101 reasons to stay in Redland for the summer holidays

Further to the article I penned last week about the staycation versus going abroad on

holiday I’ve come up with far more reasons for staying in Redland than trekking

to Europe or beyond.

Firstly, there’s the terrible exchange rate which means that your pounds

are eaten up instantly – where  a beer

abroad once cost a fraction of the price it does at home it now costs loads

more. Possibly the only place you’ll get good value for money is Greece and

that’s only because of their major economic

crisis – I can’t help feeling that would be somewhat exploitative. Saying

that, there’s a bit of an Internet

campaign at the moment encouraging people to travel to Greece.

You’ve also got to think about what you are going to do

abroad. If it’s a relaxing beach holiday you’re after then Bristol is within an

hour or so of some wonderful beaches, all accessible by rail and road links

from Redland – Weston-super-Mare

and North Devon

to the South West, South Wales

to the North West and the gorgeous Dorset

coastline to the south.

If it’s culture you’re after then it is literally on your

doorstep, in spitting distance from Redland. Think Isambard

Brunel’s Clifton Suspension

Bridge, Bristol

Museum and the magnificent Bristol

Cathedral on College Green.

And if its festivals and events you’re after you could do a

lot worse than stay in Redland. From the picturesque hills of Redland you can

watch the impressive Balloon

Fiesta, which takes place at the end of August. You’re also sure to get a

good view from the luscious Redland

Green or the sprawling Downs.

Which takes me nicely onto reason number five...

So you want to explore the outdoors? One might have thought

that living in the heart of a city would mean a lack of greenery, of that

amazing countryside vibe, but alas this is not the case. Head to one of

Redlands many parks and you could easily while away a whole day, week, month

even. People watch, read a book or enjoy a snooze. It’s safe, relaxing and

takes no effort at all to get there.

Some people head abroad for shopping sprees (New York being

the destination of choice – damn you Continental

Airlines for pulling out of Bristol

Airport). But the Americans can keep their Macy’s

and their Bloomingdales for we have

got Cabot Circus with Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser and closer to

Redland – there’s Whiteladies Road

with all its independent shops, cafes and bars.

And for those food lovers who feel the need to head to Italy

or France for fine cuisine...think again, for we have it all here in Redland.

Whiteladies Road is rocking an eclectic mix of Italian (Aqua), British (Picturehouse), Spanish (Las Iguanas) and Thai Classic. While on the other side

of Redland, Zetland and Gloucester Road are tantilising the tastebuds with the

upmarket Greens, Number  10 (Mediterranean) and Aroma African

restaurant (in Montpelier). Oh and there’s the delicious Tandoori Indian

restaurant on Chandos Road. For everyone who loves the whole fresh

croissants/bread thing when on holiday in Europe, no need to miss out on that

either – just pay a visit to the Redland Village Bakery on Chandos Road. There’s

also the bi-weekly

farmers market, if you’re feeling more adventurous and wish to try and cook

an exotic dish yourself. Or you could cheat and get the freshly prepared BBQ

ready fish from the Rockfish

Grill!

I’ve already written a couple of pieces about stuff

for kids to do, and ideas for the more sporty

folk and it’s less than a 15 minute walk to Bristol Zoo from Redland, about the

same for the Harbourside with At Bristol and the iconic ships (eg SS Great Britain) and not

far at all to go and wonder around the lovely little City

Farm in St Werburghs – where you’ll see pigs, chickens, rabbits and other

farmyard animals.

If you were looking to get away for the sport (ignoring the

complete failure that was the World

Cup) then there’s no need to do that either as just up the road in Horfield

there’s the Bristol Rovers

football ground which occasionally hosts out of season friendlies and there’s

the Gloucestershire

County Cricket Ground which certainly hosts games during the summer season.

The Bristol Lawn Tennis and Squash Club

at Redland Green also hold summer tournaments negating the need to head to Wimbledon for your tennis

fix hey?!

Another common feature of travelling abroad on holiday is

finding the time to read a million books (slight exaggeration there), well

there’s no reason why you cannot do that in the comfort of your own garden –

seeing as the weather has been treating us so well in recent months! Head to

the newly re-located Cox and

Baloney’s Vintage Boutique and pick yourself up a bargain book (or

ten),failing that there are no shortage of charity shops with a gazillion

bargains to be had – the best of which are the Oxfam Bookshop

on Cotham Hill and the British

Heart Foundation shop up the top of Whiteladies Road.

Perhaps you are a typical Brit and head abroad for booze,

music and some summer lovin? Once more, there’s no shortage of that on the

Whiteladies Road drag – with bars like Platform

1, The Ranch and Sasparilla catering for all your

needs.

So there we have it. Not quite 101 reasons to stay in

Redland rather than go abroad but a darn good case for the staycation methinks!

As always, feel free to disagree entirely though.