Bristol, affectionately known to locals as ‘Brizzle’, is well known for its sea-faring history, sweeping Georgian terraces, music scene, nightlife and general cosmopolitan charm. Crowned as Britain’s first cycling city and renowned for its graffiti art, it’s also famous for its links with hot air ballooning, Isambard Kingdom Brunel and the world-famous and award winning Aardman Animations, creators of Wallace and Gromit. All told, Bristol boldly stakes its claim to being the most bustling and colourful metropolis in all of the West country. In recent years, it’s also been a popular destination choice for stag parties, who enjoy the wide variety of things to see and do. Here are just a few suggestions for Bristol stag activities.
Golf
if you fancy competing in the gentlemanly pursuit of golf, there are several clubs within a few miles of Bristol who take day bookings from groups, for example you could try the Bristol Golf club in Almondsbury, Shirehampton Park Golf Club (though you have to be a bona fide golfer to play here), the Kendleshire in Coalpit Heath or there are several others to choose from too.
Boat trips
being a watery type of city, Bristol is awash with opportunities to get nautical. You can explore the historic docks by boat, or venture further afield through the canals and lock-gates around the city. Several companies, including Number Seven Boat Trips, the Bristol Ferry Boat Company and the Bristol Packet, offer booze cruises around the docks to some of the historic and characterful waterfront pubs and bars. If you would prefer captaining a narrow boat for the day, then several companies hire these out too. You can potter along the waterways towards neighbouring Bath and take in a local hostelry, such as Beese’s Tea Gardens, along the way.
Bristol is in cider country, so you could try some of the West country’s finest tipple whilst you’re here. Simply step into any bar of your choice and say “Zider I up landlord” and the good chap (or chapesse) will willingly oblige. There are also some legendary cider establishments, such as the Coronation Tap and the Apple, which are well worth a visit. Bristol has its very own cider festival too. This year, it’s on the 3rd and 4th of August. Some of the bars even do cider tasting as well…you could sup Tumpy Ground, Prior’s Tipple, Gwatkin Old Rat’s Tale and plenty more delicious brews.
More energetic bods may like to indulge in challenging, high adrenaline games and activities and there are plenty, close to Bristol, to choose from. You can opt for paint-balling carnage in the woods, karting, quad biking or a whole host of other whacky outdoor games. Companies such as It’s a Knockout and West Country Games have heaps of hilarious games, in which you can pit your strength and skills against your friends and relatives in unforgettable fashion. Choosing this for your Bristol stag weekend is a great option.
And if you enjoy your time in the West Country, take a look at their sister activity, Welsh Games. This is just as much fun as West Country Games, and a perfect choice for a Cardiff stag weekend.
After all that, you might like to grab a cheeky forty winks before heading out for an equally awesome West country night out.