Timeline of Bristol
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timeline A timeline is a display of a list of events in chronological order. It is typically a graphic design showing a long bar labelled with dates paralleling it, and usually contemporaneous events. Timelines can use any suitable scale represen ...
of the
history History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...
of the
city A city is a human settlement of notable size.Goodall, B. (1987) ''The Penguin Dictionary of Human Geography''. London: Penguin.Kuper, A. and Kuper, J., eds (1996) ''The Social Science Encyclopedia''. 2nd edition. London: Routledge. It can be def ...
of
Bristol Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...
, England.


Prior to 16th century

* 803 – St James' Priory founded. * ca.1000 – A Saxon settlement began to grow up at the junction of the rivers Frome and Avon. * 1009 – Market active. * 12th C. – College Green created. * 1129 – St James' Priory founded. * 1140 – St Augustine's Abbey founded. * 1141 – February:
Stephen, King of England Stephen (1092 or 1096 – 25 October 1154), often referred to as Stephen of Blois, was King of England from 22 December 1135 to his death in 1154. He was Count of Boulogne ''jure uxoris'' from 1125 until 1147 and Duke of Normandy from 1135 unti ...
imprisoned in
Bristol Castle Bristol Castle was a Norman castle built for the defence of Bristol. Remains can be seen today in Castle Park near the Broadmead Shopping Centre, including the sally port. Built during the reign of William the Conqueror, and later owned by Ro ...
after the Battle of Lincoln. * 1147 – Bristol fair active. * 1172 - Charter from Henry II. * 13th C. – Society of Merchant Venturers formed. * c.1220 –
Bristol Cathedral Bristol Cathedral, the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, is the Church of England cathedral in the city of Bristol, England. Founded in 1140 and consecrated in 1148, it was originally St Augustine's Abbey but after the Dissolu ...
construction begins. * c.1223 – Grey friary founded. * c.1228 – Blackfriars Dominican priory established. * 1290 – Jews expelled. * 1292 – Church of St Mary Redcliffe built. * 1295 – Parliamentary representation begins. * 1373 – Bristol becomes a county corporate; Redcliffe becomes part of Bristol. * 1470 – St Stephen's Church rebuilt. * c.1478–1479 – Ricart's Maiores Kalendar of Bristol started. * 1497 – May: Italian-born adventurer John Cabot sets sail on the ship '' Matthew'' (principally owned by
Richard Amerike Richard ap Meryk, anglicised to Richard Amerike (or Ameryk) ( 1440–1503) was an Anglo-Welsh merchant, royal customs officer and, at the end of his life, sheriff of Bristol. Several claims have been made for Amerike by popular writers of the la ...
) looking for new lands to the west. * 1498 – May: Cabot sets sail on his second voyage to the Americas; he is never heard of again.


16th–17th centuries

* 1504 –
Chapel of the Three Kings of Cologne The Chapel of the Three Kings of Cologne is a church in Colston Street, near the top of Christmas Steps, Bristol, England. It has been designated as a Grade II* listed building. The Three Kings of Cologne refers to the Biblical Magi. The dedic ...
built. * 1542 – See of Bristol established. * 1552 – Society of Merchant Venturers chartered. * 1580 – Red Lodge Museum established. * 1595 – Merchant Venturers' School founded. * 17th C. – The trade in African slaves flourishes. * 1643 – July: Bristol in the English Civil War: Bristol taken by forces of Prince Rupert. * 1644 – Fort at St. Michael's Hill rebuilt. * 1645 – September: Bristol taken by forces of Cromwell. * 1656 –
Bristol Castle Bristol Castle was a Norman castle built for the defence of Bristol. Remains can be seen today in Castle Park near the Broadmead Shopping Centre, including the sally port. Built during the reign of William the Conqueror, and later owned by Ro ...
demolished. * c. 1670 – King William Ale House built as a refuge for poor women. * 1691 **
Bristol Corporation of the Poor The Bristol Corporation of the Poor was the board responsible for poor relief in Bristol, England when the Poor Law system was in operation. It was established in 1696 by the Bristol Poor Act. The main promoter of the act was a merchant, John ...
founded. ** Almshouse established at St. Michael's Hill.


