Editing Bristol (section)

== Geography and environment ==

=== Boundaries ===
{{See also|Subdivisions of Bristol}}
[[File:Clifton.bridge.arp.750pix.jpg|alt=Suspension bridge between two brick built towers, over a wooded gorge, showing mud and water at the bottom. In the distance are hills.|thumb|right|[[Isambard Kingdom Brunel|Brunel]]'s [[Clifton Suspension Bridge]]]]
Bristol's boundaries can be defined in several ways, including those of the city itself, the developed area, or [[Greater Bristol]].

The [[Politics of Bristol|city council]] boundary is the narrowest definition of the city itself. However, it unusually includes a large, roughly rectangular section of the western [[Severn Estuary]] ending at (but not including) the islands of [[Flat Holm]] (in [[Cardiff]], Wales) and [[Steep Holm]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Area boundary for the Bristol unitary authority |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/keystats/sqmap.aspx?kv=1312817302&type=-1&title=Bristol%3b+City+of+UA+ |access-date=1 January 2009 |website=NOMIS Labour market statistics |publisher=Office for National Statistics |archive-date=15 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815011947/https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/keystats/sqmap.aspx?kv=1312817302&type=-1&title=Bristol;+City+of+UA+ |url-status=dead}}</ref> This "seaward extension" can be traced back to the original boundary of the County of Bristol laid out in the charter<ref>{{Cite web |title=Great charter of liberties including erection into a County |url=https://archives.bristol.gov.uk/records/CC/1/7 |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=Bristol Archives online catalogue |language=en-gb}}</ref> granted to the city by [[Edward III]] in 1373.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=December 1930 |editor-last=Harding |editor-first=N. Dermott |title=Bristol Charters 1155–1373 |url=http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/History/bristolrecordsociety/publications/brs23.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/History/bristolrecordsociety/publications/brs23.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |journal=Bristol Record Society's Publications |publisher=Bristol Record Society |volume=1 |pages=149–165}}</ref>

The [[Office for National Statistics]] (ONS) has defined a [[Bristol Urban Area]], which includes developed areas adjoining Bristol but outside the city-council boundary, such as [[Kingswood, South Gloucestershire|Kingswood]], [[Mangotsfield]], [[Stoke Gifford]], [[Winterbourne, Gloucestershire|Winterbourne]], [[Almondsbury]], [[Easton in Gordano]], [[Whitchurch, Bristol|Whitchurch]] village, [[Filton]], [[Patchway]] and [[Bradley Stoke]], but excludes undeveloped areas within that boundary.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pointer |first=Graham |year=2005 |title=The UK's major urban areas |url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_compendia/fom2005/03_fopm_urbanareas.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628203215/http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_compendia/fom2005/03_FOPM_UrbanAreas.pdf |archive-date=28 June 2011 |access-date=21 June 2011 |website=Focus on People and Migration |publisher=Office for National Statistics}}</ref>
[[File:Avon gorge and cave arp.jpg|alt=Rocky side to a gorge with a platform in front of a cave halfway up. To the right are a road and river. In the distance are a suspension bridge and buildings.|thumb|right|Avon Gorge and [[Clifton Suspension Bridge]], looking towards the city of Bristol]]

=== Geography ===
Bristol lies within a [[limestone]] area running from the [[Mendip Hills]] in the south to the [[Cotswolds]] in the northeast.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cotswolds AONB |url=http://www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/?page=Map |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510091538/http://www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/?page=Map |archive-date=10 May 2011 |access-date=12 June 2011 |publisher=Cotswold AONB}}</ref> The rivers Avon and Frome cut through the limestone to the underlying clay, creating Bristol's characteristically hilly landscape. The Avon flows from Bath in the east, through [[flood plains]] and areas which were marshes before the city's growth. To the west the Avon cuts through the limestone to form the Avon Gorge, formed largely by glacial meltwater after the [[Quaternary glaciation|last ice age]].<ref name="10.1144/GSL">{{Cite journal |last=Hawkins |first=Alfred Brian |year=1973 |title=The geology and slopes of the Bristol region |journal=Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology |volume=6 |issue=3–4 |pages=185–205 |doi=10.1144/GSL.QJEG.1973.006.03.02 |bibcode=1973QJEGH...6..185D |s2cid=129044127}}</ref>

