Bristol City Docks: Attractions, Information and History

bristol city docks

One of my favourite parts of Bristol is the 83 acres of water which run through the heart of the city.
Click here to go to a virtual map of Bristol City Docks.
New BBC Bristol Online Harbourside pages here.
Sadly, the city council does not seem to be able, or willing, to fight off property developers who want to turn the City Docks into an expensive housing estate. The Save Our Harbour campaign are fighting these proposals which threaten all that is special about this unique inland port. Sadly, the property speculators have won a recent battle over land at Wapping Wharf, which probably means the flood-gates will open.
The "Harbourside" area at Canon's Marsh is currently the focus of debate. Follow the link for background and relevant links.
During the summer months I work for the Bristol Packet 'driving' the narrowboat Redshank and giving guided tours.
Malcolm Brammar of the University of trhe West of England has created an experimental sound portrait of the harbour. I'm in there somewhere!
Bristol has been a port for well over a thousand years and there are many fascinating corners to explore.
BBC webcam at St Augustine's Reach
Check out the Virtual Tour of Bristol at a great new site called Sieved Bristol

I have written a book Bristol's Harbourside: A Guide to the City Docks, ISBN 0-9530270-0-7, which is available by mail order from The Hotwell Press, 305 Hotwell Road, Hotwells, BRISTOL, BS8 4NQ.
The book costs £4.95. Post and packing are free. Online updates here. Sorry no direct credit card orders, just send a cheque to the above address made payable to the Hotwell Press. Don't forget to include your name and address.

The Matthew leaving entrance lock on May 3rd, 1997

In 1997 we celebrated the 500th anniversary of John Cabot's voyage to Newfoundland. He sailed in the Matthew. Starting on May 3rd 1997 the voyage was recreated in the replica Matthew and there are lots of details about her return voyage on this site. The Matthew came back to Bristol on September 12th 1998. Currently she is moored next to the ss Great Britain, although she does make occasional excursions elsewhere. Pictures of the Matthew being built in 1995 here

Bristol Packet Boat Trips. These run from near the SS Great Britain. Click on the link to look at the timetable. In the summer months, you will often find me 'driving' the narrowboat Redshank on one hour trips of the city docks.

Bristol Ferry Boat Company run up and down the harbour, save your feet! (0117 927 3416).

The Mercury Ferry is a new addition to the scene. Their web site is at www.boatsatbristol.com

Also new are Number Seven Boat Trips

SS Great Britain, Brunel's first iron ship design.

Bristol Industrial Museum is located in a former transit shed and they also operate the Bristol Harbour Railway.

Harbour Information from the City Council here, including an excellent map viewable using Adobe Acrobat

The at-Bristol project includes Explore, New World Square, WildWalk and an IMAX cinema which opened during the summer of 2000.

The Thekla is the largest ship permanently moored in the city docks and its also a great club.

The Mud Dock Cafe and Cycleworks is a great place to have a coffee or lunch and you can buy a smart bike there. Sometimes they show European cycle races on Eurosport.

Severnshed is an interesting conversion of the oldest warehousing in the docks. They serve organic food and have a "hover-bar" (as seen on Tomorrow's World!)

Riverstation Restaurant - former Harbour Police Station

Il Bordello is planned to be a new private members club for the city's media fraternity in a converted Dutch barge which was once a motorcycle club headquarters. Membership can be as much as £900 / year!

The Widening Gate by David Harris Sacks, is an interesting book about the development of the port of Bristol from 1400 to 1700. It is available online courtesy of the University of California Press.

The paddle steamer the PS Waverley makes regular visits to the City Docks, and runs trips down the Bristol Channel.

Click here or see my arts links for further details.

Doug's Picture Guide has interesting photos of the docks and St Mary Redcliffe Church.

. Click here or see my arts links for further details.

Nova Scotia Pub. Famous haunt of round the world yachties and other interesting types.

The Architecture Centre is on Narrow Quay near to the Arnolfini Gallery. Has an excellent aerial photo of central Bristol and the docks.

City of Bristol Rowing Club.

Bristol Canoe Club.

Baltic Wharf Sailing School.

Baltic Wharf Sailing Club

Bristol Open Top Bus will get you around most attractions in a day.

Tourist Information Centre

If you want to buy or sell your own house in Bristol you can advertise your property for free on this site! UK Property Market

Local Business, Community, Leisure, Illustrated Bristol Guide and Events listings

The sand dredger Harry Brown exiting junction lock, circa 1989

The sand dredger Harry Brown leaving the junction lock on one of her last voyages in 1989