Incentive ideas: Bristol, Bath, Wiltshire & Somerset


Entry airport:  Bristol International Airport.

Bristol International Airport is one of England’s leading international airports. Bristol has direct flight connections from North America and many destinations across Europe*.

Departure airport: Bristol International Airport


*Note: London’s Heathrow Airport is less than 2 hours away so it is possible also to fly into London and travel out to Bristol or Bath.

Bristol

The attractive university city of Bristol is one of England’s premier cities.

As one of England’s leading cities, Bristol has is used to turning on the style offering an excellent base for fine dining, shopping and some fabulous spa hotels.

Bristol is also home to Brunel’s SS Great Britain, one of the world’s most famous historic ships and a unique venue for corporate events.

Bath

Another great base, and only 15km from Bristol’s International Airport, is the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath, rich in Roman and Georgian Heritage.

This golden city is brimming with beautiful buildings and around 5,000 are officially ‘listed’ because of their architectural merit. Today, Bath seamlessly mixes the old with the new and the Thermae Bath Spa  is a stunning example, with its cutting edge glass and stone design. Here visitors can bathe in natural thermal waters. Corporate and bespoke packages are available.

The city boasts a remarkable range of museums, galleries and exhibitions covering almost every subject under the sun - why not walk where the Romans walked at the Roman Baths, one of the finest thermal spas of the ancient world. The Pump Room and Roman Baths make an awe-inspiring venue for a reception or gala dinner.

For literature enthusiasts you can discover Bath's most famous resident, Jane Austen, at The Jane Austen Centre.

Bath also boasts some excellent hotels including two five star gems. The charming Bath Spa Hotel  with its famous luxury spa and The Royal Crescent Hotel set within the world’s finest crescent, one of the great set-piece masterpieces of European architecture.

Rural Wiltshire & Somerset

If you would prefer to base yourself in the tranquil splendour of England's spectacular countryside, the area offers some mouth-watering options. Try the beautiful Lucknam Park, just minutes from Bath itself, or the elegant Whatley Manor.  Both properties have outstanding spas and restaurants.

There is also a great range of luxury four star hotels in Bristol, Bath and across Wiltshire and Somerset.

The area surrounding Bristol and Bath contains some of England’s most exquisite countryside and a spectacular mix of world famous attractions and hidden gems.

Here are some great incentive ideas:

Visit one of the world’s most enchanting gardens at Stourhead.

Quintessential English villages abound in the area and the villages of Lacock and Castle Combe have been the settings for scores of world famous films and TV programmes, including Pride and Prejudice and Stardust. There is also an action packed racing circuit at Castle Combe.

Why not take in a couple of UNESCO World Heritage Sites? The area is home to one of England's most popular attractions, the mystical Stonehenge, and also Avebury Stone Circles .

Glastonbury Abbey is rumoured to be the burial place of the legendary King Arthur and was once the largest and richest abbey in England.  Meanwhile Salisbury Cathedral is one of Europe's greatest historic buildings, attracting pilgrims for over 750 years.

Cheddar is home to the magnificent Cheddar gorge and caves and also home to the world famous cheese. The nearby Mendip hills are a great centre for walking, riding, adventure activities and outdoor pursuits, particularly caving and climbing. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the limestone plateau is noted for its landscape beauty and wildlife

There are several grand country houses in the area which make perfect venues for gala dinners or meetings. Longleat House  is a magnificent manor house containing of one of England’s premier safari parks. Bowood House, an 18th century property built on the site of a hunting lodge in the former Royal Forest of Chippenham, is another outstanding example of an English country house with a hotel, golf course and spa on site.

And if experiencing this spectacular region from the ground is not enough... why not witness these world famous sights from the air? Helicopter and light aircraft charters are available across the region.

For the seriously adventurous there is also the opportunity to learn how to wingwalk at the RFC Rendcomb Airfield in Cheltenham.

Contact

These are just some of the great ideas for a unique and rewarding incentive in England. There are, of course, other superb activities and venues in the area. For more information please contact Simon Gidman (simon.gidman@visitengland.org).