Excursion tips, things to do ?

[ssummer]

We have never been anywhere in the British Isles. The cruise goes from Dover to Jersey, Bristol, Fishguard Wales, Bantry Ireland and Foynes.

If anyone could suggest any definite places or excursions we should see please tell me about them. Thank you so much

[sleepingcat]

First of all check where the ship actually docks for each call.  For example 'Bristol' will I think actually be AVonmouth which is a large, modern commercial (ugly) port about 4 miles from Bristol.  

 

Jersey is a tiny island. you could enjoy yourselves just walking off the ship and wandering around St Hellier.  Or get a taxi to tour your round the whole island.

 

Bristol is a large city but with lots of history and historic buildings .  you could just take the train from Avonmouth into the city, or do the ships tour.   I would suggest not to take a tour which involves hours in a bus (eg if they offer Stonehenge, even though it's unique, probably better not unless you are never likely to be in the UK again). One thing to know is that our roads are terrible, and mostly very busy. 

 

Fishguard is a small pretty port where ferries leave for Ireland. Again I would just get off and wander round. 

 

Cannot advise about Ireland, but again, check where the ship actually docks. 

If you search a bit more on this forum you ll find entries for your ports with better suggestions than I can make. Sadly you havent got a call in the lovely part of Britain where we live. 

[rhiannon84]

If you say more about things you like to see/do, then we can offer suggestions. For example, how mobile are you? Do you like old churches or lively pubs? Is local food and culture important? Etc etc. 

 

I can give tips for Bristol 

[ski ww]

Also check out the roll call for your cruise & get in touch with others on your cruise.

[Harters]

As already mentioned, Jersey is a tiny island, only 14.5km x 8km  and "things to do" are very low key. Wandering round St Helier will give you an idea what a small UK town is like. 

 

One "attraction" well worth visiting are the War Tunnels. Jersey was the only part of the British Isles occupied by the Germans during World War 2. The museum at the tunnels tells the story of the occupation and the resistance of the islanders. 

 

For an older bit of history, there's the 800 year old Gorey Castle. 

Edited February 1 by Harters

[Cotswold Eagle]

5 minutes ago, Harters said:

 

 

 Jersey was the only part of the British Isles occupied by the Germans during World War 2. 

The other Channel Islands might have something to say about that! But I agree, for those interested it is a fascinating (and sometimes troublesome) story.

[Harters]

Thanks, Cotswold. I rely on your much greater knowledge to correct my errors. 

Edited February 1 by Harters

[ssummer]

5 hours ago, rhiannon84 said:

If you say more about things you like to see/do, then we can offer suggestions. For example, how mobile are you? Do you like old churches or lively pubs? Is local food and culture important? Etc etc. 

 

I can give tips for Bristol 

'usually, when we go off board, we like to do some sightseeing,preferably by foot,as that gives us possibility of seeing most of a town.We don't mind walking a lot.also we do like going to a museum . We enjoy a restaurant or a bar,as that is our job,and we are curious about such venues.

[VMax1700]

Bantry:  The town itself has Bantry House.  Other spots worthy of interest are Garnish Island (from Glengarrif) or Gougane Barra. 

https://www.bantryhouse.com/

https://www.garinishisland.ie/

https://gouganebarra.com/

[Harters]

I really only ever visit Dover to catch the ferry to France so don't know too much about the tourism opportunities in town. But the castle is the main attraction  - construction started in the 1180s but the site dates backs to the Iron Age and was in  some form of defensive use up to the time of the Cold War. If you have time, particularly if youre arriving the day before your cruise, it'll be worth a visit. 

[rhiannon84]

Thanks @ssummer What time of year are you going? 

[ssummer]

13 hours ago, rhiannon84 said:

Thanks @ssummer What time of year are you going? 

The second week of June 🙂

[rhiannon84]

Getting from Royal Portbury Docks to Bristol, I expect there will be a ship-provided shuttle to the city centre (probably around Millennium Square). As a working dock, there should be a shuttle from the ship-dock entrance where you can get a taxi. Bolt and Uber are both available in Bristol, but as the docks are far out you might need to use one of the local cab firms (e.g. Veezu, Yellow Cabs).

Unfortunately Royal Portbury Docks is too difficult to get to on public transport.

 

Here's a potential itinerary based on what you like - and hoping for good weather! 

 

1. Get a taxi to Underfall Yard (https://underfallyard.co.uk/), where you can grab a nice coffee/breakfast, then walk via the Marina (look out for the Banksy!) to the SS Great Britain museum (https://www.ssgreatbritain.org/). It's pricy, but very good. Expect to spend 1-2hours here.

 

2. From there, walk up to Wapping Wharf (https://www.wappingwharf.co.uk/)  for lunch in one of the container restaurants at Cargo2 (book if it's a weekend - Root, Gambas and Seven Lucky Gods are very good). Mokoko is great for coffee & a pastry as well. Pop into the M Shed museum (https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/) and the Matthew ship (https://matthew.co.uk/) - both are free.

 

3. Then walk over the bridge to either Mud Dock (https://www.mud-dock.co.uk/cafe/) or the Arnolfini (https://arnolfini.org.uk/cafe-bar/) for a drink with a view.

