This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Bristol’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.

The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.

Historic England: Bristol shows the city as it once was, from its streets, squares and parks to its famous old docks. Brycgstow, ‘the place at the bridge’, as the Saxon founders of Bristol once called it, is a city of destiny. Once the second port in the country and one of the wealthiest cities in Britain, it has enjoyed centuries of prosperity based on manufacturing, seafaring and trade. In their stead Bristol has become a thriving national centre for financial and business services, aerospace and advanced engineering, ICT media and creative industries. Bristol truly is one of the country’s greatest cities and this book will help you discover its colourful and fascinating history.