With nothing too grand planned for this weekend we thought we would go for a coffee tour of the city. With the first and best coffee place being shut on our arrival we were rather miffed as to what to do next. Until that is a young lady in her fluro yellow safety vest approached us with a brochure. Normally we would supply a nice smile, polite no thank you and quickly avoid making any eye contact to get away in a hurry however her brochure immediately caught our eye – Archaeology Open Day conducted by Oxford Archaelogy. We were there in a shot. We had previously walked past their dig site awhile back but couldn’t see over the fence so didn’t know it was a dig site. We managed to nab ourselves a very passionate young archaeologist who took us on an hour long tour of the site (instead of the standard 20 minute tour). It was very fascinating. Steve even managed to spot some animal bone protruding from the dig site. The area is going to become a multi storey car park with apartments and retail shops in the future so they have 6 months to pull what they can, record and map everything. So far they have found pottery, coins, shoes, evidence of the tannery works that was once there and animal bones. It has had medieval (AD 1066-1485) and post-medieval (1485-1800s) activity on site. The picture I have uploaded is of a well that is being excavated and three ovens found. Here is a link to Oxford Archaeology www.thehumanjourney.net
Second: Churches
St Stephen’s Parish Church was having an Open Day so we went up the tower. Great view from there of Bristol. The photo I have attached is looking out to the floating harbour. The tower on the hill in the top right handside is Cabot Tower. A bit of a steep and narrow staircase to the top but well worth the view. The same goes for St Stephen’s. The staircase was rather steep, narrow and passed by the bell tower. Fabulous day to get up there and the church stained glass windows were rather fascinating as well. Some dating from 1602.
Lastly: Musuems
On Sunday after having attended church we again went for a wander into town. This time heading for the Egyptian display at Bristol Museum. It was a bit of a let down for all the advertising around town for it. So we left and finally came across the Red Lodge an Elizabethan House built in around 1590. Situated on the corner of Lodge Street and Park Row it was free to go in (always a lovely price) and had a great big inviting red door. What more could you ask. Inside it is just stunning. On the second floor is the famous oak paneled room. I have attached a picture. Oak paneling floor to ceiling, elaborately carved and with a huge stone fireplace to boot. In one of the other rooms is a painting of one of the owners of the house (Mary Carpenter) who turned it into England’s first girls reform schools. I have attached a photo of the room as it is today and the painting as it was in the 1800’s. Not much has changed. Outside those windows is a very small but quaint knot garden. Lovely place to visit if you ever get the chance.
What a great weekend.