'American Bristol'; a half day tour

Bristol was once England's 2nd city and port. In 1497 Bristol merchants gave financial backing to John Cabot, who sailed across the Atlantic to find Newfoundland and the mainland of North America at Nova Scotia. Due to Bristol's importance in the development of the new colonies, the first USA consulate in the UK was established in Bristol, not London. Your tour will take in the old city, the remains of the 11th century Norman castle, the historic harbour, and the award-winning SS Great Britain. Connections are made with figures such as George Washington, William Penn, Edmund Burke, and John Wesley, and more recent characters such as General Omar Bradley, one of the architects of D-Day, and actor Cary Grant who was born and raised in Bristol. Like its twin city Bath, only 12 miles away, Bristol is adorned with beautiful historic buildings and open space, most of which were regular spots on my beat as a local 'bobby'.