If you are travelling with a group of people, finding somewhere with a variety of attractions, to suit the wants and needs of everybody, can be problematic. One of the difficulties is that even the most popular tourist destinations often only have similar attractions. In contrast, the south-west corner of the UK (particularly South Wales, Avon and Somerset) offer holidays suited to all, thanks to the wealth and variety of attractions.
South Wales provides two paradoxical glimpses of Britain. For many, the area is synonymous with a quieter age, when Britain was still a largely rural community. Many attractions in the area celebrate both the history and character of Wales and the UK (such as Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Brecon Beacons National Park, Raglan Castle and the National Museum Cardiff), yet this only tells part of the fascinating story of the area.
Until recently, South Wales was an area in decline; the gradual reduction of mining, imports and other traditional industries had made the area something of an ancient relic. In contrast, South Wales is now a vibrant and booming modern tourist hotspot, and many attractions in the area celebrate this forward planning with as much gusto as the more historic sites.
Attractions such as Taff Valley Quad Biking, Techniquest Science Discover Centre, The LC Waterpark and Leisure Complex and the Bridgend designer outlet showcase a different face of South Wales. These attractions typify an area that has shown regeneration, progression and innovation in recent times and has reinvented itself, successfully, as an interesting tourist destination.
This forward-thinking is shown in the sheer number of places to stay that are now available in the South Wales region. There are now many outstanding hotels in the region, including a number of two and 3 star hotels in Cardiff and Swansea in particular. This includes some of the most breathtaking new developments in the Cardiff Bay area, which is quickly becoming one of the most fashionable places to be seen in the entire country.
A short hop across the famous Severn Bridge lies another fantastic hotspot for tourists. It is perhaps something of a great disservice to the area of Avon and Somerset that for many people, it is merely an area they pass through in order to get to Devon and Cornwall. The fact is, this beautiful and historic part of the world is a treasure trove of attractions for those willing to invest time in exploring it.
There are two places which are the ideal base for a trip to this part of the world, Bristol offers all the advantages of a big city, with great transport links, shops, an airport and many fine Bristol hotels available at surprisingly cheap rates. An alternative (which is only a short drive away) is Bath, a beautiful spa town that is as charming and historic, as it is full of character.
For anyone travelling to the area, there are a variety of ‘must see’ attractions. The work of Isambard Kingdom Brunel is particularly notable in this area, with two of his finest pieces of work - the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the SS Great Britain - both in close proximity to the city of Bristol.
Bristol also boasts several other outstanding attractions. Bristol Zoo is perhaps most famous for being the featured zoo in BBC TV’s Animal Magic television programme for many years, with presenter Johnny Morris filming many of his scenes here.
Situated in Harbourside is the outstanding Bristol Aquarium, which showcases a wide variety of marine life from those situated just offshore the British Isles, to some of the most exotic piscatorial life found in exotic locations around the world. At-Bristol is a brand new 21st-century science and technology centre with an interactive, hands-on approach to learning that will delight and educate people of all ages.
The area also offers the splendour of Wookie Hole, one of the most celebrated systems of caves in the UK, while Bath has its famous Thermae Bath Spa, the country’s only natural thermal spa which offers a wide range of treatments. In addition, literature fans will be enthralled by the Jane Austen centre, a fitting tribute to Bath’s most famous resident.
There is a wide variety of HotelClub accommodation in Bath; meaning that there are hotels to suit all budgets and tastes.
The south-west is much more than simply a place to pass through to get somewhere else. It is a stunningly beautiful and much underrated part of the UK. With so much to do, so many places to stay and so many things to see, one holiday to this quiet corner of the UK will certainly not be enough.