Ranjit Recommends: The Five As of Bristol

In the southwest of England lies the city of Bristol, whose history is steeped in being a significant port for Transatlantic trade, boasting significant engineering feats for transporting passengers and being home to a bustling wharf, where cargo containers have been crafted into bars and restaurants!

The following five As of Bristol represent the creativity and character that are at the forefront of the city's appeal.

Amazement Park

On the outskirts of Bristol is Wake The Tiger that is officially the world's biggest Amazement Park! When entering the immersive and insightful art experience, one initially feels like you are walking back into Bristol's industrial past and then gradually the displays become more futuristic and quirky.

Visitors are encouraged to interact with all displays, including touching anything that satisfies one's curiosity, such as pulling levers to create lighting sensations. Elsewhere your footsteps and movements produce sound outputs that are startling and stimulating in equal measure! 

Many of the constructions throughout the experience are made out of upcycled materials. This is done with the intent to encourage sustainable living, something which epitomises the creator's of Wake The Tiger, Boomtown Fair's, zest for dynamic designs.

Animals

Located on the outskirts of the city is the Bristol Zoo Project. Of notable significance, is the fact that the Zoo does not follow the mantra of cages for Animals. Instead, its all about the great outdoors for wildlife that resembles its familiar habitat. Popular trails include the Bear Wood that is home to European Brown Bears. Elsewhere, the giraffes regularly peak their heads over the viewing points where guests gather to create friendships with the friendliest of giants. 

Furthermore, there are many an ice cream stand throughout the Zoo, serving local produce from Marshfield Farm, a game changer for organic ice cream. There are Cheetah spotting areas which speedily draws crowds and the trio of Meerkats appear to be competing for bragging rights for the most attention from visitors. 

Aquarium

Bristol's Aquarium has a very open-air feel to it, with a Rainforest Canopy trail dubbed the Urban Jungle. Here, you can see a plethora of majestic plants. including banana and coffee trees. Furthermore, there is an underwater glass display where you can witness marine life through a different lens. 

The Aquarium is also home to the Archer Fish, that have specialist skills in capturing insects and spiders. Hence, you will not only see an A to Z in sea species, but also how they operate in the mode of survival.

Art

Bristol born Artist, Banksy, continues to make his presence plastered on the vibrant walls of the city's streets, with increasingly intricate and eccentric artwork.

The most notable and longstanding street art, is the Well Hung Lover, which is a three way triangle of love, with a man hanging off a window. This is located on Frogmore Street in Central Bristol.

Elsewhere, Banksy's anti establishment stance is reflected in his other murals, such as the Mild Mild West.

Banksy walking trails come in many forms and directions, which you can find here

Artefacts

The Brunel SS Great Britain ship remains an engineering piece to marvel at. You can visit the actual ship at Bristol Dockyards.

Visitors will have the possibility to experience being underneath the ship's hull (the main body of the ship) in a temperature monitored walkway. This enables you to see the undercarriage of the ship, something which is entirely impossible with traditional floating ships. Furthermore, there is a glass plate that surrounds the ship, giving the impression that the ship is floating in a normal body of water. Such an implementation has ensured the ship remains protected from elements such as oxygen, that could expedite any wear and tear.

The unrivalled nautical miles that SS Great Britain has clocked is reflected in the representation of flags of countries it has docked at over the centuries.

To start your journey towards the City of Hope, click here