Christmas Steps (road)

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Christmas Steps
Christmas Steps (road) (Bristol)
Christmas Steps (road)

Christmas Steps shown within Bristol
OS grid reference ST586731
Unitary authority Bristol
Ceremonial county Bristol
Region South West
Constituent country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town BRISTOL
Postcode district BS
Dialling code 0117
Police Avon and Somerset
Fire Avon
Ambulance Great Western
European Parliament South West England
List of places: UK • England • Bristol

Coordinates: 51°27′21″N 2°35′47″W / 51.4558, -2.5965

Christmas Steps (grid reference ST586731) is a road in the city centre of Bristol England.

Looking down Christmas Steps
Looking down Christmas Steps

The steps were constructed, at a steep slant, in September 1669 and were paid for by a wealthy wine merchant, Jonathan Blackwell.[1][2] Prior to this there had been a steep, muddy and narrow street leading from the bridge over the Frome outside the city walls near the old St Bartholomew's Hospital, towards St Michael's church.[3]

The street was called Queene Street in medieval times, then it became known as Knyfesmyth Street, after those who traded there. The Middle English pronunciation of Knyfesmyth, with its initial K sounded, may be the origin of the street's modern name. An alternative origin is based on the nativity scene found in a stained glass window of The Chapel of the Three Kings of Cologne, which lies at the top of the steps. It is also believed to have been called Lonsford’s Stairs for a short time, in honour of a Cavalier officer of that name who was killed at the top of the steps during the siege of Bristol in the English Civil War.[4]

The four flights of steps which are dated 1865 and 1881 are grade II listed buildings,[5] and are now home to a variety of shops.

The listed buildings on the steps include:

  • No.1 The Sugar Loaf Public House c1720 [6]
  • No 12 c1800 [7]
  • No 13 & 14 c1800 [8]
  • No 15 Late C17, refronted early C19 [9]
  • No 16 early C19 [10]
  • N0 18-19 early C19 [11]
  • No 20 early C19 [12]
  • No 3 c1800 [13]
  • No 4 c1800 [14]
  • No 5 c1800 [15]
  • No 6 & 7 c1800 [16]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Burrough, THB (1970). Bristol. London: Studio Vista. ISBN 0289798043. 
  2. ^ history. Christmas Steps. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
  3. ^ Christmas Steps. About Bristol. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
  4. ^ Christmas Steps: Ghosts, myths and fish ‘n’ chips. BBC. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
  5. ^ Four flights of steps, niches flanking top flight and plaque. Images of England. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
  6. ^ No.1 The Sugar Loaf Public House. Images of England. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
  7. ^ No.12 Christmas Steps. Images of England. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
  8. ^ No.13&14 Christmas Steps. Images of England. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
  9. ^ No.15 Christmas Steps. Images of England. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
  10. ^ No.16 Christmas Steps. Images of England. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
  11. ^ No.17-19 Christmas Steps. Images of England. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
  12. ^ No.20 Christmas Steps. Images of England. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
  13. ^ No.3 Christmas Steps. Images of England. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
  14. ^ No.4 Christmas Steps. Images of England. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
  15. ^ No.5 Christmas Steps. Images of England. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
  16. ^ No.6 & 7 Christmas Steps. Images of England. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.

[edit] External links

[edit] Gallery

Looking up Christmas Steps

Plaque

Metal sign at the top of Christmas Steps