Park Street Area

Park Street is one of the main Streets in Bristol linking the floating harbour with Clifton. Being close to the University this area can become quite lively during term time especially at night. The street is lined with restaurants , cafes and a selection of interesting shops, mostly aimed at the young "fashionista" as well as at music and book lovers. At the bottom end of Park Street is Great George Street, here you’ll find the Georgian House, a museum where you can imagine life in the 18th century whilst touring the 11 carefully restored rooms.

Those who are feeling energetic can climb nearby Brandon Hill and be rewarded with fantastic views of the city. The grounds boast a nature reserve complete with ponds, a haven for spotting frogs, toads, dragonflies and visiting birds. Crowning Brandon Hill and standing 260 feet above the harbour is Cabot Tower. An ascent up the spiral staircase of this 105-foot tower will bring the reward of yet more splendid views of all the major landmarks in the city. At night when viewing this famous landmark from city locations you can see it’s beacon flashing two red lights.

Back on to Park Street make your way up to the top to view the impressive Wills Memorial Building, the flagship of Bristol University. If you are lucky enough to be visiting on one of the open days you may be able to take a trip up the tower. On sunny days students like to sit on the grassy area outside enjoying their sandwiches while watching the comings and goings around them.

 

Just up from here, on Queen’s Road, is the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery housing a varied collection of permanent exhibits from Egyptian artifacts to dinosaurs, fossils and fine art. The museum also regularly plays host to temporary exhibitions and, if you are visiting with children there is a special play and learn space for the under 7’s. If you are an art lover a treat nearby is the Royal West of England Academy of Arts. Here there are displays of work by famous as well as new or lesser-known artists.

Whilst you are in the area take a look on the other side of the road at the Victoria Rooms, a distinguished looking building that opened in 1842 and was originally used as assembly rooms. The building now belongs to Bristol University’s Department of Music. 

Photographs by N Hindmarch