Sport

Activity Groups

Adventurous Activity Company 26 Leading Edge, 80 Hotwell Rd, Bristol. Tel: 0117 925 3196. Web: www.adventurousactivitycompany.co.uk • Custom-designed activity trips for up to 150 people. Bristol Adventure Days combine canoeing in the docks, climbing/abseiling in the Avon Gorge and Ashton Court mountain biking. Their Bristol Urban Challenge is a city-based treasure hunt.

BHP Inspiring Events The Old Stables, Box Hedge Farm, Coalpit Heath, Bristol. Tel: 0808 197 1254. Web: www.bhpinspiringevents.co.uk • Team-building and development packages for individuals, stags ‘n’ hens and corporate groups, including quad biking, archery, helicopter flights, high ropes course. Hen cottage weekends come with spas, pampering and cocktail making; studio packages get you recording a CD.

Black Mountain Activities Three Cocks, nr Hay on Wye, Powys. Tel: 01497 847897. Web: www.blackmountain.co.uk • Outdoor pursuits company: climbing, abseiling, caving, kayaking, raft building, gorge scrambling, white water rafting.
Midweek student discount

Mendip Outdoor Pursuits The Warehouse, Silver St, Congresbury, North Somerset. Tel: 01934 834877. Web: www.mendipoutdoorpursuits.co.uk • Tailor-made adventure activities for groups and individuals, including caving, abseiling, raft building, kayaking, assault courses, archery, hill walking, treasure hunts.

Air Activities

Atmosphere Kites 137 St George’s Rd, Bristol. Tel: 0117 908 7153. Web: www.atmospherekites.com • Kite central in all sizes, plus circus gear, juggling stuff, diablos, toy rockets, unicycles, electric bikes, boards, accessories, kiting lessons.

Bailey Balloons 44 Ham Green, Bristol. Tel: 01275 375300. Web: www.baileyballoons.co.uk • Hot air balloon rides from Bristol, Bath and South Wales. Gift vouchers, flights at short notice. Special offers on midweek morning flights

Bristol & Gloucestershire Gliding Club Nympsfield, Glos. Tel: 01453 860342. Web: www.bggc.co.uk • Trial lessons from £69 (April-Sept), week courses, fixed prices for ‘solo and beyond’ schemes. Get airborne for up to seven hours, at speeds of 175mph. Special rates for students and cadets

The Kite Store 39a Cotham Hill, Bristol. Tel: 0117 974 5010. Web: www.kitestore.co.uk, www.blownawaykiteschool.co.uk • All sporting and recreational kiting needs covered, with power-kiting, buggies, mountain-boarding and kite-surfing tuition offered at their partner, Blown Away Kite School. Clothing, Reef sandals, etc.

Rise Helicopters Gloucestershire Airport, Staverton, Cheltenham. Tel: 01452 857083. Web: www.risehelicopters.co.uk
• Training (they’ll help you get your pilot’s licence), pleasure flying, chartering, wedding flights plus air-experience tasters: 30 mins £140.

Boats, Watersports & Diving

Bristol Ariel Rowing Club Robertson Drive, Birchwood, St Anne’s, Bristol. Web: www.bristolarielrowingclub.co.uk • Bristol’s longest-established rowing club offers rowing, sculling and coxing in regular starter courses. Female-friendly, busy social life.

Bristol Octopush Club Tel: 01454 416088. Web: www.bristoloctopush.co.uk • Octopush is a high-speed sport akin to playing ice hockey underwater. 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. Longwell Green Leisure Centre pool meets should resume in Oct.

Bristol Sailing School Baltic Wharf, Bristol. Tel: 0117 907 3019. Web: www.bristolsailingschool.co.uk • Sailing lessons, beginners to advanced, including youth courses. Powerboats. Student group discount 10%

Extreme Marine 6 Harbury Rd, Henleaze, Bristol. Tel: 0117 962 3363. Web: www.extreme-marine.co.uk • All scuba equipment needs catered for (their range of snorkelling equipment is probably the south west’s largest). Tuition from absolute beginner to instructor. Trips, scuba holidays. NUS discount 10%

Wet & Windy 5 Ashton Drive, Bristol. Tel: 0117 966 9582. Web: www.wet-windy.co.uk • Popular, well-established company specialising in dinghies, watersport clothing, accessories.

