The Coolest UK City? Bristol Really Surprised Me On My First Ever Visit. Join Me On My Brunel Tour!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ส.ค. 2023
- I must admit to knowing pretty much nothing about Bristol before this visit and the only reason I was here was to learn a bit more about one of the greatest engineers in the history of the world - Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
In today's video I'll take you for a walk around the city with a loosely based theme of visiting as many Brunel sights as I can find.
We'll see a famous Brunel bridge, a less famous Brunel bridge, a mighty 1800s transatlantic ship, a castle-like railway station and a clock with two times. We may even eat a pie. Enjoy the video...
My visit was on Tuesday 1st August 2023. I was also there on the Wednesday as well, but we won't count that as the weather turned pretty awful (which put an end to other video plans I had in the area!)
Music courtesy of epidemicsound.com
('Late for Work' by Speedy the Spider)
Thumbnail designed using Canva
This video is not sponsored and all opinions are my own.
Hi, I’m Steve from Scotland. I plan, film and edit travel videos both at home and throughout the world, with all the work done myself. I try to go a bit beyond the normal tourist route, exploring less-visited places and would be honoured if you'd come along as well. But please don't expect an expert guide, if that's what you're after, this is probably not the channel for you. What you WILL find here though are my 100% honest impressions of what I see along the way, albeit as a layman. And I always believe the star of any video is not me, but the places I visit. I hope this comes across and you can feel like you are there with me. Please remember to subscribe, like, comment, share, all that stuff if you enjoy my videos (or even a thumbs down if you don't!). I make a conscious effort not to say this in the videos themselves, but it would be a massive help to the channel and open it up to bigger audiences around the world. Oh, and who's that with me in many of the adventures? Well that must be my glamorous sidekick Alicja (who features as often as she can). Thanks for watching and enjoy the video :)
Donate here to future videos: (thank you!)
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FAQs:
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I was born in Glasgow but have lived in Carnoustie, Dalgety Bay, Stonehaven, Edinburgh, Montrose, and further afield (Salamanca, Spain & Devonport, New Zealand)
WHEN DO YOU UPLOAD?
Saturdays at 10am Scottish time. Occasionally a bonus midweek video will pop up.
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?
I film with a GoPro11 and my iPhone12. I edit on iMovie and use epidemicsound.com for music. I also use canva.com for thumbnails etc.
WHY DON'T YOU SPEND LONGER AT DESTINATIONS?
The usual suspects I'm afraid - time and money! Hotels especially these days make my eyes water like a true Scotsman.
WHERE'S ALICJA?
Alicja will feature as often as possible, but I'm afraid she has a proper job so it can take weeks for our schedules to match up.
DO YOU PAY FOR YOUR OWN TRAVEL?
Yes I do. I've only ever accepted a complementary ticket as compensation for a previous problem. All my opinions are frank and honest reflections of travel as I experience it.
WHY THE ADS?
It's my income, I can't do this for free.
CAN I CONTACT YOU?
I used to list my email address but felt bad not having the capacity to respond to everything so took it down (and I got a LOT of spam so missed many genuine messages along the way).
HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE CHANNEL?
Watching my videos is of course support enough, but if you'd like to support further, I'll pop links below for Paypal and Patreon. All kind donations are super-appreciated and will go 100% towards future filming trips.
DO YOU ACCEPT SPONSORSHIPS?
I don't like to upset the flow of my videos, so I don't even include mid-roll ads anymore (at significant loss of income to myself), so I prefer not to include sponsorships either. I'm open to a small slide at the start/end of each video, but I don't want to get into talking about products, it's something I don't like as a viewer myself (especially as a viewer who pays for TH-cam Premium). So it's probably a polite no, although all of this goes out the window if you offer me something which can give me the chance to make a video for my audience that would otherwise be impossible.
#SteveMarsh #Bristol #Brunel
I had absolutely no idea Bristol had so much going for it. A visit is definitely on the cards. I can't believe the SS Great Britain was scuttled and abandoned in the Falkland Islands before being rescued. Another superb video Steve!
Aye, I'm so glad it was dragged back and given a proper makeover. Bristol was a real eye-opened, I'd never even considered it before!
