Before Adam headed off on his work trip abroad, we took a lightning fast trip to Bristol.
We weren’t in the mood for a big day of sight-seeing, so opted for a leisurely few hours wandering around Harbourside, right in the city centre…
There has been a harbour of sorts in Bristol since 1051! In the 1600s the port was a huge player in the British tobacco market and was also a major site during the 17th and 18th centuries for slave trade. Nowadays it’s full of cafes, restaurants, museums and shops.
After finding a spot for lunch, Adam and I settled in for a session of people watching. Being right on the water and in the heart of the city meant there was always something or someone that caught our eye.
Decidedly full after our meal, we walked down the harbour to the ferry which took us across to Spike Island.
There are boats moored all over the place and I was fascinated by the extensive gardens some of the vessels had on board.
If you’re a lover of history, you can also check out Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s SS Great Britain and the Earl of Pembroke – which resembles the HMS Endeavour – the ship Captain James Cook sailed when he discovered Australia!
Bristol’s shipping heritage is really abundant on Spike Island. The old cranes and disused rail lines that scatter the foreshore add a wonderful industrial vibe to the Harbourside. The tracks also serve as a good test of one’s balancing skills!
On the recommendation of my Instagram friend Sarah we checked out Wapping Wharf, a still-in-progress new development on the island. There are some cool shops and eateries already established and we enjoyed some great coffees at the Scandi cool like cafe, Mokoko.
We drove home via the city centre, which is full of gorgeous buildings (and lots of hills!), and after a good run north of the M5 came home for a cup of tea and a nap. Jolly good day all round.
Wattle and Ash 