Caving & Climbing

Axbridge Caving Group Email: toursandresearch@yahoo.com • Organise two-hour fun, informative trips around central Bristol’s Redcliffe Caves, suitable for all ages. Also Mendips caving trips.

Bristol Climbing Centre St Werburghs Church, Mina Rd, Bristol. Tel: 0117 941 3489. Web: www.undercover-rock.com
• Renowned centre offering indoor climbing, all ages and abilities. Over 150 routes plus a soft-floored bouldering area. Trips to Avon Gorge, Land’s End, etc.

Golf

Ashton Court Golf Course Ashton Court Estate, Bristol. Tel: 0117 973 8508 • Two 18-hole par-three courses provide pay-and-play fun. Adult £6.50, juniors/OAP £5. Club hire.

Bath Public Golf Facilities Entry Hill, Bath. Tel: 01225 834248/approach 01225 331162. Web: www.aquaterra.org/golf • Courses open daily except Christmas Day: Mon-Fri 8.30am-sunset; Sat-Sun & bank holidays 7.30am-sunset. Club hire available, advisable to book at Entry Hill. Students pay £6 (rather than £10) after buying £15 leisure card (valid for a year).

Filton Golf Club Golf Course Lane, Filton, Bristol. Tel: 0117 969 6968. Web: www.filtongolfclub.co.uk • Golf tuition to all standards. During the week, pay and play £32. UWE affiliated

Victoria Falls Adventure Golf Royal Victoria Park, Bath. Tel: 01225 425066 • An 18-hole adventure golf course plus seven tennis courts, some indoor, popular with International House students. Numerous tennis clubs (no membership fee) or pay ‘n’ play. Open all year, student discount.

Horse Riding

Clevedon Riding Centre Clevedon Lane, Clevedon, North Somerset. Tel: 01275 858699 • Long-established family business with over 20 horses. All levels of tuition in their outdoor floodlit school. Adult group £21, child group £16, half-hour private lesson £25. Groups of six get free hats.

Kingsweston Stables Kingsweston Rd, Lawrence Weston, Bristol. Tel: 0117 982 8929 • Long-established riding school, open Wed-Sun. Group lessons, private lessons, escorted hacking (20-plus-strong stable of horses). Facilities include floodlit outdoor arena, cross country jumps, plentiful off-road riding.

Shipham Riding Centre Broadway, Shipham, North Somerset. Tel: 01934 843522 • Expert tuition in all-weather arena. Riding in the Mendips. Adult lessons and hacking from £17.

Wellow Trekking Centre Little Horse Croft Farm, Wellow, Bath. Tel: 01225 834376. Web: www.wellowtrekking.com • Trekking in and around the local countryside for adults and children, with half-hour pony hire £8, an hour’s riding £30, two hours £45.

Motor Sports, Karting, Ice Karting & Off-Roading

4Play Off-Road Driving Mendip Cottage, Chew Lane, Chew Stoke, nr Bristol. Tel: 01275 332174. Web: www.4playoffroaddriving.co.uk • Own range of 4X4 vehicles, driver training, gap year/expedition preparation, bushcraft skills courses, trout lake. Split your group so everyone gets to drive, shoot, fish and light fires in a perfect male-bonding/stag/hen party environment. Student discount 5%, gift vouchers.

Bristol Ice Rink Frogmore St, Bristol. Tel: 0117 929 2148. Web: www.jnll.co.uk • Ice skating daily, perfect for works gigs and parties. Groups of 10-plus can enjoy ice-karting on Thur, Sat & Sun nights. No public sessions after 3pm Tue.

Castle Combe Racing Circuit Castle Combe Circuit, Chippenham, Wilts. Tel: 01249 782929. Web: 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 - BYO!

Drive Tech at Castle Combe Castle Combe Circuit, Chippenham, Wilts. Tel: 01249 783010. Web: www.drivetechltd.co.uk • Land Rover off-roading and skidpan driving. Karting on Sat.

