Bristol & Bath

Bristol

Bristol is the United Kingdom’s eighth most populous city (approximately 450,000) and the most populated city in South-West England. It received a Royal Charter in 1155. From the 13th century, for half a millennium, it ranked amongst the top three English cities after London, alongside York and Norwich. It borders the counties of Somerset and Gloucestershire and is also located near the historic cities of Bath

to the southeast, Gloucester to the north and Cardiff, the capital city of Wales which lies to the northwest. 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.

Places to visit in Bristol

Brunel's  SS Great Britain - Great Western Dockyard - 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.

Bristol Museum and Art Gallery - Queens Road, West End. 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 café.

Clifton Suspension Bridge - 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 £1 to drive across.

Bristol Ferry Boats - 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

Aerospace Bristol - There's loads to discover at Aerospace Bristol, starting from the earliest days of powered flight, through to today’s cutting-edge aerospace technology. There's aeroplanes, helicopters, missiles, satellites, engines and more to see and lots of interactive exhibits for all ages. The highlight of your day will surely be the iconic Concorde. You’ll have the chance to step aboard the world's fastest passenger jet, glimpse into the cockpit, and walk through the passenger cabin to discover how Concorde passengers would travel in style. Plus, enjoy an amazing show projected on to the outside of the aeroplane.

Floating Harbour Bristol - The name comes from the fact that the water in the harbour remains at a constant level and is not affected by the tides of the River Avon which flows into it. The harbour covers an area of 70 acres (28 hectares). The harbour is now a tourist attraction with museums, galleries, exhibitions, bars and nightclubs.

Avon Valley Railway – Just outside Bristol - Opened in 1869 by the Midland Railway as a through-route between Birmingham and the South Coast the line was later linked to the iconic Somerset & Dorset Railway. Closed under the Beeching Axe of the 1960's the Avon Valley Railway was preserved by an enthusiastic group of volunteers. Today, 40 years on, three miles of track has been re-laid, locomotives and carriages restored, and the sound of steam can once again be heard along the Avon Valley.

Bath

Bath is an historic Roman and Georgian spa city. This World Heritage Site, is 100 miles west of London  and 15 miles southeast of the nearest big city, Bristol . A unique city, Bath is famous for its hot springs, Roman period baths, Medieval heritage, and stately Georgian architecture.

Places to visit

Roman Baths - Built by the Romans around 2000 years ago, and later rediscovered by the Victorians, the Roman Baths are the must-see tourist attraction in Bath.

Bath Abbey - the last Gothic church in England, started in 1499 and built on the ruins of the former Norman cathedral, this impressively large church (of small cathedral proportions) is located next to the Roman Baths.

Pulteney Bridge & Pulteney Weir - Was designed by Robert Adam completed in 1773. It is one of only four bridges in the world with shops across the full span on both sides and overlooks the impressive Pulteney Weir.

The Royal Crescent - a magnificent semi-elliptical crescent of houses designed by John Wood and completed in 1774. This was the first of Bath's eight crescents, and its shape remains unique.

Longleat – Twenty Miles outside Bath is Longleat an English stately home and the seat of the Marquesses of Bath. A leading and early example of the Elizabethan prodigy house, The house is set in 1,000 acres of parkland landscaped Capability Brown, with 4,000 acres  of let farmland and 4,000 acres of woodland, which includes Center Parcs holiday village.

Please visit  here for all Railtrails' Bristol & Bath Tours, we are sure you will not be disappointed!