Bristol Harbour

Bristol Harbour, Bristol, South West England

Bristol grew as a port city from the 13th century on the tidal reaches of the River Avon. From the 16th century after the voyages of John Cabot to North America, the port grew as a centre for trade with America. Tobacco and slaves were the main cargoes in the city’s ships in those days. Read a short guide to Bristol Harbour.

Bristol as a port grew on the back of trade in tobacco and slaves to and from America

Bristol Attractions

Nowadays Bristol’s main port is further down the River Avon at the docks in Avonmouth and Portbury. Thus the original harbour is mainly a tourist and residential centre with such attractions as Pero’s Bridge, the Arnolfini art gallery and the @Bristol Science Museum.

The harbour in Bristol, south west England

Nearby

Other attractions in the harbour in Bristol are Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s SS Great Britain and a modern reconstruction of the Matthew – John Cabot’s ship which took him and his crew to Newfoundland in 1497.