Time travel Bristol celebrates 650 years

This year Bristol reaches its 650th anniversary of becoming a city and county.

Back in 1373, Bristol was granted its independence from other county authorities by King Edward III. Until then, it was divided geographically and administratively by the River Avon, but this act made Bristol a county of its own.

To mark its grand old age, Bristol 650 has been launched, a year-long celebration of all things Brizzle, including its history, its people, and what lies ahead.

One of the standout events is Unicornfest with its new sculpture trail featuring mythical creatures painted by local artists and schools across Bristol and the South West.

Meanwhile, Edible Histories is a new arts project being created as part of the celebrations. Throughout the year, five objects will be selected from museums and other venues, including M Shed, Aerospace Bristol, Tyntesfield and Glenside Hospital Museum, that tell the story of the city.

Next, 6.5ft replicas of the objects will be created in fair-trade chocolate by the award-winning Bristol chocolatier Zara’s Chocolates, and wrapped in gold foil and displayed with the original pieces.

Also included in the Bristol 650 calendar of events is the Bristol Harbour Festival (July 14-16), Bristol International Balloon Fiesta (August 10-13) and Bristol Open Doors (September 15-17).

This year also sees other Bristol anniversaries including 200 years of the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, 125 years of Cabot Tower, and 200 years of St George’s Bristol music venue.

It will also be the 60th anniversary of the Bristol Bus Boycott which arose in 1963 from the refusal of the Bristol Omnibus Company to employ black or Asian bus crews in the city.

Plus, it’s the 55th year of the St Pauls Carnival, Bristol’s annual celebration of African and Caribbean culture, which this year takes place on July 1.

visitbristol.co.uk Bristol650.com