Bristol was one of Britain’s major cities during Medieval times and the Middle Ages. It was at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution so it is no surprise to learn that many of Bristol's attractions involve historical and architectural wonders. However, as the city is based by the sea, there are also some water related activities. Here are the top 10 places to visit in Bristol.

10: Steep Holm

Although this is not technically in the city of Bristol, you should definitely look to visit this island which is just 20 miles away. The Kenneth Allsop Memorial Trust purchased the island in 1976 and they are dedicated to preserving and enhancing it for the benefit of the public who get to see unique flora and fauna. http://www.steepholm.org/

9: Oakham Treasures

This is a museum that contains a collection of memorabilia including old farm equipment and tractors. There are original pieces of bric-a-brac that are still fully intact. There are also hundreds of products that were popular decades ago on display. It gives you an idea of what people bought decades ago and you can laugh at the awful advertising campaigns of bygone eras. http://www.oakhamtreasures.co.uk/

8: Chew Valley Lake

This is the largest lake in Bristol and is the fifth largest manmade lake in the UK and covers an area of 1,200 acres. This lake was created back in the 1950s and was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1956. Water is sometimes taken from the lake to help the natural River Chew. It is a splendid location for bird watching with more than 250 species discovered, including several rare species. http://www.riverchew.co.uk/

7: The Matthew

This is a replica of the original 'Matthew' ship that was used by John Cabot to sail from Bristol to Newfoundland in 1497. The ship was created in 1994 and brought to Bristol Harbour in 1996. The following year, the ship reconstructed Cabot’s famous voyage to celebrate its 500th Anniversary and was welcomed into Bonavista by Queen Elizabeth II. The ship is now available for offshore cruises and remains in Bristol Harbour when not in use. http://www.matthew.co.uk/

6: The Watershed

This was opened in 1982 and was designed to be the first dedicated media centre in the UK. It contains three cinemas, a number of conferencing spaces, a café and a bar. The Watershed plays host to film festivals and attracts up to half a million people a year. http://www.watershed.co.uk/

5: Bristol Aquarium

This is a fabulous building that is filled with exhibits featuring creatures of the deep. One of the highlights of the aquarium is the underwater tunnel which enables you to come face to face with the sea creatures while only being separated by two inches of glass. This gives you the chance to get closer to exotic fish than you could ever have imagined. http://www.bristolaquarium.co.uk/

4: Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm

This is a zoo and entertainment centre that covers approximately 100 acres. It is located just a few miles from the centre of Bristol and allows visitors to get close to a variety of domestic farmland and exotic animals. There are 12 indoor play areas and a special beehive maze. http://www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk/

3: Bristol Cathedral

The Cathedral was founded in 1140 and became a Cathedral for the Diocese of Bristol in 1542. The Cathedral features stunning architecture including tall Gothic windows and a skyline that doesn’t suggest that the building took 700 years to build. It is a Grade I listed building and a triumph of architecture. http://www.bristol-cathedral.co.uk/

2: Avon Valley Railway

This is a special heritage railway that spans three miles. The Avon Valley Railway Company Ltd. is in charge and maintains the trains and track. It features a host of steam and diesel locomotives and is estimated to attract 80,000 visitors a year. http://www.avonvalleyrailway.org/

1: SS Great Britain

This was an advanced passenger steamship which was created to transport people from Bristol to New York. It was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and was the first iron steamer to cross the Atlantic, a feat performed in 1845 where it took a world record time of 14 days to complete the journey. It is now docked in Bristol Harbour and attracts 170,000 visitors a year. http://www.ssgreatbritain.org/

Bristol’s history and location means that there will always be fascinating places for people with a love of history, industry and the ocean. And even if you aren’t interested in these things, the city has other amenities to keep you entertained.