Bristol, ENG - Postcode - BS15 9JS

Bristol

Bristol, in the southwest of England, is both a city and a unitary authority. Prior to the formation of the counties of Bristol (1373-1974) and Avon (1974), the city of Bristol and the territories north of the River Avon (Lower, or Bristol, Avon) were part of the historic county of Gloucestershire, while the districts south of the Avon were part of the historic county of Somerset (1974–96). Bristol became a unitary authority after the county of Avon was dissolved.

Bristol, England may be found at the meeting of the Rivers Avon and Frome, some 190 kilometers (120 miles) west of London. Approximately 8 miles to the north-northwest, the Avon empties into the estuary of the River Severn, which then flows into Bristol Channel and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean. Bristol has been a major port and trading hub for centuries. Covering an area of 66 square kilometers (110 square km). 

History

Bristol became a city in 1155, making it a medieval settlement. In 1247, the Frome was redirected to the west, and a stone bridge was constructed where it had once met the Avon, both of which facilitated the expansion of the harbor. Bristol bought raw wool from Ireland and produced woolen cloth, which it then exported to Spain and Portugal in exchange for sherry and port wine during the time of Edward III (1327–77). By the 16th century, Bristol had developed into a significant port, manufacturing town, and distribution center for international and domestic trade. The city also had a significant role in nautical history, as it was from its port that John Cabot set sail for North America in 1497. The city was founded in 1552 by the Society of Merchant Venturers; its hall, along with other historic structures, was bombed to rubble by the Germans in World War II. During the English Civil Wars, Bristol was a Royalist bastion until it was taken by the Parliamentarians in 1645.

Bristol thrived in the late 17th and early 18th centuries as a result of its role as a hub for the processing of sugar and tobacco imported from Britain's American colonies. The "sugar houses" of Bristol and the chocolate industry that flourished there were made possible by the import of sugar from Jamaica and cacao from West Africa. Nonetheless, by the 19th century, Bristol had lost a lot of its trade to Liverpool due to the growth of the cotton industry in Lancashire and the restrictions on ships caused by the Avon Gorge below Clifton.

Geography

Bristol is located in a region of limestone that extends from the Mendip Hills to the north to the Cotswolds to the east. Bristol's distinctive hills are the result of the rivers Avon and Frome cutting through the limestone to the clay below. From Bath's eastern flood plains and places that were once marshes before the city was built up comes the Avon. The Avon Gorge, located to the west, was carved out of the limestone bedrock by glacial meltwater following the last ice age.

The gorge, which provided protection for Bristol Harbour, was mined for stone to construct the city, and the land immediately surrounding it was set aside as The Downs and Leigh Woods to prevent further destruction. When the river reaches Avonmouth, where it empties into the Severn Estuary, it marks the county boundary with North Somerset. Northern Bristol is home to the Blaise Castle estate, which is traversed by a smaller valley carved by the Hazel Brook, which eventually becomes the River Trym.

Bristol is sometimes said to be built on seven hills, a term used by locals. Bristol (the Old Town), Castle Hill, College Green, Kingsdown, St. Michael's Hill, Brandon Hill, and Redcliffe Hill were the seven hills listed in 18th century travel guides as the city's landmarks. In addition to Red Lion Hill and Barton Hill, there are also Lawrence Hill, Black Boy Hill, Constitution Hill, Staple Hill, Windmill Hill, Malborough Hill, Nine Tree Hill, Talbot Hill, Brook Hill, and Granby Hill in the area.

Bristol is located in southwest England, 106 miles (171 km) from London, 77 miles (124 km) south-southwest of Birmingham, and 26 miles (42 km) east of Cardiff, the capital of Wales. Greater Bristol is a term used to refer to the areas immediately to the north, east, and south of the city proper. The city of Newport, Wales, is 19 miles (31 km) to the north west, while the city of Bath is located 11 miles (18 km) to the south east.

The oceanic (Köppen: Cfb) climate is often milder than that of the rest of England and the United Kingdom. Bristol, in southern England, has a mean annual temperature of around 10.5 °C (50.9 °F), making it one of the warmest cities in the UK. With an annual average of 1,541–1,885 hours of sunshine, it is among the sunniest places on Earth. It is largely protected by the Mendip Hills, but nonetheless vulnerable to the Severn Estuary and the Bristol Channel. The annual precipitation ranges from 600 to 900 millimeters (24 to 35 inches) north of the Avon and from 900 to 1,200 millimeters (35 to 47 inches) south of the river.  The wettest seasons are winter and fall, however precipitation is rather consistent throughout the year. Although Bristol's average temperature remains above freezing year-round thanks to the Atlantic Ocean, the city does experience numerous frosts and even occasional snowfall between the months of November and April. The spring season is unpredictable, while the summers are hot and dry with varying amounts of sunshine, rain, and clouds.

Long Ashton (approximately 5 miles; 8 km) south-west of the city center and the Bristol Meteorological Station (in the city itself) are the closest weather stations for which long-term climatic data are available for Bristol. Both of these stations stopped collecting data in 2002 and 2001, respectively, and as of right now, the closest weather station to the city is at Filton Airfield. Between 1959 and 2002, Long Ashton saw temperatures as high as 33.5 degrees Celsius (92.3 degrees Fahrenheit) in July 1976 and as low as 14.4 degrees Celsius (6.1 degrees Fahrenheit) in January 1982. Since 2002, the hottest months in Filton have been April 2003 (25.7 °C, 78.3 °F), July 2006 (34.5 °C, 94.1 °F), and October 2011 (26.6 °C, 80.2, °F). In December of 2010, the temperature at Filton dropped to a record low of 10.1 °C (13.8 °F). The urban heat island effect, in which cities tend to be warmer than the rural areas around them, is not as pronounced in Bristol as it is in other large cities.