18th century

* 1701 – Merchants' hall built. * 1702 – ''Bristol Post-Boy'' newspaper begins publication. * 1710 – Colston's Hospital founded. * 1708 – Unrest. * 1709 – St James's Square laid out. * 1712 – Custom House built. * 1717 – William Cossley bookseller in business. * 1725 – ''Farley's Bristol News-Paper'' begins publication. * 1727 –
Dowry Square Dowry Square is in the Hotwells area of Bristol. It was laid out in 1727 by George Tully and building continued until 1750. The houses are three-storeyed with attics, simply detailed and with channelled pilasters to the party walls. In 1799 Dr ...
laid out. * 1729 – Walter Churchman patents his invention for making chocolate. * 1737 –
Bristol Royal Infirmary The Bristol Royal Infirmary, also known as the BRI, is a large teaching hospital situated in the centre of Bristol, England. It has links with the nearby University of Bristol and the Faculty of Health and Social Care at the University of the Wes ...
opens. * 1738 – William Champion patents a process to distill
zinc Zinc is a chemical element with the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. Zinc is a slightly brittle metal at room temperature and has a shiny-greyish appearance when oxidation is removed. It is the first element in group 12 (IIB) of the periodi ...
from
calamine Calamine, also known as calamine lotion, is a medication used to treat mild itchiness. This includes from sunburn, insect bites, poison ivy, poison oak, and other mild skin conditions. It may also help dry out skin irritation. It is applie ...
using charcoal in a smelter. * 1739 – New Room (Methodist chapel) built. * 1740 – Merchant Tailors' Guild Hall built. * 1741 – King Square laid out. * 1743 – The Exchange built. * 1747 – Bristol becomes Britain's busiest
slave trading The history of slavery spans many cultures, nationalities, and religions from ancient times to the present day. Likewise, its victims have come from many different ethnicities and religious groups. The social, economic, and legal positions of en ...
port. * 1753 – Economic unrest. * c.1759 – Joseph Fry begins chocolate manufacture. * 1766 –
Theatre Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors or actresses, to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The perform ...
opens. * 1767 – ''Bristol Gazette'' newspaper begins publication. * 1768 –
Bristol Bridge Bristol Bridge is a bridge over the floating harbour in Bristol, England. The floating harbour was constructed on the original course of the River Avon, and there has been a bridge on the site since long before the harbour was created by impo ...
built. * 1769 – St Nicholas Church rebuilt. * 1770 –
Bristol porcelain Bristol porcelain covers porcelain made in Bristol, England by several companies in the 18th and 19th centuries. The plain term "Bristol porcelain" is most likely to refer to the factory moved from Plymouth in 1770, the second Bristol factory. Th ...
manufacture begins;
Bristol blue glass Bristol blue glass has been made in Bristol, England, since the 18th century, with a break between the 1920s and 1980s. History During the late 18th century Richard Champion, a Bristol merchant and potter, making Bristol porcelain, was workin ...
is also first produced at about this date. * 1773 – Bristol Library Society founded. * 1779 – Stapleton Prison built to hold naval prisoners of war captured during the American Revolutionary War. * 1786 ** Infirmary opens. ** Wills, Watkins & Co. open a
tobacconist A tobacconist, also called a tobacco shop, a tobacconist's shop or a smoke shop, is a retailer of tobacco products in various forms and the related accoutrements, such as pipes, lighters, matches, pipe cleaners, and pipe tampers. More specia ...
s' shop which becomes W.D. & H.O. Wills. * 1788 – John Wesley gives speech against slavery. * c.1790 –
Berkeley Square Berkeley Square is a garden square in the West End of London. It is one of the best known of the many squares in London, located in Mayfair in the City of Westminster. It was laid out in the mid 18th century by the architect William Ke ...
laid out. * 1791 –
Christ Church with St Ewen Christ Church with St Ewen () is a Church of England parish church in Broad Street, Bristol, England. Christ Church was built between 1786 and 1791. The tower appears to have been designed by Thomas Paty who was architect to the vestry, and th ...
and Equestrian Theatre built. * 1793 – 30 September: Bridge riot. * 1793–1813 – Stapleton prison used for French prisoners of war during the Napoleonic Wars. * 1796 –
John Harvey & Sons John Harvey & Sons is a brand (trading name) of a wine and sherry blending and merchant business founded by William Perry in Bristol, England in 1796. The business within 60 years of John Harvey joining had blended the first dessert sherry, ...
, importers of Harvey's Bristol Cream
sherry Sherry ( es, jerez ) is a fortified wine made from white grapes that are grown near the city of Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia, Spain. Sherry is produced in a variety of styles made primarily from the Palomino grape, ranging from light versi ...
, founded. * 1799 –
Pneumatic Institution The Pneumatic Institution (also referred to as Pneumatic Institute) was a medical research facility in Bristol, England, in 1799–1802. It was established by physician and science writer Thomas Beddoes to study the medical effects of gases, know ...
established.


