GREEN GUIDE - Markham Publishing

Leisure, Activities & HolidaysACTIVITIES &PLACES TO VISITThe following list is by no meansexhaustive but it does provide a flavourof the green, natural and open spaces –plus historic buildings, places of interestand activities – that are available onyour doorstep. These sites offer a richarray of entertainment and enjoyment. Alot of effort goes into maintaining thesesites so many have well-organisedvolunteer networks and are keen to getnew members involved. They are also avast information resource about thelocal natural environment and historyand many offer education facilities forschools, as well as public lectures,courses, events and demonstrations.Your local tourist board is a good placeto start to find out about local activities;they can usually provide a full andvaried programme of events as well asplaces to visit. The local Wildlife Trusts(listed in page 355 in Chapter 10:Government, Charities & Campaigning)can also provide details of dozens ofnature reserves and sites, only some ofwhich are listed here.Although many places are child andfamily-friendly and accessible viawheelchair, you are always advised tocheck on the suitability of the locationbefore setting out. Also, particularly iftravelling specially, always checkopening times before setting out as thesecan be liable to change, sometimesdepending on the season.Consider also travelling to these placeson foot, bicycle or via public transport,if practicable. For families, rather thanpiling into a car, it might make the dayout more of an adventure and lessstressful for the parents. There is alsomuch to be said for arriving at abeautiful location having travelled underyour own steam.Tourist Boards andInformation CentresBath Tourist Information CentreAbbey Chambers, Abbey Churchyard, Bath,Somerset BA1 1LYT: 0906 711 2000 (calls cost 50p/min)E: tourism@bathnes.gov.ukW:: www.visitbath.co.ukO:: Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm; Sun 10am-4pmHelpful staff offer information onaccommodation, walking, where to go andtransport in and around Bath.Bristol Tourist Information CentreThe Annexe, Wildscreen Walk, Harbourside,Bristol BS1 5DBT: 0906 711 2191E: bristol@tourism.bristol.gov.ukW: www.visitbristol.co.ukO: Mon-Sun 10am-6pmOffers accommodation booking, guides forwalking and where to go, transport in andaround Bristol, entertainment and eventsbooking, eating out, sports and leisure. Avariety of leaflets are available includingBristol and the South Cotswolds, TravelPlanners’ Guide and Off the Beaten Track.Dorset TourismDorset County Council, County Hall, Dorchester,Dorset DT1 1XJT: 01305 221 001E: tourism@dorsetcc.gov.ukW: www.dorsetcc.goc.ukO: Mon-Fri 9am-5pmProvides a range of free guides on theCounty including Dorset Activities, What’s onin Dorset, Camping & Caravan Guide, DorsetMuseums Guide, Food & Drink Guide and theofficial World Heritage Jurassic Coast Guide.Public transport maps and timetables arealso available. Call for more details.Gloucester Tourist Information Centre28 Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 2DPT: 01452 396 572E: tourism@gloucester.gov.ukW: www.gloucester.gov.uk/tourismProduce the Gloucester Visitors Guide. Writeor call for more information onaccomodation, festivals and events,attractions and local publications. Guidedcity walks daily throughout the summer.Places to VisitBristolBrandon HillGreat George Street, BristolHome to Cabot Tower, whichcommemorates John Cabots voyage to NewFound Land.Bristol Zoo GardensClifton, Bristol BS8 3HAT: 0117 973 8951E: information@bristolzoo.org.ukW: www.bristolzoo.org.ukO: Mon-Sun 9am-5pm; closed Christmas DayVoted ‘Zoo of the year 2004’ by the GoodBritain Guide, Bristol Zoo Gardens hassomething for everyone from the smallestand rarest tortoise in the world, to thelargest ape. With over 400 exotic andendangered species to explore, enjoy awhole day filled with excitement anddiscovery at Bristol Zoo Gardens. Theaward-wining ‘Seal & Penguin Coasts’ withits fantastic underwater viewing is a must forall visitors to the Zoo, whilst other favouritesinclude Bug World, Twilight World, theMonkey House, the Reptile House, andGorilla Island. If this is all too much, thensimply enjoy the stunning gardens andgrounds.Wildwalk@BristolAnchor Road, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5DBT: 0845 345 1235E: information@at-bristol.org.ukW: www.at-bristol.org.ukO: Mon-Sun 10am-6pm; last entry at 5pm95 per cent of known species are smallerthan your thumb. Wildwalk brings you faceto face with some of the most fascinatingexamples, taking you on a journey throughthe incredible history and variety of life onearth.CornwallCamel Trail, TheCamel Valley, Countryside Service, 3/5 BarnLane, Bodmin, Cornwall PL31 1LZT: 01208 78087The trail winds through some of Cornwall’smost beautiful and little known countryside.Not a road, not a path and vehicles arebanned. Great for jogging or birdwatching,walking or cycling. Extraordinary array ofwildlife: foxes, badgers, rabbits, dear, ottersand bats and stunning scenery. Ideal forwheelchair users as level most of the way.Eden ProjectBodelva, St Austell, Cornwall PL24 2SGT: 01726 811 911W: www.edenproject.comO: Mon-Sun 10am-6pmThe Eden Project’s mission is to promote theunderstanding and responsible managementof the vital relationship between plants,people and resources leading to asustainable future for all. The Project is aglobal garden for the 21st century andbeyond, a dramatic setting in which to tellthe fascinating story of people’s dependenceon plants and a gateway to a sustainablefuture. In a giant crater in Cornwall thestories of our world are brought to life.Entertainment and education are central tothe Project. Art, sculpture, guided tours,talks, storytelling, performance, music,themed events and a whole range ofeducation programmes for all ages andabilities makes Eden a dynamic experience.The Project works with its partners locally,nationally and globally to bring visitorsstories of positive futures. The project isowned by the Eden Trust; a registeredcharity. Money raised by the Eden Project isused to further the charitable aims of theTrust which is dedicated to: breaking downthe barriers to communication, sharinginformation and ideas with the widestpossible audience; exploring the potentialfor working with the grain of nature;catalyzing collaboration in science, arts,technology and commerce; creating aconstituency for change; and then puttingthis all into action. Eden is ethically driven,yet commercially aware as its future dependson protecting its most valuable commodity –its independence. Eden takes a fresh look atour world and our place in it, explorespositive futures and shows what can beACTIVITIES & PLACES TO VISIT289