Monday 27 May 2013

Bristol - Part 4

The concluding part of our trip to Bristol. And what better way to start than with the gorgeously gothic St Mary Redcliffe, one of the landmark buildings of the city.


The clock face has a rather unusual design of numerals, and at first it is hard to make out that the 4 is actually "IV" rather than "III".


The building dates for the church are rather vague due to additions and alterations, but the result is stunning, especially in close-up detail.

Temple Meads station is also rather stunning, and resembles a cross between a cathedral and a castle.





On a less grand scale to either St Mary Redcliffe or Temple Meads, the clock turrent of Robins and Day car dealers can be found on Clarence Road.



Bristol is famous for its docks - this is Albion Dock next door to the SS Great Britain.



Time now to venture south of the River Avon, and into Bedminster. This pub, with its fairly utilitarian clcok, cound be found at the junction of East Street and Cannon Street.



Of more interest, in terms of the clock and the building to which it is attached, is the Wills factory of 1886 in Bedminster Parade. This was once part of an empire of cigarette factories in the area. The building has now been converted into shops.




Next door is the ASDA supermarket of 1987. Not quite in the same league for architectural design, but at least it does incorporate a large clock of modern design.



I have to say that I prefer the honesty of having a modern clock design on new buildings, rather than the artifice of having a retro design in a pathetic attempt to fool you into thinking that the building has been part of the townscape for years.


Our final port of call in Bristol is St Paul's, Southville, built in 1831 on Coronation Road.



Time to say goodbye to Bristol.

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