19th century

* 1803 – Bristol Dock Company incorporated. * 1804 – Stapleton prison enlarged. * 1809 – Bristol Harbour formed. * 1810 – Commercial Rooms built. * 1821 ** 13 April:
John Horwood John Horwood (1803 – 13 April 1821) was a miner's son convicted of murder in Bristol, England, and executed in 1821. He was the first person to be hanged at Bristol New Gaol. Life John Horwood was born in Hanham, the fifth son of Thomas and ...
hanged at the New Gaol for the murder of Eliza Balsom. ** 28 May: Population enumerated as 52,889.
/ref> * 1823 ** Chamber of Commerce founded. ** Bristol Institution opens. **
Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery Bristol Museum & Art Gallery is a large museum and art gallery in Bristol, England. The museum is situated in Clifton, about from the city centre. As part of Bristol Culture it is run by the Bristol City Council with no entrance fee. It holds ...
established. * 1830 – New cattle market opens. * 1830s – Clifton becomes part of city. * 1831 – October: Queen Square riots – 4 rioters killed and 86 injured by cavalry charge in Queen Square. * 1832 ** 4 Queen Square rioters charged and hanged. ** Bristol Mechanics' Institution building opens. ** Holy Trinity Church built. * 1836 – Zoological Gardens open. * 1837 – Passage to St Vincent's Cave opens. * 1838 – 8 April: Paddle steamer (launched 1837) begins her first voyage to the United States. * 1840 ** 31 August: Bath–Bristol section of Great Western Railway begins operating and Bristol Temple Meads railway station opens. ** Bristol and Clifton Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society instituted. * 1841 ** 14 June: First section of Bristol and Exeter Railway opens to Bridgwater. ** 30 June: Great Western Railway opens throughout between London and Bristol; Bristol Temple Meads railway station substantially complete. * 1842 ** Synagogue opens in Park Row. ** Buckingham Baptist Chapel built. * 1843 – 19 July: Iron steamship launched. * 1844 – Bristol Academy for the Promotion of Fine Arts founded. * 1847 –
Horfield Barracks Horfield Barracks is a former military installation in the Horfield area of Bristol. History The barracks were built, largely in response to the Bristol riots of 1831, and completed between 1843 and 1847. During the Crimean War a mutiny took pla ...
completed. * 1850 ** Bristol, West of England and South Wales Permanent Building Society formed. **
Pro-Cathedral of the Holy Apostles The Pro-Cathedral of the Holy Apostles was the Roman Catholic cathedral in the city of Bristol, England from 1850 to 1973. The Pro-Cathedral was replaced in 1973 by the Cathedral Church of SS. Peter and Paul, also known as Clifton Cathedral. It ...
(Roman Catholic) consecrated. ** Clifton Victoria Baths opened. * 1858 ** ''
Western Daily Press The ''Western Daily Press'' is a regional newspaper covering parts of South West England, mainly Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset as well as the metropolitan areas of Bath and North East Somerset and the Bristol area. It is published Mond ...
'' newspaper begins publication. **
Bristol General Hospital Bristol General Hospital (sometimes referred to as BGH or Bristol General) was a healthcare facility in Guinea Street, Harbourside, Bristol, in the south west of England. It opened in 1832, and closed in 2012. The BGH was managed by the Univers ...
opens. * 1861 –
Durdham Down Durdham Down is an area of public open space in Bristol, England. With its neighbour Clifton Down to the southwest, it constitutes a area known as The Downs, much used for leisure including walking, jogging and team sports. Its exposed positio ...
and
Clifton Down Clifton Down is an area of public open space in Bristol, England, north of the village of Clifton. With its neighbour Durdham Down to the northeast, it constitutes the large area known as The Downs, much used for leisure including walking and ...
rights acquired. * 1862 ** Bristol Naturalists' Society established. **
Clifton College ''The spirit nourishes within'' , established = 160 years ago , closed = , type = Public schoolIndependent boarding and day school , religion = Christian , president = , head_label = Head of College , hea ...
opens. * 1864 **