@@steve-marsh ship reminded me of the one bringing my relatives from Germany to the US in the mid 1850's. Believe they had money so may have traveled first class. He brought his sister in law to look after their child so it wouldn't have been cheap.
the especial charter to toney Bristol was always supposed to bring about its bougie, suburban-Bath prospects though, right --- I can't grasp all that regal kingdom shit thereabouts: 1776 worlwide! 🍸
Bristol is to the BI much how Montréal was to that territory's conquered commonwealth
Scott there loads to discover in bristol you be surprise I should know I was born and grew up in bristol as sure steve will agree with me
I'm from Bristol and This is the first video of yours I've seen and I will say it'd nice to see someone finally showing what Bristol is really like and has to offer in terms of historic architecture and attractions. Talking about Brunel he was ahead of his time with engineering on the other side of the river opposite SS Great Britain primarily facing her bow there is a Brunel head statue facing the ship which is in my opinion a really nice touch
My husband was born in Bristol in 1949. The family, at that time, owned the Sedan Chair Pub on Broad Quay. We visited in 2004. He emigrated to Canada in 1951 with his mom who was a Canadian war bride, his dad in the RAF and stationed in Canada. They sailed on the Queen Mary and in 2004, we were enroute to Southampton to sail on the QM2. A very nostalgic trip. It was lovely to visit his birthplace as we live in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
As a proud Bristolian, just 2 words: gert lush.
A pleasant watch and as a Bristolian, nice to hear such a positive report from a visitor. It makes a change from the hordes of "it was better in my day" bores that inhabit certain fb groups and local newspaper comment sections. A tip for any future visit - you can get a train on The Severn Beach branch line from Temple Meads to Clifton Down and then The Suspension Bridge and Observatory etc is only about 15 minutes (flatish) walk through leafy Clifton suburbia.
Im from Bristol, PA a small town in the orbit of Philadelphia with a really long history (for america). It is where the canal north along the Delaware river ended, as not much farther north the river became impassable. We visited bristol england purely as a joke, as it was the namesake of our hometown, but were very very pleasently surprised.
Hey what a cool idea, that's right up my street! Would love to visit your Bristol now, sounds awesome!
Liam I live just up the Delaware river in Lambertville nj glad you found Steve
The conservators have done an incredible job of displaying The Great Britain!
Well said!
Bristolian here! Thoroughly enjoyed this video 👍
I lived in Bristol for 8 years back in the early 2000s originally from New Zealand . I chose to live there over London , best decision I ever did ! Absolutely amazing w, culture, music , history and chilled out and only a couple of hours to London and it’s the gateway to the west country and Cornwall !
Many mainstream broadcasters could learn from Steve's delivery of information - never hurried and done with a manner that make you enjoy the journey.
I first visited the city in 1985 to see the completion of the "Giotto" spacecraft at Filton and returned many times since - a marvellous place and with people to match.
Excellent work again Steve !
Thanks so much! :)
Agree! He's so down-to-earth and easy to watch. I also regularly get genuine laughs 😊
I am originally a Londoner, but moved away in the 1980s as I don't enjoy city dwelling. But, if I had to choose which UK city to reside, it would undoubtedly be Bristol by a long way. So much of the architecture is so pleasing to the eye, that it actually raises your spirits, as compared to the gloom generated from miserable 1960s concrete shopping centres dotted everywhere around the UK.
Well said!
Bristol does unfortunately suffer form this, primarily around redcliff (near temple meads) and in the city centre. This is mostly due to bombing. Although Bristol is apsolutely gorgeous, and by far my favourite city (although I am biased), I'd recommend sticking to the communities in north/east Bristol (and their apsolutely stunning high streets) if you want to avoid that architecture. Or, try bath, I've found it to be a nice respite, about 15 minutes from Bristol via train.
Bristol is by far the best city in England! Proud Bristolian here - I lived away for 8 years and came back 6 years ago. Hopefully will never leave again!
As a 50+ year old Bristolian and a regular viewer of your channel, it has opened my eyes to see an outsiders point of view on my home city. You seemed to find stuff I have never heard of and a lot I simply take for granted. It is indeed a cool city to live in, glad you enjoyed it. Keep up the great work. As always, thanks for the ride.
Brave man, Steve, crossing the Clifton Suspension Bridge without looking down (well, too much). Brunel is one of my heroes of the Victorian era. An amazing engineer, a workaholic, an man of vision and imagination. I was born in Somerset, so am wedded to the Great Western Railway (the original one) and Brunel's vision of catching a train in London and being able to get to New York in one seamless journey! Bristol certainly is a cool city and I'm most grateful for your tour.
That was an incredible vision for the time eh? And what a TH-cam video that would have been :D
Glad you enjoy Bristol steve and thanks for saying it's cool
If you had kept walking once you crossed the bridge you would eventually come to one of the gatehouses for Ashton Court. If you like parks, deer, mountain biking, hot air balloons (during the annual festival), etc is well worth a visit.
