Local attractions
| Bristol has a long and interesting history dating back to Anglo-Saxon times with a rich maritime heritage, second only to London, and by the mid 18th century it became England's second biggest city. Isambard Kingdom Brunel attracted further investment into the area and his legacy remains to this day with the magnificent Clifton Suspension Bridge, the SS Great Britain and Temple Meads Railway Station. Bristol is the largest and most dynamic city in the South West, bolstered by the British Aerospace Industry, as well as Rolls Royce, and home now to the retired Concorde originally built and tested at Filton in the mid 1960s. Bristol's harbourside renaissance began in the 1970s with the opening of the Arnolfini, a renowned contemporary arts centre, and its regeneration continued in the 80s with the opening of the Watershed; Britain's first media centre. Bath, as legend has it, was founded in 860 BC when Prince Bladud, father of King Lear, caught leprosy and discovered the healing properties of the hot mud. It is also rumored that Bath has a connection to King Arthur as the site for the Battle of Mount Badon. Over the centuries Bath has been built up to the magnificent city it is today with landmark sites such as The Theatre Royal, The Kennet and Avon Canal, the Royal Victoria Park, Parade Bridge and, of course, the old Roman Baths and Pump Room. Other famous landmarks in the city include seven museums, Queen Square, The Circus, the Royal Crescent, the Assembly Rooms, the National Centre of Photography, the Podium Shopping Centre and Putney Bridge. In 1987 Bath was declared a World Heritage Site and the city continues to thrive today with visitors to its many historic venues; it has even returned to its glory days as a new Thermae Bath Spa opened its doors offering a genuinely unique experience for residents and visitors alike. Weston-super-Mare was predominantly built in the Victorian era but Art Deco influences can be seen in much of the town's architecture. Its oldest structure, Worlebury Camp, however dates back to the Iron Age. The most famous landmark in the town is The Grand Pier which is currently under re-construction due to a fire outbreak in 2008. This wonderful sea-side town has a host of venues to visit including The SeaQuarium, The Helicopter Museum, The Playhouse and the Winter Gardens and Pavilion. In the centre of the town is Ellenborough Park which is listed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the range of plant species found there; or you can take a day trip on the Paddle Steamer Waverley or MV Balmoral from Knightstone Island to various destinations along the Bristol Channel and Severn estuary. This town is also host to some increasingly popular events annually: the Weston Beach Race is a Motorcross Enduro event, the televised T4 On The Beach live concert hosted by Channel 4's youth programme T4, the International HeliDays weekend with displays by the Red Arrows and, of course, the town is part of the West Country Carnival circuit when the floats parade through the streets. As for nearby attractions, tourists should visit the infamous Berkeley Castle, Clevedon Beach, Cheddar Gorge, Wookey Hole and Dyrham Park. The hotel is also ideally located for visits to Glastonbury and Wells. • Bristol Airport - LESS THAN 3 MILES AWAY • Bristol Museum • Bristol Cathedral • Bristol Zoo • Weston Super Mare • Blagdon • Taunton • Cheddar |
