Sport travellers need only point their compass to the west of England to find a weekend full of sporting, cultural and historical experiences. Sports Tourism Media’s Ramy James Salameh did exactly that and found two destinations uniquely distinct, offering many wonderfully different qualities and characteristics.
Located just a 90-minute train ride from London, and just 12 minutes apart, Bath and Bristol make the ideal twin-centre sports travel weekend away. The former is an Unesco world heritage city and as quintessentially English as is possible to get, (think Bridgerton, filmed in the city) with period Georgian architecture around every corner and surrounded by nature. Bath is world-famous for its thermal waters, which have been enjoyed since before the Romans arrived. Add in boutique shops, hotels and cosy parks, and it becomes a super attractive proposition.
Bristol is a young, creative and innovative city, with a multitude of multi-nationals and major global firms calling it their home. It has a very strong urban culture that has produced the likes of world-famous street artist Banksy. Bristolians are known for their quirkiness, accents, irreverence and fun nature and they want you to experience their thriving culture, first-rate nightlife and proximity to the great outdoors.
10 experiences not to miss…
Roman Baths & Pump Room, Bath
It is impossible to come to Bath and not experience the famous thermal waters, and even more unthinkable not to tick-off the bucket list the Roman Baths, followed by high tea in the Pump Room. This Unesco heritage site is one to tick-off the bucket list; keep your eyes peeled for costumed characters, in between the Roman colonnades, making your experience even more immersive, before moving to the exquisitely elegant Pump Room for a tea. There can be few places that can present such outstanding history in such an iconic venue, which combines 2,000 years of history, part of the city’s Unesco world heritage status and includes the neo-classical architecture, all on the one footprint.
Blowing Bath’s blue glass baubles
Looking for an experiential activities, that lets you take home a souvenir you have created, then BathAquaGlass ticks another box. Bath is famous for its blue glass which features in the stain glass of Bath Abbey. The “bauble making” experience takes place at the wonderful Theatre of Glass, its studio and factory shop located on Walcot Street. Personally-created baubles will be hand signed with Bath and the year.
Bridgerton tour of Bath
Want to have a guided city tour that keeps everyone on their toes and healthy, then consider arranging a private guided tour of Bath’s filming locations of Netflix’s hit show Bridgerton. This immersive walking tour around Bath includes headphones to showcase the music and sounds used in the series.
Star-gazing atop Bath Abbey with astronomers
This magnificent Abbey is truly awe-inspiring, even if you just have a tour or even descend into the remodelled crypt. Fan vaulted ceilings, honey gold walls and stunning stain glass windows, pour colour into this historic edifice, which has been around in its present form since medieval times. Why not add another dimension with a pre-booked star-gazing tour led by Bath Astronomers and climb the tower for some moon and star gazing.
Climb the rigging/mast of Brunel’s SS Great Britain, Bristol
If you want to test whether you have a head for heights, then challenge yourself to climbing the ship’s rigging to a mast platform, and then out along the main yard of Brunel’s SS Great Britain. Now a museum ship (do not call it a boat, Bristolians will get red with rage) designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, it once carried a huge cargo of coal to San Francisco, sailed around the world 33 times and when launched from her dry dock in Bristol was the largest ship in the world. Once the rigging has been conquered, go below deck for an immersive look back at the life of the crew or even go below (sea level) of the “glass sea”, to view the hull from this unique perspective. This is Bristol’s No.1 visitor attraction.
Check-in for boarding on Concorde at Aerospace Bristol
One of the UK’s ultimate aerospace venues, which allows visitors to walk underneath the body and wings of Concorde, climb on-board and (for private groups) dine around this majestic plane for a seated dinner. This is not just any Concorde, but the last Concorde to ever fly, and is complimented by exhibits charting aviation history. Stepping on-board visitors have a chance to see the cockpit, and sit in seats that have carried global super stars, which is a rare episode in itself. Concorde is a magnificent piece of aerospace engineering, housed within its own hanger, incorporating a museum and smaller meeting spaces, including a lecture-style theatre. If you are looking to be wowed then this is the place to do it.
The Wave: Bristol’s inland surf destination
Follow in the footsteps of Wave clients, such as the Premier League, who recently used it as a corporate weekend away. This surfing lake fans-out across beautiful parkland, combining technology, nature and wellbeing. Don a wet suit and learn to surf on this man-made outdoor wave facility. Families and groups can stay onsite at The Camp, which is a very comfortable glamping experience; 25 tents for up to eight people each complete with kitchenette and wood-burner.
St Nick’s Night Market, Bristol
This is a culinary and acoustic surprise at St Nick’s Night Market, spread around the Glass Arcade, Corn Exchange and Corn Street. The event happens four times a year in the very heart of the city and is an activity which touches all the senses; street vendors, musicians and an array of performers delight a thronging crowd. Whilst exploring an eclectic mix of cuisines, fabulously presented across the cobbles, why not make it extra special and drop into the Harbour Hotel for some famous cocktails in its design-led and chic bar area.
Boating and paddle boarding on the River Avon
For those who like to relax with a drink and take-in the sites of Bristol Harbour then step-aboard the glass roofed ‘Bristol Packet Boat’. It can also be your private mode of transport between city centre hotels and the historic SS Great Britain, Bristol’s number 1 attraction. For the more adventurous, why not view Bristol from a totally new perspective and go paddle boarding through the city’s historic waterways. There are few better ways to to bond amongst friends and family, with one of the UK’s fastest growing water sports!
Bristol Beacon: a hub for the city’s music industry
By 2023 the Bristol Beacon will offer a main concert hall with around 1,750 seats, part of three international standard performance spaces and a national centre for music performance, education and enterprise. This venue will host major events in the city whilst supporting the cultural future of Bristol, by providing the city and South West with a world-class concert venue.
For more information on Bath and Bristol see visitwest.co.uk
