BRISTOL is the largest of all the West Country's cities - and once it was second only to London in size and wealth. Today it offers big city shopping, cultural facilities and entertainment, and a rich maritime heritage. See www.visitbristol.co.uk for more information.

Bristol is a great place to shop. All the 'big name' stores are at Broadmead and The Galleries shopping centres in the city centre, while The Mall at Cribbs Causeway offers everything under one roof. For specialist shops visit Clifton village and Queens Road, the wonderful St Nicholas markets on historic Corn Street and individual shops and galleries at Christmas Steps. You can take the No. 8 & 9 buses every few minutes from Temple Meads station to Broadmead, and to Queens Road: the No. 8 goes on to Clifton. You can book your return bus ticket as an extension to the railway ticket you buy at your station or from the conductor on the train. And The Mall? Take the No. 1 bus from the bottom of the station approach, (501 on Sundays) - typically it's every 10 minutes during weekdays.

Cultural attractions abound in Bristol - there are theatres, museums, traditional and contemporary art galleries, historic houses and estates, the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Bristol Zoological Gardens. The new @Bristol Harbourside complex is the latest attraction, with unique interactive exhibits. Rail ticket holders can get discounted admission to @Bristol. Again you can buy a rail ticket from your station that includes travel on the frequent 8 & 9 bus services, from Temple Meads station to @Bristol.
Bristol's splendid maritime heritage is evident in many of the buildings, docks and warehouses along the waterfront. Visit the SS Great Britain, the world's first propeller driven passenger ship to cross the Atlantic. Alongside you will find the Matthew, a replica of the ship John Cabot used in 1497 to discover Newfoundland. Or explore the harbour by boat - there are frequent trips around the extensive city docks by open ferries.