Discover Bristol: How does Bristol Floating Harbour work? (Part Two)

Saturday afternoon at 2:00

Join us for our second tour of Bristol's Floating harbour. This time we are exploring the western section.

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 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.

We will walk the harbour from the Arnolfini to Cumberland basin on the north side and return on the opposite side.

In total we will walk about two miles.

We always finish with refreshments after our tours.

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.