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Active Outings 
Activity Centres, Caving and Climbing
ACTIVE EXMOOR
www.activeexmoor.com • Exmoor National Park covers 267 square miles of beautiful countryside from North Devon to West Somerset, all of it within easy reach of Bristol and Bath. Active Exmoor’s website and newsletter are the perfect guide to a huge range of activities across the national park, from gentle walks taking in spectacular scenery to more energetic pursuits such as surfing, mountain biking and white water rafting. For further information and to order your free brochure visit their website.
ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITY COMPANY
26 Leading Edge, 80 Hotwell Rd, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 925 3196, www.adventurousactivitycompany.co.uk • Specialise in custom-designed activity trips for up to 150 people. Their Bristol Adventure Days see you canoeing in the docks, climbing/abseiling in the Avon Gorge and mountain biking at Ashton Court, while their Bristol Urban Challenge is a city-based treasure hunt.
AVON SKI AND ACTION CENTRE
Lyncombe Drive, Churchill, Somerset. Ffi: 01934 852335, www.avonski.co.uk • Multi-activity centre offering everything from dry-slope skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing to mountain boarding, power kiting, archery and air rifles. Can also arrange climbing.
BHP INSPIRING EVENTS
The Old Stables, Box Hedge Farm, Coalpit Heath, Bristol. Ffi: 0808 197 1254, www.bhpinspiringevents.co.uk • Specialises in team-building and development packages for individuals, stags and hens and corporate groups, including quad biking, archery, helicopter flights and a high ropes course. Hen cottage weekends come with pampering spa treatments and cocktail making; studio packages see you record a CD.
BLACK MOUNTAIN ACTIVITIES
Three Cocks, nr Hay on Wye, Powys. Ffi: 01497 847897, www.blackmountain.co.uk • Outdoor pursuits company offering climbing, abseiling, caving, kayaking, raft building, gorge scrambling and white water rafting from their base in the Black Mountains.
BRISTOL CLIMBING CENTRE
St Werburghs Church, Mina Rd, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 941 3489, www.undercover-rock.com • Renowned centre offering indoor climbing suiting all ages and abilities. Over 150 routes plus a soft-floored bouldering area. Trips run to Avon Gorge and Land’s End. NICAS – National Indoor Climbing Achievement Scheme – initiative allows climbers aged 10-18 to monitor their progress.
GLOUCESTER SKI & SNOWBOARD CENTRE
Robinswood Hill, Gloucester. Ffi: 0870 240 0375, www.gloucesterski.com • Tutorial and recreational snow sport for all, from age six upwards, at one of the country’s largest outdoor ski slopes.
MENDIP OUTDOOR PURSUITS
The Warehouse, Silver St, Congresbury, North Somerset. Ffi: 01934 834877, www.mendipoutdoorpursuits.co.uk • Tailor-made adventure activities for groups and individuals, including caving, abseiling, raft building, kayaking, assault courses, archery, hill walking and treasure hunts.
Airborne
AVON KITE FLYERS
Ffi: www.avonkiteflyers.org.uk • This friendly kiting association holds regular ‘fly-ins’ at Ashton Court Estate, and is open to all ages and abilities from beginners to competition level. It also hosts the Kite Festival at Ashton Court in September (see Major Events section). Annual membership £15.
BAILEY BALLOONS
44 Ham Green, Bristol. Ffi: 01275 375300, www.baileyballoons.co.uk • Hot air balloon rides from Bristol, Bath and South Wales. Gift vouchers available, flights at short notice.
BALLOONING NETWORK
73 Vauxhall House, Coronation Rd, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 947 1050, www.ballooning-network.co.uk • Fizz, fun and fantastic scenery with champagne flights across the region. Choose from historic cityscapes to the charms of the countryside, individually tailored, from £99 (including champagne).
BRISTOL & GLOUCESTERSHIRE GLIDING CLUB
Nympsfield, Glos. Ffi: 01453 860342, www.bggc.co.uk • Offering a range of trial lessons from £69, week courses and ‘solo and beyond’ schemes. Get airborne for up to seven hours at speeds of 175mph. Current and past world champs are among the members here, and pilots have flown from the club to the Isle of Wight, Snowdon, Cornwall and Yorkshire, as well as circumnavigating London.
