Bristol, Entrance Live Cam

Come on and find out what a fantastic place Bristol and the South Cotswolds are. Bustling waterways, stunning architecture, fantastic attractions, acres of parks and gardens, fabulous shopping, glorious countryside and magnificent events all wrapped up in a thousand years of history and that's just a taster!

Our range of attractions is second to none, appealing to everyone looking for a fun day out - international visitors and local residents, young and old alike. From the Clifton Suspension Bridge to the ss Great Britain, At Bristol to Bristol Zoo Gardens, museums, historic houses and heritage estates to churches and chapels, Bristol's attractions are truly world class.

Bristol, and the coast and countryside around the city, offers visitors a superb range of quality accommodation ranging from stylish 'designer' hotels, to comfortable family run guest accommodation, international standard four star hotels to farmhouse bed and breakfasts, backpackers to comfortable self catering suites.

Bristol is a city of balloons and kites, football and film, festivals and carnivals - in short, great fun all year round! The ‘Quarters’ of Bristol have their own special ambience, their cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and clubs carrying a certain style and warmth unique to their area.

Bristol's name is carried around the world on products as diverse as Bristol Cream Sherry, Bristol Blue Glass and the Bristol Sound. Shop for these and more in any one of the city's diverse neighbourhoods. The elegant shops of Bristol's West End, Whiteladies Road and Clifton Village are unmissable - magnets for those looking for designer clothes, art and crafts, antiques, jewellery. In historic Corn Street the stalls of St Nicholas Markets sell hand crafted goods and deli foods. Virtually around the corner, Christmas Steps sells couture clothing, hand-made shoes and musical instruments. All the big name stores you can imagine can be found in Broadmead and the Galleries, or on the edge of the city at The Mall.

Whether you're looking to get fit, join a team, support your team, have fun with the kids or just relax - dive in. We've got it covered. Keep up with the big names in Bristol sport; Bristol City and Bristol Rovers football clubs, Bristol Rugby Club and Gloucestershire County Cricket. Or find your own sport, choosing from any one of Bristol's amateur teams or clubs. Walking, cycling, an evening at the cinema or even ballooning, there's loads to do. Alternatively take the easy option. Spa, massage, seaweed body wrap? You've never felt so good.

We think Bristol's at the centre of the universe and once you see how easy it is to get here, you're bound to agree! Road, rail, air - Bristol's at the crossroads of them all. We're at the hub of Britain's national cycle routes, an important inland harbour and the source of the Avon & Kennet Canal, and a starting point for waymarked country walks. Once you're in the region there are so many ways to get around, so much choice. Bristol is surprisingly easy to simply walk around, or you could try the ferries or cycle lanes. Regular bus services and some rail links also offer easy access to the city, coast and countryside.

Once you arrive in Bristol it's easiest to leave the car behind and walk, cycle or take public transport. To explore the surrounding coast and countryside take a map or a guidebook from the Tourist Information Centre and potter along minor 'B' roads - you'll discover unspoilt villages and green countryside.

Bus & Coach - Many coach companies, including PS travel, Bakers Dolphin, and Peter Carol offer excursions from Bristol. These and many others also provide private coach hire.

Taxis displaying the 'Welcome Host' sign have completed a special course on attractions and places of interest in Bristol, as well as a customer care course. They also operate modern, clean vehicles. Welcome Host taxis can be ordered from the following: Bristol Hackney Cabs, Streamline, T&M Farbrother, K. Pagington, T. Brazil, R. Smart, M. Power, T. Brobin.

Bristol International Airport now flies almost 2 million passengers a year from a brand new terminal, with most major airlines operating into the airport. Many are rapidly expanding the routes they service, and destinations include Frankfurt, Toronto and Newcastle. Bristol's road and rail connections mean that major international airports such as Heathrow and Gatwick are also within easy reach.

A great merchant city that made its fortune on the oceans is now a thriving modern city looking to the historic Floating Harbour for fun and relaxation. The Bristol Ferry Boat Co. and others operate regular ferry services to and from all the waterfront attractions. It's a wonderful way to get around. Upstream the harbour joins with its source, the River Avon, and from there to the Kennet & Avon Canal and the city of Bath. From Spring to Autumn companies such as the Bristol Packet run guided trips, some all the way into Bath. The historic steamer Balmoral and the paddlesteamer Waverley are also registered in Bristol and run occasional day excursions into the Bristol Channel. Alternatively, if you want to do it yourself hire a narrow boat and take your own time.

