Bristol, English Coast

The ceremonial county of Bristol encompasses Bristol and it's surrounding area. The coastal interest includes the Bristol Channel coast, the mouth of the Avon Gorge and river Avon, and the Severn river estuary which leads into Gloucestershire and marks the end of this stretch of English coastline as the coast then heads around into Wales.

The city of Bristol is located on the River Avon and was once one of the most important ports in Britain. There are still docks in the city centre but they are mainly used for leisure in recent times. Port activity now takes place in Avonmouth Docks and the Royal Portbury Dock.

The Bristol Channel is notable as it has the second highest tidal range in the world (around 15 metres). This is only exceeded by Canada's Bay of Fundy. The Bristol Channel is an important area for wildlife such as waders as at low tide much of the channel becomes a mud flat environment.

The Avon Gorge was formed by ice-age glacial meltwater flows, and by the rivers Avon and Frome slowly cutting through the limestone. The estuary of the Avon river forms the cerimonial county's boundary with Somerset, and the river flows into the Bristol Channel at Avonmouth.

Several times a year a fascinating natural phenomena occurs on the river Severn, as a large tidal wave known as the 'Severn Bore' works its way from the Bristol Channel and is then funnelled up the Severn Estuary. The best Severn Bore viewpoints are as it heads into Gloustershire at Minsterworth on the west bank, or Framilode and Stonebench on the east bank.