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EntertainmentThe Grand PierBrean Leisure Park SeaQuarium Court Farm Country Park Wookey Hole Caverns Cheddar Caves and Gorge Other Weston-super-Mare is a traditional, bustling seaside resort. The wide, clean sandy beach is ideal for all ages, and the main town close by offers all the usual seaside amusements and entertainment as well as a good selection of shops. Whatever your age, whether young or young at heart, there are attractions to suit all tastes, from picturesque parks to beach-side activities. Weston-super-Mare can guarantee you'll never be bored with a wide variety of events taking place all year round. Farther afield, you’ll find a varied mixture of heritage, countryside and the coast. Towards the south east, about 20 miles from Weston-Super-Mare, is Wells – England’s smallest city with a beautiful cathedral. The county is full of small villages built from the local honey-coloured stone. Somerset is famous for its cider and cheese. Why not take time out to sample both by seeing how real Cheddar cheese is made and sampling some traditional West Country cider at one of the great local pubs. Whatever you decide to do at Sand Bay, you can be assured that you will be staying at one of the best holiday villages in the South West. Weston Tourist Information Centre Open: Please call for seasonal opening times Address: Beach Lawns, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1AT Tel: 01934 888800 email: touristinfo1@n-somerset.gov.uk http://www.somersetcoast.com The Grand PierThe Pier at Birnbeck (opened in 1867) was a long way from the centre of town. Railway excursionists only went to the nearest beach, which was off the end of Regent Street. Ideas to build a pier here were announced in 1880 but various schemes fell through. In 1893 the idea got as far as an Act of Parliament. Ultimately, the scheme was passed and £200,000 subscribed, mainly from local and South Wales shareholders. The pier, 1½ miles long, was intended to serve two purposes: for shipping at all tides at the far end and for entertainment near the shore. In the event it proved useless for sea-going traffic and revenue from that source never existed. Of the two piers at Weston-super-Mare it is the more viable, despite the disappearance of trams and the virtual cessation of excursion trains and steamer traffic, because of its central position. Attractions include: Big Wheel Castle of Doom Ten Pin Bowling Children's Adventure Playground Kids Ball Pool Crazy House Ice Cream Parlour Train All the latest slot machines, video and family games Grand Pier Ltd Marine Parade, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, BS23 1AL, United Kingdom. Phone 01934 620238 Fax 01934 626135 email: info@grandpierwsm.co.uk http://www.grandpierwsm.co.uk Back to top Brean Leisure ParkIf your kids love theme parks and fun fairs, they’ll love Brean’s rides and amusements. We have over 30 rides and attractions, including roundabouts, waltzers, dodgems, and roller coasters! New for 2005 is our 'XTreme' 130ft of terror plus 'Disco Fever' Big fun ride for all the family. Then there’s the Shock Wave Super Looper roller coaster – the largest roller coaster in England’s South West. Canoe River, our children's river boat ride will have them shrieking with excitement and our Laser Quest provides thrills galore. For something a little gentler, yet equally memorable take them on a 'Pony Adventure' – our children's themed pony ride. For those who like the scary stuff, Terror Castle (Officially the UK's scariest darkest ride!) is not to be missed. It’s been re-fitted with even more terrifying scares imported from Hollywood. Brean Fun Park is not just about outdoor entertainment. Visit our amusement arcade for fruit machines, over 18's jackpot machines and the latest video games. Feeling peckish? Enjoy a full meal or simply a snack at a variety of food and drink outlets around the theme park . From juicy burgers and hotdogs for the kids to plated food specials if you prefer something special, none of the family will go hungry here. Brean Leisure Park Coast Road Brean Sands Somerset TA8 2QY General enquiries: 01278 751595 Accomodation: 01278 752100 Fax: 01278 752102 http://www.brean.com Back to top SeaQuariumSeaQuarium Weston-Super-Mare stands on it's own pier - the first to be built in Britain for almost a century. Here you will discover the fascinating secrets hidden beneath the Severn Estuary and the sea beyond. Over 30 fascinating displays, tea room