Exploring Bristol in Photos - Now and ThenWhilst exploring Bristol with my camera, I lined up a few historic photos to compare how Bristol has changed over 100 years.
On a cold winter morning, I set off with my camera and brother-in-law to photograph the centre of Bristol and the local surrounding area. I wanted to try and recreate some of the historic photos from 100 years ago to compare how Bristol has changed. Having read a few books containing historic pictures of Bristol from the 1800s to the 1960's I thought it would be a good idea to try and recreate some of the images for comparison. The results can be found in my "Bristol: Then and Now" page.
Christmas Steps
We started by catching the bus into the centre, where we found Christmas Steps, one of the oldest parts of the old city. At the foot of the steps is one of England's oldest chippies. At the top of Christmas Steps, we find Foster's House, a 'Burgundian domestic Gothic' group of buildings used as luxury flats.
The street was originally called Queene Street in medieval times before becoming known as Knyfesmyth Street, after the tradesmen there. The Middle English pronunciation of Knyfesmyth, with the K sounded, may be the origin of the street's modern name. An alternative theory is based on the nativity scene found in a stained glass window of The Chapel of the Three Kings of Cologne, which stands at the top of the steps.
Fosters Almshouse
Foster's Almshouse is a historic building on Colston Street, Bristol, England. The almshouse was founded by a bequest from 15th-century merchant John Foster in 1492.
The west wing of the current building was built in 1861, the north wing in 1872, and the south and east wings in 1880-83 by Foster and Wood. The Chapel of the Three Kings of Cologne, which was built for the use of those living in the Almshouse, was restored at the same time.
Marriott Royal Hotel
A short walk from here we arrive at the recently renovated Colston Hall before heading back into the centre. Walking up to College Green we find the Marriott Royal and Bristol Cathedral, and a bit further up, Park Street for a few then-and-now photos. Near the top of Park Street, we divert off down a side street to get to Brandon Hill and Cabot Tower. Unfortunately, the tower was closed for renovation, however, I was still able to get a few good views over the city.
Abbey Gatehouse
The Abbey Gatehouse is a historic building on the south side of College Green in Bristol. Its earliest parts date back to around 1170. It was the gatehouse for St Augustine's Abbey, which was the precursor of Bristol Cathedral. The gatehouse stands to the cathedral's west, and it's west, it is abutted by the Bristol Central Library building. The library's architectural design incorporated many of the gatehouse's features.
Broad Street through St Johns Gateway
St John on the Wall in Bristol is a historic church in the care of heritage charity The Churches Conservation Trust. The upper church and its medieval vaulted crypt are located at the lower end of Broad Street and are built into the old city's medieval walls.
Corn Street
Corn Street, together with Broad Street, Wine Street and High Street, is one of the four cross streets which met at the Bristol High Cross, the heart of Bristol, England when it was a walled mediaeval town. From this crossroads, Corn Street and its later extension Clare Street runs downhill approximately 325m south-westwards to The Centre.
All Saints Church on Corn Street
All Saints is a closed Anglican church in Corn Street, Bristol. For many years it was used as a Diocesan Education Centre but this closed in 2015. The building has been designated as a grade II listed building.
Bristol Bridge
Bristol Bridge is a bridge over the floating harbour in Bristol, England, the original course of the River Avon. It is a grade II listed building.
After exploring Brandon Hill we explored Clifton a little and found a lovely vantage point overlooking the SS Great Britain and The Matthew, as well as the surrounding docks and Hotwells. Then we climbed down an old lane to get to the harbour side and floating docks, made a slight detour for the IMAX sphere and finally along the waterfront to a warm coffee shop for coffee and a muffin. Having warmed up and rested we headed out to find the Hatchet Inn, Bristol's oldest pub dating back to 1606, then headed up Corn Street, exploring St Nicholas Market and finally Castle Green.
By this time it is dark and the camera is not able to take pictures handheld anymore, so we set off to find the Llandoger Trow, Bristol's 2nd oldest pub (1644) for a well-earned pint of traditional ale. Three later we decide to walk home, or rather to our local, for some more hot food and a few more pints of beer.
