nov, 2011

 

great views there Tetra and interesting to read to :o))

17 Nov, 2011

 

sorry Sticki its because it was on my mind having watched it last night......

17 Nov, 2011

 

sorry pam, i do things like that all the time ~ couldnt resist!! hope you didnt mind.
in fact its hard for me to keep to a subject at all.

17 Nov, 2011

 

Thanks Gmage, Sandra, TT, glad you enjoyed.
Pam, we have a great connection with you then as Bristol is where most of the David Attenborough productions were ..um..produced! So, born there, worked here (amongst many other places lol!)
Sheilabub, Cotham was a great place for flats, I had one too before I married, in Arley Hill (led up to Cotham Brow) just off Cheltenham Rd. Tennis still played in roughly same spot but now called Redwood Lodge. And the swedish furnisher disappeared from park street, but reappeared in Eastville as Ikea! Still make uncomfy furniture LOL!

17 Nov, 2011

 

Lovely blog and pics,Tet..I enjoyed reading about Bristol,as we have never stopped off there..we once drove through it,as my poor friend couldn't face any more motorway driving,!..I had never seen as many traffic lights !! There is certainly a lot to see and do..and some lovely buildings ..thanks for showing us around your area..:o)

17 Nov, 2011

 

I love Bristol. If I ever had to live in England it would be either Bristol or Salisbury :o) Both wonderful places

17 Nov, 2011

 

We stayed in the cathedral close in Salisbury once ~ incredible place ~ well worth staying in that particular area overlooking the cathedral if you ever get the chance.

17 Nov, 2011

 

I stayed there for a week once. I loved it. I love the areas all around Bristol and Salisbury aswell. There's something magical about the two places for me :o)

17 Nov, 2011

 

I agree Hywel . . such gentle countryside around the two towns: I could live there too. Or just outside Bath!

18 Nov, 2011

 

Next time Bloomer do stop, B & B available here lol!
Sticki you are so right, Salisbury Cathedral Close is a wonderful place. Once had tea at Mompesson House.
Hywel, you are welcome to Bristol any time, a nice place always welcomes an appreciative visitor.
Sheilabub, better choose Bristol, loads cheaper to live here than Bath or Salisbury!!!

18 Nov, 2011

 

We all happy people in Bristol !

19 Nov, 2011

 

See what I mean folks! And Brian's a very happy bunny too!

19 Nov, 2011

 

Thanks for the tour of Bristol, Tet. lovely place and I especially like the place names....the closes and the brows...lol. It's a trip I've longed to take. Maybe some day!

19 Nov, 2011

 

Actually Lori, funny you should say. We live in Knowle which means hill and the Suspension bridge is in Clifton which was originally Cliff Town (its situated beside the gorge).

20 Nov, 2011

 

Certainly plenty to see and do Tet, visited many years ago when we were looking for somewhere to live, it was part of OHs patch.

20 Nov, 2011

 

Then you will have no trouble in finding us when you visit DD!!
You are up late.

20 Nov, 2011

 

My dad always called a small hill "a little knoll"...lol.

20 Nov, 2011

 

Tet I am always up late......cannot sleep lol

21 Nov, 2011

 

Someone else up late girls. Just received a loveydove message from a janeuu! I have flagged it, but not removed it. Do you know if I should or wait for boys to read?

21 Nov, 2011

 

I have had two from this person this morning,Tet..must love me a bit more..I flagged it immediately..and left it at that..I think the boys will deal with it...

21 Nov, 2011

 

Me too, from "janeuu" . . . I suspected I would not be the only one! Tet, I flagged the message and explained to the boys, and left it for them to see and delete, and they've done just that.

21 Nov, 2011

 

Great, I just noticed it had gone. Thanks girls. Prefer to have garden friends these days lol!

21 Nov, 2011

 

Mmmm, phew! :)))

21 Nov, 2011

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