Clifton Suspension Bridge The Clifton Suspension Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Avon Gorge and the River Avon, linking Clifton in Bristol to Leigh Woods in North Somerset. Since opening in 1864, it has been a toll bridge, the income from which provides f ...
opens. **
Avonside Engine Company The Avonside Engine Company was a locomotive manufacturer in Avon Street, St. Philip's, Bristol, England between 1864 and 1934. However the business originated with an earlier enterprise Henry Stothert and Company. Origins The firm was original ...
in business. * 1865 ** Bristol and West of England Amateur Photographic Association formed. ** Industrial Exhibition held. ** ''Daily Bristol Times and Mirror'' newspaper in publication. * 1867 –
Bristol Beacon Bristol Beacon, previously known as Colston Hall, is a concert hall and Grade II listed building on Colston Street, Bristol, England. It is owned by Bristol City Council. Since 2011, management of the hall has been the direct responsibility of ...
concert hall opens as Colston Hall. * 1870 – Gloucestershire County Cricket Club formed. * 1871 – Bristol Museum and Library established. * 1872 – Bristol Harbour Railway opened. * 1873 – Bristol Trades Council founded.David Large and Robert Whitefield (1973),
The Bristol Trades Council: 1873-1973
', Bristol Branch of the Historical Association
* 1875 –
Bristol Tramways Bristol Tramways operated in the city of Bristol, England from 1875, when the Bristol Tramways Company was formed by Sir George White, until 1941 when a Luftwaffe bomb destroyed the main power supply cables. History The first trams in Brist ...
(horse-drawn) begin operation. * 1876 **
University College In a number of countries, a university college is a college institution that provides tertiary education but does not have full or independent university status. A university college is often part of a larger university. The precise usage varies ...
, Bristol opens. **
The Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society The Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society is a learned society concerned with the history and antiquities of the City of Bristol and the historic county of Gloucestershire. It was founded on 21 April 1876; and is a registered charity, ...
founded. * 1877 – Avonmouth dock opens. * 1884 –
Clifton Antiquarian Club The Clifton Antiquarian Club is an archaeology, archaeological society founded in 1884 in Bristol to investigate antiquities in the surrounding areas of western England and southern Wales. The 28 years of research undertaken by the members and as ...
founded. * 1887 ** 1 October:
Bristol Tramways and Carriage Company The Bristol Omnibus Company was a dominant bus operator in Bristol, and was one of the oldest bus companies in the United Kingdom. It ran buses over a wide area of Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire and neighbouring counties. History ...
formed by merger of the
Bristol Tramways Bristol Tramways operated in the city of Bristol, England from 1875, when the Bristol Tramways Company was formed by Sir George White, until 1941 when a Luftwaffe bomb destroyed the main power supply cables. History The first trams in Brist ...
Company and the Bristol Cab Company and begins a horse-bus service to Clifton. ** Bristol Camera Society established. ** Bristol Home for Lost and Starving Dogs opens. * 1889 ** Labour strike. ** Bristol Choral Society founded. ** March: Flood. * 1892 – Labour strike. * 1893 – Brazil, Straker & Co (motor vehicle manufacturers) in business. * 1895 –
Bristol Tramways Bristol Tramways operated in the city of Bristol, England from 1875, when the Bristol Tramways Company was formed by Sir George White, until 1941 when a Luftwaffe bomb destroyed the main power supply cables. History The first trams in Brist ...
begin operating with electric traction. * 1898 – Cabot Tower built on
Brandon Hill Brandon Hill () is the highest mountain in County Kilkenny, Ireland, with an elevation of and prominence at . The South Leinster Way, a long-distance trail, meandering through the Barrow Valley and traverses Brandon Hill. The village of ...
. * 1899 – The chief magistrate becomes a lord mayor.