The gorge, which helped protect Bristol Harbour, has been quarried for stone to build the city, and its surrounding land has been protected from development as [[The Downs, Bristol|The Downs]] and Leigh Woods. The Avon [[estuary]] and the gorge form the county boundary with [[North Somerset]], and the river flows into the [[Severn Estuary]] at [[Avonmouth]]. A smaller gorge, cut by the [[Hazel Brook]] which flows into the [[River Trym]], crosses the [[Blaise Castle]] estate in northern Bristol.<ref name="10.1144/GSL" />

Bristol is sometimes described, by its inhabitants, as being built on seven hills, like Rome. From 18th-century guidebooks, these 7 hills were known as simply Bristol (the Old Town), Castle Hill, College Green, Kingsdown, St Michaels Hill, [[Brandon Hill, Bristol|Brandon Hill]] and Redcliffe Hill.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Taylor |first=John |url=https://archive.org/details/abookaboutbrist00taylgoog |title=A Book about Bristol: Historical, Ecclesiastical, and Biographical, from Original Research |date=1872 |publisher=Houlston and Sons |page=[https://archive.org/details/abookaboutbrist00taylgoog/page/n18 10]}}</ref> Other local hills include Red Lion Hill, [[Barton Hill, Bristol|Barton Hill]], [[Lawrence Hill, Bristol|Lawrence Hill]], Black Boy Hill, Constitution Hill, [[Staple Hill, Gloucestershire|Staple Hill]], [[Windmill Hill, Bristol|Windmill Hill]], Malborough Hill, Nine Tree Hill, Talbot, Brook Hill and Granby Hill.

Bristol is {{cvt|106|mi|km}} west of London, {{cvt|77|mi|km}} south-southwest of [[Birmingham]] and {{cvt|26|mi|km}} east of the Welsh capital [[Cardiff]]. Areas adjoining the city fall within a loosely defined area known as [[Greater Bristol]]. [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] is located {{cvt|11|mi}} south east of the city centre, [[Weston-super-Mare]] is {{cvt|18|mi}} to the south west and the Welsh city of [[Newport, Wales|Newport]] is {{cvt|19|mi}} to the north west.

=== Climate ===
The climate is [[Oceanic climate|oceanic]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Cfb)'', milder than most places in England and United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bristol climate and weather |url=http://www.wordtravels.com/Cities/England/Bristol/Climate |access-date=13 November 2018 |website=www.wordtravels.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bristol, England Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase) |url=https://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=62730&cityname=Bristol,+England,+United+Kingdom |access-date=13 November 2018 |website=Weatherbase}}</ref> Located in southern England, Bristol is one of the warmest cities in the UK with a mean annual temperature of approximately {{cvt|10.5|C|F}}.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2000 |title=Average annual temperature |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/tmean/17.gif |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801122236/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/tmean/17.gif |archive-date=1 August 2013 |access-date=12 May 2007 |publisher=Meteorological Office}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=South West England: climate |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/regional-climates/sw |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060225164404/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/location/southwestengland/index.html |archive-date=25 February 2006 |access-date=25 August 2015 |publisher=Metereological Office}}</ref> It is among the sunniest, with 1,541–1,885{{nbsp}}hours of sunshine per year.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2000 |title=Average annual sunshine |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/ss/17.gif |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728193119/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/ss/17.gif |archive-date=28 July 2014 |access-date=12 May 2007 |publisher=Meteorological Office}}</ref> Although the city is partially sheltered by the Mendip Hills, it is exposed to the Severn Estuary and the [[Bristol Channel]]. Rain is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, with autumn and winter the wetter seasons. The Atlantic Ocean influences Bristol's weather, keeping its average temperature above freezing throughout the year, but winter frosts are frequent and snow occasionally falls from early November to late April. Summers are warm and drier, with variable sunshine, rain and clouds, and spring weather is unsettled.<ref>{{Cite web |year=2000 |title=Average annual rainfall |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/rr/17.gif |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719222449/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/19712000/rr/17.gif |archive-date=19 July 2013 |access-date=12 May 2007 |publisher=Meteorological Office}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=National Meteorological Library and Archive Fact sheet 7&nbsp;— Climate of South West England |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/media/pdf/c/n/MetLIB_13_013_FactSheet_7_Final.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524004028/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/media/pdf/c/n/MetLIB_13_013_FactSheet_7_Final.pdf |archive-date=24 May 2014 |access-date=23 May 2014 |publisher=Meteorological Office}}</ref>

