Fluid Dynamics describes a tremendous variety of phenomena from the large scale (e.g. weather and ocean systems on Earth and other planets or stars) through medium scales (e.g. the flow around Grand Prix racing cars) to very small scale (e.g. microdroplets for drug delivery). Our main aim is to understand how the nonlinear character of the hydro-dynamic equation leads to the wealth of flow properties observed. These can range from the formation of novel flow structures, in particular those covering many length scales, to fully turbulent flows. We are also pushing beyond the boundaries of classical hydrodynamics by studying polymeric fluids, granular media and flows on the nanoscale. This places our group at a junction between mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering and geophysics. Our in-house fluid dynamics laboratory keeps us closely connected to the ‘real world’, and presents us with ever new theoretical challenges. Traditional research into fluid dynamics at Bristol involves free surface flows, especially water waves (Dr Richard Porter), and turbulence and transition to turbulence (Prof Rich Kerswell). More recently, it expanded to include granular media and article laden flows and complex fluids (Dr Andrew Hogg; Prof Rich Kerswell, FRS; Prof Jens Eggers) and vertical flows (Prof Rich Kerswell).