What is Bristol known for?
Bristol is a city in southwest England known for its maritime history, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, the street artist Banksy, its colorful houses and its harborside. It is one of England's largest cities.
Bristol grew as a major port from medieval times. In the 1700s, it was heavily involved in the transatlantic slave trade. In 2020, protesters pulled down a statue of slave trader Edward Colston and threw it into the harbor.
The SS Great Britain, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and launched in 1843, was the first iron-hulled, screw-propelled ocean liner. It is now a museum in Bristol.
Culture and creativity
Bristol is known for its music scene, including trip hop bands such as Massive Attack and Portishead. The city is also home to Aardman Animations, creators of Wallace and Gromit.
Street art is everywhere, and several works by Banksy, who is believed to come from the Bristol area, can be seen in the city.
The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, held each August, is one of Europe's largest hot air balloon events.
Bristol was the birthplace of Concorde's British development, with test flights at Filton. Aerospace Bristol displays the last Concorde to fly.