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Christmas Steps is a historic street in the city centre of Bristol, England.

Christmas Steps
Looking down Christmas Steps
Christmas Steps Location within Bristol
OS grid reference	ST586731
Unitary authority	Bristol
Ceremonial county	Bristol
Region	South West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BRISTOL
Postcode district	BS
Dialling code	0117
Police	Avon and Somerset
Fire	Avon
Ambulance	South Western
List of places UK England Bristol 51.4561°N 2.5968°W / 51.4561; -2.5968

Name

The street was originally called Queene Street after the 1574 visit of Queen Elizabeth 1st to Bristol. It became Christmas Steps in the mid 19th century. This was probably down to simply being referred by locals due to being next door to Christmas Street, formerly known as Knyfesmyth Street, after the tradesmen there. The Middle English pronunciation of Knyfesmyth, with the K sounded, may be the origin of the street's modern name, Christmas simply being a corruption of Knife-Smith. An alternative less likely theory is that it is based on the nativity scene found in a stained glass window of The Chapel of the Three Kings of Cologne, which stands at the top of the steps.

In the 17th century, after 1669, the steps are also believed to have been called Lunsford's Stairs for a short period, in honour of a Cavalier officer Colonel Henry (Thomas in some sources) Lunsford who was shot through the heart in the street during the first siege of Bristol in 1643 during the English Civil War.[1]

After the main set of steps the steps continue on the other side of Colston Street (1870) and then again across Perry Road (1868), leading to St Michael's Church. These steps were originally unbroken by the 2 roads and known as St. Michael's steps (on the 1855 G C Ashmead map)

History

The steep-slanted steps were constructed in September 1669 and were paid for by wealthy wine merchant, Jonathan Blackwell.[2][3] 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.[4]

The four flights of steps which are replacements from 1865 - 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]

In popular culture

• The song Christmas Steps by Mogwai is named after the street.
• Appears in the last chapter of Terry Pratchett's novel Dodger as the location of the pharmacist where Dodger buys hair dyes to disguise himself and Simplicity.

Gallery

• 
  Looking up Christmas Steps
• 
  Plaque
• 
  Metal sign at the top of Christmas Steps

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Christmas Steps.

• Christmas Steps Shopping

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