Tenth Anniversary Event: How does Bristol Floating Harbour work? (Part One)

Saturday afternoon at 2:00

When is a river not a river?

The River Avon used to flow through the very centre of Medieval Bristol. At that time Bristol was the second largest port in the country after London.

In the early nineteenth century as competition increased from, in particular, Liverpool and Southampton, the merchants of Bristol decided that urgent action was needed.

But, this would involve creating a whole new river!

Where is this New River? Join us and find out!

Our tour begins out with the origins of Bristol as a port at Redcliffe Quay, where we will explore the days before 1809, when everything changed for the waterways of the city.

We will ask what became of the River Frome, which used to join the River Avon just outside what is now the Arnolfini.

Behind Bristol Temple Meads Railway Station we will search out the place where the Old and New Avon join. We will learn how the Old Avon was transformed into the Floating Harbour.

In total we will walk about two miles.

A set of written notes will be emailed out to walkers after the walk. This will allow you understand more fully the workings of the amazing feat of engineering that is Bristol Floating Harbour.

A Walk in the Past is a friendly group where regulars and newcomers are always welcome. Our aim is to combine a good walk with pleasant company in historic landscapes.