It's a city with something to say and it's always looking for new ways of saying it. From the earliest days of photography through the golden years of cinema to the dawn of the on-line age, Bristol has been keen to stay at the cutting edge.

Bristol can't resist the glamour of it all and wants more than a bit part. The city's a stage set and it loves performers. Hollywood stars, Oscar-winning plasticine figures, jaw dropping wildlife - Bristol's got the lot. And it relishes a good film festival. Long films, short films, experimental films, animal films, animation films - they're all part of the Bristol picture.

The 19th century pioneer of film, William Friese-Greene conducted his early experiments from rooms in Park Street in Bristol's West End, and Hollywood film star and heartthrob, Cary Grant, was born, brought up, and began his illustrious career in the city. Many of the milestones in Bristol's long association with the film industry are celebrated in a series of plaques around the city that combine to make a fascinating day tour. In Clevedon you'll find the Curzon Cinema, the world's oldest purpose-built, continously operating cinema, having started showing films as far back as 1912. Its 'tin' lined interior makes it especially interesting.

It's well worth including the Bristol Old Vic on the tour, where many young actors learnt their craft, later to become household names of film and television - stars such as Patrick Stewart, Jeremy Irons, Patricia Routledge and Miranda Richardson.

The BBC series 'Casualty' is made in Bristol, and the city has featured in productions as varied as 'Only Fools and Horses', and period dramas such as 'A Respectable Trade'. Aardman Animations, makers of Oscar winning 'Wallace and Gromit' and the recent smash hit feature film 'Chicken Run' are based in Bristol.

For those looking for the ultimate 21st century cinematic spectacle, the IMAX theatre and the Orange Imaginarium in Explore-at-Bristol, are simply unmissable.

Situated in the heart of the city centre, Bristol Watershed offers a lively programme of films, photo and new media exhibitions, educational events and digital and chemical courses. There's also a relaxing and friendly cafe/bar that offers a wide selection of snack meals and drinks.

An unforgettable experience on a giant scale - the IMAX Theatre at-Bristol has the biggest cinema screen in the West. The extra large format film pulls you into the heart of the action in a way no ordinary film presentation can.

The Bristol Old Vic is the oldest working theatre in the country, opening on the 30th May 1766, producing theatre from classics to New Writing to traditional Pantomime. Productions work out of three theatres: the Theatre Royal, the New Vic Studio and the Basement Theatre.

Explore At-Bristol is a brand new science centre for the 21st Century. Experience the everyday and extraordinary in four exhibition areas where you can explore your brain and body, investigate forces and patterns in the world around us and communicate using the latest digital technologies.The Orange Imaginarium takes visitors on journeys through the universe and into the future.

Bristol's element is water. The city's ancient harbour and the Avon flowing through its dramatic gorge are Bristol icons. The city is well blessed with open spaces, from the glorious Downs and grand estates to secret squares and intimate gardens. And some of England's most splendid landscapes are right on Bristol's doorstep.

Thanks to the scientists and film makers it nurtures, Bristol leads the world in natural history. And it's got plenty of wildlife of its own - in the city's quiet places, in urban farms and in stunning zoo settings.

It all fits perfectly with Bristol's interest in caring for the environment and looking after body and soul.

Not surprisingly, for a city that can claim the world famous BBC Natural History unit, one of Europe's finest zoos, and one of the most innovative visitor attractions of the new millennium, Bristol's natural history credentials are truly world class.

Bristol Zoo, situated in the elegant Georgian suburb of Clifton has been a centre for excellence in conservation and the study of animals for generations. Its appeal has been further enhanced recently by the opening of a number of wonderful new exhibits. Twilight World, Bug World, Gorilla Island and the Seal and Penguin Coasts have broken new ground in providing an insiders' perspective on the life of common household insects through to some of the rarest animals on earth.

Wildscreen-at-Bristol is the city's newest spectacular visitor attraction. Explore the secrets of life on earth through some quite stunning, unique exhibits and an amazing walk-through rainforest.

The CREATE centre is a showcase of environmental excellence. As Bristol's environmental centre we provide support, knowledge and information for environmental initiatives. Visit the Ecohome, a green home of the future, and the challenge of waste in the recycling exhibition discover.

Historic country park with mansion, once home for 500 years to the Smyth Family. Golf course miniature railway, orienteering and nature trails. Major events include International Balloon Fiesta, North Somerset Show, Kite Festival and Community Festival. Bristol's major lift off point for hot air balloons year round early morning and late afternoon.

A late 18th century house containing exhibits of everyday life, including toys, costumes and domestic equipment. Surrounded by park and woodland.