During the annual Bristol Balloon Fiesta hundreds of hot air balloons drift over boats moored in Bristol’s famous Floating Harbour, now home to a busy cluster of bars.
The historic city of Bristol lies on the River Avon and for centuries was famous as a commercial port. Now the complete regeneration of the old port has meant that the city has gained fame for many festivals including the annual Harbor Festival, the world famous Bristol Balloon Fiesta and the new Bristol Cocktail Weekend.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta
Bristol has a long tradition of hot air balloons inspired by the first aerostatic flight made by the Montgolfier brothers over Versailles in 1783. Nearly 200 hundred years later a group of gliding enthusiasts in Bristol read about balloon innovations in America. Led by Don Cameron, they decided to make their own hot air balloon. He succeeded and the Bristol Belle, Western Europe’s first modern hot air balloon, took to the skies in 1967. In 1971, driven by this achievement, Cameron resigned from his job at the Bristol Airplane Company to found Cameron Balloons Ltd. It was a casual conversation. in a local pub one evening in 1978 that the seed was sown to meet the hot air balloon in Bristol. The following year, 1979, hot air balloon teams toured Europe to take part in the first Bristol Balloon Fiesta. It is held over 3 days at Ashton Court Estate, a mansion with extensive grounds. Thanks to the good weather, more than 100 flights were possible and the event was a great success.
The first event at Ashton Court Estate was such a success that Bristol has hosted the Balloon Fiesta every year since. It is still based at Ashton Court which is an ideal location as it hosts the thousands of people who come to Bristol every year to enjoy the balloons floating in the sky. Various programs fill the three days but the main event is the morning and afternoon balloon ascents. The first two days closed with the popular Nightglow when the burners of the connected balloons gave life as they swayed to the roaring music. A great way to end the day at this beautiful festival. In 2025 this event will be held from 08 to 10 August. Admission is free but fees apply for parking and the shuttle bus. The availability of a shuttle bus service from Temple Meads and Prince Street stations to Ashton Court makes a city break during the festival an attractive proposition as the city has so much to offer around the historic floating harbour.
Floating Harbor in Bristol
For centuries Bristol has been an important commercial port due to its position on the River Avon which joins the Severn Estuary a few miles downstream and then flows into the Bristol Channel. However, high tides in the River Avon mean ships can run aground in shallow water. As the port became busy in the eighteenth century and to maintain its popularity, this problem had to be solved. And in 1807, the installation of several piers ensured that the water in the harbor remained at a constant level, unaffected by the tides of the River Avon. This system is nicknamed The Floating Harbour. Although new docks were built on the Severn estuary at Avonmouth and Portishead for larger ships in the 1870s, the Floating Harbor or City Docks remained important until they were closed to commercial shipping in 1975. Since then, regeneration has been empty and derelict. wharves, warehouses and warehouses have breathed new life into this area. Popular attractions here include the SS Great Britain steamer Matthew, a replica of the caravel that John Cabot sailed from Bristol to Newfoundland in 1947 and the MShed, a series of galleries relating to Bristol’s history. And every year the annual Harbor Festival in July brings the best of Bristol emerging artists as well as established and international performers in all genres for three days of free entertainment back-to-back. Restaurants, cafes and bars now line the waterfronts and bars now have their own festivals.
Bars in Bristol
There is no shortage of options when it comes to sundowners overlooking the waters of the River Avon and the Floating Harbour. And there’s a new bar in town, Rick’s Bar, a new addition to the riverfront Bristol Hotel. This glitzy bar is quickly gaining popularity with its interesting cocktail list and some unusual light bites. It will take part in Bristol Cocktail Weekend (26 – 29 September) when 35 of the city’s best bars will serve up exclusive cocktails and innovative drinks.
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Where to stay in Bristol
Bristol Hotel offers comfort and convenience as well as some of the best views of Bristol itself. The waterfront location is convenient for attractions along the Floating Harbor. Several local buses pass through Prince Street serving the train station, airport and other nearby attractions. The hotel offers different room standards, but each room has all the amenities you need to enhance your city break. It also has a comfortable, quiet lounge, a small bar and the River Grill restaurant. Parking in the adjacent multi-storey car park (discount for residents) means you can drive to Bristol and park and ride after that. The hotel is located in a Grade II listed building due to the concrete grid work in front of the multi-storey car park. The austere exterior belies the luxurious interior.
Back to Bristol
Bristol has an airport and two railway stations. Public transport links to the city centre. Also close to 3 motorways – M5, M4 and M32.
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