The weather stations nearest Bristol for which long-term climate data are available are Long Ashton (about {{cvt|5|mi|0}} south west of the city centre) and Bristol Weather Station, in the city centre. Data collection at these locations ended in 2002 and 2001, respectively, and following the closure of Filton Airfield, Almondsbury is the nearest weather station to the city.<ref name="MO stations 2024">{{cite web |title=Synoptic and climate stations |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-synoptic-and-climate-stations |website=Met Office |access-date=14 July 2024}}</ref> Temperatures at Long Ashton from 1959 to 2002 ranged from {{cvt|33.5|C|F}} in July 1976<ref>{{Cite web |title=1976 temperature |url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/monitordetail.php?seasonid=13&year=1976&indexid=TXx&stationid=1638 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828083806/http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/monitordetail.php?seasonid=13&year=1976&indexid=TXx&stationid=1638 |archive-date=28 August 2013 |access-date=27 January 2013 |publisher=Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute}}</ref> to {{cvt|-14.4|C|F}} in January 1982.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1982 temperature |url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/monitordetail.php?seasonid=7&year=1982&indexid=TNn&stationid=1638 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828083918/http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/monitordetail.php?seasonid=7&year=1982&indexid=TNn&stationid=1638 |archive-date=28 August 2013 |access-date=27 January 2013 |publisher=Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute}}</ref> Monthly high temperatures since 2002 at Filton exceeding those recorded at Long Ashton include {{cvt|25.7|C|F}} in April 2003,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Filton April temperature |url=http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/FILTON/04-2003/36280.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828023137/http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/FILTON/04-2003/36280.htm |archive-date=28 August 2013 |access-date=27 January 2013 |publisher=TuTiempo}}</ref> {{cvt|34.5|C|F}} in July 2006<ref>{{Cite web |title=Filton July temperature |url=http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/FILTON/07-2006/36280.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828024839/http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/FILTON/07-2006/36280.htm |archive-date=28 August 2013 |access-date=27 January 2013 |publisher=TuTiempo}}</ref> and {{cvt|26.8|C|F}} in October 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Filton Oct temperature |url=http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/FILTON/10-2011/36280.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828023318/http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/FILTON/10-2011/36280.htm |archive-date=28 August 2013 |access-date=27 January 2013 |publisher=TuTiempo}}</ref> The lowest recent temperature at Filton was {{cvt|-10.1|C|F}} in December 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Filton December temperature |url=http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/FILTON/12-2010/36280.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828030827/http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/FILTON/12-2010/36280.htm |archive-date=28 August 2013 |access-date=27 January 2013 |publisher=TuTiempo}}</ref> Although large cities in general experience an [[urban heat island]] effect, with warmer temperatures than their surrounding rural areas, this phenomenon is minimal in Bristol.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hughes |first=Karen |date=2006 |title=The impact of urban areas on climate in the UK: a spatial and temporal analysis, with an emphasis on temperature and precipitation effects |journal=Earth and Environment |volume=2 |pages=54–83}}</ref>
