# Headin' to Bristol, UK, in June! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 28, 2006, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headin-to-bristol-uk-in-june/350218 "2006-03-28T06:20:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kaspar\_Hauser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b3f665/32.png) [@Kaspar\_Hauser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaspar_Hauser)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2006, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headin-to-bristol-uk-in-june/350218/1 "2006-03-28T06:20:55Z")
I’m getting married in June, and the honeymoon’s gonna be five days in Edinburgh, then we shoot down to Bristol for four days. We picked Bristol because it seems such a nice alternative to London, which we’ve both been to, and central to Wales, the Cotswolds, Bath, etc. (Plus, there’s a Marriott there, and my dad got can get us a deal on Marriotts). What would your picks be for day trips in the area? We’d love to take a walk in the Cotswolds, and I have a few books to that end, but does anyone have any special suggestions? How’s the Cheddar Gorge? Wales? What about Bristol istself? I know it’s a seaside town and we’re big fans of that. ---
**Author:** ![yingtongtiddleipo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/f6c823/32.png) [@yingtongtiddleipo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yingtongtiddleipo)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2006, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headin-to-bristol-uk-in-june/350218/2 "2006-03-28T10:02:11Z")
Bristol is a lovely lovely place to visit (its not really a seaside town though!) Check out this website > **[Bristol Visitor Information - VisitBristol.co.uk](https://visitbristol.co.uk/your-visit/visitor-information)** > > All the essential information on Bristol Go and visit the Clifton Suspension Bridge - Its a beautiful walk and the views are marvellous > **[Things To Do in Bristol 2021 - what's open?](https://visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do)** > > Looking for Things To Do in Bristol?...Click here to get the latest information on Attractions, Activities, Tours & Sightseeing, Shopping & Entertainment recommendations! Check out the history of Isambard Kingdom Brunel - he was a genius Victorian engineer and designed stations, railways, bridges and a lot more - his influence is still felt across the world today > **[Visit Bristol - Official Bristol Tourist Information Site](https://visitbristol.co.uk/guide_book/brunels_bristol)** > > Planning on visiting Bristol?...Click here to get the latest information on Attractions, Events, Accommodation, Shopping & Eating Out...Maps & Guides available too! Eat here - The Glassboat on the Canal [http://www.glassboat.co.uk/](http://www.glassboat.co.uk/) While you’re so close you must must must also go to Bath - it’s one of the most beautiful places in England. Its most famous for its Roman Baths and hot springs - there are a multitude of Spas and Museums to visit. It has stunning architecture too. Enjoy your visit! ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2006, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headin-to-bristol-uk-in-june/350218/3 "2006-03-28T11:02:15Z")
Second the trip to Bath - it’s beautiful, and the museum is worth spending an hour in. Bristol itself I found to be meh. It wasn’t unpleasant or anything, but I don’t have many memories of that particular city. I spent most of my time sitting near the harbor and reading. Pleasant enough if the weather’s nice. ---
**Author:** ![Fromage\_A\_Trois](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@Fromage\_A\_Trois](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fromage_A_Trois)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2006, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headin-to-bristol-uk-in-june/350218/4 "2006-03-28T12:07:15Z")
I third the trip to Bath - very nice town. Lots to see. I don’t know Bristol that well, but it is quite pleasant in parts - I recall there’s a park on a hill with nice views. The Clifton Suspension Bridge is worth a visit as **yingtongtiddleipo** said, as is the SS Great Britain (a Brunel creation). I went to Cheddar Gorge a long time ago when I was 13. It’s a small place, it has a gorge, a cave, and probably a cheese museum. If you like gorges, caves and cheese then by all means have a look. If you’re not too fussed, don’t bother. There’s a lot of nice scenery in South Wales (there is in North Wales too, but I wouldn’t bother from Bristol) so if you get good weather then it’s worth a look. There’s Wells Cathedral, in Wells - quite well-known cathedral. It’s a cathedral. I got nothin’. You could nip up to Oxford, too… perhaps a little further than you’d want to go on a day trip, but if you’ve not been before then the dreaming spires are one of the classic tourist destinations - for good reason, too. BTW, how are you getting from Edinburgh to Bristol? Flying, or driving? If you’re driving, it could be worth stopping off somewhere on the way. ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2006, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headin-to-bristol-uk-in-june/350218/5 "2006-03-28T12:34:19Z")
Oh, I forgot how close Wells was. It’s a tiny, tiny town - a village, I suppose - but it’s adorable and the cathedral is lovely. It was also much less touristy than most of the places I visited in England. ---