20th century

* 1901 ** Imperial Direct West India Mail Service begins operating to Jamaica. ** Population: 328,945. ** Area of city: 11,705 acres. * 1904 **
Shirehampton Shirehampton is a district of Bristol in England, near Avonmouth, at the northwestern edge of the city. It originated as a separate village, retains a High Street with a parish church and shops, and is still thought of as a village by many of it ...
becomes part of city. ** Area of city: 17,004 acres. * 1905 – Bristol Kyrle Society founded. * 1906 ** January:
Bristol Tramways and Carriage Company The Bristol Omnibus Company was a dominant bus operator in Bristol, and was one of the oldest bus companies in the United Kingdom. It ran buses over a wide area of Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire and neighbouring counties. History ...
introduces its first motor buses. ** 4 October: Great Western Railway opens Bristol Harbour Extension Railway and Canon's Marsh goods branch. **
Bristol Central Library Bristol Central Library is a historic building on the south side of College Green, Bristol, England. It contains the main collections of Bristol's public library. Built in 1906 by Charles Holden, its design was influential in the development ...
opened. * 1908 – Royal Edward Dock opens at Avonmouth. * 1909 –
University of Bristol , mottoeng = earningpromotes one's innate power (from Horace, ''Ode 4.4'') , established = 1595 – Merchant Venturers School1876 – University College, Bristol1909 – received royal charter , type ...
receives Royal Charter. * 1910 – British and Colonial Aeroplane Company in business. * 1912 –
Bristol Hippodrome The Bristol Hippodrome () is a theatre located in The Centre, Bristol, England, United Kingdom with seating on three levels giving a capacity of 1,951. It frequently features shows from London's West End when they tour the UK, as well as re ...
opens. * 1914 – 29 June: International Exhibition opens at the "White City", Ashton Gate, becoming a military depot soon after the outbreak of war. * 1916 ** August: First
tank A tank is an armoured fighting vehicle intended as a primary offensive weapon in front-line ground combat. Tank designs are a balance of heavy firepower, strong armour, and good battlefield mobility provided by tracks and a powerful engi ...
s shipped to France from Avonmouth. ** 9 September:
Bristol F.2 Fighter The Bristol F.2 Fighter is a British First World War two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft developed by Frank Barnwell at the Bristol Aeroplane Company. It is often simply called the Bristol Fighter, ''"Brisfit"'' or ''"Bif ...
aircraft first flies. * 1926 – Hanham Colliery closes. * 1929 – Bristol Record Society founded. * 1930 – Whitchurch Airport begins operating. * 1932 ** 23 February: Old Market riot. ** 7 March: ''
Bristol Evening Post The ''Bristol Post'' is a city/regional five-day-a-week (formerly appearing six days per week) newspaper covering news in the city of Bristol, including stories from the whole of Greater Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. It was ...
'' newspaper begins publication. * 1933 ** Gaiety Cinema opens. **
Ribena Ribena ( ) is a brand of blackcurrant-based soft drink (both uncarbonated and carbonated), and fruit drink concentrate designed to be mixed with water. It is available in bottles, cans and multi-packs. Originally of British origin, it was prod ...
first manufactured, by H. W. Carter. * 1934 – 18 September:
BBC Bristol The BBC campus, Broadcasting House Bristol, is located on Whiteladies Road, Bristol. The first building to be occupied was 21/23 Whiteladies Road, which was built in 1852 and is a Grade II listed building, with four radio studios. It was form ...
Studios open. * 1938 – Ritz Cinema opens. * 1940 – 2 November:
Bristol Blitz The Bristol Blitz was the heavy bombing of Bristol, England by the Nazi German ''Luftwaffe'' during the Second World War. Due to the presence of Bristol Harbour and the Bristol Aeroplane Company, the city was a target for bombing and was easil ...
(aerial bombing by German forces) begins. * 1941 – 11 April:
Bristol Tramways Bristol Tramways operated in the city of Bristol, England from 1875, when the Bristol Tramways Company was formed by Sir George White, until 1941 when a Luftwaffe bomb destroyed the main power supply cables. History The first trams in Brist ...
