Christmas Steps (road)

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Christmas Steps
latitude= 51.4558
longitude= -2.5965
map_type= Bristol
civil_parish=
population =
unitary_england= Bristol
lieutenancy_england= Bristol
region= South West England
constituency_westminster=
post_town= BRISTOL
postcode_district = BS
postcode_area= BS
dial_code= 0117
os_grid_reference= ST586731

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

The steps were constructed, at a steep slant, in September 1669 and were paid for by a wealthy wine merchant, Jonathan Blackwell.cite book |last=Burrough |first=THB |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Bristol |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista |location=London |isbn=0289798043 ] [cite web | title=history | work=Christmas Steps | url=http://www.christmassteps.co.uk/ | accessdate=2007-05-13] 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. [cite web | title=Christmas Steps | work=About Bristol | url=http://www.about-bristol.co.uk/out-02.asp | accessdate=2007-05-13]

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. [cite web | title=Christmas Steps: Ghosts, myths and fish ‘n’ chips | work=BBC | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/content/articles/2004/07/12/christmas_steps_feature.shtml | accessdate=2007-05-13]

The four flights of steps which are dated 1865 and 1881 are grade II listed buildings, [cite web | title=Four flights of steps, niches flanking top flight and plaque | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=379134 | accessdate=2007-05-13] and are now home to a variety of shops.

The listed buildings on the steps include:
* No.1 The Sugar Loaf Public House c1720 [cite web | title=No.1 The Sugar Loaf Public House | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=380316 | accessdate=2007-05-13]
* No 12 c1800 [cite web | title=No.12 Christmas Steps | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=379128 | accessdate=2007-05-13]
* No 13 & 14 c1800 [cite web | title=No.13&14 Christmas Steps | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=379129 | accessdate=2007-05-13]
* No 15 Late C17, refronted early C19 [cite web | title=No.15 Christmas Steps | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=379130 | accessdate=2007-05-13]
* No 16 early C19 [cite web | title=No.16 Christmas Steps | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=379131 | accessdate=2007-05-13]
* N0 18-19 early C19 [cite web | title=No.17-19 Christmas Steps | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=379132 | accessdate=2007-05-13]
* No 20 early C19 [cite web | title=No.20 Christmas Steps | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=379133 | accessdate=2007-05-13]
* No 3 c1800 [cite web | title=No.3 Christmas Steps | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=379123 | accessdate=2007-05-13]
* No 4 c1800 [cite web | title=No.4 Christmas Steps | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=379124 | accessdate=2007-05-13]
* No 5 c1800 [cite web | title=No.5 Christmas Steps | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=379125 | accessdate=2007-05-13]
* No 6 & 7 c1800 [cite web | title=No.6 & 7 Christmas Steps | work=Images of England | url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?id=379126 | accessdate=2007-05-13]

References

External links

* [http://visitbristol.co.uk/site/christmas-steps-p23161 Christmas Steps Shopping]

Gallery