Bristol Cathedral / Heather Cowper

The scale of business grew and grew, until there was a small harbor built. Bristol waters were treacherous and the ships that docked there were subject to huge currents, that often resulted in the timber of the ships getting damaged. Because of this sailors had to reinforce their ships, and it quickly put Bristol on the map for their ship craftsmanship. The harbor is still in use today, and it makes the perfect destination for you to visit and learn more about UK history. One of the most famous ships in the UK- the SS Great Britain, which was the first iron hulled propeller-driven ship to travel over the Atlantic. It’s now rested in Bristol, and you can visit the ship. It’s a very popular tourist attraction within Bristol.

Of course with all the ships and the great harbor that Bristol is home to; it’s no surprise that Bristol was notorious for pirates. The city was home to many a pirate, and today; the streets are still the same! If you’re into history, then you’ll be able to find yourself taking a step back into time with a walk around Bristol.

The famous UK soap casualty was filmed in and around Bristol, so if you’re a fan of the show you’ll be able to set foot in the city where it was filmed, until 2009, when the show hung up its production line. The show was filmed in an old warehouse in the city, and numerous places in and around Bristol!

Bristol is home to many museums, and you can find yourself entertained for days by visiting some of them. In fact, it’s home to the Clifton suspension bridge museum, the Bristol museum and art gallery, and Blaise’s castle house and museum. This is just a selection of the museums you can visit when in the city. There are others that will have you flabbergasted and spoilt for choice!

Of course, like any other city, Bristol is also home to many events, including the recently hosted Olympic flame torch- and the shopping in the city is fantastic. It’s home to many a UK retailer where you can just let your shopping devil let rip, and you can shop until you drop!

And when the day is done, Bristol is home to some of the best hotels. Including, the Doyle hotel in Bristol. Where you’ll be able to kick off your shoes and rejuvenate ready for the next day’s sightseeing and shopping!

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by daniel.herding

Maritime theme park
The first exhibition called Maritime theme park is located in buildings of the former fish market. This exhibition is interactive and can be divided into several parts: Bruges and the sea, military-Zeebrugge harbor, fishermen earlier and now, the International port Zeebrugge or Pirate Paradise. Here you can take a closer look at the Zeebrugge port – its history and present, or at a hard life of fishermen and through the film into the depths of the sea.

Lightship West-Hinder II
The second exposure of Seafront Zeebrugge is Lightship West-Hinder II. It is the ship, which until recently served as navigation and was moored at a position at sea to mark the coast near the town of Nieuwpoort. You can walk through it, touch and learn more about the role of beacon ships.

The Russian submarine Foxtrot
The third exhibition is The Russian submarine Foxtrot. Submarines of this type were used until 1994. During your visit you will learn, how is the life in such submarine when it is filled up with 75 crew members.

Seafront Zeebrugge theme park is open every day from 10am to 6pm and in July and August to 7pm. Keep in mind that the tour of all three parts of the Seafront Zeebrugge takes about two hours. You can buy tickets up to one hour before closing time. Children up to one meter in height, accompanied by parents, have free entry. Children to 12 years pay €8.50, and adults €10.50. Special rates apply for the groups and Seafront Zeebrugge offers many other additional programs for schools and companies. The nearest tram stop is Zeebrugge Kerk. Parking is free right at Seafront Zeebrugge.

For further information, visit the official site of Seafront Zeebrugge.

View Seafront Zeebrugge – a maritime amusement park in Belgium in a larger map

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The area where the Old Harry Rocks sits is known as the Jurassic coast. Because of tectonics, the land has folded over and over itself time and time again. As a result, rocks that date back to not just the Jurassic period, but also the Triassic and Cretaceous period can be seen clearly. Amongst these rocks are the fossils of countless dinosaurs from long ago; just waiting to be uncovered.

Old Harry Rocks, UK by John Tomlinson

The area where the Old Harry Rocks can be found is filled with chalk and this particular kind of rock is very resistant to the acidic attacks by saltwater. There was a day when a number of chalk columns stood in the area, but because of erosion by the waves, one by one they have tumbled to the sea. The last rock to fall was back in 1896, it was considered to be the wife of Old Harry. Today, all that is left of her is a stump.

However, to the east, just across the water you will see the very popular Needles that are situated along the coastline of the Isle of Wight. While the distance is quite far if the day is clear enough then you should have no problems seeing the Needles. It is said, that the islands used to be connected by the chalk but over the millennia this bridge has long since eroded away.

Old Harry Rocks, England, UK by Cmcqueen

Before long, it is expected that the Old Harry Rocks too will succumb to erosion. There are many people working together to find a way to protect the rocks and preserve them from the tremendous force of the waves and time.

As local legend has it, the name of the Old Harry Rocks comes from an infamous pirate who hid out in the area. Harry Paye, who was a pirate from Poole, used the area as his hideout and was said to have buried his treasures along the rocky shores of the island. While no treasure has ever been found, the name stuck as a symbol to the history that has made the island what it is today.

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