United Kingdom Tourism

Bristol is a cathedral city and former port on the River Avon. It is a Unitary Authority, formed on the disbandment of the former county of Avon. Bristol and the other three former Avon unitaries (Bath & NE Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire) are often collectively called West of England. The Bristol urban area is the largest in the South West; this includes large parts of South Gloucestershire, and smaller parts of both other former Avon unitaries.

Bristol is just south of the junction of the M4 and M5 motorways, and is also well served by the rail network. Although the city’s central floating harbour is no longer used for trade, Bristol has commercial docks on the Severn at Avonmouth and Portbury (in North Somerset).  Bristol International Airport, to the south of the city in North Somerset, is the region’s busiest airport. As a commercial centre, Bristol’s largest industry sector is banking, finance and insurance.  Manufacturing is relatively low compared to national average; however, aerospace is still a key industry, much of this based in Filton (South Gloucestershire).  Public administration and education employ large numbers; there are two universities in the city: Bristol University, and the University of the West of England (UWE), although the main campus of the latter is in South Gloucestershire.

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Places to Visit in South West Region

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