**Author:** ![Martiju](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@Martiju](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martiju)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2006, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headin-to-bristol-uk-in-june/350218/6 "2006-03-28T15:16:51Z")
> [@HazelNutCoffee](#): > > Oh, I forgot how close Wells was. It’s a tiny, tiny town - a village, I suppose - but it’s adorable and the cathedral is lovely. It was also much less touristy than most of the places I visited in England. It’s a city!! Smallest in the country, perhaps, but still a city. As are both Bath and Bristol. In between are plenty of towns and villages… I live between Bristol and Bath, and Bath is by far the nicest. I’m guessing you’re flying down from Edinburgh, so be prepared for a fair taxi/drive from the airport to Bristol - the airport is about 10-12 miles from the edge of Bristol (arguably closer to Bath if you know the shortcuts). Cheddar Gorge is quite reasonable, but I second the fact that if you’re not impressed by caves or cheesemaking then there isn’t a great deal else to visit for. If you are into caves, Wookey Hole (near Wells) is much better than Cheddar anyway. I’d also suggest a visit to Longleat House, home of Lord Bath. You can tour the house and gardens, and also visit the safari park. The safari park is a really good day out on it’s own. For more info - [you might try here](http://visitbath.co.uk/)… J. ---
**Author:** ![Jennyrosity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@Jennyrosity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennyrosity)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2006, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headin-to-bristol-uk-in-june/350218/7 "2006-03-28T15:18:32Z")
You’re going to Bristol for your honeymoon? _Seriously_? Head south and go to Dartmoor. ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2006, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headin-to-bristol-uk-in-june/350218/8 "2006-03-28T15:31:55Z")
You didn’t ask about Edinburgh, but feel free to contact me when you’re here for local knowledge, drink, etc! ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2006, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headin-to-bristol-uk-in-june/350218/9 "2006-03-28T15:48:10Z")
> [@Martiju](#): > > It’s a city!! Smallest in the country, perhaps, but still a city. As are both Bath and Bristol. In between are plenty of towns and villages… Didn’t mean to compromise the integrity of Wells. 🙂 But it IS tiny. I do remember having some lovely fudge while I was there. Erm, and the cathedral was very lovely too… but after two weeks traveling the south of England all of them started to look alarmingly alike. ---
**Author:** ![Martiju](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@Martiju](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martiju)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2006, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headin-to-bristol-uk-in-june/350218/10 "2006-03-28T15:56:16Z")
> [@HazelNutCoffee](#): > > Didn’t mean to compromise the integrity of Wells. 🙂 But it IS tiny. I do remember having some lovely fudge while I was there. > > Erm, and the cathedral was very lovely too… but after two weeks traveling the south of England all of them started to look alarmingly alike. It is tiny - though not anywhere near as tiny as the village I live in, which you would miss if you blinked while driving through it! The cathedral at Wells is nice, but the Abbey with it’s moat is nicer. There’s also a plethora of good pubs worth a visit. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2006, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headin-to-bristol-uk-in-june/350218/11 "2006-03-28T16:03:36Z")
Wells has a population of 10,000. In comparison, the largest town is Reading, just under a quarter-million. It’s not actually the smallest population of an English city, that one’s taken by the City of London. But anyone want to name the next-smallest ones? 😃 Ely and Lichfield ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2006, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headin-to-bristol-uk-in-june/350218/12 "2006-03-28T17:10:16Z")
Ooh. I loved living in Bristol. Fabulous place. Unfortunately all I can recommend are pubs and nightclubs, which (IMHO) are world class. The Farm (a pub) is unmissable for its beer garden/patio (and it’s in a lovely neighbourhood with actual farms in it), the Cadbury House (pub) is great if you like a good DJ (it’s also good for Sunday brunch), and the Blue Mountain is a fantastic nightclub. The Prince of Wales in St Pauls is a great reggae joint, if somewhat dodgy. Cardiff is a worthwhile day trip. ---
**Author:** ![seosamh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@seosamh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seosamh)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2006, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headin-to-bristol-uk-in-june/350218/13 "2006-03-28T18:21:31Z")
Watch out for the quirky local accent. A proper Bristolian will add an L to the end of certain words - for an example, he or she will say “That’s a good _ideal_” instead of “idea”.