'Walking History - 13 Fascinating Walks in Central Bristol' - a pack of 13 walks around little known parts of the old city, South Bristol and Clifton. Some end where others begin so can be done in sequence. They range from an easy stroll to longer walks with hills. Roads are avoided where possible. Original research is included with hand drawn maps and travel information. Walks as follows:
1. Round the Castle - The eastern part of Castle Park including St Peter's church, castle ruins and water gate as shown on the city seal.
2. Norman Town - The western part of Castle Park including the bridge and St Mary le Port ruins
3. Merchants' Town - Small St and Broad St
4. Georgian city - Corn st to Queen Square
5. Follow the Tide - Bristol Bridge along the Floaitng Harbour, the Grove, to the Centre
6. God's Many Houses - From Quakers' Friars up Christmas Steps then down to St Mary on the Quay.
7. Long Way to Mary - Bristol Bridge to St Mary Redcliffe
8. Mary's Mother John - St Mary Redcliffe to St John's, Bedminster via Victoria Park
9. Passport to Bemmie - Redcliffe along the Cut to Cumberland Basin
10. Harbour and Hotwells - Nova Scotia along Pill cycle path
11. Georgian Heights & Victorian Landmarks - Central Library via Great George St to Royal Fort
12. Up to the Downs - Suspension Bridge via Promenade to Water Tower
13. Wasteland to Wealth - Apsley Road round back streets to top Blackboy Hill
Sample text from walk no.5, 'Follow the Tide' "The original port of Bristol was upstream from the present bridge. In the middle ages, large merchants houses lined the tidal riverfront so ships could unload direct to their store rooms. The southern parishes of Temple and St Thomas grew rich on the wool trade and by the 13th century the port was running out of space. In 1237 the River Frome was diverted through Canon's Marsh, providing a massive increase in quay space, and a four arch stone bridge was built across the Avon to join the southern parishes to the main city, and new charters extended equal rights to their citizens.
The discovery of the New World meant ships began travlling further to had to be bigger. Instead of lowering their masts to pass under the bridge, they increasingly moored downstream. When the bridge was rebuilt in the 1760s the quays were again becoming crowded and one of the debates was whether to make a single arch to allow ships to go upstream. The choice of 3 arches suggests the argument was already settled. Welsh trows and small coastal vessels continued to unload at what is now Welsh Back. The main oceangoing ships moored at the Grove and the Centre".
Published August 2005, available from Bristol Record Office, Stationery World, Park St; Circle Books, North St Bedminster; Bloom & Curl Colston St; Stanfords, Clare St or ask for it in any bookshop.
Grant Bradley Gallery have decided to stop stocking local history books for the foreseeable future.Many thanks to them for this latest help to local businesses.
or mail order £5 to PO Box 2460, Bristol BS3 9WP.
ISBN NO. 978-0-9551010-0-7
'The Bristol Slavery and Abolition Trail'. Bristol is well known for its involvement in the African slave trade, but less well known is its role in its abolition. Bristol was home to a number of prominent abolitionists, many of whom were also involved in other causes such as women's, childrens' and workers' rights. This trail visits sites related to the slave trade and its abolition, but also to exploration, prison reform and other related issues. 2007 is the bicentenary of the Abolition of Slavery Act. This book hopes to encourage this anniversary to be a celebration of human rights and an appreciation of the people who worked to raise awareness of them. The trail starts in the university precinct and wanders round Central Bristol.
£4 P&P free in UK. Elsewhere add £1
Available from Arnolfini Gallery; Bristol Cathedral; Bristol Record Office; Circle Books, North St Bedminster; Stationery World, Park St; Wesley's New Room; Bloom & Curl Colston St; Stanfords, Clare St or ask for it in any bookshop.
Many thanks to Grant Bradley Gallery who have decided to stop selling local history books in time for Christmas.
or mail order send £4 to PO Box 2460 Bristol BS3 9WP.
ISBN NO. 978-0-9551010-2-1
'From Cat to Cathedral, Bristol's Religious Heritage' is on sale from April 2007. This book takes its title in part fom the church cat that is buried in St Mary Redcliffe. The book with its photographs and maps can be used as the basis for a walking tour of the city's religious sites, or it can be used to visit specific places, or just as a sampling of what is on offer in the city. Sites include the remains of the Knights' Templar church, Wesley's New Room, the old friaries which circled the city and the Orthodox Synagogue and a memorial to the boy that Ratigan's 'Winslow Boy' was based on. When tested on the local Ramblers, the only person to drop out was a cyclist defeated by Christmas Steps.
On sale Bristol Cathedral, Bristol Record Office, Stationery World, Park St, Bloom & Curl, Colston St; Stanfords, Clare St or ask for it in any bookshop
Many thanks to the Grant Bradley Gallery who have decided to stop stocking local history books in time for Christmas.
or by mail order £4.50 to PO Box 2460 Bristol BS3 9WP
ISBN No. 978-0-9551010-4-5
Bristol Gyratory - Quirky Circuit Walk
Published July 2008. This is my first full colour book, with easy to follow maps and great photographs. The basic walk can take about 4 hours, but with diversions to the museums and other sites along the way can be extended to several days. Sites are easily accessible, even when venues are closed.
Sites on the walk range from the obscure to the glaringly obvious, ranging from ancient monuments to modern art, and always with fascinating details. This is not a simple history walk but an incentive to really open your eyes to this city.
This will challenge those who think they know the city, encourage those who don't and provide a great souvenir for visitors.
On sale Stanfords, Clare St; Stationery World, Park St;Waterstones, The Galleries; Destination Bristol, Cardiac and Circle Books North St; The Nails Gallery, Corn Exchange; Bristol Cathedral or ask for it in any bookshop
Many thanks to Grant Bradley Gallery who have decided to stop stocking local history books in time for Christmas.
or direct from the author:
Send £6.99 to PO Box 2460 Bristol BS3 9WP
or via PayPal:
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