In the 11th century Bristol was already an important trading port. Located on the Avon, 200 kilometres west of London, Bristol has given birth to many shipowners and explorers or pirates feared even in the Caribbean Sea. Walking through the old houses of Christmas Steps (or Knyfesmyth Street) you will have the impression of going back hundreds of years. The city also bears the more recent traces of the engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who designed the SS Great Britain, a powerful steamer that connected with New York in the 19th century. He is also the author of the city's number one tourist attraction, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, a suspension bridge over the Avon. Also worth seeing: the Red Lodge, a manor house owned by a private individual, dates from the 16th century and has retained a period interior. The British Empire and Commonwealth Museum makes it possible to understand the history of this great trading port and through it, that of the British Empire from the first commercial exchanges until the independence of the colonies. Bristol is also a green city, very committed to ecology on a daily basis. Bristol is the home town of Banksy, street-artist I will talk about here very soon, and the trip-hop with Tricky, Portishead and Massive Attack. Many festivals follow one another every summer: the Bristol Harbour Festival (circus, dance, music, boat races etc), the Ashton Court music festival, the Balloon Fiesta (a must for European balloon lovers), the Bristol International Kite Festival. There are 450 parks and gardens, more than anywhere else in the kingdom. Some are in the middle of town, like Greville Smyth Park and Queen Square or The Downs. Others nearby, with magnificent views over the mouth of the river (Troopers Hill Nature Reserve in St George). Bristol is a lively student city with a rich cultural life. A contemporary art centre, Arnolfini, organises exhibitions, concerts and events on a quay in the former industrial port converted into a cultural district. Meet at the Suspension Bridge, this suspension bridge over the Avon River, designed by engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel who also designed the SS Grat Britain steamer, to be visited in the old harbour. Visit the British Empire Museum to understand the trading past of Bristol the Red Lodge, a 16th century mansion that has retained its period interior. For a drink, the harbour area is full of friendly bars and restaurants. To the north-east of the historic centre, Broadmead developed after the war: it is the best place to shop. Clifton, near the suspension bridge, is the most chic. Bristol Summer is animated by the Aston Court Music Festival in July and the Balloon Fiesta.