Bristol, GLS at a Glance
Bristol, located two hours west of London
by road or rail, is the second largest city in the south of England, and has
a rich past stretching from pre-historic settlements, through Roman
times, to the sea-faring age. It's heyday was during the 18th century, when
it was a commercial port with links to British colonies in North America and
Africa; but as ships got bigger, navigation of the River
Avon became more difficult and the maritime industry declined. Science and
engineering provided Bristol with a second wind, with cigar-toting genius Isambard
Kingdom Brunel being the catalyst for the city's transformation. Brunel built
the impressive Clifton
Suspension Bridge, the iron-hulled steam ship Great
Britain and Temple
Meads railway station, now home to an exhibition on the achievements of
the British Empire.
There are also many contemporary attractions in Bristol with a large zoo
and gardens in the Clifton area of the city and the high-tech At-Bristol
centre downtown. Every year the area becomes a Mecca for hot air ballooning
enthusiasts when the Bristol
International Balloon Fiesta takes place.
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