Things to do in Wotton-under-Edge

London’s long and tumultuous history is written upon the face of the city, and the River Thames has watched it all. A 19th-century Member of Parliament, John Burns, said it best: “The Mississippi is muddy water, but the Thames is liquid history.” In modern-day London, history comes to life on the 70 wharves, which have remained in operation after centuries. As you make your way down the river’s dark waters, you will enjoy a unique snapshot of life in this dynamic but resolutely historical city.

Gloucester Docks is a stylish commercial and residential waterfront district with many things to do. Attend maritime festivals, visit ancient ruins and shop at antique stores, boutiques and well-known retailers. Gloucester Docks was once Britain’s most inland port and traded in everything from fruit and grain to timber, wine and wool. Today, the Victorian merchant warehouses have been converted into a contemporary space that mixes tourism with maritime heritage.

At Cabot Circus Shopping Centre you can shop at popular brand-name stores, dine on contemporary cuisine and have fun at an adventure golf course. Cabot Circus Shopping Centre opened in 2008 and replaced a precinct of post-war retail buildings. It features three split-level shopping streets covered by a striking shell-shaped roof. The roof’s glass panels create the effect of an outdoor mall while protecting visitors from unfavorable weather conditions.

The Clifton Suspension Bridge spans the River Avon and links Clifton, a shopping district in Bristol, to Leigh Woods in the county of Somerset. Opened in 1864, the bridge is the brainchild of renowned mechanical and civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It has become a major landmark of the area, and is worth visiting even if you don’t need to cross it.

The Roman Baths is a famous historical landmark encompassing several ancient bathhouses and a museum. Walk around the site to learn more about the rituals and practices of bathing, which were an integral part of life in Roman society.