{{Weather box
|location = [[Filton]],{{efn|Weather station is located {{cvt|5|mi|0|abbr=out}} from the Bristol city centre.}} elevation: {{cvt|48|m|ft|0}}, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1958–present{{efn|From 1958 to 2002, extremes were recorded at Long Ashton. Since 2002, extremes were recorded at Filton.}}
| metric first = y
| single line = y
| Jan record high C = 14.2
| Feb record high C = 18.3
| Mar record high C = 21.7
| Apr record high C = 25.7
| May record high C = 27.4
| Jun record high C = 32.5
| Jul record high C = 34.5
| Aug record high C = 33.3
| Sep record high C = 28.3
| Oct record high C = 26.8
| Nov record high C = 17.5
| Dec record high C = 15.8
| Jan high C = 8.1
| Feb high C = 8.5
| Mar high C = 10.8
| Apr high C = 13.8
| May high C = 17.0
| Jun high C = 19.8
| Jul high C = 21.7
| Aug high C = 21.3
| Sep high C = 18.8
| Oct high C = 14.8
| Nov high C = 11.0
| Dec high C = 8.4
| year high C = 14.5
| Jan mean C = 5.3
| Feb mean C = 5.5
| Mar mean C = 7.3
| Apr mean C = 9.7
| May mean C = 12.7
| Jun mean C = 15.6
| Jul mean C = 17.6
| Aug mean C = 17.2
| Sep mean C = 14.9
| Oct mean C = 11.6
| Nov mean C = 8.0
| Dec mean C = 5.6
| year mean C = 10.9
| Jan low C = 2.4
| Feb low C = 2.4
| Mar low C = 3.7
| Apr low C = 5.5
| May low C = 8.4
| Jun low C = 11.4
| Jul low C = 13.4
| Aug low C = 13.2
| Sep low C = 11.0
| Oct low C = 8.3
| Nov low C = 5.1
| Dec low C = 2.8
| year low C = 7.3
| Jan record low C = -14.4
| Feb record low C = -9.7
| Mar record low C = -8.3
| Apr record low C = -4.7
| May record low C = -2.0
| Jun record low C = 0.6
| Jul record low C = 4.7
| Aug record low C = 3.9
| Sep record low C = 0.6
| Oct record low C = -3.2
| Nov record low C = -6.5
| Dec record low C = -11.9
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 82.9
| Feb precipitation mm = 57.9
| Mar precipitation mm = 53.3
| Apr precipitation mm = 47.9
| May precipitation mm = 57.8
| Jun precipitation mm = 56.3
| Jul precipitation mm = 58.7
| Aug precipitation mm = 75.1
| Sep precipitation mm = 64.3
| Oct precipitation mm = 85.5
| Nov precipitation mm = 90.0
| Dec precipitation mm = 89.9
| year precipitation mm = 819.0
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 13.1
| Feb precipitation days = 10.4
| Mar precipitation days = 10.4
| Apr precipitation days = 9.9
| May precipitation days = 10.3
| Jun precipitation days = 9.7
| Jul precipitation days = 9.8
| Aug precipitation days = 11.0
| Sep precipitation days = 10.4
| Oct precipitation days = 12.8
| Nov precipitation days = 14.6
| Dec precipitation days = 13.5
| year precipitation days = 135.8
| Jan sun = 61.2
| Feb sun = 78.0
| Mar sun = 122.6
| Apr sun = 174.1
| May sun = 206.7
| Jun sun = 219.2
| Jul sun = 220.5
| Aug sun = 189.6
| Sep sun = 153.4
| Oct sun = 107.8
| Nov sun = 68.4
| Dec sun = 56.9
| year sun = 1658.3
| source 1 = [[Met Office]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gcnjj7h5w |title=Filton 1991–2020 averages |access-date=2 May 2022}}</ref>
| source 2 = [[Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute|KNMI]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eca.knmi.nl//download/millennium/millennium.php |title=Indices Data – Long Ashton Station 1638 |access-date =5 February 2019 |publisher=[[KNMI (institute)|KNMI]] |archive-date =9 July 2018 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20180709010608/https://eca.knmi.nl//download/millennium/millennium.php |url-status =dead}}</ref>
}}
{{notelist
}}

