Bath, Bristol & Somerset

Bath

Bath is one of Britain's most visited small cities, and with good reason as it is a charming place with a history dating back two thousand years when it was a Roman settlement. Although the city's two main landmarks are the Roman Baths and the 15th-century Bath Abbey, it was the Georgian period that saw Bath grow from a small town to the fashionable city that it is today.

Practical Information

Bath Tourist Information Centre

Abbey Chambers, Abbey Church Yard, Bath

Tel 0906 711 2000

Website www.visitbath.co.uk

Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Coming & Going

BUS

National Express (tel 0870 580 8080; website www.nationalexpress.co.uk) has frequent buses to Bristol and London. First (website www.firstgroup.com) and Stagecoach (website www.stagecoachbus.co.uk) have buses to towns in Somerset and neighbouring counties.

Buses depart from the bus station near the train station on Manvers Street.

TRAIN

Bath Spa station at the southern end of the city centre has excellent train connections.

Train companies that serve Bath include First Great Western (website www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk) with trains to Bristol and London (Paddington); South West Trains (website www.swtrains.co.uk) with trains to Bristol, Salibury, London (Waterloo) and Southampton; and Wessex Trains (website www.wessextrains.co.uk), which goes to Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter, Penzance, Plymouth, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Local Transport

First (website www.firstgroup.com) run local buses around Bath. All day passes cost £3 if purchased before 8.30am on weekdays or £2.50 if purchased after 8.30am on weekdays or all day on weekends.

The First Bus & Rail Card costs £7 and gives you one day unlimited travel on buses in Bath and Bristol plus travel on First Great Western trains between Bath, Bristol and Weston-super-Mare.

Accommodation

Bath Backpackers

13 Pierrepont Street, Bath

Tel (01225) 446 787

Bath YHA

Bathwick Hill, Bath BA2 6JZ

Bus 18

Tel (01225) 465 674

Bath YMCA

International House, Broad Street Place, Bath

Tel (01225) 325 900

St Christophers Inn

9 Green Street, Bath

Bus 2, 6, 7, 20A, X71, X72, 700, 702, 706, 707, 716

Tel (020) 7407 1856

The White Hart Inn

Widcombe Hill, Bath

Tel (01225) 313 985

Sights

The American Museum

This museum focuses on American decorative arts such as patchwork quilts and Shaker furniture.

Claverton Manor, Bath

Bus 18

Tel (01225) 460503

Website www.americanmuseum.org

Admission £6.50

Open 20 Mar-31 Oct Tue-Sun 2pm-5.30pm

Bath Abbey

Dominating the city centre, the 15th-century Bath Abbey is known for its 56 stained glass windows. A much larger cathedral that is believed to have been the site of King Edgars' (England's first king) coronation once stood on the site of Bath Abbey.

Cheap Street, Bath

Tel (01225) 422 462

Admission £2 donation

Open Jan-Mar Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 8am-8pm; Apr-Oct Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 8am-8pm; Nov-Dec Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 8am-8pm

Beckford's Tower & Museum

This lavishly restored building north of the city centre offers panoramic views from its tower.

Lansdown Road, Bath

Bus 2, 702

Tel (01225) 460705

Admission £2.50

Open Easter-Oct Sat-Sun 10.30am-5pm

Building of Bath Museum

This museum shows how – in a period of only 70 years – Bath developed into one of the most fashionable places in Georgian England.

The Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel, The Vineyards, The Paragon, Bath

Tel (01225) 333 895

Website www.bath-preservation-trust.org.uk

Admission £4 (£3 students)

Open Tue-Sun 10.30am-4.15pm

Jane Austen Centre

Bath's most famous resident is celebrated in this museum that has exhibits relating to her life and work.

40 Gay Street, Bath

Tel (01225) 443000

Website www.janeausten.co.uk

Admission £4.45 (£3.65 students)

Open Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm, Sun 10.30am-5.30pm

Museum of Bath at Work

This museum details Bath's industrial heritage with a collection that includes manufacturing machinery and artefacts that illustrate the various industries that once thrived in Bath.