abandoned due to bomb damage to its electric power supply. * 1944 – 15 May:
Bristol Blitz The Bristol Blitz was the heavy bombing of Bristol, England by the Nazi German ''Luftwaffe'' during the Second World War. Due to the presence of Bristol Harbour and the Bristol Aeroplane Company, the city was a target for bombing and was easil ...
ends. * 1945 – Bristol Cars in business. * 1946 –
Bristol Old Vic Bristol Old Vic is a British theatre company based at the Theatre Royal, Bristol. The present company was established in 1946 as an offshoot of the Old Vic in London. It is associated with the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, which became a f ...
theatre company and
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is a drama school in Bristol, England. The institution provides training in acting and production for careers in film, television and theatre. BOVTS is an affiliate of the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama. ...
established. * 1956 – 17 April: Chew Valley Lake () in
Somerset ( en, All The People of Somerset) , locator_map = , coordinates = , region = South West England , established_date = Ancient , established_by = , preceded_by = , origin = , lord_lieutenant_office =Lord Lieutenant of Somerset , lord_ ...
is inaugurated as a reservoir for the Bristol area by the Queen. * 1957 – Bristol Airport opens. * 1958 –
Bristol bus station Bristol Bus and Coach Station serves the city of Bristol in the west of England. It is situated on Marlborough Street, near the Broadmead shopping area. The original bus station and onsite depot were opened in 1958 by the Bristol Omnibus Comp ...
opens. * 1959 –
Bristol Siddeley Bristol Siddeley Engines Ltd (BSEL) was a British aero engine manufacturer. The company was formed in 1959 by a merger of Bristol Aero-Engines Limited and Armstrong Siddeley Motors Limited. In 1961 the company was expanded by the purchase of t ...
aero engine manufacturer in business. * 1963 – 30 April: Bristol Bus Boycott. * 1968 –
World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) is the governing body of professional snooker and English billiards based in Bristol, England. It owns and publishes the official rules of the two sports and engages in promotion ...
headquartered in city. * 1969 – 9 April: British prototype
Concorde The Aérospatiale/BAC Concorde () is a retired Franco-British supersonic airliner jointly developed and manufactured by Sud Aviation (later Aérospatiale) and the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC). Studies started in 1954, and France an ...
airliner first flies from
Filton Filton is a town and civil parish in South Gloucestershire, England, north of Bristol. Along with nearby Patchway and Bradley Stoke, Filton forms part of the Bristol urban area and has become an overflow settlement for the city. Filton Church ...
. * 1970 ** 5 July: returns to Bristol. ** 4 September:
BBC Radio Bristol BBC Radio Bristol is the BBC's local radio station serving Bristol, Bath and North & North East Somerset. It broadcasts on FM, DAB, digital TV and via BBC Sounds from studios at Broadcasting House in Bristol. According to RAJAR, the stati ...
begins broadcasting. **
Purdown BT Tower Purdown BT Tower, also known as Purdown Transmitter (sometimes written as ''Pur Down''), is a 70.1 metres (230 ft) tall telecommunications tower in Bristol, England. Built in 1970 for the British Telecom microwave network, it is now used to ...
, for telecommunications and a radio repeater, is built. **
Bristol Polytechnic The University of the West of England (also known as UWE Bristol) is a public research university, located in and around Bristol, England. The institution was know as the Bristol Polytechnic in 1970; it received university status in 1992 and ...
established from Merchant Venturers Technical College. * 1972 – 1 May:
Bristol Parkway railway station Bristol Parkway, on the South Wales Main Line, is in the Stoke Gifford area in the northern suburbs of the Bristol conurbation. It is from London Paddington. The station was opened in 1972 by British Rail, and was the first in a new generat ...
opens. * 1973 – 29 June:
