Interesting Facts You Might Not Know About Bristol
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Bristol is rich in history, culture, and quirky trivia. You might have just moved here, lived here for years, or are looking to move to this brilliant city. Either way, did you know these fascinating facts?
Here are some intriguing facts about Bristol that highlight it’s unique character and storied past.
The Exchange Building and Bristol Time
Located on Corn Street, The Exchange building has a fascinating clock displaying two times as opposed to one. The black minute hand shows London time (now GMT), while the red hand indicates Bristol time. What is Bristol time you ask? Well, before the advent of standardised time across the UK to accommodate railway schedules, Bristol maintained its own local time, which was about ten minutes behind London time.
The Birthplace of Bungee Jumping
At Urban Student, we love this fact. So much so, we’ve already written a whole blog about it over on our Urban Apartments website. Read here. The Clifton Suspension Bridge, an iconic structure in Bristol, was the site of the world’s first-ever bungee jump in 1979. This daring feat was performed by members of the Oxford University Dangerous Sports Club, marking the beginning of what would become a global extreme sport phenomenon we all know today.
The Hatchet Inn
Dating back to 1606, The Hatchet is the oldest pub in Bristol. Adding to its eerie charm, the pub’s ancient door is rumoured to be covered in the skins of executed criminals. Whether fact or legend, this detail certainly adds to the historic ambiance of the pub, will you be visiting?…
Tom The Church Cat at St Mary Redcliffe Church
St Mary Redcliffe Church has a heartwarming tale associated with it. A small stone plaque inside the church is dedicated to “Tom The Church Cat,” a tabby cat found scratching at the church door during a rainstorm in 1912. Tom became a beloved resident, known for chasing mice and occasionally sitting near the altar during services.
Bristol’s Leaning Tower
Fancy a summer holiday to Italy? Why not visit Bristol instead! Bristol boasts its own leaning tower at Temple Church, which tilts at an angle of 2.7 degrees. This is just one degree less than the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. The tilt adds a unique feature to the city’s skyline and a point of interest for visitors.
Britain’s Oldest Dinosaur
Fossils of the oldest known dinosaur in Britain, and one of the oldest in the world, were discovered in Bristol. Paleontological finds like this give us a glimpse into the city’s ancient past and its importance in the field of natural history.
The Invention of Ribena
Have you ever drunk a Ribena? Well did you know that the popular blackcurrant drink was invented in Bristol at the National Fruit and Cider Institute. Initially marketed as a health drink due to its high vitamin C content, Ribena has become a beloved beverage worldwide.
BBC Bristol and Nature Documentaries
BBC Bristol is renowned for producing a whopping 25% of the world’s nature documentaries, many of which feature the legendary Sir David Attenborough. The city’s contribution to natural history filmmaking is immense, and tours of the BBC Bristol Studios offer a behind-the-scenes look at this incredible work.
Fry’s Chocolate Innovations
Bristol’s Fry’s Chocolate was a pioneer in the confectionery industry, being the first company in the world to manufacture chocolate bars, yes, in the world! They were also among the first to create chocolate Easter eggs, setting the stage for modern chocolate production.
Top Destination for 2024
This one isn’t much of a quirky fact, but still a brilliant one nonetheless…In 2024, Bristol was voted the #1 best place to visit in the UK by Time Out.
Bristol’s rich history and culture makes it a fascinating destination for travellers and locals. In case you needed more reasons to adore the city, sign up to our newsletters for more Bristol updates.
Published: 29.07.24 by Phoebe Clutton