Brilliant upload Steve. I've lived in Bristol all my life and this vlog has encouraged me to get out and explore these sites again. I think sometimes we're too blinkered about the places we live. 👌🏽
So true, glad to bring you some familiar places through the eye of a tourist!
You arrived the day we left! In Bristol for 2 days for our sons graduation. Lovely city , we need to go back 😊
What an engineer Mr. Brunel was. He had a lot of influence on the building of the first railways in the Netherlands and the stations of Leiden and The Hague were built with Temple Meads Station as an example. Didn't know yet of this fantastic ship and bridge of his. Splended video again, loved the ferry. The sight of the pie made me hungry...
I K Brunel was of French parentage. I hate that statue of him as he would also have done. It is a cruel caracature of the very physical features that embarassed him most, his small stature, and his desperate attempts to hide this with platform shoes and a stovepipe hat.
What a great video Steve! 😊
So glad you enjoyed Bristol...it IS a beautiful city.
AND...it IS, without doubt, THE COOLEST city in the U.K!
And...I say that as a born and bred Londoner who has travelled all over our country.
Bristol just has something "special" about it. 😊❤
You are so right :)
Wow, Steve, I'm increasingly in awe of how well you edit your videos, and particularly the background sounds, moving from one busy city location to another. Thanks for sharing your experiences of a city I've never explored. The walk across the bridge was awesome, and so were the final views from the tower. You really ended your trip on a high!
Really appreciate it, the audio bit probably takes the longest in edit, so appreciate you noticing it :)
I agree, Steve is better than a lot of TV presenters, having said that I don't watch or have a TV anymore. Steve is my TV 😉!
Great video Steve. I never would have imagined that Bristol had so much going for it. Really appreciate this report and that pie, wow, delicious!!!
Oh I should have brought some of them home!
Well that was interesting. To me, Bristol's always been somewhere that you pass on the motorway on the way to the likes of Devon and Cornwall, or South Wales. I've never considered it as a city to actually visit! Cheers for changing my mind, Steve! 😊
I was exactly the same mate!
I had no idea Bristol was such a nice place. Thanks for showing :)
Me neither! It deserves more coverage :)
Spectacular visit and what a good advert for Bristol Tourist Board! Lovely city with so much of interest - SS Great Britain, the river ferry, history, quirky streets, great grub (that pie looked superb) and wonderful views. Pity about the rain, but you'll be back.
Thanks Janet, it was a real eye-opener, and I think I saw about 5% of the city!
Just outside the city is the Concorde Museum, containing much of Bristols Aero History , going back to pre WW1, and much else too.@@steve-marsh
The amount of work gone into preserving this great ship is in credibly 😮
I’ve always wanted to see the suspension bridge up close. It’s certainly iconic . I get vertigo going over the Erskine Bridge which is close to my home , and the Clifton is over double it’s height I think.
That pie looked immense. 😋
Great tour of a city I knew very little about and now want to visit .
Cheers Billy!
Brunel proportions
I got vertigo watching Steve cross it 😂
The ferry actually starts at the back entrance to Temple Meads Station. Anyone wanting to get up to the Suspension bridge without the climb can take the number 8 bus from Temple Meads or the City Centre to Clifton (passing the Zoo on the way).
Bristol is on my list of English places to visit, third behind Lincolnshire and Portsmouth…Scotland has my family’s ancestral homeland of the ancient Province of Moray and the greater Glasgow area
Cool! I fancy a wee visit to Portsmouth soon too, not been there since I was a kid!
@@steve-marshI highly recommend Portsmouth. The historic dockyard is incredible (another place with an annual ticket, which given how much is there is essential) and contains the finest museum I have ever visited, the Mary Rose.
Lots to see in Portsmouth Steve but steer clear of the city centre which is not great.
@@MrRQBQ my thoughts exactly, i was only going to head to the historical places and the four ships…as nice as the island is, i’m more about the trip to there and not a fan of cities and tourist traps
@@MrRQBQagreed, it’s a grotty mess
You sold Bristol well,made me check flights from Dublin to Bristol.The kids bit made me laugh,have 5 kids under 8 and they would be those wild and excited kids running around the museum.
All I knew of Brunel was that photo in front of the ship’s anchor chain as it was kind of revolutionary in the history of photography and you’ll see it in photography books, so thanks for the education on what all he got up to! Which was quite a lot! Many Americans’ ancestors would have also sailed from Bristol, as an aside. Are you heading into Wales?! 😊😊. Thanks for the video.
A pleasure! Not on way to Wales yet, but hopefully in September (if the weather behaves!)