Clifton Cathedral The Cathedral Church of SS. Peter and Paul is the Roman Catholic cathedral of the city of Bristol (not to be confused with the Church of England Bristol Cathedral). Located in the Clifton area of the city, it is the seat and mother church of the ...
(Roman Catholic) consecrated. * 1974 ** 1 April: Bristol becomes part of the county of Avon ** May:
Avonmouth Bridge The Avonmouth Bridge is a road bridge that carries the M5 motorway over the River Avon, Bristol, River Avon into Somerset near Bristol, England. The main span is long, and the bridge is long, with an air draught above mean high water level o ...
opens in
Shirehampton Shirehampton is a district of Bristol in England, near Avonmouth, at the northwestern edge of the city. It originated as a separate village, retains a High Street with a parish church and shops, and is still thought of as a village by many of it ...
. ** c. July: Ashton Court Festival begins. * 1977 – Gay Pride begins. * 1978 ** Royal Portbury Dock opens. ** Castle Park laid out. ** Bristol Gay Centre founded. * 1980 – 2 April: St. Pauls riot. * 1984 ** 1 May: Old Profanity Showboat opens. ** Bristol Community Church organised. * 1986 –
Show of Strength Theatre Company Show of Strength Theatre Company is a Bristol-based theatre company which has produced new and forgotten works since 1986 in a range of venues in Bristol and the South West. The company is funded by Arts Council England and Bristol City Council ...
formed. * 1991 – 27 January: Following its purchase by the Chiltern Radio Group, Bristol station
FTP The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard communication protocol used for the transfer of computer files from a server to a client on a computer network. FTP is built on a client–server model architecture using separate control and data ...
is replaced by
Galaxy Radio Galaxy was a radio network owned by Global Radio and broadcast across the British Isles on FM in regional areas of England and Scotland, through the digital platform with Sky and DAB and online respectively. Stations included stations: Galaxy ...
. * 1992 ** 16 July: Hartcliffe riot. **
University of the West of England The University of the West of England (also known as UWE Bristol) is a public research university, located in and around Bristol, England. The institution was know as the Bristol Polytechnic in 1970; it received university status in 1992 and ...
granted university status. * 1996 ** 1 April: County of Avon abolished; Bristol once again becomes both a city and a county. ** 24–27 May: First
International Festival of the Sea The International Festivals of the Sea were a series of maritime festivals, which were held in various British port cities between 1996 and 2005. The festivals were intended to be celebrations of the sea, bringing together sailors, musicians, arti ...
held in and around the Harbour; replica 15th-century ship '' Matthew'' dedicated. ** 19 July:
MoD Abbey Wood MoD Abbey Wood is a Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom), Ministry of Defence establishment at Filton, Bristol, United Kingdom. The purpose-built site houses the MoD's Defence Equipment and Support and Submarine Delivery Agency procurement orga ...
opened at
Filton Filton is a town and civil parish in South Gloucestershire, England, north of Bristol. Along with nearby Patchway and Bradley Stoke, Filton forms part of the Bristol urban area and has become an overflow settlement for the city. Filton Church ...
. **
City of Bristol College City of Bristol College is a further education and higher education college in Bristol, England. It provides courses for young people and adults aged 16 and above in areas such as: A Levels, Animal Care, Floristry, Horticulture, Applied Forensic ...
established by merger of Brunel College and South Bristol College. * 1998 –
Tobacco Factory Theatre Tobacco Factory Theatres is located on the first floor of the Tobacco Factory building on the corner of North Street and Raleigh Road, Southville in Bristol, England. The theatre itself is a studio-style space, with a low ceiling and fixed gri ...
established. * 2000 –
Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory is a professional theatre company based at the Tobacco Factory in Bristol, England. It was founded by Andrew Hilton in 1999, with the initial aim of producing two Shakespeare plays between mid February and M ...
theatre company founded.