GRAND APPEAL WALLACE AND GROMIT PARACHUTE JUMPS
All jumps take place at Redlands Airfield, Swindon. Ffi: Grand Appeal Office 0800 919649/John Wilkins 01275 877599 • Jumps in aid of Bristol’s Royal Hospital for Children are staged most weekends throughout the year, weather permitting. A mass team jump is scheduled for 2 May, but whenever you go, chances are you’ll rub shoulders with fundraising daredevil extraordinaire John Wilkins. A grand day out indeed.
THE KITE STORE
39a Cotham Hill, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 974 5010, www.kitestore.co.uk, www.blownawaykiteschool.co.uk • All your sporting and recreational kiting needs catered for, with power-kiting, buggies, mountain-boarding and kite-surfing tuition offered at their partner, Blown Away Kite School.
PAR AVION
Elm Tree Park, Marlborough. Ffi: 01672 861380, www.par-avion.co.uk • Try paragliding above the Wiltshire countryside for an utterly exhilarating experience, from a very reasonable £180. Gift vouchers available for a one-day taster course that builds to you flying 400 yards from 150ft up over 40 exhilarating seconds.
SILVER STARS PARACHUTE TEAM
Duke of Gloucestershire Barracks, Cirencester. Ffi: 01285 868259, www.silverstars.org.uk • The Silver Stars are the parachute team of the Royal Logistic Corps, but cater for civilians from Friday to Sunday. Options include a tandem jump (strapped to an instructor,) static line jumps, or get in touch for information and prices on accelerated freefall courses.
Conservation & Volunteering
AVON WILDLIFE TRUST
32 Jacobs Wells Rd, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 917 7270, www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk • Regular Wednesday and Sunday conservation events at the Trust’s 39 reserves across the former Avon area. Volunteer for the conservation team or help with the education team’s school outreach programme.
BRISTOL CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS
Ffi: 0117 942 3688 • Practical nature conservation work and related activities (open days, guided walks and the like) on nature reserves and farms.
BRISTOL TRAILS GROUP
Ffi: 07712 650857, www.bristoltrailsgroup.com • Friendly group repairing and maintaining local mountain bike trails – an excellent way to get involved and meet fellow off-roaders. Get down and dirty digging twice monthly.
BRITISH TRUST FOR CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS
Create Centre, Smeaton Rd, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 929 1624, www.btcv.org/avon • Keep fit and help the environment simultaneously. BTCV’s midweek and weekend groups are a perfect ethical workout, involving anything from woodland clearing to dry-stone walling and tree planting.
CSV ENVIRONMENT
Ffi: 0117 978 2187 • CSV Environment involves people with little or no environmental experience in improving the areas where they live, learn and work.
FRIENDS OF TROOPERS HILL
Ffi: Rob or Susan Acton-Campbell on 0117 947 5037, www.troopers-hill.org.uk • Group of local residents conducting conservation work, leading walks, giving talks and organising events to promote Green Flag award-winning nature reserve Troopers Hill, its wildlife, plants and history. Work parties are first Saturday of every month, 10am-12noon. Meet at the corner of Troopers Hill Road and Greendown. Newcomers welcome.
WRINGTON GREENS
Wrington Greens Organic Farm. Nates Lane, Wrington, North Somerset BS40 5RS. Ffi: 01934 863636, www.wringtongreens.co.uk. • Lend at hand at Wrington Greens Organic Farm and you’ll be put to work weeding, planting, sewing seeds, harvesting and muck spreading. Volunteers get free lunch and a box of veggies to take home. Children welcome with parents, but in all cases please phone in advance.
Driving
CASTLE COMBE RACING CIRCUIT
Castle Combe Circuit, Chippenham. Ffi: 01249 782929, www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk • Make like the numerous F1 legends who’ve driven here with an awesome Formula Ford racing car drive or get gritty action at the rally school. Motorcycle and car track days, too – bring your own.
DRIVE TECH AT CASTLE COMBE
Castle Combe Circuit, Chippenham, Wilts. Ffi: 01249 783010, www.drivetechltd.co.uk • Land Rover off-roading and skidpan driving plus karting on Saturday.
