Although not Bristolian himself, while you are in the city, you will hear a hell of a lot about Mr. Brunel, the renowned and revolutionary engineer, workaholic and semi-officially the 2nd Greatest Briton! Ever! We popped along to his statue in Temple Quay to pose him a few questions about his favourite city:

What are your all-time top-five landmarks in Bristol?
1. In 1833 I was appointed chief engineer of the Great Western Railway to oversee the construction of a line from London to Bristol. I needed two suitably dramatic stations at either end and so I designed Paddington and Temple Meads. It’s a pretty spectacular entrance to Bristol if I don’t say so myself!
2. My SS Great Britain was the largest vessel the world had ever seen when she was launched in 1843. She was an ocean-going ship carrying over 700 passengers to New York and now stands proud and restored in Bristol’s dry dock on the harbour.
3. Original one of my warehouses, you can now go to the Severnshed to enjoy posh food and booze right under the roof I designed.
4. Bristol’s Floating Harbour with its system of lock gates was constructed in the 13th century to keep the river levels constant but in 1848 it was in desperate need of improvements so Bristol City Council hired me and I did a gert lush job.
5. Best of all though, has to be my first love, my darling; the world renowned Clifton Suspension Bridge. At 700ft she was the longest bridge in the world and though I didn’t quite last to see her finished, she stands proud as a fitting memorial to me and my thanks to this wonderful city.

What advice would you give to a new student starting out in the city?
First thing you should do is walk the Brunel Mile; it’s a pedestrian route from Temple Meads to the SS GB taking in the harbour, some fantastic views of Bristol and lots of panels and statues about me me me!