Julian Road, Bath

Tel (01225) 318348

Website www.bath-at-work.org.uk

Admission £3.50

Open Jan-Mar Sat-Sun 10am-5pm; Apr-Oct 10am-5pm daily; Nov-Dec Sat-Sun 10am-5pm

Museum of Costume

This museum exhibits fashion dating from 1600 to the present day.

Assembly Rooms, Bennett Street, Bath

Tel (01225) 477785

Website www.museumofcostume.co.uk

Admission £6 (£5 students); joint ticket with Roman Baths £12 (£10.50 students)

Open Jan-Feb 11am-4pm daily; Mar-Oct 11am-5pm daily; Nov-Dec 11am-4pm daily

Museum of East Asian Art

This museum features exhibits from throughout East Asia including bamboo carvings and one of Britain's largest collections of Chinese jade.

12 Bennett Street, Bath

Tel (01225) 464640

Website www.meaa.org.uk

Admission £3.50 (£2.50 students)

Open Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm

No 1 Royal Crescent

The first house to be built on Bath's most prestigious street has been restored to show how it would have appeared in the 18th century.

1 Royal Crescent, Bath

Tel (01225) 338727

Website www.bath-preservation-trust.org.uk

Admission £4 (£3.50 students)

Open 10 Feb-30 Oct Tue-Sun 10.30am-5pm; 31 Oct-28 Nov Tue-Sun 10.30am-4pm; 4-5 & 11-12 Dec 10.30am-4pm

Roman Baths

Bath's raison d'etre is the spa that was built by the Romans 2000 years ago. Considering its age, the Baths are very well preserved and the complex includes several baths, the Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple and displays of objects found in the Sacred Spring.

Pump Room, Abbey Church Yard, Bath

Tel (01225) 477785

Website www.romanbaths.co.uk

Admission £9 (£8 students)

Open Jan-Feb 9.30am-4.30pm daily; Mar-Jun 9am-5pm daily; Jul-Aug 9am-9pm daily; Sep-Oct 9am-5pm daily; Nov-Dec 9.30am-4.30pm daily

William Herschel Museum

In 1781 William Herschel discovered Uranus using a home made telescope in the garden of his home, which is now a museum dedicated to the accomplishments of this distinguished astronomer.

19 New King Street, Bath

Tel (01225) 311342

Website www.bath-preservation-trust.org.uk

Admission £3.50

Open 10 Feb-30 Nov Mon-Tue & Th-Fri 2pm-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-3pm

Bristol

Bath's industrial neighbour is an increasingly popular travel destination with a couple of excellent hostels, some good museums and a vibrant nightlife. Its good transport connections to Bath, Cardiff and Glastonbury make it an excellent base for exploring the West Country.

Practical Information

Tourist Information Centre

The Annexe, Wildscreen Walk, Harbourside, Bristol

Tel 0906 711 2191 (50p per minute)

Website www.visitbristol.co.uk

Open Jan-Feb Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm; Mar-Oct 10am-6pm daily; Nov-Dec Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm

Coming & Going

AIR

Bristol Airport (tel 0870 1212747; website www.bristolairport.com) has daily flights to many major European destinations. The Bristol International Flyer is an express bus that runs between Bristol city centre (with stops at the bus station and Temple Meads train station) and the airport. The bus costs £4 one-way or £6 return.

BUS

Bristol's Bus & Coach Station is located north of the old city between Marlborough Street and St James Park. National Express (tel 0870 580 8080; website www.nationalexpress.co.uk) and local First (website www.firstgroup.com) and Stagecoach buses (website www.stagecoachbuses.co.uk) depart from here.

Megabus (website www.megabus.com) has several buses a day to London with prices between £1 and £9 (plus 50p booking fee). Megabus departs from Colston Hall on Colston Street in the city centre.

TRAIN

Bristol has two main train stations, Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway, although Bristol Temple Meads is the more centrally located of the two stations. It is about a 15-minute walk from the city centre or you can take buses 8, 9 or 500.