Its NOT the anchor chain (a popular misconception). It was one of the braking drums to slow down the SS Great Eastern when she was launched sideways into the Thames at Millwall. The chains were made by a Welsh firm called Brown Lenox (named after the proprietors). On the back of the photo, IKB wrote "I asked Mr Lenox to stand with me, but he would not. So I alone am hung in chains".
The Clifton area is really special. It looks particularly nice in the summer. Maybe you can do a Bath, Weston Super Mare, and Severn Beach if you come back to this area again
Good vid Steve 👍 another of Brunel's famous bridges is not far from us with long brick arches carrying the Great Western Railway mainline over the River Thames at Maidenhead. Built nearly 200 years ago and still a crucial part of the rail network.
Ah his work is still going strong everywhere eh? :)
Bristol is a very underrated city. Fascinating industrial history fully described in the old warehouses in the popular ‘old dock’ area. Always worth another visit 👍
Hello Steve, I misspent most of my 20s in Bristol, which has indeed been long under-rated as a place to visit. It's actually just as well you couldn't access the rest of what you thought was Brunel's Temple Meads Station - because today's operational side isn't, in fact Brunel's - it was a later addition by Digby-Wyatt! The original part that was designed by Brunel was actually behind his statue and where you began inside the station - it was most recently used as an Empire Museum... Basically you go through the doors behind you at 0:40 and look left into the covered area of the car park and up at the roof. Where it drops at the far end and is screened off by a curtain wall (also a later addition), that's Brunel's bit... What you assume to be the River Avon (as you cross Bristol Bridge) is in fact part of the Floating Harbour - but don't worry, as it is an effective loop of the river maintained at that level by lock gates at either end. The actual river that's not part of the harbour runs along something called the New Cut, which passes Temple Meads station on its far side, where you'd not been; but I'm sure I made the same assumption the first time I saw that, too! The Ferry's been a feature for decades, by the way - and the quaysides it passes have changed a lot over the years... I think it was 30p single and 50p return when I was there - and it cost me an almost unachievable £6.50 to go on the SS Great Britain, though you get a lot more for your money these days, as it didn't have all those exhibitions back then. Now, when you go back again (yes, you're already planning to take Alijah, I know!), if you look at the modern houses immediately behind your head at 14:25, and at the step where the ferry stops, you'll see one of the houses I was lucky enough to be lodger within, just to its' left. Incidentally, the two swing bridges - the one you crossed and the concrete one you passed under - as well as the associated harbour lock gates, were regularly opened back then as there were still sand sloops loaded and unloaded in a dock just to the right; plus what one of my landladies called "The Bristol Shitship," aka the Glen Avon, also came in several times a week to pick up another load of sewage, which it took far out into the Severn Estuary and dumped, until about 1992.... Ah, that's the New Cut to the right, at 16:07, by the way - emptying out in the direction of the Avon Gorge... Well done for climbing that zig-zag path - and for crossing the bridge. Mind you, it's no better walking up from Hotwells, if there's one thing Bristol does well, it's hills! [ Have you seen this: th-cam.com/video/000b4TBMouY/w-d-xo.html - it's just south of Temple Meads, between the Bath & Wells Roads...]. But you do get views. And I'll give you a laugh - I featured in an exhibition in M-shed (the museum behind the PS Balmoral, that you passed on the Ferry), a few years ago, as part of LGBT History Month!!
Mate you win comment of the day with this one! I hope we can go back when in Wales :)
Thank you for coming to Bristol and doing an excellent vlog on this city. Loving the thumbnail. Great to see Bristol in the eyes of a tourist, because once you start seeing these places everyday, you start taking it for granted. I’m now tempted by a trip to Glasgow :)
What a place, really enjoyed my time there!
As a fellow Scotsman working in Bristol for a few months, I can confirm it is quite a cool city, full of street art, great beer, good food, I've really enjoyed it so far
What a lovely city. The ferry is a bonus for sure. A truly lovely day for a tour.the tour of the ship is really interesting. The craftsmanship is astounding.
You weren’t kidding when you said he was talented. I don’t think I could walk across that bridge. Too scared of heights for me.
Truly a beautiful city.
You sure were hungry!! Great video!!
The bridge was surprisingly easy (even for me!)
First of all, I would like to thank you for your great videos. Thanks to them I know more about Scotland and some other places, mainly in Europe, that you have visited. Having said that, I tell you that I have also been to Bristol 2 times, and yes is a location that I liked very much. Just notice that I have lived in Weymouth for 11 years, and Bristol is not very far from there, lol. Happy travels Steve.
Hey you are very welcome, an absolute pleasure! Thanks for your comment :)
It's great that you bumped your head on "'Little Bourke St' one of the 'little' streets of Melbourne (where I'm from), where the SSGB spent much of its life transporting migrants to. I toured the ship/museum and bridge back in 2018. A great city to explore.
