The City Museum and Art Gallery, the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum and Bristol Industrial Museum are other notable museums and galleries within the city. For something slightly lesss academic visit the Bristol Hippodrome for musicals, opera and ballet, the Imax theatre, Old Vic theatre royal or Arnolfini - a world renowned contemporary arts centre with a cutting edge programme.

Bristol's element is water and the city's ancient harbour is central to its character. The city is also blessed with open spaces, from glorious downs and grand estates to secret squares and intimate gardens.

Nearby, the valleys and hills of Northeast Somerset are a wildlife-spotters' paradise. The Chew Valley is simply unbeatable for quiet country walks, bike rides, fishing, sailing, bird watching and relaxing.

A few miles to the west and south of Bristol, best reached via Portishead and the coast road, is the charming Victorian seaside town of Clevedon, which is as quiet and tranquil a coastal town as you will find anywhere, with some great restaurants and hotels.

Thirteen miles east of Bristol lies the beautiful city of Bath. Small but perfectly laid out and designated a World Heritage site, this most sophisticated of English cities is a feast for the senses with its thermal springs, world-renowned Roman Baths, a glorious abbey, honey-coloured Georgian terraces and sweeping parklands.

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