Local Transport

First (website www.firstgroup.com) run local buses in Bristol. The most useful buses are routes 8, 9 and 500, which connect Temple Meads station with the city centre. Bus 8 also goes to Bristol Zoo Gardens and bus 500 connects both the city centre and the train station with Spike Island and SS Great Britain.

All day passes cost £3.20 if purchased before 9am, £2.60 if purchased after 9am or £1.70 if purchased after 7pm.

The First Bus & Rail Card costs £7 and gives you one day unlimited travel on buses in Bath and Bristol plus travel on First Great Western trains between Bath, Bristol and Weston-super-Mare.

There is also a ferry service (website www.bristolferryboat.co.uk) that connects Temple Meads station, the city centre and the harbour. Ferry fares range from 50p to £1.20.

Accommodation

Bristol Backpackers

17 Saint Stephen's Street, Bristol

Tel (0117) 925 7900

Bristol YHA

14 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA

Tel (0117) 922 1659

Sights

At Bristol

One of Bristol's best new attractions is the excellent At Bristol science and nature museum. At Bristol is split between several distinct galleries that include Explore, a science museum with plenty of interactive exhibits; an IMAX theatre and Wildwalk, which features a tropical forest complete with birds and butterflies. At Bristol also hosts a programme of temporary exhibits.

Anchor Road, Harbourside, Bristol

Tel 0845 345 1235

Website www.at-bristol.org.uk

Admission Explore £7.50; IMAX £6.50-8.50; Wildwalk £6.50; Explore & Wildwalk £12; Explore & IMAX £12; Wildwalk & IMAX £11; all three attractions £16.50

Open 10am-6pm daily

Blaise Castle House Museum

This 18th century house has displays relating to everyday life in Bristol.

Henbury Road, Henbury, Bristol

Tel (0117) 903 9818

Admission free

Open Mon-Wed & Sat-Sun 10am-5pm

Bristol Cathedral

Bristol Cathedral was built in 1140 as an Augustine monastery and has been a cathedral since 1542. The highlights include the English Lady Chapel and the Norman Chapter House.

College Green, Bristol

Tel (0117) 926 4879

Website www.bristol-cathedral.co.uk

Admission free

Open Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 8am-5.0pm, Sun 7.30am-5pm

Bristol Industrial Museum

This museum recounts Bristol's rich industrial heritage with exhibits that include the aircraft and automotive industries, printing and packaging, Bristol's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and development of the Port of Bristol.

Princes Wharf, Wapping Road, Bristol

Tel (0117) 925 1470

Website www.bristol-city.gov.uk/museums

Admission free

Open Mon-Wed & Sat-Sun 10am-5pm

British Empire & Commonwealth Museum

This brilliant museum near Temple Meads station portrays the 500-year history of the rise and fall of the British Empire. The museum's galleries hold a huge collection of exotic artefacts from around the globe that are complemented by interactive exhibits.

Station Approach, Temple Meads, Bristol

Bus 8, 9, 500 Train Bristol Temple Meads

Tel (0117) 925 4980

Website www.empiremuseum.co.uk

Admission £6.50 (£5.50 students)

Open 10am-5pm daily

Bristol Zoo

Bristol's award winning zoo has a large range of animals that range from the world's smallest and rarest tortoise to the largest ape.

Clifton Down, Clilfton, Bristol

Bus 8, 9 Train Clifton Down

Tel (0117) 973 8951

Website www.bristolzoo.org.uk

Admission £9.50

Open summer 9am-5.30pm daily; winter 9am-4.30pm daily

City Museum & Art Gallery

The City Museum & Art Gallery has a diverse range of exhibits that cover everything from natural history to fine art.

Queen's Road, Bristol

Bus 1, 8, 9, 41, 42, 43, 54, 55, 99

Tel (0117) 925 1470

Admission free

Open 10am-5pm daily

Clifton Suspension Bridge

Bristol's iconic suspension bridge, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, spans the breathtaking Avon Gorge. The bridge offers views of the gorge and a new visitor centre adjacent to the bridge will open in the summer of 2005.