Fishing
ALCOVE ANGLING CLUB
Various locations in and around Bristol. Ffi: 0117 965 8280 • An excellent £50 (less for OAPs and disabled anglers) brings a season’s fishing at four sites: Fishponds’ Lido, The Clamp at Coalpit Heath (which has four platform swims suitable for wheelchair users) and George’s Lake and Margaret’s Lake at Latteridge near Frampton Cotterell. Pleasure and match fishing. All lakes have off-road parking and locked gates to which members receive keys.
BATHAMPTON ANGLING ASSOCIATION
Ffi: 0117 909 9118, www.bathampton.org.uk • Association specialising in carp fishing on the both sides of the Avon from Newbridge to Saltford, plus stretches of canal. Almost monthly coaching sessions and matches for juniors. Thrice-monthly junior section plus veteran and ‘dads & lads’ sections.
BLAGDON LAKE
Blagdon, Somerset. Ffi: 01275 332339, www.bristolwater.co.uk/leisure • Top-class trout fishing from bank and boat. Regular beginners’ days run on Saturday afternoon (2-6pm) throughout the season. Bank pitches £17.50 or hire a boat for £26. Tuition days, family packages plus competitions.
BRISTOL HARBOUR
Central Bristol. Ffi: 0117 903 1484 • Fishing is free to all licensed anglers in designated areas around the harbour, to be confirmed by its office. Ensure you pack your rod licence along with your bait.
CHEW VALLEY LAKE
Nr West Harptree, Somerset. Ffi: 01275 332339, www.bristolwater.co.uk/leisure • A great place for fly fishing, the larger lake at Chew Valley offers 1,200 acres of water and plenty of pike and trout fishing. Bank fishing is £15.50, and you can get waterborne for £32.
DUCHESS POND
Stapleton and Frome Valley Conservation Area, Bristol. Ffi 07980 091286 • Syndicate offering day fishing at £5 or an annual pass for £100, catching fish weighing up to 30 pounds.
EASTVILLE PARK
Fishponds Rd, Eastville, Bristol. Ffi 0117 922 3719 • Expect to share this tranquil space with numerous birds and bats. Kingfishers tend to congregate on the nearby weir. Fishing is permitted to anglers holding Environment Agency rod licences within the designated areas marked on the path surrounding the lake.
OLDBURY COURT
Oldbury Court Rd, Fishponds, Bristol. Ffi 0117 922 3719 • Fishing permitted to Environment Agency rod licence holders on the River Frome in the vicinity of Oldbury Court and Snuff Mills. Anglers are subject to the agency’s regulations and to licence spot-checks.
ST GEORGE PARK
Church Rd, St George, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 922 3719 • Fishing is allowed on the park’s lake within the designated areas marked on the path surrounding it. Anglers should hold an Environment Agency rod licence – expect spot-checks. Other attractions include a BMX course and tennis courts.
Golf
ASHTON COURT GOLF COURSE
Ashton Court Estate, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 973 8508 • Two 18-hole par-three courses – the Plateau and the Lodge – provide golf on a pay-and-play basis. Adults £6.50, juniors and OAPs £5, with club hire also offered. The café sold Eccles cakes last time we checked.
BATH PUBLIC GOLF FACILITIES
Entry Hill, Bath. 01225 834248/ 01225 331162 • Courses open daily except Christmas Day: Mon-Fri 8.30am-sunset; Sat-Sun & BHMs 7.30am-sunset. Club hire available, advisable to book at Entry Hill. Approach course described as “a little gem” by ‘Golf Course World’ magazine with most holes up and down hills.
FILTON GOLF CLUB
Golf Course Lane, Filton. Ffi: 0117 969 6968, www.filtongolfclub.co.uk • Golf tuition available to all standards. Visitors can pay and play for £32 during the week.
VICTORIA FALLS ADVENTURE GOLF
2 Queens Parade, Bath. 01225 425066 • 18-hole adventure golf course plus seven tennis courts, some indoor. Numerous tennis clubs or pay ’n’ play. Open throughout the year.
Horse Riding
ENGINE COMMON RIDING SCHOOL
Engine Common, Yate. Ffi: 01454 325100/07977 561913 • Friendly riding school specialising in lessons for children and birthday parties. Pony days also available.