The Raceway Avonmouth Way, Avonmouth, Bristol. Tel: 0800 3766111. Web: www.theraceway.co.uk • Indoor karting. Students discount £5 at weekends and weekdays after 6pm, £10 discount weekdays before 6pm. Also Laser Tag with two-handed phasers, UV lights and smoke, with students getting three games for the price of two.

Supakart Units 10-11 Leeway Ind Estate, Newport, Wales. Tel: 01633 280808. Web: www.supakart.co.uk • Two-level indoor circuit with outdoor section.

Mountain Biking & Cycling

Atmosphere Electric Bike Centre 137 St George’s Rd, Bristol. Tel: 0117 908 7153. Web: www.electricbikes.org.uk • Electric bike centre located within Atmosphere Kites.

Avon Timberland Trail Ashton Court Visitor Centre, Bristol. Tel: 0117 953 2141. Web: www.forestofavon.org.uk • Two-part route leads around Ashton Court Estate’s secluded woods then into 50-Acre Wood’s more rugged terrain.

Blackboy Cycles 180 Whiteladies Rd, Bristol. Tel: 0117 973 1420. Web: www.blackboycycles.co.uk • Specialised brand plus plenty for budget-conscious students. Hire service, quick repairs. Students discount 10% on spares and accessories

Bristol Mountain Bike Club Web: www.bristolmountainbikeclub.com • Specialise in general trail riding, for all riders and disciplines, beginners to expert. Active social life, numerous away rides to major UK bike venues.

Bristol Trails Group Tel: 07712 650857. Web: www.bristoltrailsgroup.com • Friendly group repairing and maintaining local mountain bike trails – an ace way to get involved and meet those with similar interests.

Emmaus (Bristol) Barton Manor, Midland Rd, St Philips, Bristol. Tel: 0117 954 0886. Web: www.emmausbristol.org.uk • Charity, usually selling serviced bikes for around £35-£75. It’s near the cycle path, so you can ride home!

Garland Cycles (aka Zero G) 11-13 North St, Bedminster, Bristol. Tel: 0117 96 0743; 12-14 Park St, Bristol. Tel: 0117 929 7368; Unit 6, The Willows Centre, Downend, Bristol. Tel: 0117 956 6719. Web: www.zerogcyclecorp.com. Email: info@garlandcycles.co.uk • All your cycling requirements. 10% STUDENT DISCOUNT ON PARTS & ACCESSORIES

Mud Dock Cycleworks & Cafe 40 The Grove, Bristol. Tel: 0117 929 2151. Web: www.mud-dock.co.uk • Commençal, Trek, BMC, Lightspeed, Merlin, Santa Cruz and Scott stockists. Free servicing for life on new purchases over £500. Bike mechanics, workshop, secure bike shed plus showers and lockers.

Overbury’s Specialist Cycles 138 Ashley Rd, Montpelier, Bristol. Tel: 0117 955 7924 • Long-established, family-run cycle shop selling new cycles, spares and accessories. Lowest price guaranteed. Student discount. Repairs and servicing, wheel-building, clothing, shoes.

Pembury Cycles 10-12 Gloucester Rd, Bristol. Tel: 0117 942 8282. Web: www.pemburycycles.co.uk • Full mountain-bike range, BMX and hybrids, plus servicing, repairs, parts, accessories. Brands include Felt, Dawes, Probike. NUS discount 10%

Total Fitness 9 Saracen St, Bath. Tel: 01225 444164. Web: www.totalfitnessbath.co.uk • For the serious cyclist: triathlon, road and mountain bikes custom-built or off the peg. Student discount 10% on clothing and accessories.

Skiing, Snowboarding, Skateboarding & Surfing

Avon Ski & Action Centre Lyncombe Drive, Churchill, Somerset. Tel: 01934 852335. Web: www.avonski.co.uk • Multi-activity centre: everything from dry-slope skiing, mountain boarding, power kiting and tobogganing to summer abseiling. Onsite hotel.