Suspension Bridge Road, Clifton, Bristol

Tel (0117) 974 4664

Website www.clifton-suspension-bridge.org.uk

Open summer 10am-5pm daily; winter Mon-Fri 11am-4pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm

Georgian House

This restored Georgian townhouse is presented the way it would have appeared in the 18th century.

7 Great George Street, Bristol

Tel (0117) 921 1362

Admission free

Open Mon-Wed & Sat-Sun 10am-5pm

Red Lodge

This 400-year-old Elizabethan house features a Tudor style knot garden.

Park Row, Bristol

Tel (0117) 921 1360

Admission free

Open Mon-Wed & Sat-Sun 10am-5pm

St Mary Redcliffe Church

St Mary Redcliffe is one of Britain's largest parish churches and is a fine example of medieval architecture. Queen Elizabeth I called it "the fairest, goodliest and most famous Parish Church in England".

Redcliffe Way, Bristol

Tel (0117) 929 1487

Website www.stmaryredcliffe.co.uk

Admission free

Open Jan-Apr 9am-4pm daily, May-Oct 9am-5pm daily; Nov-Dec 9am-4pm daily

Severn Bridges Visitor Centre

This visitor centre has displays relating to the bridges crossing the River Severn.

Shaft Road, off Green Lane, Severn Beach

Tel (01454) 633 511

Website www.onbridges.com

Open Easter-Sep 11am-4pm daily

SS Great Britain

The SS Great Britain was the world's first steam powered, iron hulled passenger liner and she was twice the weight of any other ship when launched in 1843.

Tel (0117) 929 1843

Website www.ss-great-britain.com

Admission £6.25

Open Jan-Mar 10am-4.30pm daily; Apr-Oct 10am-5.30pm daily; Nov-Dec 10am-4.30pm daily

Glastonbury

This small town in Somerset is home to many legends that have given rise to its popularity as a "new age" destination. Various myths include Glastonbury as the final resting place for King Arthur and the Holy Grail. There's a lot to see for such a small town including Glastonbury Abbey, which dates from the 7th century, Glastonbury Tor and the Chalice Well. As well as all these attractions, Glastonbury is best known for the legendary Glastonbury Festival, which can be best described as Britain's original rock festival.

Practical Information

Tourist Information Centre

The Tribunal, 9 High Street, Glastonbury

Tel (01458) 832954

Website www.glastonburytic.co.uk

Open Jan-Mar Mon-Thu 10am-4pm, Fri-Sat 10am-4.30pm, Sun 10am-4pm; Apr-Sep Mon-Thu 10am-5pm, Fri-Sat 10am-5.30pm, Sun 10am-5pm; Oct-Dec Mon-Thu 10am-4pm, Fri-Sat 10am-4.30pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Coming & Going

First (website www.firstgroup.co.uk) runs buses 29 and 929 from Taunton, bus 173 from Bath, 376, 377, 929, 976, 977 from Bristol Temple Meads Station and 377 and 977 from Yeovil.

Accommodation

Glastonbury Backpackers

4 Market Place, Glastonbury

Tel (01458) 833 353

Street YHA

The Chalet, Ivythorn Hill, Street, Somerset BA16 0TZ

Bus First 376 (Mon-Sat), 976 (Sun) from Bristol or Wells

Tel (01458) 442 961

Sights

Glastonbury Abbey

Glastonbury Abbey claims to be the oldest above ground Christian church in the world and although it is in ruin, regular services are still held here. There are many legends surrounding the abbey and King Arthur and Queen Guinevere are buried here.

