Isla's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Sight seeing in Bah and surrounding areas
Bradford-on-Avon is a truly magical little town nestled on the banks of the River Avon. Wander through the centre to The Shambles on the site of the medieval market stalls which features several old buildings including one of the only timber-framed buildings in Bradford on Avon, many of the others dates in part to 15th century.
You can’t miss The Bridge Tea Rooms, double winner of the UK Tea Guild’s ‘Top Tea Place’, and one of the UK’s finest spots for afternoon tea. A Hansel & Gretel-style exterior leads onto the cosiest of dining rooms, filled with homely trinkets, hefty wooden beams and the soft chink of fine bone china. Book to avoid disappointment.
The bridge over the River Avon is at the centre of the town and the focus of local roads. The bridge at present has nine arches, of which the southern two are ribbed pointed gothic and date from the 13th or 14th centuries. On the upstream cutwater between these two arches is a small early 18th century building with a stone dome, which was the town’s two-cell lockup.
There are lots of good places to eat including one of my favourites, a tapas restaurant called Pablo’s Bistro in Lamb’s Yard. Or if you prefer eating nearer the water there’s The Barge Inn and Olea Mediterranean. The Dog House serves great coffee and cakes as well as puppuccinos for your beloved pooch.
189 locals recommend
Bradford-on-Avon
Bradford-on-Avon is a truly magical little town nestled on the banks of the River Avon. Wander through the centre to The Shambles on the site of the medieval market stalls which features several old buildings including one of the only timber-framed buildings in Bradford on Avon, many of the others dates in part to 15th century.
You can’t miss The Bridge Tea Rooms, double winner of the UK Tea Guild’s ‘Top Tea Place’, and one of the UK’s finest spots for afternoon tea. A Hansel & Gretel-style exterior leads onto the cosiest of dining rooms, filled with homely trinkets, hefty wooden beams and the soft chink of fine bone china. Book to avoid disappointment.
The bridge over the River Avon is at the centre of the town and the focus of local roads. The bridge at present has nine arches, of which the southern two are ribbed pointed gothic and date from the 13th or 14th centuries. On the upstream cutwater between these two arches is a small early 18th century building with a stone dome, which was the town’s two-cell lockup.
There are lots of good places to eat including one of my favourites, a tapas restaurant called Pablo’s Bistro in Lamb’s Yard. Or if you prefer eating nearer the water there’s The Barge Inn and Olea Mediterranean. The Dog House serves great coffee and cakes as well as puppuccinos for your beloved pooch.
Harry Potter fans will instantly recognise this medieval village from the movie franchise and particularly Lacock Abbey for many of the interiors of Hogwarts including the corridors and Professor Snape’s classroom. Regardless if you are a wizard fan, this village is an absolute must see.
A visit to the village is akin to taking a step back in time, owned and managed by the National Trust, it has been beautifully preserved and unchanged since it was a thriving township that traded in wool.
Lacock Abbey is steeped in history and was the location for the first ever photograph taken by William Fox Talbot, the inventor of the positive negative photograph. There’s a museum on site and within the abbey which was his family home, you too can photograph the same window which was featured in his first experiment.
148 locals recommend
Lacock
Harry Potter fans will instantly recognise this medieval village from the movie franchise and particularly Lacock Abbey for many of the interiors of Hogwarts including the corridors and Professor Snape’s classroom. Regardless if you are a wizard fan, this village is an absolute must see.
A visit to the village is akin to taking a step back in time, owned and managed by the National Trust, it has been beautifully preserved and unchanged since it was a thriving township that traded in wool.
Lacock Abbey is steeped in history and was the location for the first ever photograph taken by William Fox Talbot, the inventor of the positive negative photograph. There’s a museum on site and within the abbey which was his family home, you too can photograph the same window which was featured in his first experiment.
You'll have heard of Stonehenge but personally I think Avebury is superior. Not only does it have the largest stone circle in Britain but you can wander around and touch the stones plus there are far less tourists. Avebury henge is one of the greatest marvels of prehistoric Britain. Built and much altered during the Neolithic period, roughly between 2850 BC and 2200 BC, the henge survives as a huge circular bank and ditch, encircling an area that includes part of Avebury village.
Avebury is part of an extraordinary set of Neolithic and Bronze Age ceremonial sites that seemingly formed a vast sacred landscape. They include West Kennet Avenue, West Kennet Long Barrow, The Sanctuary, Windmill Hill, and the mysterious Silbury Hill. Many can be reached on foot from the village. The Alexander Keiller Museum also displays many notable finds from the Avebury monuments.
