Bath & Bristol Weekend

Friday 16 April

We travel to Bristol with a comfort stop en-route, arriving for some free time to explore the city in the afternoon before checking into the 4* Mercure Bristol Holland House Hotel in time for dinner.

Saturday 17 April

Bristol is a real melting pot of architecture through the ages from the ruins of the Norman castle in Castle Park, to the gothic masterpieces of Bristol Cathederal and St Mary Redcliffe. A stroll around the Georgian streets of Clifton and Redland is as picturesque as it is relaxing.

Scenes from the recent BBC drama Wolf Hall was filmed in the area and Bristol is a haven of Tudor history. Ashton Ashton Court Mansion and the Red Lodge Museum, with its Elizabethan Knot garden, are fine examples of Tudor Bristol. If you’re more interested in fossils, rocks and other gems however, head to Bristol Museum and Art Gallery for a walk through our natural history where some fascinating items found in nearby areas such as Mangotsfield are on display. Bristol has an incredibly rich maritime history, being one of the major ports for trade. A visit to M Shed Museum documents the history of Bristol or go below deck on the SS Great Britain, just one of Brunel's magnificent pieces of work. Tour the ship, climb the rigging, head deep into the Dry Dock and meet Victorian passengers and explore two additional museums in the historic dockyard.

Sunday 18 April

We spend a morning in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Bath. Built for pleasure and relaxation, beautiful Bath has been a wellbeing destination since Roman times. The waters are still a big draw, both at the ancient Roman Baths and the thoroughly modern Thermae Bath Spa, which houses the only natural thermal hot springs in Britain you can bathe in. Bath’s compact, visitor-friendly centre is overflowing with places to eat and drink, plus some of the finest independent shops in Britain, making it the ideal city break. Immerse yourself in Bath’s remarkable collection of museums and galleries, and enjoy year-round festivals, theatre, music and sports. Bath's stunning honey-coloured Georgian architecture is straight from a Jane Austen novel – highlights include the iconic Royal Crescent and the majestic Circus. This afternoon we take a gentle drive through the Mendip hills and the spectacular Cheddar Gorge.

Monday 19 April

On our return we will take a lunch break in Marlborough, returning home late afternoon.

D=Dinner, B=Breakfast