Where Is Bristol?

Bristol is the largest city in the south west of England, with a population of approximately half a million. Historically a county in its own right, it lies between Somerset (to the south) and Gloucestershire (north). It's close neighbour Wiltshire lies to the south east, and Wales is just across the river.

Natives of Bristol have a strong objection to suggestions that they live in the county of Avon, a political entity thrust upon them and now dead - although in outsider's minds it won't stay buried. Some also object to the replacement term CUBA - County that Used to Be Avon. We are proud to be the City and County of Bristol.


Two motorways intersect just a few miles from Bristol's centre. The M4 from London to South Wales bridges the River Severn before it widens to become the Bristol Channel. The North-South M5 skirts the city at Avonmouth, where Bristol's largest river flows into the Severn.

The tidal River Avon winds from Bristol between the 270 foot high cliffs of the Avon Gorge, where it is spanned by Brunel's world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge.


There are more maps and general views of the city on our sister site Bristol Views. The menu More Bristol leads to a link to the site.

If you would like to know more about Bristol, visit our sister site About Bristol, an extensive series of photographs of the city, its history and environs. The site is split into on-line tours which include hundreds of photographs. The menu option More Bristol leads to a link to About Bristol.

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