Category Archives: England

Balloon Fiesta to Brighten Bristol Skies

Posted on by By Vivienne DuBourdieu
Bristol icons - the Brunel Bridge and the annual Balloon Fiesta. Photo Gary Newman.

Bristol icons - the Brunel Bridge and the annual Balloon Fiesta. Photo Gary Newman.

Visit Bristol this week for some awe-inspiring aerial sights.

Balloons will soar en-masse into the sky every night and morning during the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, which takes place from 11th – 14th August.

The Balloon Fiesta gets under way properly at 12 noon on Thursday.

The curtain raiser began today in Bristol’s historical College Green.

Flanked by the Cathedral and Council House, a group of hot air balloons took off from the heart of the city centre.

They left a cluster of vintage balloons - lent by the British Balloon Museum – tethered on Bristol Green for all to admire until the end of the Fiesta.

These illustrate how ballooning has evolved over the decades.

Bristol Balloon Fiesta. Photo called 'Into the Blue' by Gary Newman.

Into the Blue. Photographed by Gary Newman.

It was in 1971, that the Fiesta’s founder, Don Cameron, set up Cameron Balloons in Bristol. They are now the world’s largest balloon manufacturer.

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, Cameron Balloons will construct a passenger-carrying balloon on site – over four days of the Fiesta – so that visitors have a chance to see a hot air balloon being made.

Make sure you’re close enough to see the famous Night Glows, when balloons tether in the main arena and light up – in sequence to music – like giant light bulbs.

Spectacular firework displays will follow each of the Night Glows on Thursday and Saturday.

On Thursday night, the Bristol Marriott City Centre ‘Night Glow‘ will have a movies theme and on Saturday night: the Goodridge Night Glow will celebrate four decades of balloon manufacturing.

Sunday will see heads turn to the sky again as the hugely popular Red Arrows give exciting aerial displays, in association with Spire Bristol Hospital.

During the Fiesta, there will be arena and air displays, over 250 trade stands, local and international food stalls, a funfair and variety of other entertainment to make sure everyone has fun.

Collett Transport Services sponsor the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

Transport

Two dedicated bus services will operate during the Fiesta weekend. These will link up central Bristol, Clifton and Bristol Temple Meads with the Fiesta site.

Timetables

Click here for a Balloon Fiesta timetable.

International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol

International Balloon Fiesta, Bristol

Balloon Flights

Visitors can enjoy balloon flights during the event. Local balloon company, Bailey Balloons, is offering flight discounts for £160 per person (normal price, £180).

Email: office@baileyballoons.co.uk for details and other offers.

Accommodation

To book a hotel, click here.

Visitor Information

Ring 0906 711 2191 (calls charged at 50 pence pm) or email ticharbourside@destinationbristol.co.uk

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Salisbury’s First Five Star B&B Opens

Posted on by By Vivienne DuBourdieu
Now Open Salisbury's First 5 Star B&B

Now Open Salisbury's First 5 Star B&B

Just a stone’s throw from the centre of Salisbury is a stunning new B&B; the city’s first to achieve five star status.

Quidhampton Mill offers three very attractive  rooms for bed and breakfast, with prices starting at an affordable £85 per night. And yes, that does include breakfast.

The style of the rooms, and indeed the entire B&B, is very much like stepping into New England.

From the moment you drive into the courtyard through a covered driveway (with electric entrance gates), it’s like stepping into another world.

The rooms are elegantly styled with panelled wood floors and tastefully decorated with Farrow and Ball paint.

The owners, Martin and Lesa Drewett, have paid particular attention to detail with features such as goose down duvets, individual wooden furnishings, and bathrooms filled with large bottles of toiletries for the use of guests.

Goose feather duvets at Salisbury's 5 Star B&B

Goose feather duvets at Salisbury's 5 Star B&B

The rooms also feature a ‘just in case’ tin filled with a range of helpful items that guests may have forgotten to pack.

Tea and coffee is also served in a quirky and unusual style with pretty little wooden drawers filled with a variety of options.

Not to be outdone by the rooms, the owners have also made the breakfasts an ‘experience’.  All their produce is sourced locally and Lesa even makes her own cakes, pastries and cookies.

On arrival guests are welcomed into Quidhampton Mill by a tempting array of drinks and cakes.

In the summer Lesa’s homemade lemonade and cream teas are already providing to be extremely popular while on chilly days you might be offered freshly brewed coffee, tea or hot chocolate and a delicious blueberry muffin.

Homemade blueberry muffins at Quidhampton Mill

Homemade blueberry muffins at Quidhampton Mill

With room rates starting from as little as £85 per night, Quidhampton Mill is not only chic and stylish but affordable.

For more information and reservations visit here or call 01722 741171.

For information about things to see and do in Salisbury, please click www.visitwiltshire.co.uk