I used to enjoy visiting Bristol back in the 1970's, I shall have to visit again, thanks for the video.
You're so welcome Colin!
1942....Wow Steve....my daughter has always wanted to go to Bristol. Now i know why....good one❤.
She is right :)
Wow! It's been 30 years since I spent a few weeks working in Bristol and it seems a far nicer city than I remember. It looks so cool with a great vibe. Thanks for showing us around Steve - that was awesome 👍
Well said mate, a really cool vibe now, would like to go back sometime and see some more of the place. Like I said in the video, I wanted to do stuff on the following day as well, but that weather!!!
Brilliant video and definitely my favourite one of yours so far! I lived there for several years and still visit most years, but I have been more enlightened about attractions in Bristol from your video, than from any other source during my time living, or visiting the city! 🤔 😁 Thanks for sharing your Bristol experience!
That's so kind of you, thank you so much!
I’ve lived in Bristol all my life and you’ve shown me places I haven’t seen since my childhood. You must have walked miles 😮. You’ve shown me many things that you want rather than drive. I’ve never been on the SS Great Britain. Bit difficult in a Powerchair, so thank you for that. Steve, your videos are amazing 😊🇬🇧
Thank you Steve for interesting tour again! Greetings from Kuopio, Finland.
Thanks so much! I really need to get back to Finland!!!
Absolutely amazing video ❤ you have brought Bristol to us all, a hidden gem, amazing Clifton Bridge and that pie wow!! Thanks Steve and you're still my favourite TH-camr
Thanks so much Richard :)
This video shows me how good Steve is at this vlogging malarkey. I live in South Wales 40 minutes by train from Bristol, so know it quite well. Yet the whole presentation style here is fresh and involving. It’s a great city with many attractions. Steve your visit was only a week before the international balloon festival. A trip in one of those hot air balloons would I imagine give you quite a view! Anyone visiting Bath might want to consider a visit as it’s only about 15 minutes by train.
Ah no way! I'd LOVE to see the balloons above the city, that would have been amazing (although I'm sure the hotel prices would have jumped up for that too!) Thanks so much by the way for your kind words :)
Hold on Hold on... If I remember correctly you were up here in Orkney on the 30th of July mening that you would have gotten back to Aberdeen on the M.v. Hrossey at 07:00 on the 31st, Bristol the next day! now thats what I call dedication. What an awesome city as well.
Hey well worked out mate! Seriously, I got home from Orkney, went to bed, and was up at 2am for the drive down to Edinburgh for my flight. I'm not very good at planning eh? I didn't know WHERE I was. Really impressed you worked that one out!
Isambard Kingdom Brunel is a legend . Bristol is definitely a wonderful city with great sights .
Indeed, its one of the coolest cities in the UK ( we love Glasgow 😂 ) Amazing Tour .. cracking views , food market, the ship , ferry trip and the masterpiece the suspension bridges..walking over 😮 . It is worth it 👌 .thanks for your energetic effort to take us up there and show that Incredible and stunning views 👏 Steve! You know what ? YOUR THUMNAIL IS THE COOLEST THING 😊. Every single video comes out with a variety of content that we cannot skip any single frame of your Video. Well done 👏
Haha I had a lot of fun with that thumbnail! :D Thanks!
@@steve-marsh as I told you last year that I love your content and watch regularly. Most of the time your thumbs portrait beautiful story or leave some dot to connect or in other words very meaningful but This one is really one of the Best. It’s MENTAL 😍🥰🤩. Absolutely Perfect 👍
Fantastic video Steve, Bristol looks a fantastic city to visit, so much to do. On a side issue, the Balmoral ship earlier in the video used to be part of the P&A Campbell Fleet, est 1888 to 1979 (the Campbell's hailed originally from Kilmun in the Holy Loch) and set up the company in the Bristol Channel. There are moves to get the Balmoral back in to passenger service and a band of dedicated volunteers are working towards that. All the best
Hey thanks so much for this!
Wow! I never knew Bristol was so interesting!
Had no idea Bristol was what it was. Really enamored with the pie you had. All the years I spent in the UK never had tried a pie. Looked so fresh and delicious. Really made me hungry.