KINGSWESTON STABLES
Kingsweston Rd, Lawrence Weston, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 982 8929 • Riding school which celebrated its 21st anniversary in January. Open from Wed to Sun inclusive, offering group lessons, private lessons, escorted hacking and pony riding for small children on a 20-plus-strong stable of horses. Facilities include a floodlit outdoor arena, cross-country jumps and plentiful off-road riding.
WELLOW TREKKING CENTRE
Little Horse Croft Farm, Wellow, Bath. Ffi: 01225 834376, www.wellowtrekking.com • Trekking in and around the local countryside for adults and children, with half-hour pony hire for £8, an hour for £30 or two hours for £45.
Mountain Biking
AVON TIMBERLAND TRAIL
Ashton Court Visitor Centre, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 953 2141, www.forestofavon.org.uk • The first part of the route leads around the spectacular Ashton Court Estate where you can cycle through secluded woods far from busy roads. More adventurous bikers can follow the trail into 50-Acre Wood’s more rugged terrain.
BRISTOL TRAILS GROUP
See Conservation & Volunteering.
SUSTRANS
NCN Centre, College Green. Ffi: 0845 113 0065, www.sustrans.org.uk • Sustainable transport charity dedicated to promoting cycling (as well as walking and the use of public transport) and co-ordinating the 12,000 miles of cycle routes comprising the National Cycle Network, part of which is the beautiful Bristol to Bath Cyclepath. Journey as near or far as you like on (for the most part) totally traffic-free routes.
Paintballing
GOBALLISTIC BRISTOL PAINTBALL
Station Rd, Henbury, Bristol. Ffi: 0870 330 6656 • Woodland paintball site where natural cover provides an authentic jungle experience. Purpose-built barricades and bunkers enhance the playing areas and up the atmosphere.
PAINTBALL ADVENTURE
31 Hopps Rd, Kingswood, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 935 3300, www.paintball-adventures.co.uk • Lots of paintballing activities and corporate events in woodland at Brockley Combe near Bristol.
SKIRMISH PAINTBALL GAMES
Coast Rd, nr Portishead, Bristol. Ffi: 01934 416507, www.skirmishbristol.co.uk • High-quality paintball games in beautiful surroundings.
UCZ Paintball
Liverton, Newton Abbot. Ffi: 01626 833200, www.ucz.info • Set in 45 acres of prime woodland, and features hillocks, ponds, bridges, swampland and even an island. Tactical scenarios include ‘Convoy Ambush,’ ‘The Blair Witch Field’ and ‘Chemical Dump’.
Watersports
BATH DIVE CENTRE
Upper Bristol Rd, Bath. Ffi: 01225 482081, www.bathdivecentre.co.uk • Focal point for divers in Bath and beyond, offering a fully-stocked retail outlet, training opportunities for all, a dive holiday service, full servicing capabilities and equipment hire.
BRISTOL OCTOPUSH CLUB
Ffi: 01454 416088, www.bristoloctopush.co.uk, Facebook group • Octopush is a high-speed sport akin to playing ice hockey underwater. The rules are easy and the club’s very welcoming to new arrivals of both sexes, from sixth-form age upwards. Meets Wed (9-10pm) Bishopsworth Baths, Whitchurch Lane with Fri evenings at Longwell Green Leisure Centre scheduled.
BRISTOL SAILING SCHOOL
Baltic Wharf. Ffi: 0117 907 3019, www.bristolsailingschool.co.uk • Sailing lessons from beginners to advanced, including youth courses. Powerboats too, plus inland helmsman courses for those yet to get their sea legs.
BRISTOL SURF CLUB
5 Elmdale Rd, Bristol. Ffi: 07734 809385, www.bristol-surf-club.co.uk • Social forum for surfers covering surfing, kite surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, wake skiing, kayaking, windsurfing. Weekly meetings at The Pumphouse, Hotwells, Thurs at 8pm, to arrange trips. Members aged 19-56 with new recruits always welcome. Membership £10.
BRISTOL WATER SKI CLUB
Baltic Wharf, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 377 4255, www.bwsf.co.uk • Waterskiing, wakeboarding and kneeboarding fun plus some tuition offered throughout year to members and their guests by friendly club open to new members. Existing members aged 8-70.
