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A unique and spectacular event, see the skies fill with breath-taking colour and shapes and take in the grungy vibe prevailing in this funky city. Bristol is all about the 'Bs': we have Brunel, Boats, Bridges, Balloons and Beautiful countryside.
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Travelling from Manchester to Bristol on Friday the 11th of August early and returning on Sunday the 12th of August at teatime.
We will check in to our unique and luxurious hotel before heading out to explore the sights and history of this funky town. Let’s take in the sights, the history, the many attractions, the laid back vibe and cuisine, bars that all add to the obsession with unicorns, hot air balloons, and the smell of spray cans will remind us of the gritty urban culture.
Paula your Social Circle host who will guide us around the many attractions and events so we can take relax and enjoy an informative and stress free weekend taking in the sights and many events and attractions that this great city has on offer Where else can you get this personnel service to enhance your visit.
Contact Cathy on 0789 1060565, if you have any questions, or require any further information at cathy@social-circle.com
Weekend Information:
What is included?
Paula your Social Circle host will give you the attention to detail which will make this a thoroughly enjoyable trip, your host will recommend and lead you to many places of interest over your stay, each evening they will take care of your dinner reservations at a restaurant offering the best in local cuisine. Paula will assist and answer any questions, and will enhance you enjoyment of your weekend
Accommodation description:
We are staying in the heart of Bristol at the Double Tree by Hilton Bristol City Centre this 4 star hotel In the Heart of the City Centre close to the best attractions., Breakfast is included and you will be sharing an twin bedded room with en-suite facilities.
Your host will organize the best attractions and tourist spots to visit over the course of your weekend, you are welcome to join in this itinerary, or you may decide to venture out on your own or with friends and your host can advice you on some of the local attractions, we invite you attend dinner each evening, when we can talk over the exciting days events sharing information and stories with your group of friends and companions.
We will visit a selection of the best Attractions and spend the day on the Saturday 11th of August at The International Balloon Fiesta taking in the sights and enjoying the evening light up show and firework display.
Better known for the graffiti on its streets than the paintings in its museums, Bristol is culture capital of the UK. A place where the underground still bustles and thrives, the grungy alternative vibe pervading this funky city is outstanding: there is always something going on –and this vivid sprightliness seems sewn into the fabric of the town. As the iconic rows of terraced pastel-shaded houses with colourful doors, and the obsession with unicorns and hot air balloons, add a fairy-tale kick to the city, the rattle of skateboard wheels and the ubiquitous smell of spray cans remind us that it’s the gritty urban culture that constitutes the soul of Bristol Gritty and grungy… this is Bristol
It’s the Bristolians themselves that will make you love this city. Proud to have been awarded the UK’s first European Green Capital back in 2015, Bristol isn’t the usual tourist destination there is no shortage of museums, Gothic churches, Grade I listed buildings and beautiful parks.
Hanging out on Harbourside
Brunel’s SS Great Britain
The Victorian vessel that was the world’s first luxury-cruise liner. It is anchored in the Harbourside near Spike Island, an internationally renowned contemporary art centre., this touristy island in the middle of the River Avon is also where you can find Banksy’sGirl with a Pearl Earring.
Clifton Suspension Bridge
The most photographed spot in the city is the which stretches from the posh neighbourhood made up of chic boutiques and Georgian buildings to the 850-acre park of Ashton Court Estate, home to deer and more free-ranging animals.
Bristol City Museum.
Whose collection casually shows a Bansky opposite Egyptian mummies, and a Lego mini figure dressed as ancient Roman in the midst of ancient Roman coins, with that not-taking-themselves-too-seriously attitude which make Bristolians so amazingly unique?
Stained-glass lovers should check out Bristol Cathedral, with its finely carved choir, the lovely graveyard and the stunning view from atop the roof. Then climb Park Street walking past its independent shops and organic cafés as far as Brandon Hill, the oldest park in Bristol, where you can enjoy yet another amazing view over the city.
Hipster’s Guide
From the early 1990s to the present, Bristol has become best known for its urban culture, especially its music and street art, which somehow makes its alternative scene the actual “beaten path” of the city. To dive into Bristol’s underground scene, begin with a walk through Stokes Croft’s spray painted streets, which are packed with pubs, bars and independent shops proudly accepting the Bristol Pound, and hipster cafés where everything is organic, fair-traded and ethically sourced. From trendy to still-as-rough-and-dodgy-as-in-the-good-ol’-days, the different souls of the ‘hood follow one another on North Street, which is also the epicentre of the urban art festival revamping the area each summer and helping make this town a flagship of street art and graffiti culture worldwide.
The city is a living street art museum
The atmosphere is still very genuine and rough in the multicultural Easton, in the eastern outskirts of Bristol, where the street artist Banksy used to live. The main shopping street – Saint Mark’s Road – is where delis and ethnic restaurants constantly spread a pungent smell of spices, and fragrances of foods from all around the globe meld. Easton is also home to a Victorian-style Greenbank Cemetery made up of ornate tombs and beautiful sculptures of angels.
