alternative name he provides suggests that some people continued to call the steps by the old name of 'Steep Street'. The steps were described as 'Queen Str Steps' in the 1824 Ashmead map of Bristol and 'Queen Street' in the 1874 Ashmead Map. However, by the time of the official town plans of Bristol (1879–88), as well as the first Ordnance Survey maps of the late nineteenth century, the street is described as 'Christmas Steps'. It seems likely that this represented the formal adoption of a popular local name for the steps. 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 on the Mount Without. 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 new made in September 1669 and were paid for by wealthy wine merchant, Jonathan Blackwell. At the top of the steps, the stairs are flanked by stone alcoves, similar in design to the stone alcove seats found in many churches. These were presumably to allow people to rest on the long climb up to St Michael's. The steps and the alcoves were rebuilt from 1865 - 1881. They are classified as are grade II listed buildings by Historic England. Christmas Steps are now home to a variety of small shops, galleries, cafes and bars, also known as 'Christmas Steps Arts Quarter'. The listed buildings on the steps include: No.1 The Sugar Loaf Public House c1720 No 12 c1800 No 13 & 14 c1800 No 15 Late C17, refronted early C19 No 16 early C19 N0 18-19 early C19 No 20 early C19 No 3 c1800 No 4 c1800 No 5 c1800 No 6 & 7 c1800 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 References External links Christmas Steps Shopping Streets in Bristol Grade II listed buildings in Bristol Infrastructure completed in 1720 1720 establishments in England