21st century

* 2001 –
Bristol Royal Hospital for Children Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, also known as the Bristol Children's Hospital, is a Children's hospital, paediatric hospital in Bristol and the only paediatric major trauma centre in South West England. The hospital is part of the Universit ...
building opens. * 2003 – Plain Clothes Theatre Productions formed. * 2004 – Bristol Shakespeare Festival begins. * 2006 – Redland Green School built. * 2007 – 26–27 May:
Dot to Dot Festival The Dot to Dot Festival is an annual music festival held at various venues in Nottingham, Bristol and Manchester across a weekend. Unlike weekend music festivals such as the Reading and Leeds Festivals, there is no artist rotation – all artist ...
first held in Bristol. * 2009 –
The Bottle Yard Studios The Bottle Yard Studios is a British film and television production studio facility in Bristol, South West England. It is the largest dedicated production space in the West of England. History The studios are located on Whitchurch Lane, approxima ...
open as a television and film production facility. * 2010 – Brunel Institute opens. * 2011 ** 21 April: Stokes Croft riot, including an attack on a locally controversial newly opened
Tesco Tesco plc () is a British multinational groceries and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Welwyn Garden City, England. In 2011 it was the third-largest retailer in the world measured by gross revenues and the ninth-largest in th ...
store. ** Bristol becomes a "city of sanctuary" for refugees. * 2012 – 19 November: Architect George Ferguson takes office as the first elected
Mayor of Bristol The Mayor of Bristol is the head of government of Bristol and the chief executive of the Bristol City Council. The mayor is a directly elected politician who, along with the 70 members of Bristol City Council, is responsible for the strategic ...
. * 2020 ** 10 February: Councillors reject a proposed expansion of Bristol Airport, by 18 votes to seven, on the grounds that it would exacerbate
climate change In common usage, climate change describes global warming—the ongoing increase in global average temperature—and its effects on Earth's climate system. Climate change in a broader sense also includes previous long-term changes to ...
, damage the health of local people, and harm flora and fauna. ** 7 June: The 1895
statue of Edward Colston The statue of Edward Colston is a bronze statue of Bristol-born merchant and trans-Atlantic slave trader, Edward Colston (1636–1721). It was created in 1895 by the Irish sculptor John Cassidy and was formerly erected on a plinth of Portland ...
, a 17th-century merchant,
slave trade Slavery and enslavement are both the state and the condition of being a slave—someone forbidden to quit one's service for an enslaver, and who is treated by the enslaver as property. Slavery typically involves slaves being made to perf ...
r, MP and philanthropist, is pulled down by anti-racism protesters. ** 2 December: COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom: Bristol enters Tier 3, the strictest level of restriction. ** 3 December: An explosion at a waste water treatment works in
Avonmouth Avonmouth is a port and outer suburb of Bristol, England, facing two rivers: the reinforced north bank of the final stage of the Avon which rises at sources in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset; and the eastern shore of the Severn Es ...
kills 4. * 2022 – 4 September:
Bristol Zoo Bristol Zoo was a zoo in the city of Bristol in South West England. The zoo's stated mission was to "maintain and defend” biodiversity through breeding endangered species, conserving threatened species and habitats and promoting a wider unders ...
closes at its Clifton site.


See also

*
History of Bristol Bristol is a city with a population of nearly half a million people in south west England, situated between Somerset and Gloucestershire on the tidal River Avon. It has been among the country's largest and most economically and culturally impo ...
* Timelines of other
cities A city is a human settlement of notable size.Goodall, B. (1987) ''The Penguin Dictionary of Human Geography''. London: Penguin.Kuper, A. and Kuper, J., eds (1996) ''The Social Science Encyclopedia''. 2nd edition. London: Routledge. It can be def ...
in
South West England South West England, or the South West of England, is one of nine official regions of England. It consists of the counties of Bristol, Cornwall (including the Isles of Scilly), Dorset, Devon, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. Cities ...
: Bath, Exeter, Plymouth


References


Further reading


Published in the 17th–18th centuries

* * * * * *


Published in the 19th century


1800s–1820s

* * * * * * * *
v.2
* * * *


1830s–1840s

* * * * * * * *


1850s–1890s

* * * * * * * * * * ** v.1: Civil history ** v.2: Ecclesiastical history *
v.3
Civil and Modern History * * * * * *

* *


Published in the 20th century

* * * (articles reprinted from The Bristol ''Times and Mirror'') * * * * * *


External links

* * . Includes Bristol directories, various dates. * Europeana
Works related to Bristol
various dates * Digital Public Library of America
Works related to Bristol
various dates {{Timelines of cities in the United Kingdom Years in England
Bristol Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...
bristol Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...
Bristol-related lists