Lighter than air…
Undoubtedly, the most quintessentially Bristolian experience is flying over the city in a hot air balloon, enjoying a view usually only bequeathed to birds. Flights are available from May to September, although the most exciting moment to go up, up and away is during the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta which is the greatest and most eagerly anticipated event of the year. It takes place in August in the beautiful natural park of Ashton Court.
Music-wise, Bristol Harbour Festival is a free festival held in the summertime all around the Harbourside, attracting youngsters and families.
It has a fascinating maritime history and the association with water flows through the floating harbour and some of the best preserved boats in the country can be found in the docks.
The grand ss Great Britain, designed and built by Brunel, is a sight to behold. Go below deck or climb the rigging like a sailor in the 1800s; this wonderfully restored vessel offers something special for everyone not to be missed in the most famous of Brunel's masterpieces, the Clifton Suspension Bridge that spans the picturesque Avon Gorge..
The International Balloon Fiesta:
The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is Europe’s largest annual meeting of hot air balloons, attracting over 130 Hot Air Balloons from across the globe. The Fiesta truly is a sight that can only be seen in Bristol. Held over four days in August at Ashton Court Estate, the event is completely free with charges made for parking on the event site. Alongside the fantastic site of hot air balloons filling the skies, we have a large number of great trade stands, fairground rides and much more entertainment.
Nightglows and Firework Display.
The most iconic part of the Fiesta is our Nightglows and Firework Finales. At 9 p.m Saturday 11th a handful of our balloons tether and light up the night’s sky to our specially commissioned soundtrack.
We finish our infamous Nightglow with a Firework Finale.
Imagine seeing the city from the air, in your own balloon?
Option of Booking a Flight
ABC Flights offer intimate, memorable adventures, as you fly over the spectacular English countryside. Our aim is to provide you with an interactive experience of being involved and being wowed with your flight.
Our baskets take only 4/5 passengers + Pilot, which means you are far more involved with the flight. We deliver this personal service to you at all times from the moment you book, to the personalised Flight Certificate which we send to you, a few days after your flight.
After arriving at the launch site, you view the preparation of your private balloon flight. Once ready, you climb into the basket and drift away for the experience of a lifetime - the flight lasts about an hour. When we have landed and the balloon is packed away, we celebrate your flight with a Champagne toast, and then return to the launch site by Land Rover.
Please allow 3-4 hours for the whole adventure, see their website for more details.
Places To Eat & Drink in Bristol
Bristol is fiercely proud of its independent restaurants, bars and cafes and is home to an award-winning array of them. The quirky creations from this homegrown pie shop, with names like Moo and Chilli Con Carnage, are loved and devoured far and wide… everyone from Kate Moss to the Queen has tried one. Head to local lunch spot St Nick's Market to grab one on the go.
Then there’s the really fancy places to eat in Bristol, started small by local families and now raved about by London food critics. Casamia on the Harbourside is a superb example. It serves a sensational, strictly seasonal menu. Book your table quick though, this place is in high demand.
Bristol's rich mix of cultures is reflected in the food available in different quarters of the city. Head to St Mark's Road in Easton for Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine, St Pauls for Caribbean, Clifton for classic British and seafood or Park Street and the Triangle for some of the best burgers in the land.
Welsh Back is buzzing day and night as people gather to enjoy locally-produced beer and cider on a boat or cross into King Street to join the conversation outside on the cobbled stones to a background of jazz music.
And if you want to skip straight to dessert? Well we even have our very own desserteries (that's a word, right?). Go for two scoops of dreamy gelato at Swoon, or Vee Double Moo for soft serve with sprinkles from a VW camper. Oh and sweet food fact: the world’s first ever chocolate bar was made in Bristol!
You’ll find myriad pubs, bars and clubs for after-dinner drinks, but you simply must sample our cocktail culture. Shhhh… it’s a speakeasy thing. Try Hyde & Co or Milk Thistle. And if you’ve got an especially obscure request go to The Rummer, which has an eye-popping collection of spirits.
Socialising and enjoying the local cuisine and bars is the perfect way to end each day, and we will all meet to eat and discuss the days activities, our host will choose a restaurant close to the hotel and the city centre night life.
What’s left to do: Simply book your place and come join us….
Booking Information
PLACES ARE LIMITED to 10 - YOU MUST BOOK EARLY: to take advantage and be assured of a place on this extremely popular weekend.
Price: Member £245.00 Non Member £275.00. To receive member price you must be a member at time of booking and at time of event.
Single room Supplement of £140.00, simply email cathy@social-circle.co.uk to reserve your single room.
Transport:
We suggest booking a direct train from Manchester Piccadilly or travelling by car and sharing petrol costs.
• Parking at the hotel is Complimentary, for 24 hours starting at 1 p.m. dependant on spaces available.
https://www.thetrainline.com/
* You are responsible for booking your own trains.
*Lunch and dinner meals are also your responsibility and any organised tours.
With Social Circle you will have your own guide who will make your trip one to remember, add to this great company, friendships that are formed, lively conversation, nights out and general relaxed atmosphere, this is your Social Circle Guarantee.
Just an incredible trip organised for you with like-minded people.
