Around Bristol Clifton Bristol Zoo Blaise Castle Portishead

Clifton Bristol Zoo Clifton Suspension Bridge Avon Gorge Bristol Balloon Fiesta

Clifton was, and still is to some extent, the well-to-do area outside the city of Bristol where merchants had their grand houses staffed with servants. Clifton now joins Bristol with attractive Georgian terraces, boutique shops and cafe lined streets.

There are stunning views of Brunel's Suspension Bridge and the Avon Gorge from Clifton - views that have been the inspiration of paintings by artists including Gainsborough who settled in Bristol in 1760. Bristol Zoo and Gardens lies between Clifton and Westbury Park and the Royal West of England Academy of Arts is based in Clifton.

Clifton lies to the west of the city centre. Clifton was always known as the posh end with its leafy parks and Georgian terraces. These had much of their origins in the tobacco and slave trade - the profits of which built much of Clifton. Clifton was separate from the city of Bristol until the Georgian expansion made it part of the city. Royal York Terrace is one of the most famous Georgian terraces that overlooks the Avon Gorge and can be seen from Bristol docks.

Whiteladies Road in Clifton is where you'll find a good choice of shopping, bars and restaurants along with Clifton Village. Clifton is surrounded by Clifton Down to the west, Westbury Park to the north and the Ashton Court Estate across the River Avon - location of the annual Long Ashton Bristol Balloon Fiesta where you can see an amazing array of brightly coloured hot air balloons. Some are even themed in the shapes of animals or well known brands.

• Hotels in Bristol
• Bristol Accommodation

Blaise Castle - Jane Austen Northanger Abbey - Kingsweston Roman Villa

North West of Bristol city centre in Henbury is Blaise Castle and Kingsweston ancient Roman villa.

Blaise Castle was built in the eighteenth century and is featured in Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey as the "finest place in England" by the heroine Catherine Morland - although the character never actually made it to the castle itself! Blaise Castle Museum is located in the mansion house and holds some of Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery's paintings as well as displays on social history with period costumes, Victorian toys and model trains. The castle in the grounds is something of a folly built in 1786 in a triangle formation giving views from its hilltop position above the Avon Gorge. However, it was lived in until the twentieth century.

Blaise Castle House Museum, Henbury Road, Henbury, Bristol, BS10 7QS. Tel: 0117 903 9818. Email: general.museum@bristol.gov.uk.

The key to Kingsweston Roman Villa can be obtained from Blaise Castle Museum. Just down the road, these are the remains of an ancient Roman villa dating from the third and fourth centuries where you can still see mosaic flooring, a heating system and bath suite. Kings Weston Roman Villa, Long Cross Road, Lawrence Weston, Bristol BS11 0LP . Tel: 0117 950 6789.

• Bristol Guest Houses
• Bristol Hotels

Portishead Tourist Information North Somerset Bristol

Portishead has become more of a household name since the nineties Bristol band of the same name hit the charts with their atmospheric trip-hop music.

The town is being reborn from its commercial port heritage as the marina and docks become developed for accommodation and sailing.

• Bristol Holiday Cottages
• Guest Houses in Bristol

Chew Valley Lake Birdwatching Fly Fishing Somerset UK

Chew Valley Lake to the east of Bath is a popular, easily accessible visitor attraction. It is the fifth largest reservoir in the UK and was created to provide Bristol with drinking water in the 1950s. It is fringed with common reed and is a popular bird watching haunt. In fact it receives national and international protection due to it being an important staging post for migrating waders, terns and warblers. You're likely to see a good range of wintering wildfowl too such as shoveler, gadwall, teal, tufted duck, goldeneye, wigeon, snipe, lapwing and redshank.

The Glebe Trail here is an easygoing walk that is accessible for prams and wheelchairs. You can download a leaflet from the Bath and North East Somerset Council's website, link right. There is also a Visitor Centre at Chew Valley Lake.

Chew Valley Lake is also a world renowned trout fishery where fly fishing is popular. Tickets are available for either boat or bank fishing. Check the Bristol Water weblink right for more information and a downloadable copy of their fishing in Somerset brochure that includes further details of Chew Valley Lake. The fishing season runs from 15 March to 30 November. Permits are available from Woodford Lodge. Contact Tel: 01275 332339. Fax: 01275 331377. Email: woodford.lodge@bristolwater.co.uk.

There are other fishing lakes around this area and the Bristol Water website has more information on these and other activities such as sailing.

• Bed and Breakfast in Bristol
• Bristol Holiday Apartments

Walks through the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

South east of Bristol are the Mendip Hills. These are a limestone ridge of hills that gives North Somerset much of its character with rolling green countryside dotted with flower rich grasslands, ancient hedgerows and woodlands. This landscape is fantastic for all sorts of wildlife including a huge variety of bat species including the rare horseshoe bats.

The Mendip Hills are a focal point for enjoying the countryside in North Somerset whether it be walking or outdoor activities. As an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty activities are managed to conserve the character and protect the landscape and wildlife of the area. The Mendip Hills AONB Service produces an excellent interactive map on their website which pinpoints viewpoints and particular places of historical or wildlife interest. You can also download maps and walk or bike cards from their website to help plan walk.

Mendip Hills AONB Service, Charterhouse Centre, Blagdon, Bristol BS40 7XR. Tel: 01761 462338 Company email mendiphills@somerset.gov.uk

• Budget Hotels Bristol
• Accommodation in Bristol