Is Bristol Any Good?
Discussion
Sorry for the non-car related post but I know a lot of south west PHers are based in Bristol.
Basically, is it any good for a weekend visit? Shopping, food, things to see etc?
I'm planning on taking the other half away end of November and was looking at options. We're in plymouth so we've done a far bit to the west in Cornwall and wondered about going East instead?
Would rather not go to London for obvious reasons and was thinking about train up, bit of shopping, nice hotel, maybe some sort of spa place? And then dinner/show etc in the evening?
That near to Xmas is there much on? Xmas market and the like?
Basically, is it any good for a weekend visit? Shopping, food, things to see etc?
I'm planning on taking the other half away end of November and was looking at options. We're in plymouth so we've done a far bit to the west in Cornwall and wondered about going East instead?
Would rather not go to London for obvious reasons and was thinking about train up, bit of shopping, nice hotel, maybe some sort of spa place? And then dinner/show etc in the evening?
That near to Xmas is there much on? Xmas market and the like?
MG511 said:
With your criteria I think you'd be better off having a weekend in Bath. There is always a winter market, excellent selection of places to eat and drink, plenty of shops (better range of independent shops than Bristol) and of course the Therme spa. Loads of museums, interesting buildings etc too.
I did consider it but I know even less about Bath than Bristol!Just want a nice chilled weekend away together plus it's her birthday and I owe her a decent one!
Mud_ said:
I'm from Bristol, go to Bath 
I'll leave you to research both, but it's only a brief train ride between them if you wanted to stop into Bristol to see the Clifton suspension bridge and SS Great Britain, etc.
Cop out! I'll leave you to research both, but it's only a brief train ride between them if you wanted to stop into Bristol to see the Clifton suspension bridge and SS Great Britain, etc.
I came here to have you lot make all decisions for me!
(I'm great at ideas but crap at execution!)
In other unsurprising news , Bath is bloody expensive!
Jesus I wish I could make decisions!
Bath looks a bit posher and more what I had in mind all be it to break the bank along the way!
I had looked at the Mercure in Bristol initially as they've got a pool spa bit too. I've got to consider it'll be deepest darkest November and if it's pissing down were not going to want to wander around town!
So I guess it's...
Bath vs Bristol?
Spa day vs Shopping/Wandering
£££££ vs £££
Bath looks a bit posher and more what I had in mind all be it to break the bank along the way!
I had looked at the Mercure in Bristol initially as they've got a pool spa bit too. I've got to consider it'll be deepest darkest November and if it's pissing down were not going to want to wander around town!
So I guess it's...
Bath vs Bristol?
Spa day vs Shopping/Wandering
£££££ vs £££
miniman said:
Wowsars, that looks well impressive! Bit cheaper than some of the spa hotel places, if I could a decent city centre hotel/resturant and a train that doesn't cost a bomb (and a half) we might be on!miniman said:
MiniMan64 said:
miniman said:
MiniMan64 said:
Cock.
You buggers have sold me on Bath and now there's no hotel available for that weekend (that won't need a 2nd mortgage to pay for!)
Have you tried Three Abbey Green?You buggers have sold me on Bath and now there's no hotel available for that weekend (that won't need a 2nd mortgage to pay for!)
There must be something on that weekend, no where is empty! That's online though so i may try a few phone calls on Monday once the other half is out of earshot!
ManOpener said:
If you want somewhere great to eat in Bath that won't break the bank, try Sotto Sotto
http://sottosotto.co.uk/
Best Italian food I've had outside of Italy and a fantastic location too.
Fully booked I'm afraid. http://sottosotto.co.uk/
Best Italian food I've had outside of Italy and a fantastic location too.
I think I've found a hotel though, The Abbey Hotel popped up as available that night and although it's a "Small Room" it looks pretty nice and is not mental on price so will give them a ring later (I always prefer dealing direct!) It's got a decent looking cocktail bar and the possibility of food too so I think that's covered.
Looking into the Therma Spa too although I'm thinking that might be good on Sunday morning before we go home and give us some time to wander on Saturday afternoon.
My last debate now I think is train versus car? Cheapest train I can get is £60 and I love the idea of not faffing around on the M5 or stressing about directions and parking!
On the other hand, 3 hours on the train? Hmm....
ewenm said:
MiniMan64 said:
Nope and nope.
There must be something on that weekend, no where is empty! That's online though so i may try a few phone calls on Monday once the other half is out of earshot!
End of November is the start of the Bath Christmas Market - town will be full for 3 weeks!There must be something on that weekend, no where is empty! That's online though so i may try a few phone calls on Monday once the other half is out of earshot!
If you like steak, then I recommend Hudson's Steakhouse. Fantastic food.
Parking - speak to the hotel about what they recommend, but it's generally expensive for long stay. Train might be easier and you can always enjoy a drink or two en route.
ewenm said:
MiniMan64 said:
That was kind of my thinking but I never quite trust train services, particularly in the South West!
There are places to park for free but they're a bit of a walk from the city centre. Possibility of dropping stuff at the hotel then going off to park somewhere of course.Train up there, drinks (2 1/2 hours £60 on train line)
Straight into hotel, dump bags,
Lunch somewhere, drink (seems to be plenty of choice)
Christmas shopping/market/city centre wandering (it'll November, so cold and wet)
back to hotel, change
Dinner out somewhere (recommended steakhouse?)
Back to hotel cocktail bar, late night
Late night with no kids (yay!)
Lie in
Breakfast (expensive but necessary)
couple of hours at spa (pool for me, massage/facial etc for her)
lunch
train home (back to the madness)
As an interesting bonus The Abbey Hotel seems to have an Apres Ski Bar which looks great! http://abbeyhotelbath.co.uk/pop-ups/apres-ski-bar/
bockaaarck said:
Parking is a pain in the @rse in town to be honest. If I was travelling from your neck of the woods I would train it, unless you have parking at the hotel or they can provide a permit for you to park. Your hotel is in a great location though, slap bang in town!
I can get a £60 return train Ply-Bath for both of us so I might go with that, gets in and leaves lunchtime so I might save the Spa for Sunday morning, shopping and drinking saturday afternoon. On a side note, I love booking hotels...
Ring directly which I always prefer to do, "no sorry, we only sell rooms that weekend for 2 nights"
Go to Booking.com which and you can book a single night room whenever you want.
Mad.
T o m said:
ManOpener said:
If you want somewhere great to eat in Bath that won't break the bank, try Sotto Sotto
http://sottosotto.co.uk/
Best Italian food I've had outside of Italy and a fantastic location too.
Clicked the thread just to comment this. Shame it's booked (a common issue), the food really is brilliant. http://sottosotto.co.uk/
Best Italian food I've had outside of Italy and a fantastic location too.
Booked it for lunch instead, Thearma spa in the evening as long as it's not too busy I hope.
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