and gift shop. Exciting close encounters with marvels of marine life from starfish to sharks, rays to eels. SeaQuarium Weston is open daily from 10.00 am (please call for Winter opening times.) Come and go as you please - your ticket covers all facilities all day, just collect a hand stamp for re-entry. (Food bought in the restaurant not included.) Organised groups of 10 or more qualify for special discounts. Schools are welcome at special rates. With our educational packs and lively presentations, learning and enjoyment go together! Our unique and entertaining venue is available for private hire. Children's parties are a speciality. Call us for details. SeaQuarium Weston-Super-Mare Marine Parade Weston-Super-Mare Somerset BS23 1BE Tel: 01934 613361 email: weston@seaquarium.co.uk http://www.seaquariumweston.co.uk Back to top Court Farm Country ParkNow in its 15th year as a visitor attraction, Court Farm Country Park is looking forward to another fun filled summer of entertainment for all the family. Last summer, saw the farm finishing as runners up in the Farm Attraction of the Year competition, an accolade which the attractions owner Peter Gwyn puts down to the friendly atmosphere and excellent facilities the farm now boasts. With over 25000sq.ft of undercover attractions and playgrounds, all visitors can enjoy at day in the countryside whatever the weather. There are two large indoor playgrounds, which suit all ages of children together with lots of friendly animals on show. With twice daily bottle-feeding shows, kids can marvel at the antics of the farms baby animals. Older kids will love the Big Cat rides, which whizz round the farm giving an experience not to be missed. Tractor rides, pony rides, ferret shows and whole host of other goings on, will leave your kids begging to come back soon. In July, the farms Amazing Monster Ocean Maze opens for the summer season giving mums, dads and the kids the chance to track down the monster of the deep. During the season, the outdoor adventure land playground will become even bigger with enough extra play equipment to tire out even the most energetic of children. Court Farm Country Park is open 7 days a week from 10 am to 5.30 p.m. Court Farm Country Park Open: All year Address: Wolvershill Road, Banwell, Weston-Super-Mare BS29 6DL Tel: 01934 822383 http://www.courtfarmcountrypark.co.uk Back to top Wookey Hole CavernsNo visit to the West Country would be complete without a visit to the famous Wookey Hole. The magnificent underground caves and pools have been formed by the water from the River Axe over millions of years, providing visitors with excellent examples of natural geological formations. Not only is the destination famous for its caves but also for the supposed Witch of Wookey Hole. According to folklore, the Witch of Wookey cursed many of the local residents. As a result of their fear, they called on the help of a local Glastonbury monk, who exorcised her presence with holy water, thus turning her to stone. As well as the Witch and the caves, visitors can see demonstrations of paper being made by hand, the ‘Penny Arcade’ historic amusements, and the Magical Mirror Maze. Wookey Hole also has a number of seasonal events throughout the year. Visitors are advised to check with the booking office or visit the website for more information. Wookey Hole Caverns Open: All year Address: Wookey Hole, Wells, Somerset BA5 1BB Tel: 01749 672243 http://www.wookey.co.uk Back to top Cheddar Caves and GorgeA major tourist attraction for over 200 years, with plenty to do above and below ground. Outstanding Natural Beauty, where you'll find many rare species. The Cathedral-like Caves and Britain's biggest Gorge are million-year-old Ice Age river beds. Your ancestors have lived here for 40,000 years, and world-famous Cheddar Man is Britain's oldest complete skeleton. If you'd like to try our RockSport Adventure Activities, organise a School or Group visit, or just enjoy a quiet cream tea, Cheddar Caves and Gorge is the place to visit! Cheddar Caves & Gorge Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3QF Tel: 01934 742343 email: caves@visitcheddar.co.uk http://www.cheddarcaves.co.uk Back to top OtherAdditional Information Sources Further information about the local area can be found by visiting the following websites: www.somersetcoast.com www.bbc.co.uk/somerset www.weston-super-maretowncouncil.gov.uk Other Local Towns and Places of Interest * Bristol * Bath * Cleveden * Wells * Cheddar * Glastonbury Back to top |