It really was a beauty! And I'm editing a video right now with another cracking pie in it, I need to go back to fish and chips on the next one :D
Steves enthusiasm is infectious. I just love his videos. As a 'Bristolian' I can confirm that he managed to pack in most of the sites but with another day or two he could have seen King Street with the Llandoger Trow pub and Theatre Royal, Royal York Crescent and Clifton Village, the Downs, Ashton Court. Its also a quick train journey to Bath which has even more interest. Next year I hope to get to the Scilly Isles , spurred on by one of Steves video adventures 😊
Thanks so much Steve for showing us around the SS Great Britain. I spent 3 happy years at Bristol University in the early 1970s and I remember visiting the boat when they first towed it into the harbour to see it in its unrestored state. What a transformation! Mind you, I doubt I would have paid much more than £3 at the time - that would have been about all I could afford on my student grant back then. And thanks too for the rest of the tour.
Hey what a cool place to study! :)
I was at Bristol Uni too in the early 70's. No way I could afford it now especially Clifton where I lived for 3 years. Thanks Steve!
It's a ship not a boat
@@markpearce803 Thanks for the correction. Whatever floats your boat ...
I said ship not boat 😂
Oh boy! Another Steve video. I do so look forward to Saturdays!
Thanks so much!!!
Omgoodness. You gave me blast from past. I was borne and bread in Bristol. Left there in 2007 and moved to Wiltshire. Thank you for the memories! Great video.
And a great place you are from :)
I kept thinking about Gibraltar when I saw all the uphill climbs in this video !🙂 Super video of a very cool city and an impressive engineer.
Cheers for coming along! And home to the steepest road in England (which I'll go up next time I visit) :)
Thank you for sharing this adventure with us, it was amazing to see. Bristol is an absolutely must see and you were able to capture the uniqueness of this city.
Hey thanks for coming along! What an incredible place!
What a lovely city!! There were so many interesting spots to see, and thank you for bringing us along! I got the feeling, however, that you delighted in showing the drop-off view from those various heights. 🫢 I literally had to close my eyes, as I’m not a fan of great heights…
Loved the bridges, the ship, and the marketplace. And that pie was everything! 😍
And a bonus for this fan - just remembered that the singing group The Longest Johns hail from Bristol. ❤
So much creativity in that city, it's alive with it :) Haha the heights seem easier when I can focus on the filming :)
What a interesting place to visit. Love the old back streets and river. The ship was amazing well worth it.
My fave shantie band, The Longest Johns, are from Bristol. Yay!
Wow, that was a great look over the Great Britain. The History of that ship is incredible, not least being salvaged from the Falkland Islands as a sunken wreck in the early 1970's. Somewhere on You Tube, is a jaw dropping Documentary of that amazing accomplishment, returning the 12,500 km home on a barge to be "restored" to what you so kindly showed us today. Definitely on my Bucket List, - thanks Steve!
I rememember that day, Thousands of people lined the banks of the Avon river, and up on the Suspension bridge, as the rusty Hulk of SS Gt Britain was towed on a Pontoon back to the very Dry Dock, that she had been built in. The Duke of Edinburgh was there too.
Great video again Steve. This was so good for me. I had close family in Bristol and regularly visited the city from Edinburgh throughout my childhood, youth and later life. I remember seeing the SS Great Britain when it was just a hulk brought back from the Falklands. Then seeing the gradual restoration in 1975 and again in 1980. Then finally again ten years ago when I did the same visit you did. Took them nearly 30 years to get to the wonderful ship you see today. Seeing all the places you visited really brought back great memories. A lovely city 🙋♂️👏👏.
Hey so glad to cover a place that means a lot to you!
Welcome to my home city Steve, My Grandad used to change the bulbs and do electrical work on the suspension bridge, he would climb the bridges support and cables with no safety gear and swap bulbs, repair wires etc. That was back in the 50s i believe. Also dud you see the bust of Samuel Plimsoll while down by Brunels other bridge? Next time your here go to the M Shed, celebrating Bristols industrial heritage and history. Its free entry
Wow that sounds terrifying, but I bet he just took it in his stride (probably in all weathers too!)
Super tour of Bristol Steve, excellent day.
Cheers Jeffery!
I was a student in Bristol in the 1980s and only afterwards came to realise what a special city it is. I loved the video Steve: you visited some of my favourite places 🙂 Incidentally, all the water through the city centre where you took the ferry is not actually the River Avon, it's the Floating Harbour, so-called because when they installed the lock gates (next to Brunel's Other Bridge) the boats would stay floating along the quaysides. The tidal River Avon takes a bit of a back route and isn't so scenic due to its huge tidal range and a lot of mud!
Ahhh cheers mate!
To add to that, the River Avon was diverted into a man-made channel, dug entirely by hand, which is pretty incredible if you look on streetview how big a job it would have been.
Another superb video Steve. My list of ‘must visit’ destinations grows every time you post a new one!
