Name the Bristol locations from these stunning ‘then and now’ aerial photographs

Put your Bristol knowledge to the test. To operate ‘slider’ move cursor across the photographs
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From post-war estates to the ever-changing harbourside to the grounds of our proud football clubs, Bristol has evolved over the generations - as these incredible aerial shots over the city show.

Sourced from Bristol Archives, the pictures are taken from aeroplanes - most around in the 1930s - and show a sparcer and, let’s be honest, a greener Bristol. Fast forward to today, and using Google Earth, we can see the impact of industrial and housing developments.

And so, while putting these together, we decided to put our readers’ knowledge to the test. Here are nine ‘sliding’ then and now pictures of different parts or locations in the city. How many can you get right? Answer under every picture

Also, tell us if you want us to create any ‘sliding then and now’ pictures by emailing [email protected]

1)

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Knowle West - Urban planners might have got this. Yes, this picture shows the 1930s layout of the Knowle West council housing estate. The old picture is not long after construction with Crossways Road coming to an abupt end in the bottom right hand corner! The estate was built to help clear the inner-city slums of the city and create healthier living conditions for families.

2)

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Castle Park and city centre - Ok, this one is easy with the layout recognisable and many of the buildings still standing. One part which has changed is the replanning of Castle Park with the removal of roads and car parking to create a larger green space which is often busy on sunny days. The church of St Mary Le Port can be seen today - but the buildings around it are boarded up and could form part of an approved plan for shops, cafes and offices.

3)

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Ham Green Hospital, Pill - Slightly outside Bristol this one, but we didn’t want to make it too easy for you. This picture shows the hospital on the south bank of the River Avon. At the time, in the 1930s, it served as a site to treat infections and diseases as well as one to provide care for tuberculous patients through the opening of the Sanatorium Buildings. The hospital was also served by its own railway station on the Portishead line.

4)

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Memorial Ground, Horfield - Any Bristol Rovers supporter not getting this will be kicking themselves - although the club has only been at the stadium since 1996 following the closure of its Eastville site and a short spell in Bath. This picture shows the ground when it was a rugby pitch - dedicated to the local rugby union players killed in the First World War. Bristol Bears moved from the site to Ashton Gate in 2014.

5)

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Ashton Gate - We obviously could not do Rovers, without featuring City, so here was probably your easiest picture - and what a transformation the area has seen. No date is on the first picture, but it was taken after Bristol City merged with Bedminster FC and moved from a pitch in St John’s Lane to Ashton Gate in 1900. Covered terraces can be seen on two sides of the pitch. In 1928, a new covered terrace was added behind the goal at the south-eastern side of the pitch.

6)

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North Street - The Tobacco Factory at the centre of this picture may have given this away. The factory, once featuring a chimney, was used by Imperial Tobacco until 1985. After falling into disrepair, it was later saved and formed part of a model of urban regeneration by former Mayor George Ferguson. It was reopened as a theatre space in 1998, before a cafe and bar joined it in 2001. North Street is now one of the most gentrified streets in Bristol.

7)

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Floating harbour - Again, most people should get this as the actual outline of the harbour has not changed much since the 1920s, when the older picture was taken. What has changed is the road network and the removal of Bristol Harbour Railway, which ran to Temple Meads. A mile of the railway was restored in 1978. Also, notice industry lines the water where now houses and harbour inlets with boats are located.

8)

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Kingswood - A difficult one. This old picture taken from the 1950s show the Douglas Aero works before closure in 1957. The company was a motorcycle manufacturer which had its headquarters in Kingswood. It also made cars between 1913 and 1922. Much of the factory is still disused and forms part of South Gloucestershire Council’s masterplan to provide new homes.

9)

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Brislington - Last but not least is the urban village of Brislington with the pictures showing further growth in housing from the 1930s to today. Changes include the abandonment of the Bristol and North Somerset Railway, which went from Temple Meads toward Whitchurch and Pensford, and closed in 1959. The Bath Road is clear to see in both pictures along with the junction with West Town Lane - although it would have been quieter at rush hour 50 years ago!

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