Exploring the area
    
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For city lovers Bristol, Bath, Taunton and Cardiff are all within easy reach either by road or rail.

Glastonbury, Wells and Cheddar make a good full day out with something of interest for everybody.

Street, with Clarks Outlet Village, is popular with bargain hunters with a wide range of well-known High Street retailers.

Both The Mendip and Quantock Hills are designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

GRAND PIER WESTON SUPER MARE

Open every day, except Christmas Day, so come hail, rain or shine, you’ll always get a warm welcome at the Grand Pier. Whatever the weather is doing outside, it’s still fun, fun, fun on the inside.

Offering visitors some world-class rides and attractions, and admission is absolutely free.

There is something for everyone, young and old alike – from the arcade machines to thrilling rides, or a relaxing traditional afternoon tea in the exquisite Edwardian-style tea rooms.

The Pavilion building now boasts function rooms, Wedding venues, state-of-the-art conferencing facilities, entertainment and event space, all under one roof.
Marine Parade, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset BS23 1AL
Open All Year Round! Open daily from 10:00
(Closing times vary throughout the year. Closed Christmas Day. Times may vary for events. We occasionally close early for private functions. Please call to avoid disappointment.).
The Grand Pier offers world class rides & attractions within a world class venue! With attractions including a 250m Go-Kart circuit, 4D Cinema, Childrens Play Area and much more, there is something for everyone at the Grand Pier.
Food & drink for all occasions and tastes. With different outlets serving freshly prepared snacks, meals including traditional fish & chips and don't forget our delicious desserts & ice creams. Please note: only food or drink purchased from the Grand Pier can be consumed on it.
The Grand Pier hosts many fantastic events throughout the year. From concerts to stage shows, circus to TV spectaculars. Grand Pier events are not be missed!
Disabled Access:
The Land Trains have wheelchair access to enable disabled guests to ride up and down the waist of the Pier. All areas of the Main Pavilion have lift and escalator access. Function Rooms also provide full access for disabled guests. The 4D Cinema has wheelchair access.
There are disabled toilets on all floors and in all areas including private function rooms.
Unfortunately no pets are permitted on to the Grand Pier (except guide dogs)
www.grandpier.co.uk 

Grand Pier Weston super Mare

 


There are several National Trust properties within easy reach:

Clevedon Court

  • Outstanding 14th-century manor house and 18th-century terraced garden
  • 12th-century tower and 13th-century great hall
  • Beautiful Georgian terraced gardens
  • Fascinating collection of Eltonware ceramics and Nailsea glass
  • William Makepeace Thackery often stayed here, sketching and writing

Montacute House

  • Magnificent Elizabethan Ham-stone house, incorporating National Portrait Gallery exhibition, garden and park
  • Renaissance manor house filled with historic treasures
  • Fantastic exhibition of 17th-century textile samplers
  • Long Gallery boasts Elizabethan artwork from the National Portrait Gallery
  • Film location for Sense and Sensibility (1995)

And one of the Trust’s most recent acquisitions Tyntesfield House.

