Days out: The South-west
World-famous festivals, beaches, wildlife... it's all here
By Zoe Frampton, Sarah Bennett and Kelli Measey
Published: 30 September 2003
World-famous festivals, beaches, wildlife... it's all here
SHOPPING
BOURNEMOUTH isn't known for its range of high street shops, but it has some good boutiques.
CONSORTIUM CLOTHES Clothes, accessories and footwear for men and women. 7a Richmond Hill, Bournemouth Tel: 01202 557777
OXIDIUM DESIGNER JEWELLERY Individually-made jewellery from over 50 designers. Perfect for treats and pay day! Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth. Tel: 01202 315311
BRISTOL has Broadmead, The Galleries and The Mall at Cribbs Causeway for major shops, while Park Street, Whiteladies Road, Clifton Village and the Christmas Steps have crafts and boutiques.
BS8 Several clothes stalls with items made by different designers. 34 Park Street, Bristol Tel: 0117-949 3549
THE GUILD Good for gifts, including glass art and designer jewellery. 68 Park Street, Bristol Tel: 0117-926 5548
GLOUCESTER has a shopping centre at The Docks which includes an antiques centre over four floors.
CRAZY CAVERN Funky 50s and 60s clothing. 110 Barton St, Gloucester Tel: 01452 416001
PORTSMOUTH is particularly great for outlet shopping in two centres: Whitely Village and Gunwharf Quays.
SOUTHAMPTON has three main shopping centres. West Quay is the largest and has high-street shops. The Marlands and Bargate Centre have some good surf and skate shops.
OFFBEAT SPORTZ Sells equipment and clothes for extreme sports. 186 Above Bar Street, Southampton Tel: 02380 330600
JAMES AND CADOGANS Owned by celebrity chef James Martin, it sells really fancy foodstuffs but is fairly expensive. 31a The Square, Winchester Tel: 01962 840805
THE BEACH
BOURNEMOUTH has seven miles of award-winning sandy beaches. Its pier has an IMAX cinema, amusements, and sealife at the Oceanarium. Tel: 01202 200000 (IMAX) Tel: 01202 311993 (Oceanarium)
WESTON-SUPER-MARE is a traditional seaside resort with motor sports events along the beach and a Sealife Centre. Tel: 01934 613361
FESTIVALS
GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL is a three-day spectacular music and arts event held in June. www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
ISLE OF WIGHT's Cowes week is a spectacular, international yachting festival held during the first week of August. www.cowesweek.co.uk
COUNTRYSIDE NEW FOREST The New Forest is excellent for horse riding and cycling.
CYCLEXPERIENCE For bike hire Island Shop, 2-4 Brookley Road, Brockenhurst, Hampshire. Tel: 01590 624204
BARROW WAKE VIEWPOINT has amazing views over the Vale of Gloucester. Tel: 01452 425666
MAY HILL, FOREST OF DEAN Heath land and grasses with a 971ft summit and great views. Tel: 01985 843600
GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS @BRISTOL By the waterfront. Has an IMAX cinema and hands-on science and nature centre. www.at-bristol.org.uk Tel: 0845-345 1235
GLOUCESTER DOCKS MUSEUMS Houses three museums: National Waterways Museum www.nwm.org.uk Regiments of Gloucester Museum www.glosters.org.uk/ and the Robert Opie Collection www.robertopiecollection.com
AND THE REST...
BRISTOL ZOO GARDENS Over 300 species of wildlife living within beautiful gardens. www.bristolzoo.org.uk Tel: 0117-973 8951
CHEDDAR GORGE'S ROCKSPORT Feeling adventurous? Try climbing and abseiling in limestone caves. www.cheddarcaves.co.uk Tel: 01934 742343
THERMAE BATH SPA The only place in the UK where you can bathe in natural hot spring water. And the view from the open-air rooftop pool is amazing. www.bathspa.co.uk Tel: 01225 722 291 (reservations)
CASTLE COMBE SKID PAN AND KART TRACK, NR CHIPPENHAM Off-road driving and karting. www.combe-events.co.uk Tel: 01249 783010
HIGH ACTION Somerset-based snowboarding, tobogganing and orienteering. www.highaction.co.uk Tel: 01934 852335
www.swtourism.co.uk www.bournemouth.co.uk www.visitbristol.co.uk www.visitwiltshire.co.uk www.somerset.gov.uk/tourism www.visit-glos.org.uk www.dorset-cc.gov.uk www.hants.gov.uk/discover