And it looks like it won’t be long before you could fill Wembley Stadium with your followers! Well done you! 👏
Haha cheers mate :)
gotta say well impressed with bristol and brunel
My daughter lives in Bristol! She loves it, full of history and a lot going on! X
Brilliant to see you exploring the Uk, Bristol has a lot more going for it than I imagined, a few parallels drawn with York imo, now that's one for your list 👍
Thank you Steve for such a great tour! Bristol is surprisingly beautiful and magnificent❤️❤️
Thanks Maria, really taken with the place, would love to go back sometime!
Hi Steve. Good video. The owners of the Unicorn in Dundee should take note of how the owners of the SS Great Britain present their historical ship.
Well said!!!!
Totally agree, Steve. We were there the other day and it has so much on offer as you say!
Glad you enjoyed it too :)
Bristol is an amazing City with such breathtaking views! I have never seen it before! Such beautiful buildings, Churches, Parks & Tower, Along with charming streets, lined with quaint & interesting shops & food vendors, with delicious looking foods, especially the Pie Minister! That pie & trimmings looked delicious!. Also, quite a number of historic sights, especially the majestic Ship designed by Brunel. That is incredible & quite fascinating! The suspension bridge is very impressive, but, wow, that's one high bridge! Don't look down on that one! Indeed! Bristol truly is a wonderful place! I'm really glad that you're venturing into England! now! That's awesome! I really love England so much! Thanks for sharing this delightful experience!
Oh I need to go back, soooo much more to see and do!
I don’t normally leave comments on TH-cam but I recently came across you channel and without a doubt one of the best Travel channels. The other one being Planes, Trains, Everything.
Like who else does videos about public transport options on the Faroe Islands?
As someone who only flys, I didn’t care for anything about coaches but after watching your VY express video I’ve already book 4 journeys on my upcoming European trip which are all +4 hours!
Absolutely brilliant content!
I completely agree.
Fantastic mate! And thanks so much! Oh, without giving too much away, keep an eye out for next weeks' video... ;)
@@steve-marsh always. And looking forward to it.
VY EXPRESS IS IN NORWAY 😊WELCOME TO NORWAY
YOU WILL LOVE THE TRAINS IN NORWAY TOO.
OSLO - TRONDHEIM
OR OSLO- BERGEN
OR OSLO - KRISTIANSAND- STAVANGER.
OR OSLO - FREDRIKSTAD ❤LOVELY TOWN
HISTORICAL HALDEN TOO
ÅLESUND ❤😊BODØ AND OF COURSE TROMSØ IS A MUST
You just put Bristol on my map. I had no idea this city had so much beauty to offer! 🤗🤩
I was exactly the same!
Bristol is such a wonderful place to go. I hope that someday I will be able to finally see it. All of Brunel's work is really assume to see, thanks Steve!
Well done Steve, You conquered some great heights. Bristol is one my favorite UK Cities, as my Great grandparents emigrated to NZ from there in 1884. The Brunel structures are another reason I visited in 2019. Pity you missed Camera Obscura and the Tunnels beneath it. And thanks for showing us so much more of Bristol ! Looks like a return visit will have to go on the Wish List..( I loved Glasgow too).😉🤩
Superb family history!
I really enjoyed this visit. The look on your face while you were on the water ferry-pure Joy! Bristol is such a lovely city. And those winding steps remind me of the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Another great video Steve. Onto the next adventure ✈️🚌🚗🛳️🏃
Thanks mate! One day I'd love to make it to the Vatican City!
Interesting to catch a glimpse of the Matthew replica there - I was in Bonavista, Newfoundland this June, where they have another replica of the Matthew, built the year after that one, which is pretty cool to check out. She's not currently seaworthy, but they have her in a drydock along with a small museum.
Bonavista is where it's believed Cabot probably made his first landing in Newfoundland, and there's a statue of him out on the cape as well. It's a beautiful area over all - rather historic, and the scenery is incredible.
That famous photo of Brunel in front of all the chains was taken in Deptford, East London, when they were building his bigger ship, the Great Eastern.
Ahhh cheers!!!
Great video as per usual Steve! Who would have thought Bristol was so good to visit?!
I was the same, totally surprised by the whole city!
Well done Steve, very courageous walking over that bridge! I saw the same view as you from underneath and definitely thought it was scary, but I'm dreadful with heights. Have you ever considered Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight with the hovercraft? So many ferry, train and bus routes to try out. Happy to be your local guide if you want 😊
Oh another cracking idea! I've always fancied the south coast, but trying to build it into a bigger trip where I can get a few videos done at once :)
Thanks for giving us a great tour of Bristol. Will definitely visit there on my bucket list from Australia. Also where the Band Massive Attack is from! Huge Fan 😊
A lot of creative magic born in that city!