Abbey Gatehouse, Magdalene Street, Glastonbury

Tel (01458) 832267

Website www.glastonburyabbey.com

Admission £4

Open Jan 10am-4.30pm daily; Feb 10am-5pm daily; Mar 9.30am-5.30pm daily; Apr-May 9.30am-6pm daily; Jun-Aug 9am-6pm daily; Sep 9.30am-6pm daily; Oct 9.30am-5pm daily; Nov 9.30am-4.30pm daily; Dec 10am-4.30pm daily

Glastonbury Tor

The remaining 15th-century tower of the church of St Michael dominates this 159m-high hill just outside town. Legend has it that Joseph of Arimathea came to Glastonbury with the Holy Grail, which he buried under the Chalice Well near the Tor.

Wellhouse Lane, Glastonbury

Tel (01934) 844518

Website www.nationaltrust.org.uk & www.glastonburytor.org.uk

Admission free

Glastonbury Tribunal

This 14th-century house has a stone facade dating from the 16th century. The building now houses the tourist information centre, but there is also an area with displays on its history.

9 High Street, Glastonbury

Bus 376, 377, 976, 977

Tel (01458) 832 954

Website www.glastonburytic.co.uk

Admission £2

Open Jan-Mar Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4.30pm; Apr-Sep Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5.30pm; Oct-Dec Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4.30pm

Somerset Rural Life Museum

This open-air museum tells the life story of a farm worker in Victorian Somerset. The museum's highlight is a 14th century abbey barn.

Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury

Tel (01458) 831197

Website www.somerset.gov.uk/museums/

Admission free

Open Jan-Mar Tue-Sat 10am-5pm; Apr-Oct Tue-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun 2pm-6pm; Nov-Dec Tue-Sat 10am-5pm

Wells

England's smallest city is a charming place with Tudor buildings and a splendid cathedral.

Practical Information

Tourist Information Centre

Town Hall, Market Place, Wells

Tel (01749) 672552

Coming & Going

Local buses connect Wells to towns in Somerset and neighbouring counties. Bus 173 goes to Bath and bus 376 goes to Bristol.

Accommodation

There are no hostels in Wells. The closest are in Cheddar, Glastonbury and Street.

Sights

Bishop's Palace & Gardens

The Bishop's Palace has been the home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells since 1206, after Bishop Jocelin Trotman received the licence to build the palace south of the cathedral. The palace is well maintained and features a Jacobean staircase and Victorian Gothic rooms where you can see the Coronation Cape and the Glastonbury Chair.

The Bishop's Palace, Wells

Tel (01749) 678691

Website www.bishopspalacewells.co.uk

Admission £4 (£1.50 students)

Open Apr-Oct Mon-Fri 10.30am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm

St Cuthbert's Church

This impressive church dates from the 13th century and is one of the largest in Somerset.

St Cuthbert Street, Wells

Tel (01749) 673136

Website www.stcuthbertswells.co.uk

Wells Cathedral

Wells Cathedral dates from 1180, although a church as been on the site since 705. It is an impressive building, particularly for such a tiny city.

Cathedral Green, Wells

Tel (01749) 674 483

Website www.wellscathedral.org.uk

Admission £4.50 donation (£1.50 students)

Open Jan-Mar 7am-6pm daily; Apr-Sep 7am-7pm daily; Oct-Dec 7am-6pm daily

Cheddar

This small town in England's largest gorge is world famous for its cheese. However it is also a tourist trap that's probably best avoided unless you really want to see the caves or if you really love tacky cheese and cider shops.

Practical Information

Tourist Information Centre

The Gorge, Cheddar

Tel (01934) 744071

Coming & Going

Buses 126 and 826 go to Cheddar from Wells.

Accommodation

Cheddar YHA

Hillfield, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3HN

Bus 126, 826

Tel (01934) 742494

Sights

Cheddar Caves & Gorge

Britain's biggest gorge is not really that spectacular but the caves aren't too bad, although the way the caves are presented is a tad tacky. People have lived in these caves for thousands of years and the world-famous Cheddar Man – Britain's oldest complete skeleton – was discovered here. The site features a museum with displays relating to the 9000-year-old skeleton.

Tel (01934) 742343

Website www.cheddarcaves.co.uk

Admission £9.50

Open 10am-5pm daily

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