History Of Bristol

Indelibly linked to the ingenuity of 19th century genius, engineer and architect Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who left his mark on Bristol during this period with the building of railways and impossible bridges, Bristol was once one of the world’s great port cities and it remains a prominent British city today.

Early history

Although Bristol had been a port town long before the invasion of the Normans in 1066, it was at this time that the city achieved real status and prominence. However, it was in the 14th century that Bristol became internationally significant, when it started trading with other European countries; namely, Iceland, Spain and Portugal.

It was also during the 14th century under King Edward III that Bristol was granted county status. Later, Bristol gained increased importance as a maritime city after the discovery of America, when it was used as launching point for countless voyages to the New World.

The 18th and 19th centuries

During the 18th century, while trade with Europe and the growing United States continued, Bristol spread its wings and became England’s second city. The profusion of imported goods into Bristol from America, such as slave trade products like sugar cane, rum, cocoa and tobacco, made local merchants incredibly wealthy. Many moved out of the city centre and the harbour area into the beautiful surrounding countryside of the likes of Clifton. Many fine Georgian mansions were built during this time, many of which still remain today.

Bristol remained a prominent port city until well into the 19th century, but much business was lost due to rough tides on the River Avon causing ships to maroon and the river’s tight bends meant that the bigger ships had difficulty in reaching the city. The arrival of Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1831 came at just the right time and sparked the dawn of a new era for Bristol.

Brunels legacy

Brunel became the chief engineer of the Great Western Railway and helped to establish the new London to Bristol railway line, which cut travel times, from the capital, drastically.   Horse and carts used to take days to get from London to Bristol, but the new line meant that locomotives could manage the journey in a little over four hours. Many new methods of bridge and tunnel construction were employed on the line, which are still in use today.

Brunel is not only remembered for the Great Western Railway, but he also transformed the face of Bristol by designing the awe-inspiring Clifton Suspension Bridge, the grand Temple Meads Old Station and one of his favourite projects, the SS Great Britain, which is in permanent dock near the bridge.

Since the days of Brunel, Bristol has attracted some big name companies who have set up shop here including the Bristol Aeroplane Company, which was established by George White at nearby Filton in 1910. Concorde was built in Filton in the 1960s, while Rolls Royce is also based in Bristol.

Today, Bristol is still a prominent UK business city and it features a tangle of old and new streets loaded with glitzy shops, restaurants and refurbished buildings as well as a bustling harbour front on the River Avon. The Clifton Suspension Bridge is a major tourist attraction and is still the city’s greatest icon, standing as a gateway to one of Europe’s most endearing waterfront cities.