daytrip to Bristol or Bath?

[ehyouwhat]

Hi all,

I fancy taking the girlfriend on a daytrip on the train (!) somewhere tomorrow, we have a completely free day and I wouldn't mind going somewhere without the hassle of driving.

The place has to be within 3 hours train journey of the Weymouth/Dorchester area of Dorset. I know London is the obvious choice, but we've been several times this year already and I fancy a change.

What are Bristol or Bath like for day trips? Somewhere with shopping, a few sights to see and a few nice places for a tipple or two. We're both in our twenties (only jsut in my case) so we don't want a SAGA special, but likewise we can handle a bit of culture.

Alternatively, is there somewhere that we're missing?

All (sensible) suggestions welcome!

Regards,
EYW

[TorqueVR]

Bath would fit the bill. The station is only 100m from the new shopping centre (tastefully built) and 1/4 mile from the Roman Baths, Pump Room etc. Lots to see, lots of good eateries (Jamie Oliver's in Milsom St - easy to find is not at all expensive, great food and would no doubt impress the O/H)and lots of shopping (perhaps not such a good idea). You'll get a lot done in a day but by no means anything like all of it

[Morningside]

Bath is lovely and has a nice close town feeling to it - I will say this was 20 years ago but was very impressed.
Keep meaning to go back again.

[Dick_Phallus]

TorqueVR said:

Bath would fit the bill. The station is only 100m from the new shopping centre (tastefully built) and 1/4 mile from the Roman Baths, Pump Room etc. Lots to see, lots of good eateries (Jamie Oliver's in Milsom St - easy to find is not at all expensive, great food and would no doubt impress the O/H)and lots of shopping (perhaps not such a good idea). You'll get a lot done in a day but by no means anything like all of it

Unless your girlfriend loves queueing up a la Alton Towers I'd only consider this for lunch, and even then don't set your heart on it. Expecting people to wait in line for their dinner for an hour or so is a joke.

[maser_spyder]

Bath, it's beautiful.

And bks to Jamies place, take her to the Pump Rooms for lunch (right in the centre near the Cathedral). Proper English place, beautiful setting, full of history, excellent food.

I take Mrs Maser there for a treat sometimes, always gets me in her good books.

[bitwrx]

TorqueVR said:

Bath would fit the bill. The station is only 100m from the new shopping centre (built like a prison) and 1/4 mile from the Roman Baths, Pump Room etc. Lots to see, lots of good eateries (Jamie Oliver's in Milsom St - easy to find is not at all expensive, great food and would no doubt impress the O/H)and lots of shopping (perhaps not such a good idea). You'll get a lot done in a day but by no means anything like all of it

EFA

Sorry, but featureless and oppressive in my view.

Can I suggest the Walrus and Carpenter for lunch. Google for location.

[bint]

As this is the PIE and Piston, I recommend the Raven for its selection of pies - the beer's good too.

I love Bath, great day out, but Bristol is good too - plenty to see and do and the new Cabot Circus shopping centre is worth a look around. Bristol is a bit more balanced for old and new.

[miniman]

bint said:

As this is the PIE and Piston, I recommend the Raven for its selection of pies - the beer's good too.

I love Bath, great day out, but Bristol is good too - plenty to see and do and the new Cabot Circus shopping centre is worth a look around. Bristol is a bit more balanced for old and new.

Really? Compared to Bath, Bristol is an absolute hole IMHO. Cabot Circus might easily have been named Chavot Circus.

[ewenm]

Get there early, breakfast/brunch at the Jazz Cafe on Kingsmead Square,
bit of exploring and/or shopping taking in the Royal Crescent and the Circus,
late lunch at Hall and Woodhouse (just off top right corner of Queen's Square, behind Jolly's department store),
more shopping/exploring in the afternoon
before retiring to Sub-13 (George Street) for cocktails in their 2-for-1 happy hour (from 6pm I think),
followed by dinner at Beaujolais (lovely French restaurant, Queen's Square again, bottom left this time)

All within walking distance of the station.

Pubs to avoid (IMO): Slug and Lettuce, Beau Nash, Revolutions, All Bar One, Bar Ha Ha - at the weekend these will all be populated by stag and hen parties.

[Six Fiend]

You can see a lot more of Bath on foot than you can Bristol. Bristol has a huge amount of fabulous places but they really are spread out.

Bath also has the posh spa place with the rooftop pool etc.

[Morningside]

Six Fiend said:

You can see a lot more of Bath on foot than you can Bristol. Bristol has a huge amount of fabulous places but they really are spread out.

Bath also has the posh spa place with the rooftop pool etc.

I remember it being a bit hilly.

[maser_spyder]

Morningside said:

Six Fiend said:

You can see a lot more of Bath on foot than you can Bristol. Bristol has a huge amount of fabulous places but they really are spread out.

Bath also has the posh spa place with the rooftop pool etc.

I remember it being a bit hilly.

Yeah, but the main centre bit isn't.

Agree with that, Bath centre you can do pretty much all on foot. Bristol is all over the place. Clifton village to Cabot Circus is quite a walk....

[StripeyNick]

My girlfriend & I had a day out in Bath a couple of weeks ago and thought it was a lovely place.

We went across on the train from Cardiff. Got there just after 11am and left about 6:30pm. In that time we did both of the open top bus tours (£12.50 per person), did a tour of the Roman Baths (10% off with an open top bus ticket) and then spent the rest of the time wandering around enjoying the scenery.

For lunch we found a nice little sandwich shop near the abbey and then took our food into the gardens by the river. (£1 to get in but the ticket is valid all day and it's handy to know there are clean facilities there).

The only negative I have is that Bath is perhaps alot more touristy so it'll be pretty busy.

Other than that, have a great day!

[bint]

miniman said:

Really? Compared to Bath, Bristol is an absolute hole IMHO. Cabot Circus might easily have been named Chavot Circus.

Had a great day wandering aroun SS Great Britain and around the quays nearby, plus the Zoo is always worth a look around.

Thought Cabot was pretty good, the shops inside, and around (in one direction...) were slightly better quality than you usually get.

I was just trying to balance out the votes for Bath - I prefer Bath, but having lived in Cambridge for 9 years it's a bit similar for my liking and Bristol is just a bit more varied IMHO.