Bristol

Bristol is the largest city in the south west of England, with a population of approximately half a million. The city lies between Somerset and Gloucestershire and has been politically administered by both counties in part at various times. However, Bristol is historically a county in its own right and is properly entitled the City and County of Bristol.A few miles from Bristol's centre, two motorways intersect. The M4 from London to South Wales bridges the River Severn before it widens to become the Bristol Channel. The North-South M5 skirts the city at Avonmouth.

Bristol's climate is as unpredictable as the rest of the United Kingdom. Situated in the south west of the country and sheltered largely by Exmoor and the Mendip Hills, Bristol is in fact one of the UK's warmest cities. Summers are usually sunny and warm, while winters are cold and wet. Summer days, however, can start out overcast and damp, clearing later, and winter days can be crisp and cold.

Arts encompasses a broad spectrum of music, dance, theatre and live production, visual art, video and film, photography and multi-media. They have a real role to play in their towns and communities, providing genuine opportunities for people to come together, to innovate, to create and to engage in community life. From contemporary installations to international cinema and fine art, Bristol attracts some of the UK’s top cultural events.

Bristol has an incredible history and heritage that's reflected in the outstanding museums - many of which are free. M Shed is an exciting and innovative new flagship museum for Bristol with gallery space and a packed events schedule.Historic house and educational museum situated inside the beautiful Queen Anne home of Edward Jenner, who discovered the vaccine for smallpoxMuseum and art gallery exhibiting some outstanding collections of art, archaeology, Egyptology and natural history in a magnificent building

Bristol is a premier UK city-region and Capital of the South West and is internationally recognised as one ofthe UK’s leading business and investment locations.The Bristol economy has been relatively resilient during the recession and will return to growth quickly as a centre for those sectors of the economy set to blossom in coming years. The significance of Bristol’s contribution to future UK economic growth is highlighted by the fact that, outside of London, Bristol produced the highest level of private sector employment growth in England between 1998–2008.

There are many, many places of worship in Bristol, churches, chapels, synagogues, mosques, temples and more.