Underfall Boat Yard

Over a thousand years ago Bristol's harbour developed around the lowest bridging point of the River Avon. The exceptional tidal array of the Severn Estuary and Avon carried laden ships into the city and scoured the river of silt. Local trade flourished between Bristol, South Wales, the Severn ports and Ireland. During the Middle ages the port grew in prestige, trading with the Atlantic seaboard, Iceland and the Mediterranean. The American colonies brought more opportunities for Bristol merchants including the notorious slave trade to the West Indies.