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Bristol is a city in South West England, 105 miles (169 km) west of London, and 44 miles (71 km) east of Cardiff. With an estimated population of 500,000 residents, it is the sixth largest city in England and the eighth most populous city in the United Kingdom. The city is famous for its music and film industries, and was a finalist for the 2008 European Capital of Culture, but the title was awarded to Liverpool. Bristol has many buildings of historical interest and a wide variety of architectural styles, ranging from the medieval to the 21st century. In the mid-19th century, Bristol Byzantine, an architectural style unique to the city, was developed, of which several examples have survived. Buildings from most of the architectural periods of the United Kingdom can be seen throughout the city. Surviving elements of the fortified city and castle date back to the medieval era, also some churches dating from the 12th century onwards. Archaeological finds believed to be 60,000 years old, discovered at Shirehampton and St Annes, provide evidence of settlement in the Bristol area from the Palaeolithic era. Situated in the south of the country, Bristol is one of the warmest cities in the UK, with a annual temperature of 10.2-12 °C (50-54 °F). It is also amongst the sunniest, with 1,541–1,885 hours sunshine per year. The city is partially sheltered by the Mendip Hills, but exposed to the Bristol Channel. Bristol International Airport is a gateway to the UK Southwest, with flights to Europe, Ireland, North and West Africa and two North American destinations, New York and Orlando. |
