Plaques of Central Bristol Part 1

Walk preview

1. 

   Step 1: Start at St Michael’s Church, a mostly Georgian building with a 15th century tower. With the church on your left walk up the path.

2. Step 2: If you need to arrive at the start of the walk by public transport you have a few options. The nearest train station is Bristol Temple Meads. Multiple buses stop nearby.

3. 

   Step 3: These four timber framed houses at the bottom of St. Michael’s Hill were built in 1637.

4. 

   Step 4: Carefully cross the road and turn left, behind the Scotchman, up Horfield Road.

5. Step 5: There are two explanations of how this pub got its name. A ‘scotch’ - a portable break the scotchman applied to carts descending the hill to prevent them getting out of control. Sometimes the scotch glowed red from the friction.

6. Step 6: Or it could be the pub tried to attract the custom of pedlars. Traditionally, Scots made their living as itinerant tradesman, carrying their wares in packs. Which explanation do you think is right?