Bristol, once an industrial town driven by heavy manufacturing, is today a thriving cultural hub known for its alternative and quirky lifestyle centered around the Harbourside Area. Bristol's story is showcased in the M Shed Museum, a former dockside transit shed, featuring innovative schedule of events and exhibitions. The Clifton Suspension Bridge soars above the Avon Gorge spanning the River Avon, connecting Bristol to North Somerset and is a magnificent landmark steeped in history along with the 19th-century SS Great Britain, a feat of maritime engineering, which at the time of its launch was the world's longest passenger ship. A love affair with the arts scene is expressed along the city's streets, which host street art by the infamous artist Banksy, music venues and annual summer festivals.