City Inn Bristol

Where to find prostitutes in 1904 England towns such as Bristol.?

I'm writing a story in which a very prominent man (one that is so against the lower class that he refuses to visit the LOCAL inns or pubs so that he doesn't have to mix with anyone lower than him) becomes so desperate for the companionship of a prostitute that he goes out to find one. My problem? I'm in America and have NO idea where a man in England in the early 1900's would specifically go to find such a woman. Would he be able to find a prostitute in a pub or were there special houses (brothels) for such a thing or were they just on the streets soliciting themselves? I realize that all of the above may have been a possible place to find a prostitute, so what I'm MAINLY asking is- Where was the most prominent place that a very rich and secretive man might go to in order to find him such a woman? As well, this must be a place in which there would most definitely be men there such as pimps that would protect the woman if she were being hurt. Thank you and all answers are appreciated even if it's just a link to check out. I'm on Wikipedia right now, but I kind of need specifics. Thanks bunches!! Ashley Kirsty- that must have been a little scary. :-P Thanks. It doesn't give me a place for back then, but it gives me a name to check out to see how long "that's" been going on perhaps. Wow! Thanks to everyone. You've all given me great places to start from in my search to be accurate. By the way, I'm an American living in America, so I'm not quite sure how I'd come into easy contact with some of the people and libraries that have been mentioned, but I'll certainly try. Thanks so very, very much!

Public Comments

1. Most English cities and large towns had their share of prostitutes in the early 1900s, although they tended to "operate" in defined areas. In a city like Bristol, a common place to find a prostitute was near the docks as visiting sailors often "needed" their services. In certain cities, there were high-class brothels which catered for the needs of the upper class. Although there were a number in the London area (some quite famous), I am not aware of any in the West Country (although I would have thought they existed). Can I suggest using an "adult" search engine and entering "Bristol+brothel" and see where it takes you. However, expect to see some pornography on the way!
2. I know where they are at the moment if that helps.... Portland Square!
3. I REALLY don't recommend using a search engine! Your query is way too specific for that. Have a wander down to your local library, Bristol Central, maybe, and ask if they have a local history section (or phone to avoid wasting the trip). There are archives and records detailing Bristol's history kept at the major universities (Bristol and UWE) and I know that UWE does a course in Bristolian history so they could be good people to get in touch with!
4. Brandon Hill was fairly notorious during the first half of the 1900's (my mother and Aunt were grounded for mentioning that they had been for a walk there!) and the Seamen's Mission was in Portland Square so I've no doubt that the ladies of the night found their way along there! Denmark Street at the bottom of Park Street was a Red Light District 70 years ago - a pub maybe called The Leopard"? You could base your novel around places still standing like the Llandowger Trow in King Street or Christmas Steps leading up from the City Centre to Park Row In Bedminster there was a pub at the bottom of Windmill Hill called "The Spotted Horse" where my Gt. grandfather was the Licensee - he died of D.T.'s at the age of 39 so it sounds a fairly disreputable place! He was baptised 1834 so comes into your era. The area of Hotwells leads from the Docks in the direction of Clifton (wealthy area) and people went there to drink the waters so another possible place for prostitutes to hang out especially as the buildings there were cheap tenements. The "Agony Aunt" - Patricia for the Bristol & Avon Family History Society is a wealth of local knowledge and I would recommend bending her ear. The Central Library is at College Green, Bristol 1, and it has a very large Local History Section with helpful archivists.