CHRISTMAS STEPS – BRISTOL – A GREAT PLACE TO VISIT

One of the oldest and most charming hidden gems of Bristol – although a little tired and in need of some revitalisation – is known today as Christmas Steps, a quaint and charming street dating back to the 1600s. It can be found at the North end of the centre of Bristol leading up towards Colston Street and is a part of ancient Bristol which has survived virtually unchanged.  Originally it was known by its medieval title, Queene Street, later known as Knyfesmyth Street, after the knife grinders who plied their trade.  It is suggested that today’s title may have derived from a nativity scene displayed in a stained glass window of The Chapel of the Three Kings of Cologne, which lies at the top of the steps.

The steps were constructed at a perilous slant to replace the existing muddy slope in September 1669 as a shortcut to the Northern Bank of the River Frome. This construction was paid for by Jonathan Blackwell, a wealthy wine merchant, to facilitate the easy transportation of his wine barrels to waiting ships.  This continued until the Frome was partially covered. Prior to this construction the narrow street led up from the Frome bridge outside the city walls near the old St Bartholomew’s Hospital, towards St Michael’s Church, which was the start of the road to Aust Ferry and subsequently Wales.  A stone plaque commemorates how the street was “steppered done and finished in September 1669″, to create the cobbled slopes and steps which remain today.

Being so close to the water, it is suspected that most of the buildings on the street, as in any harbourside around the world, at one time housed bars and brothels.  Today, however, in these more “sophisticated times” there remains just one pub –The Three Sugar Loaves – at the base of the steps, with no evidence of a brothel in sight!

At the very bottom of the steps lies a building thought to date back to the 13th Century, which has housed a fish and chip shop for well over 100 years, originally known as the “Goddamn Fish &  Chip Shop” (today known as “Pellegrino’s with a five star rating!).  Until recently a statue of “The Madonna and Child” stood outside the shop but is said to have been beheaded by Oliver Cromwell in an iconoclastic attack during the same period.  

During the siege of Bristol in the English Civil War of the 1640′s a Royalist officer by the name of Lonsford was killed at the top of the steps and for a short period the steps were named after him (Lonsford’s Stairs). 

During the 19th Century the original lanterns were replaced by gas lamps which are still in use today albeit electrified.

Ghost stories abound in the Christmas Steps area. It is thought by many that property on the south side of Christmas Steps  may have been built on land which was formerly a cemetery. Stories of ghosts of a young Victorian girl and a lady dressed all in black are alleged to have appeared to residents of Christmas Steps.

Above and including the ancient and beautiful stepped lane knows as Christmas Steps is the fascinating shopping area dating back to the 1600′s where today one can find a dwindling array of independent shops, including fine art, design, instrument makers, antiques, fancy dress and jokes, clockmaker, bespoke dressmaker, vintage clothing, philately, hair salon  etc. etc. Well worth a visit.

Amid the picturesque surroundings of the medieval Christmas Steps are the seven streets       hosting fascinating shops, galleries, studios and creative outlets. With its own theatre, museum, pubs, cafes and restaurants one is sure to have a memorable visit.

Find more fascinating and informative articles on Activ Bristol.

 

 



By: Activ Bristol

About the Author: