Retirement Properties Spotlight in Hanham

Bristol has remains of Celtic fields on Durdham Downs and this shows that the area was long settled before the Romans came. The Saxons arrived in the sixth century and later in the 12th century King Stephen was the castle's first prisoner and for a while Bristol was almost like a second capital. As well as the growth of trade and industry in the 18th century Bristol experienced something of a religious revival becoming the centre of Evangelism in the south west. 

John Wesley established the world's first Methodist chapel in 1739 as a contemporary addition to a fine collection of religious buildings which included the 12th century Cathedral and the church of St Mary Redcliffe described by Elizabeth I as 'the fairest church in all England'.

Bristol is a Cathedral city full of museums, art galleries and historic buildings such as St Mark's on College Green which is one of the finest examples remaining in England of the church of a medieval hospital. Temple church is famous for its leaning tower and Red Lodge in Park Row has furnishings in both sixteenth and eighteenth century styles. The city still retains links with its commercial past - long-established wine merchants such as Avery's and Harvey's of Bristol continue their business.