Meet Bristol & Bath host Alliance of Independent Event Agencies (AIEA) educational trip to the region

With the support of our valued members, Meet Bristol & Bath were delighted to host members of the Alliance of Independent Event Agencies (AIEA), to showcase the possibilities that Bristol, Bath and the surrounding region have to offer event planners. 

Day One

Guests checked into Clayton Hotel Bristol City for their two-night stay. One of Bristol’s newest hotels, located in the Old City at the walls of St. Johns with 255 bedrooms and 6 event spaces, the Clayton’s location in the heart of Bristol makes it an ideal base for business and leisure. Enclosed in the stunning Grade II listed Everard's Print Works building, the contemporary hotel’s design celebrates Bristol’s links to the arts while restoring a piece of local history. 

The trip began by exploring Bristol Old Vic after-hours with exclusive access. Originally opened in 1766, Bristol Old Vic is the country’s oldest continuously working theatre, making it a magnificent venue for corporate events, weddings and special occasions. The historic nature of the venue, in addition to its central location and flexible event spaces ranging from 12 to 550 in capacity, offers endless possibilities to create truly remarkable events. 

Pieminister provided the perfect setting for the group’s dinner. Born in the city in 2003, this Bristol institution started life as one shop in Stokes Croft. Selling just five pies on its first day of opening, word quickly spread, with a stall in London’s Borough Market soon following, then a pitch at Glastonbury. Over the past twenty years, the company has grown to employ around 300 people across 16 restaurants, and achieved B Corp status. 

Image: The AIEA group outside the Clayton Hotel in Bristol city centre

Day Two

Day two started with a behind-the-scenes hard hat tour of Bristol Beacon. This magnificent concert hall is due to reopen on 30 November 2023 following a five-year transformation project. The refurbished music venue in the centre of Bristol has seen major improvements to its event spaces, with the 2000-plus capacity Beacon Hall, the 500 capacity Lantern Hall and the new 200 capacity Weston Cellar. 

The next stop was to explore the 11 versatile event spaces at Brunel’s SS Great Britain, situated both on and off the ship (largest capacity 250). Steeped in history, the world’s first great ocean liner provides a memorable setting at the heart of Bristol’s harbour. The venue’s showstopper, the First-Class Dining Saloon, is an elegant space which provides the perfect area for evening dining. Neighbouring the ship, The Brunel Institute conference space offers modern and flexible facilities. 

The historic De Vere Tortworth Court hotel, nestled in the Gloucestershire countryside, provided the lunch venue for the group. Set just a 30 minute drive away from Bristol city centre, Tortworth Court is a place where a centuries old story meets an exceptionally modern experience. A popular choice for meetings, events, business stays and getaways, the Grade II* listed hotel is close to Junction 14 of the M5, 40 minutes from Bristol Airport and just 20 minutes from Bristol Parkway railway station. Parkway station benefits from non-stop trains from London Paddington, which take just over one hour.

Post-lunch tea and scones were enjoyed at the opulent Thornbury Castle, a beautiful 16th century building once owned by Henry VIII standing in 15 acres of regal splendour, surrounded by Tudor Walled Gardens. It sits on the northern edge of Thornbury adjacent to the Gloucestershire countryside, twelve miles to the north of Bristol, and is well-placed for visiting the Cotswolds, the Georgian city of Bath, Bristol and Wales. All 27 bedrooms, public rooms and meeting rooms are breath-taking, and cannot fail to impress.  

The University of Bristol is custodian to many of the fine buildings which help shape the character of the city. One of these is Goldney House with its Orangery where the group enjoyed pre-dinner drinks. Set in the heart of Clifton, enclosed in the attractive surroundings of Georgian and Victorian buildings, manicured gardens and wonderful hidden surprises. The group were treated to a tour of the shell-studded grotto, ornamental canal, statues and a fully restored rotunda.

At the top of the iconic Avon Gorge, the group were given a tour of The Avon Gorge by Hotel du Vin, including meeting spaces that can accommodate up to 140 people. With Clifton Village nearby, and the central business district only minutes away, the hotel is perfectly located to explore the city of Bristol. The group also enjoyed spectacular views of the Gorge and Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge over dinner on the restaurant terrace. 

Image: The AIEA group in the foyer of Bristol Beacon 

Day Three

Following check out, the day started with a tour of Harbour Hotel Bristol. Leading the way in city luxury, the hotel showcases a glorious façade and exceptionally restored interiors, offering an abundance of character and detail for guests to enjoy. Renowned architect William Bruce Gingell is behind the remarkable design of the former Lloyds Bank building, inspired by Sansovino’s 16th century Venetian Library, which caters for up to 400 delegates for a meeting and 320 for a seated meal. 

The city of Bath is just a 12-minute train journey away from Bristol via the Great Western Railway network. Enhanced delegate fares are offered on journeys travelling at any time to Bristol and Bath’s mainline stations (Bristol Temple Meads, Bristol Parkway and Bath Spa) from eligible Great Western Railway stations, including London Paddington.

A short walk down some of Bath’s cobbled streets brought the group to The Roman Baths and Pump Room, which are both available for private hire after hours and catered by Searcy’s. For the Romans, this was a popular bathing complex, built around Britain's only hot spring. Adjacent to The Roman Baths is the Pump Room where the group sat down to delicious tea and Bath Buns while listening to a live pianist.  

Next up was a visit to the Apex City of Bath Hotel. Accommodating up to 400 delegates theatre style, it is Bath’s largest conference hotel, and even features a dedicated conference floor for breakout rooms, refreshments, and a private entrance along with 177 bedrooms.  

Bringing the trip to a close, the group visited The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa. The award winning, five-star hotel offers 45 luxurious bedrooms and suites, the newly refurbished Montagu's Mews restaurant, meeting facilities and a high-end spa with the possibility of exclusive use for groups. The group were treated to a delectable lunch taken from the hotel’s private dining menu before making the journey home. 

Image: One of the newly refurbished suites at the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa in Bath 

Trip testimonial: 

‘Thank you both for putting on a fabulous itinerary and showcasing the very best of what Bristol and Bath has to offer. We experienced such generous and incredible hospitality everywhere we went, and my eyes have seriously been opened to the array of venues on offer for meetings conferences and incentives. We had a fabulous time, thanks for putting it all together and giving up your time!’ - Susan Brogan, Venue Seekers.