In the historic seaport city of Bristol, southwest of England

 “This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.” – Richard III, Shakespeare

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(in the southwest of England) The historic seaport city of Bristol is located about 120 miles (192 km) west of London at the confluence of the Avon and Frome rivers. Just west of the city, the Avon flows into the estuary of the Severn River, which empties into Bristol Channel of the Atlantic Ocean, about eight miles to the northwest. From Clifton's iconic suspension bridge to Brunel's groundbreaking SS Great Britain (via steam boats and trains), Bristol is a city that proudly reflects its past -- one that is quite engagingly exhibited. Clamber up the rigging of a mighty ship, venture a trip in a massive crane, don a hard hat to scramble beneath the Clifton Suspension Bridge, or chug all about in a local tug. Then there's the M Shed museum's innovative approach to learning, which cleverly juxtaposes past with near-present and prompts one to consider the links between the two. Bristol is known for its offbeat, alternative character, due to the counterculture vibe of some neighborhoods and a vivid street art scene. In communities like Stokes Croft, visitors find a wealth of art collectives and community-run cafes, while a range of festivals and the city's music venues, first-class theater, and an art-house cinema help to keep the culture churning. Perhaps surprisingly for one of England's largest cities, Bristol offers lots of ways to explore the outdoors. Although the docks aren't used so much these days, the waterways remain -- here you can learn to SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) and/or paddle kayaks and canoes. In Bristol, which also sits on hot springs, one can soak in naturally heated waters here, perhaps before heading over to the neighboring city of Bath. The nearby Avon Gorge offers excellent climbing, on one of the southwest's best bouldering walls, and the Bristol & Bath Railway Path offers 13 miles of cycle trails.