England

Bath, Bristol & Wells

Discover why ‘southwest is best’

Sitting in a region that is fiercely proud of its independent and mystical vibe, the engaging cities of Bath, Bristol and Wells express three very different personalities. The historic Georgian city of Bath is a wonder, renowned the world over for its elegant architecture, thermal waters, and ancient Roman past. Yet just next door, the spirited and dynamic city of Bristol wears its industrial heritage proudly, and is home to famous innovations such as the steamship SS Great Britain and the Concorde. A short journey away, past the rolling green Mendip Hills, the tiny city of Wells has a charming medieval centre, dominated by its striking Gothic cathedral and unique, moated Bishop’s Palace. A shared regional pride and penchant for the quirky provide the opportunity for a fantastically diverse itinerary for your group.

BEST OF THE WEST COUNTRY

Not all cities are the same

  • Discover the Georgian elegance of Bath with a walking tour & a visit to the Holburne Museum
  • Explore quaint little Wells with visits to its cathedral and Bishop’s Palace
  • Visit two contrasting National Trust properties: Stourhead, a Palladian masterpiece and Tyntesfield, a Gothic vision
  • SS Great Britain – Brunel’s innovative steam ship docked on Bristol’s vibrant harbour
  • Executive coach travel from your choice of pick up points
  • 4 nights half board accommodation

From £599
per person

based on two sharing in a twin/double room, with a minimum of 30 passengers travelling in a specific month

Best time to go

January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

Suggested Hotel

Mercure Bristol Holland House

  • Contemporary city centre hotel
  • Modern, well equipped bedrooms
  • Spacious lounge / bar area
  • Indoor swimming pool

Not the hotel for your group? Other hotels are available, contact us.

Attractions:

  • Guided Tour of Bath
    Royal-Crescent- Copyright-Bath-Tourism-Plus-Colin-Hawkins

    Explore the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath, bursting with Georgian splendours and Roman relics. Regarded as one of England’s most attractive cities, Bath boasts an abundance of honey-coloured architectural wonders – including the iconic Royal Crescent, the Doric-columned Circus, the picturesque Pulteney Bridge, and the regal Theatre Royal. The jewel in Bath’s historic crown is one of the finest examples of Roman religious spas in the world, dating back to 43AD and sited upon natural thermal springs. The view of the unique turquoise waters steaming away in the shadow of Bath’s magnificent Gothic abbey is a sight to behold.

  • Holburne Museum
    Holburne_front- -Kirsty-Holmes

    This stunning, Grade 1-listed building gazes down the beautiful, grand avenue of Great Pulteney Street and sits within its own pretty gardens. Inside, the exquisite aesthetic of the building continues, and the museum harbours a collection of fine and decorative arts which includes paintings, porcelain, and sculpture. Regularly changing temporary exhibitions, along with the sleek glass construction of the building’s modern extension, ensure that the Holburne retains a dynamic spirit.

  • Wells Cathedral
    West-Front-of-Wells-Cathedral-and-Cathedral-Green-Wells-Somerset

    This ‘most poetic of English cathedrals’ is the country’s earliest Gothic style cathedral, looking all the more monumental thanks to its situation in the heart of Wells – England’s smallest city. The cathedral has a large collection of historic stained glass, and several unique features such as its elegant scissor arches, chained library, fan-vaulted ceilings and the fascinating Wells Clock mechanism. Adjoining the cathedral, Vicar’s Close is impossibly picturesque.

  • The Bishop's Palace
    Bishops-Palace-Lawn-Adjacent-to-Wells-Cathedral-Wells-Somerset-England

    Seat of the Bishops of Bath and Wells for over 800 years, this medieval palace dating back to the 13th century is encircled by acres of astounding grounds. Amongst the enchanting gardens you can find the palace’s moat, the pools which gave the city its name, varied planting and some resident swans – who ring a bell at the gatehouse when they want to be fed!

  • Stourhead (NT)
    Stourhead-JC

    Stourhead is an elegant Palladian property which oozes with inspiration from the Italian ‘Grand Tour’. The real joy of Stourhead, however, is the incredible and extensive estate. Every shade of green is represented and reflected in the lake which forms the centrepiece of the grounds, and set amongst the rare and exotic trees like jewels you will find dripping grottoes, classical temples and Gothic stonework. Stumble upon stunning viewpoints framed by greenery as you wander the undulating pathways through this Georgian masterpiece of landscaping.

  • Tyntesfield (NT)
    Tyntesfield_3-c-Chilli-Head-CC-BY-2.0

    Tyntesfield is an unusual Victorian property, not built to be an extravagant show of wealth but instead, as a family home displaying spectacular Gothic revival architecture. The collections inside the house document the ordinary and extraordinary lives of four generations of the Gibbs family. Outside, the lovely gardens and parkland present an abundance of nature with floral terraces, a kitchen garden & areas of woodland.

  • SS Great Britain
    Ss-Great-Britain-JC

    One of the most important historic ships in the world, Brunel’s ‘ship that changed history’ innovated maritime technology and was the largest ship yet built when it launched in 1843. A truly fascinating experience, you can explore the Dockyard Museum before examining the restored vessel where the sights, sounds and smells recreate the ship’s past.

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