Free Spirit The Corridor, Bath. Tel: 01225 425644. Web: www.freespirit.co.uk • All the gear for surfers, skaters, etc.
NUS discount 10%

Gloucester Ski & Snowboard Centre Matson Lane, Robinswood Hill, Glos. Tel: 0870 240 0375. Web: www.gloucesterski.com • Tutorial and recreational snow sport on one of England’s largest outdoor slopes. Tubing offers rubber-ring fun - no skill needed. NUS cardholders charged junior rate

Miscellaneous

Bath & District Football League Tel: 01225 833691 • Boasts 120 teams playing within a 12-mile radius of Bath.

Bristol & West Athletics Club Whitchurch Sports Centre, Whitchurch. Tel: 01761 462179. Web: www.bristolandwestac.org • Year-long track and field, road running and cross country. Club nights Tue, Wed & Thur, phone to make arrangements.Discount to anyone in full-time education

Bristol Boxing Gym 40 Thomas St, St Agnes, Bristol. Tel: 0117 949 6699/908 6655. Web: www.westcountryboxing.com • Nationally regarded boxing gym, popular with students attending for circuit training. Home to Bristol University Boxing Club. One-off trial session £5, various membership packages. Open Mon-Fri 11am-9pm. The one-to-one hour with pro trainer (£30) is great

Bristol Lawn Tennis & Squash Club Redland Green, Bristol. Tel: 0117 973 1139 • See Health.

British Military Fitness Bristol Meet Durdham Downs, Clifton, Bristol. Tel: 0870 241 2517/029 2048 8100. Web: www.britmilfit.com • Get-fit sessions combining exertion and enjoyment, all fitness levels welcome. Meet Sat 10am, Mon/Wed 6.30pm, Fri 6am. Under-21s save a third, paying £20 monthly.

Cheese Rolling Coopers Hill, Glos. Web: www.cheese-rolling.co.uk • Annual event whereby lunatics chase a cheese down a hill. Next one is 25 May 2009.

Damian Forder Cricket Academy Tel: 07766 801340. Web: www.dfca.co.uk • Batting, bowling and fielding tuition for both sexes from ex-Gloucestershire CCC pro Damian Forder throughout the year.

Downs Football League Clifton Downs, Bristol. Web: www.bbc.co.uk/bristol • Bristol’s more eminent version of Hackney Marshes.

Eventhead Mental Racing Tel: 07989 356195. Web: www.eventhead.co.uk • Mental racing combines running and puzzle-solving in attractive settings.

Genesis Netball Club Tel: 07810 186897. Web: www.genesisnetball.co.uk • Train Aug-May, with Avon Netball League matches at weekends.

Great Western Runners Meet Bristol Lawn Tennis & Squash Club, Redland Green, Bristol. Tel: 0117 943 3108. Web: www.greatwesternrunners.org.uk • A 200-odd member club meeting at 7pm on Wed through the year to jog between four and 10 miles.

Jim Perry Fencing Maitre Tel: 07970 426057. Web: www.jimsworld.org • Maitre Jim Perry offers fencing lessons for all levels, Churchill Sports Centre, Churchill, North Somerset, Wed 7.30-9.30pm and Clevedon’s Swiss Valley Sports Centre, Tue 8-10pm.

Laser Quest The Station, Silver St, Broadmead, Bristol. Tel: 0117 949 6688. Web: www.laserquest.co.uk • Wicked student fave. Team games or all-against-all laser action in a series of connected rooms. Weekdays, get a £12.95 Megapass. Students discount: two games for £6.95

Pétanque The Anchor, Oldbury on Severn. Tel: 01454 413331. Web: www.petanchors.co.uk • This pub, with 14 pistes, is one of the UK’s top pétanque venues.

Rackets Clifton College, Bristol. Tel: 0117 315 7279 • Clifton College is one of only 20 places in Britain where this, the fastest racquet sport, is played.

Real Tennis Bristol & Bath Tennis Club, Beggar Bush Playing Fields, Abbots Leigh, Bristol. Tel: 0117 973 3444. Web: www.bbtennis.org.uk • A sport dating from Tudor times in one of the region’s most stunning sporting arenas. Junior annual membership (under-25s) £25. Phone for a free go

St Nick’s Gaelic Football Club Web: www.stnicksgaa.co.uk • Gaelic football combines football, rugby and basketball. Rookies welcome.

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