332 locals recommend
Avebury
You'll have heard of Stonehenge but personally I think Avebury is superior. Not only does it have the largest stone circle in Britain but you can wander around and touch the stones plus there are far less tourists. Avebury henge is one of the greatest marvels of prehistoric Britain. Built and much altered during the Neolithic period, roughly between 2850 BC and 2200 BC, the henge survives as a huge circular bank and ditch, encircling an area that includes part of Avebury village.
Avebury is part of an extraordinary set of Neolithic and Bronze Age ceremonial sites that seemingly formed a vast sacred landscape. They include West Kennet Avenue, West Kennet Long Barrow, The Sanctuary, Windmill Hill, and the mysterious Silbury Hill. Many can be reached on foot from the village. The Alexander Keiller Museum also displays many notable finds from the Avebury monuments.
Bristol is a vibrant city full of art, music and lots of great places to explore. If you are a fan of Banksy or any street art then you’ll love Bristol. The home of Banksy has many of the mysterious artist’s most famous works.
My favourite thing to do in Bristol is board the SS Great Britain. It’s also officially Bristol’s No 1 attraction. Book ahead and you won’t regret it. You and your children will both enjoy the experience thanks to an incredibly well presented journey through time as you board the boat and get a real sense of the voyages of years gone by. Explore two museums, historic dockyard, dry dock and the world’s first great ocean liner.
The waterfront is also a great place to wander along and sample the culinary delights. If you’ve time, try and see a live gig and your cultural senses will be fully satisfied from a visit to this great city.
314 locals recommend
Bristol
Bristol is a vibrant city full of art, music and lots of great places to explore. If you are a fan of Banksy or any street art then you’ll love Bristol. The home of Banksy has many of the mysterious artist’s most famous works.
My favourite thing to do in Bristol is board the SS Great Britain. It’s also officially Bristol’s No 1 attraction. Book ahead and you won’t regret it. You and your children will both enjoy the experience thanks to an incredibly well presented journey through time as you board the boat and get a real sense of the voyages of years gone by. Explore two museums, historic dockyard, dry dock and the world’s first great ocean liner.
The waterfront is also a great place to wander along and sample the culinary delights. If you’ve time, try and see a live gig and your cultural senses will be fully satisfied from a visit to this great city.
Food scene
For utter convenience and a tasty home-cooked meal on your doorstep there’s The Swan Inn at the end of the road. It’s a no-frills pub with a view but steeped in history. Kingsdown was the mining community that mined the stones to build Bath. The original mining equipment and photos adorn the walls. It’s authentic and not fancy and sometimes the opening hours vary so book ahead to ensure a table.
18 locals recommend
The Swan Inn
Lower Kingsdown RoadFor utter convenience and a tasty home-cooked meal on your doorstep there’s The Swan Inn at the end of the road. It’s a no-frills pub with a view but steeped in history. Kingsdown was the mining community that mined the stones to build Bath. The original mining equipment and photos adorn the walls. It’s authentic and not fancy and sometimes the opening hours vary so book ahead to ensure a table.
The Wheatsheaf is on the other side of Bath but is worth the drive. The food is excellent and the location is as quaint as they come. Parking on site and dog friendly.
8 locals recommend
Wheatsheaf Inn Combe Hay
The Wheatsheaf is on the other side of Bath but is worth the drive. The food is excellent and the location is as quaint as they come. Parking on site and dog friendly.
A short drive away is a firm favourite for visitors and locals. The food is excellent and the view too. Sunday lunch is very popular so please book ahead. I can recommend the fish and chips and baked Camembert.
21 locals recommend
The Quarryman's Arms
Box HillA short drive away is a firm favourite for visitors and locals. The food is excellent and the view too. Sunday lunch is very popular so please book ahead. I can recommend the fish and chips and baked Camembert.
If you fancy a tasty curry then The Bengal Bear is very close in the village of Box and you can eat in or take away. The staff are lovely and the food is delicious. It’s my go-to if I can’t be bothered cooking.
20 locals recommend
The Bengal Bear
1 High StIf you fancy a tasty curry then The Bengal Bear is very close in the village of Box and you can eat in or take away. The staff are lovely and the food is delicious. It’s my go-to if I can’t be bothered cooking.
Farm shop food
This farm shop located at the garden centre, which is worth a visit too, is packed full of everything you could want. The best cheeses, artisan pies and quiches, the butcher counter, delicious bakery, gluten free pastas, and basically top end in every regard. Fresh fruit and veg are obviously a staple. Wines, beers snd ciders are also available here. It’s a little pricey but you will be truly spoiling yourself.