In Summer you can take a tour of the bridge supporting towers. They are huge cathedral like constructions nearly 300ft high.
That sounds like fun, will definitely need to go back!
Well that was unexpected, seeing the city I called home for many years! Glad you enjoyed your visit. There used to be a banksy on the side of the Thekla (boat) at 05:51 - it was an image of the grim reaper in a boat set at the water level.
I used to work opposite the SS Great Britain in the 90's, so know the whole harbourside well. If the underfall yard hadn't burned down recently you could have cut through on your way to the bridge, lots more interesting architecture and industry there too.
Oh, the clifton suspension bridge never used to have that high railing. It was added to, er, deter people - you may have noticed the signs for the Samaritans at each end of the bridge - sadly it was a notorious spot for a while.
Next time buy the day ticket for the ferry. You can stop off at various watering holes around the floating harbour to, er, slake your thirst 😀
What a great idea for next time thanks. Because there WILL be a next time, I feel like I didn't;t see enough. I was looking forward to day 2, but the weather put an end to that!!! Although it was great to see the park at Brandon Hill, what a place!
I don't know if it still exists, but they used to do an annual 'doors open day' where you could get into places and buildings normally closed to the public. For example the clifton rocks railway, the redcliffe caves etc. There used to be a great industrial museum too - but years ago it got modernised into the 'M Shed' which you may have seen. I went once, and it was also full of screaming kids... got to choose your times carefully with some of these things!
You should try and do Cardiff again and explore more of the city especially Cardiff bay :)
Seconded......but then again, I am a bit biased with it being my home city. Controversial opinion though, I prefer Bristol to Cardiff
I really loved my little rainy run through Cardiff and will 100% be back! I even considered it as a day trip on day 2 of this one, but guess what? It was raining :D
@@steve-marsh That's just liquid sunshine in Wales.....much like the Scottish variety! Though it's not great from a filming point of view. Should you venture this way, I'd be more than happy to suggest places to visit
@@StripeyNick but Cardiff is over all a nice city though. 3 castles a a nice waterfront hills and two cathedrals and city with the most shopping arcades. Not many uk cities have all that
@@steve-marshIf you do another visit to Cardiff, I hope you will find your way to Roath Park, which is a bit out from the centre, but is a beautiful and tranquil place to see, with its own spectacular lake, hosting a multitude of ‘residents’! My sanctuary when I visit the city and just around the corner from the Youth Hostel.
Thanks for that Steve! I was born in Bristol and have never been back. I’m glad it left a good impression.🇨🇦🇺🇸
Thanks for this one, Steve. I've always known where Bristol is on the map but have never been there. Very interesting.
I was the same, and it was a real eye-opener!
Absolutely fantastic video, Steve! Loved Bristol and adding it to my list of future places to visit
A great guide to a great city.
Never been to Bristol might be a future road trip great video as always Steve 👍👍👍
Cheers mate! Fascinating city!
Outside the corn exchange are old iron nail shaped “tables “ where business was carried out and corn contracts were made hence the term “cash on the nail”
How cool! Thanks!
The ship reminds me of the TV serie the Onidin line 😊
Great to get a visitor's view of our great city.
Excellent, very well edited, Obviously, time and the weather threatened, The Tower at the end is 'Cabot Tower' after John Cabot, who sailed to''Newfoundland'' in 1497 from Bristol, in the 'Mathew'' That replica all wooden sailing ship, seen, just before the SS Great Britain, and also made in Bristol. shame there wasn't time to visit it. When famous Diarist Samuel Pepys visited Bristol in 1668, as head of the Navy's provisions. he was very impressed, and said that Bristol, was another London. P.S there are 35 Bristols in the World, 29 of them, in the USA.
Certainly far more to the city than I imagined, and I even spent a period working there a few decades back. Sadly, also a few decades ago the father of someone I know jumped off of the bridge. It looks from your video that measures have been taken now to prevent that happening.
Bristol is a great city. So much to see and do.🎉
At 18:30, those barriers weren't there when I was a kid, but they had too many jumpers! The Samaritans have big signs on the bridge!
Great video. Thanks for leaving the end notes card up for longer in the vid. Not sure on ranking Glasgow above Edinburgh though.
All opinions of course, but I can see why Edinburgh is a good city for tourists
13:40 I remember back in the 1970's the whole ship was rust and decay. It's amazing how much work has gone into making it how it is today.
So glad to see it get the protection it deserves - as well as being worth the entrance ticket just to see it, it's also good to know the money helps keep the ship and exhibition open for years and generations to come