gorge grid reference mile kilometre long gorge bristol england gorge runs south north limestone ridge miles west bristol city centre miles mouth river gorge forms boundary authorities bristol boundary running south bank bristol important port gorge formed defensive gateway city east gorge bristol suburb downs large public park west gorge village forest situated iron age hill forts overlooking gorge observatory icon bristol crosses gorge geology formation gorge cuts ridge mainly limestone sandstone particular ridge runs miles away coast limestone found bristol area fossil shells indicate limestone formed shallow tropical seas million years ago long time unclear caused cut limestone ridge run south west super mare bristol southern edge ice age suggested ice blocked river natural route west gorge feet wide feet deep 18th century gorge produce building stone city stone taken boat floating harbour 19th century discovered estate miles family authorised bristol producing world enterprise long 20th century brilliant crystals found gorge popular visitors spa eighteenth nineteenth centuries bristol gorge popular habitat wildlife ecology steep walls gorge support rare fauna flora including species unique gorge total rare plant species unique trees bristol notable plants include bristol rock bristol autumn steep sides parts gorge trees grow making way smaller plants gorge home rare species gorge degree warmer surrounding land steep south west facing sides receive afternoon sunlight partially sheltered prevailing winds winds come north west gorge creating harsh wet conditions steep gorge walls ideal habitat plentiful supply food nearby form sea history nesting gorge having rare british isles breed rarely seen gorge 1930s returned gorge successfully bred following years warm days strong forms gorge birds prey hunting gorge houses large populations bats find homes caves bridge buttresses geology ecology area hectares acres gorge surrounding woodland protected biological geological original taking place site future protected woods gorge largely owned downs city gorge owned managed large public park gorge protected partnership wwf english nature council management gorge involves balancing need protect ecology recreational uses rock climbing green found western gorge wooded area lady discovered west gorge doubt wild plant introduction fly bee found gorge hybrid single plant lesser meadow present gorge bristol rock occurs nearby gorge plants bristol found sides gorge bloody crane bill grows bristol gorge believed native little robin occurs sides gorge grows sides gorge british record plant gorge history human use gorge area inhabited early iron age probably tribe woods steep dry valley suspension bridge hill forts area occupied middle ages camp protected sides cliff faces gorge protected earthworks scheduled ancient monument second hill fort situated valley built bridge road cuts hill fort situated opposite gorge observatory green plus configuration forts suggest played role defending gorge middle ages industrial revolution area forms downs common grazing land mined lead iron limestone home produced tobacco city principal imports burnt storm building converted observatory houses camera 18th 19th centuries bristol economy desirable place live mansion houses built overlooking gorge grazing stopped trees grew obscured view victorian era houses downs act parliament passed protect park people bristol bridge span gorge proposed nearly years work began years completed today bridge best known landmark bristol bristol history gorge important transport route carrying major roads railways gateway provided protection storms attack estuary high tidal range metres second gorge relatively narrow making difficult navigate vessels grounded gorge including soon launch schooner steam phrase ship shape bristol fashion arises main harbour bristol tidal rocky ships stout construction simply break tide phrase railway built gorge east railway opened west section junction closed construction major road gorge started opened road road linking bristol city centre motorway bypasses city near railways run gorge east uses remaining gorge tunnel downs west railway closed axe 1960s reopened freight traffic far miles downstream linked passenger steamer pier gorge run alongside railway old mythology formation gorge subject mythology myths tell tales giant brothers vincent constructed gorge variation holds vincent constructing gorge fell asleep accidentally killed vincent variation tells brothers falling girl wiltshire instructs giants drain lake stretches valley began digging nearby estate consumed beer fell asleep vincent dug gorge drained lake winning affection waking stamped foot creating giant castle estate threw turning stone leaving head shoulder water islands
Avon Gorge