Clifton
Clifton is one of the suburbs of Bristol. It is has also had people living here for far longer than some of the surrounding areas. In fact, Clifton was recorded in the Domesday Book. Back then, it was much smaller than it is now. It went by the name of Clistoane and was just a tiny settlement. Nowadays, people in Bristol don’t even know where Clifton actually ends. There are no formal boundaries for the suburb, although it tends to be agreed that Whiteladies Road (a prominent shopping district) in the east and Avon Gorge in the west border the suburb. There is plenty to discover here too.
Early Industry
Clifton is one of the most affluent areas of Bristol. However, it got to this position by means which are not necessarily ‘fine’ by today’s standards. Clifton grew up on the back of both the tobacco and the slave trade. Back then, the area was also home to servants who worked for the richer people around Bristol. This was around the time that the area of Clifton really started to get ‘big’. Most of the architecture in this area is Georgian, which gives the place a slightly different feel to the rest of Bristol.
Shopping
Those who travel to Clifton have two shopping districts to choose from. You have Whiteladies Road, which is one of the more important shopping districts in Bristol outside of the city centre. You also have Clifton Village, which is close to Avon Gorge. This area is more well-known for the smaller boutique stores, although you will find a couple of larger brands here too.
Clifton Suspension Bridge
This is one of the more prominent sights in Bristol. In fact, it is one of the most famous suspension bridges in the world. Built in 1864, the Clifton Suspension Bridge is built over the River Avon. There has been a bridge in this location since the 13th Century, although this is the latest iteration of it. Tourists to the area will need to pay a fee if they wish to cross the bridge.
Clifton Cathedral
This is unlike any other cathedral that you have seen before. Many of the cathedrals throughout the United Kingdom boast Gothic architecture. Clifton Cathedral is a touch more modern. Built in the early 1970s, Clifton Cathedral is a geometric marvel. In fact, the entirety of the church has been built around the mathematical form of a triangle. You can see this in the interior where the furniture has been placed in line with the overall look of the cathedral. You will also be baffled by the fact that there are no standard windows inside of the cathedral, and that the interior is hexagonal shape. One of the more unique buildings to visit in Bristol.
Bristol Zoo
Bristol Zoo is one of the more ‘popular’ attractions for people heading into Bristol. Home to over 500 different species of animal, Bristol Zoo has a plethora of attractions for the visitor to head to. You have gorillas, lions, hippos, and some stunning red pandas. Bristol Zoo, opening in the early 1800s, was the first zoo in the world to offer an indoor area for viewing ‘nocturnal’ animals.
Clifton Down
For those enjoy long walks through the countryside, Clifton Down, just north of Clifton, is the perfect place to head. This 400-acre area of land has been attracting people since the Iron Age. In fact, there is an old Iron Age hill fort located on Clifton Down, as well as evidence of agriculture from the Iron Age and Romans in the nearby vicinity. This area also played a key role in the suffragette movement during the early 1900s.
Major Companies Based in Clifton
There are several companies which operate offices in Clifton. Perhaps one of the most prominent is the BBC which runs BBC Bristol from the area. This is the regional television centre which covers the West of England. Tourists can even go on a tour of the facility of they wish. Many of the top Radio 4 shows are produced at BBC Bristol. There are several other companies using the vast office blocks of Clifton. Of course, many of which are kept clean using commercial cleaners. The close access to the major parts of the city of Bristol ensure that this is an ideal location for many companies.