  • Spectacular Victorian Gothic Revival country house being restored in public view, with gardens, arboretum and rolling parkland
  • 19th-century estate now being restored for the 21st century; bringing alive the conservation process
  • Once in a lifetime opportunity to witness the restoration of a grand Victorian estate – complete with rooftop viewing tower
  • Home to four generations of the Gibbs family, Tyntesfield contains everything from grand Victorian designs to 20th-century objects
  • Walled kitchen garden full of produce and flowers
  • Wednesdays, only gardens open. Open Good Friday. Last admission to house 1 hour before closing. Free flow entry by timed ticket. Entry cannot be guaranteed on busy days. Rooms may close for conservation work
or see: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Other places to visit:
Brunel's SS Great Britain.
Winner of 10 major awards in 2006 including the Gulbenkian Prize for UK Museum of the Year and shortlisted for major awards in 2007. Step back in time on board Brunel’s SS Great Britain – the world’s first great ocean liner. Explore the beautifully recreated First Class Dining Saloon, steerage quarters and new Engine Room. Audio tours of passengers' lives and authentic smells help bring the 19th century experience alive. http://www.ssgreatbritain.org
We The Curious
was previously known as At-Bristol Science Centre; an educational charity with an aim to “make science accessible to all”, it opened in 2000, and welcomed over 5 million visitors in the past 17 years. We The Curious is an idea and a place for everyone. Our venue on Bristol’s harbourside is a bit like an indoor festival, with all sorts of different experiences, where you can interact with exhibits, test stuff out and participate rather than just visit. We’re all about empowering everyone to ask questions and get creative - with boundaries removed between science, art, people and ideas - a culture of curiosity.
https://www.wethecurious.org/who-we-are
wethecurious
Bristol Harbourside
The area near We Are The Curious has lots of other attractions, bars, cafes and galleries including The Bristol Aquarium
https://visitbristol.co.uk/about-bristol/areas/harbourside
Bristol
Court Farm
Have a great family day out at Somerset's top award winning farm attraction - all year round.
All the animals and staff at Court Farm are looking forward to welcoming hoards of children and their families for a fun packed summer of fun. With lots of new, baby animals mixed with a range of great play facilities that can tire out even the most energetic of kids (and adults), we hope that all our visitors, regardless of age, will have a day to remember. Don't forget that we have lots of things going on during the year so whenever you come, you may well see some new additions.
http://www.courtfarmcountrypark.co.uk
Cheddar is unique.
Its distinguishing feature is the natural phenomenon of Britain's largest Gorge. The Cheddar Yeo in Gough's Cave is Britain's biggest underground river, and the Gorge Cliffs are Britain's highest inland limestone cliffs.
The Gorge is a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the calcareous grassland, Karst limestone buttresses and Horseshoe Bats. Peregrine Falcons nest on the cliff face and Soay sheep keep the scrub in check.
Gough's Cave is an internationally famous archeological site because of its Late Upper Paleolithic finds (12-13,000 years old) and contained Britian's oldest complete skeleton (9,000 years old). It lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is a candidate for Special Area for Conservation status
Wells
England's smallest cathedral city, is home to one of the country's most magnificent cathedrals, preserved in much of its original glory and surrounded by many medieval buildings. It has an astronomical clock dating from 1392 with models of knights who joust every quarter hour. Market days are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the beautiful Market Square.
Brean Down, near Weston-super-Mare
The peninsula is a dramatic landmark on the Somerset coastline. With a 19th century fort which was also used in World War Two.
Hestercombe Gardens, near Taunton
This tranquil valley, includes lakes, temples and magnificent views. It has delightful woodland walks. www.hestercombegardens.com
Glastonbury Tor
The Tor dominates the Somerset Levels and offers spectacular views over Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire. At the top of this very steep hill is the remains of the 15th centaury St Michael's Church.
Steepholm Nature Reserve
April to October boat trips from Weston-Super-Mare. A haven for seabirds and other wildlife with ruins and World War II defences.
www.steepholm.freeserve.co.uk
Bristol Zoo.
Awarded ‘Zoo of the Year 2004’ by the Good Britain Guide, Bristol Zoo Gardens has a continuous reputation for excellence, innovation, and dedication to conservation. It’s the fifth oldest zoo in the world and the oldest outside of a capital city, and a long established major tourist attraction in Bristol. http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk
Taunton Racecourse, Somerset, is the youngest National Hunt racecourse in Britain and one of the most beautifully located racecourses in the country, with outstanding views across the Racecourse to the wooded slopes of the Blackdown Hills, yet only a few minutes drive from the M5 and the centre of Taunton.
THE RETAIL EXPERIENCE
Clarks Village is the UK's first and foremost outlet shopping centre and has established itself as one of the premier shopping destinations in the country. With over 90 outlet shops to choose from offering up to 60% OFF rrp on a host of famous brands, plus regular entertainment and live events all set within a unique village environment, you have all the ingredients for a great day out!
The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, the South West's premier shopping centre based just north of Bristol. You'll find 135 leading stores, 17 restaurants and cafes and a range of excellent facilities all under one roof, giving you the finest shopping choice in the South West. With plenty of free parking, very easy access from Junction 17 of the M5 and we're open till 9pm, shopping has never been so convenient.
FURTHER AFIELD
Slimbridge Wildlife and Wetlands Trust
Sir Peter Scott's vision became a reality at Slimbridge in 1946, when he realised how many thousands of geese depended on the shores of the Severn Estuary.
Today with its award-winning visitor centre overlooking nationally and internationally protected wetlands, this world famous site is an important wintering area for migrating waterbirds such as Bewick's Swans and houses WWT's species conservation programme. http://www.wwt.org.uk/
Berkeley Castle.
One of the most remarkable buildings in Britain and possibly the most outstanding example of Mediaeval domestic architecture in the country. Where other Castles were romanticised or "modernised" by the Georgians or the Victorians, Berkeley quietly survived as what it is: a Norman fortress with an enclosing curtain wall.
http://www.berkeley-castle.com
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum.
Home to some of the rarest, most beautiful trees in the world, including the National Japanese Maple Collection. Six hundred glorious, easy-to-stroll Cotswold acres. An unforgettable experience in all seasons.
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt
Longleat House & Safari Park Nr. Warminster, Wiltshire
A world of family entertainment. 12 attractions to enjoy.
www.longleat.co.uk
Badminton Horse Trials is one of the toughest and most exciting equestrian events - the pinnacle of the world’s 3-Day-Event calendar. As the name suggests horses and riders complete the competition over 3 days, each day consisting of a different discipline or phase.
http://www.badminton-horse.co.uk
Chepstow Racecourse.
Situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the picturesque Wye Valley provides a breathtaking backdrop to the impressive racing calendar at Chepstow Racecourse. http://www.chepstow-racecourse.co.uk