Regional Heritage Tour - 3 Day Itinerary

Day One - Bristol

Discover Bristol’s maritime heritage with a morning at MShed, a museum telling the story of the city through its people, a harbour boat trip (scheduled ferries run all year) and a visit to Brunel’s SS Great Britain.

Take a special lunch in a Michelin-starred restaurant in the redeveloped Bristol General or one of the many options around the Harbour before a visit to Bristol Cathedral to discover the secrets of this magnificent building, which is often used as a film set. Bristol’s historic Georgian House or Red Lodge museums show what life was like in the city in times past. Finish the day with dinner and a show at Bristol Old Vic theatre, the oldest-continually working theatre in the country, it’s been here since 1766.

Day Two - Explore More

Arnos Vale Cemetery is a unique heritage site in the heart of Bristol, with 45 green acres of spectacular Victorian Garden Cemetery. Discover the who’s who of Bristol from those times before popping across the road to Bristol Blue Glass – the iconic city glassware.

The New Room, John Wesley’s Chapel & Museum in the heart of Bristol Shopping Quarter is the oldest Methodist building in the world. Curator tours are available for groups and there is an excellent on-site café.

In the afternoon, visit Aerospace Bristol and step-aboard Concorde Alpha-Foxtrot, the last of these iconic Bristolbuilt supersonic jets to be built and to fly. The museum also showcases the history of the aviation industry in the city from the early 20th century to today. Finish the afternoon at the National Trust’s Dyrham Park (used as a location in the Jane Austen-inspired Sanditon TV series) before overnight in historic Bath.

Day Three - Bath

Spend the day in this UNESCO World Heritage city, starting with a visit to Bath Abbey. Pilgrims and visitors have been made welcome at the Abbey for hundreds of years, whether for the architecture, the history or to enjoy exceptional music. Next up the Roman Baths, just next door, are a must for every visitor to Bath. Enjoy lunch in the Pump Room and sample the mineral-rich spa water, said to have healing properties.

During the afternoon, explore Bath with a visit to the Royal Crescent and a walk around architecturally astounding The Circus, and visit the Fashion Museum, home to a world-class collection of contemporary and historic dress.

The Museum of Bath at Work displays 2,000 years of working life from a Victorian ironmongers and engineering works, a soft drinks making factory and even a Bath Stone mine working, all on show in a former Real Tennis court, dating from 1777.