Views of Bristol

Haven’t been able to dive back into our Adventures in London Part II, nor did I fully get to share a few of the landmarks we had the pleasure of visiting in Bristol. With so much to do, I’m falling behind! Here’s the best of our visit to Bristol 🙂

The Clifton Suspension Bridge (& Visitor Center)

There’s a visitor’s center on one side, with the history of the bridge and Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the guy who architected it (among other things, like the Great Western Rail!). He was voted #2 in BBC’s “100 Greatest Britons” poll of the early 2000s. Shakespeare was all the way at #5! I guess in day to day living, practicalities of travel one up more literary/dramatic cultural achievements.

The wrought iron suspension bridge was built without any government funds, which means it took a LONG time to complete, 30 years of start and stop work, all dependent on whether there were enough funds to continue building. It was originally designed to have Egyptian motifs as decoration, but these details didn’t make it into the bridge we see today. It was the tallest and longest bridge of its day, a marvel.

Even today the bridge does not get funding from the city or government. It maintains a 1 pound toll to cross by vehicle. But biking or walking is always free!

Also, the bridge is illuminated between dusk and midnight. Another second and spectacular view.

Side note: there’s a stone slide accessible from this vantage point. Click here to watch me slide down =)

Cabot Tower

Cabot tower sits in the middle of a beautiful green park with edible plants all over! It’s hard to see below, but all the dots have a number that corresponds to a plant, like wild plum, crab apple, Oregon grape, or black currant. 

We didn’t forage, our appetites full from Kurdish wraps, freshly made (bread too). But we did see lots of tiny ladybug friends all over the tower.

There are over 100 steps to the very top, through a small—no, make that TINY—staircase. If someone is attempting to go the opposite direction you have a fun/awkward shuffle to sidestep each other without tripping on the few inches of stair that comprises the width of each step close to the center.

But it’s worth every step and every awkward encounter for these views.

Get Your Knits!

Bristol takes lots of pride in their city, as they should. In fact, over 250 volunteers knitted a version of it over 3 years, complete with landmarks, titled “Briswool” that is on public display (free!) at the Bristol Energy Hub office. It’s a pretty adorable display.

Of course what post would be complete without some sort of food nod? See, I’d already snuck in some wild forage-ables and naan. But you know that with me there’s always more food involved.

Pie

We tried the original Pieminister in Stokes Croft—now sold in many London shops, including stalls in the famed Borough Market as well as pubs across London and Bristol. I got the chicken, portobello, and chestnut pie upon first visit (and venison, smoked bacon, and red wine gravy upon our second visit). Jon got chicken, smoked bacon, and tarragon (and then the traditional British beef steak and craft ale pie).

Sunday Roast

Did I mention we also had a Sunday Roast? We stopped by The Huntsman in Bath, for an iconic supper.

Up until now I had no idea that a Yorkshire pudding was a spongy fluff that is more like a gravy vessel than any kind of bread that I know of. Silly me, of course that’s why it’s called “pudding!” And that gravy does deserve an elaborate food-vehicle for consumption.

Exhibition Cider

Last, but certainly not least, we had the famous Exhibition Cider at The Coronation Tap, or “The Cori” among locals. It’s brewed locally exclusively for The Coronation Tap. They only sell it in 1/2 pints because depending on the batch, it can have an ABV of 8-15% (read: extremely potent). It also tastes just like apple juice. Seriously. This stuff is deliciously dangerous.

We met some lovely Bristolians at The Cori who showed us a fantastic time, including a secret bar, complete with telephone booth entry and all!