COTSWOLD WATER PARK
An area of 40 square miles within Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, north of Swindon and south of Cirencester. Ffi: www.waterpark.org • Huge expanse of outdoor fun with 147 lakes, and pathways, bridleways and cycleways. Numerous activities include diving, sailing, ringo riding, waterskiing, windsurfing and good old-fashioned paddling. The park’s Gateway Centre – an information centre off the Swindon-Cirencester A419 – is housed in a sustainable oak building with the South West’s largest photovoltaic roof, and is heated and cooled by the energy of the lake. It is also home to one of only two mammoth skulls ever found in England.
EXTREME MARINE
6 Harbury Rd, Henleaze, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 962 3363, www.extreme-marine.co.uk • Scuba-diving heaven, with all your equipment needs catered for (their snorkelling equipment range is reportedly the South West’s largest). Tuition for all levels, from absolute beginner to instructor. Children are assessed for their suitability, with 8-year-olds enjoying the ‘bubble makers’ pool sessions. Trips and scuba holidays.
SWIMMING: INDOOR
University of Bristol, Queens Rd, Clifton, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 954 5803, www.bristol.ac.uk/sport/swimming • Open to the public – join six months for £60 or a year for £105 then pay £2 per swim. Timetabled lane swimming and lessons.
WET & WINDY
5 Ashton Drive, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 966 9582, www.wet-windy.co.uk • Popular, well-established company specialising in dinghies, water-sport clothing and accessories.
Miscellaneous
BRISTOL ICE RINK
Frogmore St, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 929 2148, www.jnll.co.uk • Ice skating seven days a week until 10.30pm, perfect for work dos and parties. Groups of 10 upwards can also enjoy the buzz of ice-karting on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
CLIFTON COLLEGE
Clifton College Sports Centre, Guthrie Rd, Clifton, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 315 7666, ccsl@clifton-college.avon.sch.uk • Wide range of activities for kids aged 3-16 during the school breaks including cookery, football, adventure weeks and arts and crafts.
SUMMER MULTI SPORT CAMPS
Bristol University Centre for Sport, Exercise & Health Tyndall Ave, Clifton, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 331 1109, www.bristol.ac.uk/sport/community/sportscamp • Active fun.
EVENTHEAD MENTAL RACING
Ffi: 07989 356195, www.eventhead.co.uk • Mental racing combines running and puzzle-solving in an attractive setting with one such competition – One Day in History – seeing participants gather clues revealing the day of the week, day, month and year of an historic event. A race for ages 18-plus is scheduled for July or August.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB
County Ground, Nevil Rd, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 910 8043, www.glosccc.co.uk • One of the country’s most successful one-day sides in recent years, Glos CCC’s Junior Gladiators scheme offers a range of coaching programmes for children throughout the year. Summer courses for 2009 are at 2008 prices, with half term, two summer coaching camps, a residential camp and Howzat4kidz specials on offer.
GO APE!
Mallards Pike Lane, Forest of Dean, Glos. Ffi: 0845 643 9215 • Explore beautiful woodland and lakeside scenery while the little (and big) kids run amok on Tarzan swings, rope bridges, zip slides and more, all at 40ft above the forest floor.
INSPIRATION
4 Beaufort Mews, Horse St, Chipping Sodbury BS37 6DA. Ffi: 01454 313011 • Ceramic art workshop where you can paint your own ceramics. Party bookings welcome.
SPICE
Ffi: 0845 430 0334, www.spicebristolcardiff.com. Email: info@spicebristolcardiff.com • It’s probably easier to list the activities this 18-plus group doesn’t organise. Off-road go-karting was a recent thrill, quad-biking is enjoyed twice annually and ‘big abseils’ down the Avon Gorge are organised regularly. May 4 sees dragon boating in Pershore, while their annual fire-eating – yes, fire-eating – event is likely to be in June.
TENNIS ACTIVITIES
Coombe Dingle Sports Complex, Coombe Lane, Stoke Bishop, Bristol BS9 2BJ. Ffi: 0117 962 6718, www.bristol.ac.uk/sport/coombe/indoor-tennis • Junior tennis for all ages and abilities.
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