Bristol through the years - in pictures

  • The Clifton Suspension Bridge under construction in 1863, spanning the Avon Gorge in Bristol. The bridge, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel was built between 1836 and 1864. All photos Getty Images unless indicated otherwise
    The Clifton Suspension Bridge under construction in 1863, spanning the Avon Gorge in Bristol. The bridge, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel was built between 1836 and 1864. All photos Getty Images unless indicated otherwise
  • Ships in Bristol harbour, circa 1880
    Ships in Bristol harbour, circa 1880
  • Great Western Railway's Temple Meads Station in Bristol in 1890, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel
    Great Western Railway's Temple Meads Station in Bristol in 1890, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel
  • The completed Clifton Suspension Bridge in 1900
    The completed Clifton Suspension Bridge in 1900
  • The church of St Nicholas and Bristol Bridge over the harbour, circa 1904
    The church of St Nicholas and Bristol Bridge over the harbour, circa 1904
  • Bristol Tramways Centre, 1904
    Bristol Tramways Centre, 1904
  • Bristol keeps cool at the Blue Lagoon in 1937
    Bristol keeps cool at the Blue Lagoon in 1937
  • Prime Minister Winston Churchill makes a speech after receiving the Freedom of Bristol at the Council Chambers in 1945
    Prime Minister Winston Churchill makes a speech after receiving the Freedom of Bristol at the Council Chambers in 1945
  • Mickleburgh piano manufacturers in 1947 give away unused pianos to Bristol families who need the wood for fuel
    Mickleburgh piano manufacturers in 1947 give away unused pianos to Bristol families who need the wood for fuel
  • Park Street in 1962
    Park Street in 1962
  • The second Anglo-French supersonic airliner, Concorde 002, at the British Aircraft Corporation's airfield in Bristol in 1971, where it was built
    The second Anglo-French supersonic airliner, Concorde 002, at the British Aircraft Corporation's airfield in Bristol in 1971, where it was built
  • Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones performs in Bristol in 1982
    Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones performs in Bristol in 1982
  • Diana, Princess of Wales, visits Colston's School in Bristol in 1983
    Diana, Princess of Wales, visits Colston's School in Bristol in 1983
  • A hot air balloon flies over the Clifton Suspension Bridge in 2006
    A hot air balloon flies over the Clifton Suspension Bridge in 2006
  • A woman admires a surprise exhibition by the artist Banksy in 2009
    A woman admires a surprise exhibition by the artist Banksy in 2009
  • A giant water slide was installed down Park Street in 2014
    A giant water slide was installed down Park Street in 2014
  • Some of the 19,420 figurines that were laid out on College Green as part of the '19240 Shrouds of the Somme' art installation on November 11, 2016 in Bristol
    Some of the 19,420 figurines that were laid out on College Green as part of the '19240 Shrouds of the Somme' art installation on November 11, 2016 in Bristol
  • The finishing touches being made to a portrait of John Lennon by the Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra on the final day of 'Upfest', Europe's largest street art festival in 2017 in Bristol
    The finishing touches being made to a portrait of John Lennon by the Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra on the final day of 'Upfest', Europe's largest street art festival in 2017 in Bristol
  • An aerial view of houses in Bristol's terraced streets in 2017
    An aerial view of houses in Bristol's terraced streets in 2017
  • Queen Square in Bristol where hearts were sprayed on to the grass in an effort to encourage social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020
    Queen Square in Bristol where hearts were sprayed on to the grass in an effort to encourage social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020
  • A sculpture by local artist Marc Quinn of Black Lives Matter protester Jen Reid on the plinth where the Edward Colston statue used to stand, in 2020
    A sculpture by local artist Marc Quinn of Black Lives Matter protester Jen Reid on the plinth where the Edward Colston statue used to stand, in 2020
  • The toppled statue of Edward Colston on display in M Shed museum in 2021
    The toppled statue of Edward Colston on display in M Shed museum in 2021
  • The Bristol Light Festival in the ruins of Temple Church in 2024. PA
    The Bristol Light Festival in the ruins of Temple Church in 2024. PA