A short drive away just beyond Atworth this is an excellent place to stock up on delicious, if not a little pricey, food. The garden centre itself is worth a visit and there's a cafe on site too. The Farm shop stocks fresh fruits and vegetables, an excellent selection of cheeses and artisan breads, pies and quiches as well as a butcher's counter. If you fancy sampling some local ciders, they have a good selection as well as curated wines. Lots of gluten free products and pretty much anything else you could need for your stay.
10 locals recommend
Lowden Garden Centre
Folly LaneA short drive away just beyond Atworth this is an excellent place to stock up on delicious, if not a little pricey, food. The garden centre itself is worth a visit and there's a cafe on site too. The Farm shop stocks fresh fruits and vegetables, an excellent selection of cheeses and artisan breads, pies and quiches as well as a butcher's counter. If you fancy sampling some local ciders, they have a good selection as well as curated wines. Lots of gluten free products and pretty much anything else you could need for your stay.
On your doorstep and honesty-box operated, this little shack is surprisingly gourmet for a farm shop. Check for bread delivery days for the freshest artisan breads. Eggs, butter, quiches, meat, vegetables, jams and a few extra luxury treats are available. It’s just along the main road past the golf course on the right hand side.
New Macdonald's Farm
On your doorstep and honesty-box operated, this little shack is surprisingly gourmet for a farm shop. Check for bread delivery days for the freshest artisan breads. Eggs, butter, quiches, meat, vegetables, jams and a few extra luxury treats are available. It’s just along the main road past the golf course on the right hand side.
This is a further drive but it’s really worth a visit especially if you have children. Alpacas, ponies, pigs, chickens and a play park will entertain the little ones while you explore the truly gourmet shop which is known for its excellent seafood, meat and deli counter. It’s a foodies dream! Local ciders, pour-your-own olive oil, the most delicious sweetie selection, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
I must recommend you have the fish and chips while you are there as it’s worth the drive just for that! There also a sweet little gift shop.
56 locals recommend
White Row Farm
This is a further drive but it’s really worth a visit especially if you have children. Alpacas, ponies, pigs, chickens and a play park will entertain the little ones while you explore the truly gourmet shop which is known for its excellent seafood, meat and deli counter. It’s a foodies dream! Local ciders, pour-your-own olive oil, the most delicious sweetie selection, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
I must recommend you have the fish and chips while you are there as it’s worth the drive just for that! There also a sweet little gift shop.
Children’s Play Parks
If you are travelling with little ones, I know it’s important to identify nearby play parks to keep them happy and exhausted! These ones are tried and tested.
This park in the nearby village of Box is the closest and has a surprisingly substantial play area. There are two play areas, one for smaller children and a bigger one for the big kids with a mini assault-course which adults have been known to try! There’s also a beautiful walk along the stream. You can park beside the tennis court.
Box Recreation Ground
This park in the nearby village of Box is the closest and has a surprisingly substantial play area. There are two play areas, one for smaller children and a bigger one for the big kids with a mini assault-course which adults have been known to try! There’s also a beautiful walk along the stream. You can park beside the tennis court.
Brimming with activities for children, Bath’s largest park, Royal Victoria Park, is a popular family day out. As well as the botanical gardens, there is play equipment for all ages – a children’s play area, skate park, bandstand, lake with waterfowl, adventure golf and tennis courts. Pack a picnic and enjoy the fresh air.
216 locals recommend
Royal Victoria Park
Marlborough LaneBrimming with activities for children, Bath’s largest park, Royal Victoria Park, is a popular family day out. As well as the botanical gardens, there is play equipment for all ages – a children’s play area, skate park, bandstand, lake with waterfowl, adventure golf and tennis courts. Pack a picnic and enjoy the fresh air.
Search for magical doors in the Long Wood elf and fairy foray, complete a series of challenges and build a branch fort.
The Family Discovery Trail is set amongst woodland and pasture with some superb views of Bath - a place of freedom for families to roam and enjoy.
To find the area, head towards Claverton Down. The woodland play area is opposite the Sulis Club on Claverton Down Road - National Trust signage visible from the road, at point 8 on the main Bath Skyline map.
Long Wood
Search for magical doors in the Long Wood elf and fairy foray, complete a series of challenges and build a branch fort.
The Family Discovery Trail is set amongst woodland and pasture with some superb views of Bath - a place of freedom for families to roam and enjoy.
To find the area, head towards Claverton Down. The woodland play area is opposite the Sulis Club on Claverton Down Road - National Trust signage visible from the road, at point 8 on the main Bath Skyline map.