=== Environment ===
{{main|Environment in Bristol}}
Bristol was ranked as Britain's most sustainable city (based on its environmental performance, quality of life, [[future-proofing]] and approaches to climate change, recycling and biodiversity), topping environmental charity [[Forum for the Future]]'s 2008 [[Sustainable city|Sustainable Cities]] Index.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 November 2008 |title=Bristol is Britain's greenest city |url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Bristol-Britain-s-greenest-city/story-11233026-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203011951/http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Bristol-Britain-s-greenest-city/story-11233026-detail/story.html |archive-date=3 December 2013 |access-date=27 January 2013 |website=Evening Post |publisher=Bristol News and Media}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 November 2008 |title=Sustainable Cities Index 2008 |url=http://www.forumforthefuture.org/sustainable-cities08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418005928/http://www.forumforthefuture.org/sustainable-cities08 <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=18 April 2009 |access-date=5 July 2009 |publisher=Forum for the Future}}</ref> Local initiatives include [[Sustrans]] (creators of the [[National Cycle Network]], founded as Cyclebag in 1977){{sfn|Cotton|Grimshaw|2002}} and Resourcesaver, a non-profit business established in 1988 by Avon Friends of the Earth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Resourcesaver: Home Page |url=http://beehive.thisisbristol.com/default.asp?WCI=SiteHome&ID=4624 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719211447/http://beehive.thisisbristol.com/default.asp?WCI=SiteHome&ID=4624 |archive-date=19 July 2011 |access-date=5 July 2009 |website=Beehive |publisher=Bristol News and Media}}</ref> The city regularly features in the annual ''[[Sunday Times]]'' lists of best places in Britain in which to live, topping the list of cities in 2014 and 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goss |first=Alexandra |date=23 March 2014 |title=Best places to live in Britain |work=The Sunday Times |publisher=SundayTimes |url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/style/homes_and_gardens/best_places/article1390298.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=18 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117024337/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/style/homes_and_gardens/best_places/article1390298.ece |archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kendall |first1=Ellie |title=Bristol snubbed in Sunday Times' list of best places to live |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristol-snubbed-sunday-times-list-9164293 |work=Bristol Live |date=15 March 2024 |language=en}}</ref> The city received the 2015 [[European Green Capital Award]], becoming the first UK city to receive this award.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2015-Bristol |url=http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/winning-cities/2015-bristol/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630013758/http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/winning-cities/2015-bristol/index.html |archive-date=30 June 2014 |access-date=22 April 2014 |publisher=European Commission}}</ref>

In 2019 Bristol City Council voted in favour of banning all privately owned [[diesel engine|diesel cars]] from the city centre.<ref name="bbc._Bris">{{Cite web |date=5 November 2019 |title=Bristol approves clean air diesel ban |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-50292596 |access-date=18 January 2020 |website=BBC News}}</ref> Since then, the plans have been revised in favour of a [[clean air zone]] whereby older and more polluting vehicles will be charged to drive through the city centre. The Clean Air Zone came into effect in November 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bristol Clean Air Zone launches |url=https://news.bristol.gov.uk/press-releases/05311d93-f25a-4a80-b6db-7f09728e6453/bristol-clean-air-zone-launches |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=Bristol City Council}}</ref>

=== Green belt ===
{{main|Avon Green Belt}}
The city has green belt mainly along its southern fringes, taking in small areas within the [[Ashton Court|Ashton Court Estate]], South Bristol crematorium and cemetery, High Ridge common and Whitchurch, with a further area around Frenchay Farm. The belt extends outside the city boundaries into surrounding counties and districts, for several miles in places, to afford a protection from [[urban sprawl]] to surrounding villages and towns.