WHAT TO DO & WHERE TO GO
Avon
and Bristol has been a crossroads of world exploration and
trade ever since John Cabot left its quay for the New World
in 1496. Bristol Historic Harbour and Blaise Castle House
Museum tell the port's story, and Batterv Point is a good
place to view its modern trading ships. The Bristol Exploratory
maintains the questing tradition in a modern, scientific
context. The American connection is the strongest of Avon's
ties, and a large American Museum is housed at Claverton
Manor. Several of the county's other fine country houses
were preserved or built by Bristol wealth, including Clevedon
Court and Beckford's Tower. The Regency period, when Bristol
was prospering from the slave trade, saw Bath develop into
the fashionable spa whose legacy enriches the modem city.
Avon has natural beautv too. Steep Holm lies off the coast,
and plains are studded with areas of quiet water such as
Chew Valley Lake
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