 

4. If you have time, then get the No 8 bus from College Green, oppose Swoon Gelato (https://www.swoononaspoon.co.uk/) and another Banksy, up to Clifton Village. From the bus stop (also called Clifton Village) it's a 10 minute walk to the Suspension Bridge and the Observatory.

 

4.An alternative to going to Clifton is to walk or take the harbour ferry further around the harbour.  (https://www.bristolferry.com/waterbus/) from City Centre to Mardyke, then have a drink/snack on the Grain Barge (https://grainbarge.com/food-and-drink/) before getting a taxi back to the Docks.

 

Hope that gives you some ideas to play with - the Harbour is a very nice walk loop, with lots of good places to eat and drink

 

[John Bull]

Dover - yes, if you have time Dover Castle - one of the very first Norman castles, in continuous use from the 12th century to WW2. Magnificent Keep with views of France. Roman lighthouse. Medieval, 19th century and WW2 tunnels. Military museums. Well-worth a full day, you need at least 2 hours.

 

The other ports are secondary - niche places. Are you on a small ship

 

Jersey - you will port or tender into St Helier.

We lodged on Gorey Harbour in the shadow of Gorey Castle aka Mount Orgueil Castle), but it's 20 minutes from St Helier.

Elizabeth Castle lies off St Helier on a tidal islet -  walkable across the sandbar at low tide, also accessible at high tide on a tall amphibious bus. Dial "Elizabeth Castle amphibious bus Jersey" into google-images. That bus is a five-minute walk from the harbour, add 15 minutes if you want to walk across from there at low tide. 17th Century, younger than Gorey Castle but still interesting.

 

Bristol - even if you're on a very small cruise ship, should your captain try to sail up the River Avon to Bristol you'd all very quickly get stuck 😃. You'll berth in Avonmouth or Portbury, about 8 - 10 miles from Bristol, 20 - 30 minutes by road. Train service from Avonmouth, not from Portbury.

Bristol's major attraction is SS Great Britain (google it), about a mile down-river from the city centre so visit it on the way to or from Bristol

 

Lived in the UK most of my life - never visited any of the other places.

 

JB 🙂

,  

[ssummer]

18 hours ago, rhiannon84 said:

Getting from Royal Portbury Docks to Bristol, I expect there will be a ship-provided shuttle to the city centre (probably around Millennium Square). As a working dock, there should be a shuttle from the ship-dock entrance where you can get a taxi. Bolt and Uber are both available in Bristol, but as the docks are far out you might need to use one of the local cab firms (e.g. Veezu, Yellow Cabs).

Unfortunately Royal Portbury Docks is too difficult to get to on public transport.

 

Here's a potential itinerary based on what you like - and hoping for good weather! 

 

1. Get a taxi to Underfall Yard (https://underfallyard.co.uk/), where you can grab a nice coffee/breakfast, then walk via the Marina (look out for the Banksy!) to the SS Great Britain museum (https://www.ssgreatbritain.org/). It's pricy, but very good. Expect to spend 1-2hours here.

 

2. From there, walk up to Wapping Wharf (https://www.wappingwharf.co.uk/)  for lunch in one of the container restaurants at Cargo2 (book if it's a weekend - Root, Gambas and Seven Lucky Gods are very good). Mokoko is great for coffee & a pastry as well. Pop into the M Shed museum (https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/) and the Matthew ship (https://matthew.co.uk/) - both are free.

 

3. Then walk over the bridge to either Mud Dock (https://www.mud-dock.co.uk/cafe/) or the Arnolfini (https://arnolfini.org.uk/cafe-bar/) for a drink with a view.

 

4. If you have time, then get the No 8 bus from College Green, oppose Swoon Gelato (https://www.swoononaspoon.co.uk/) and another Banksy, up to Clifton Village. From the bus stop (also called Clifton Village) it's a 10 minute walk to the Suspension Bridge and the Observatory.

 

4.An alternative to going to Clifton is to walk or take the harbour ferry further around the harbour.  (https://www.bristolferry.com/waterbus/) from City Centre to Mardyke, then have a drink/snack on the Grain Barge (https://grainbarge.com/food-and-drink/) before getting a taxi back to the Docks.

 

Hope that gives you some ideas to play with - the Harbour is a very nice walk loop, with lots of good places to eat and drink

 

Wow! Thanks a lot! 

[ssummer]

18 hours ago, John Bull said:

Dover - yes, if you have time Dover Castle - one of the very first Norman castles, in continuous use from the 12th century to WW2. Magnificent Keep with views of France. Roman lighthouse. Medieval, 19th century and WW2 tunnels. Military museums. Well-worth a full day, you need at least 2 hours.

 

The other ports are secondary - niche places. Are you on a small ship

 

Jersey - you will port or tender into St Helier.

We lodged on Gorey Harbour in the shadow of Gorey Castle aka Mount Orgueil Castle), but it's 20 minutes from St Helier.

Elizabeth Castle lies off St Helier on a tidal islet -  walkable across the sandbar at low tide, also accessible at high tide on a tall amphibious bus. Dial "Elizabeth Castle amphibious bus Jersey" into google-images. That bus is a five-minute walk from the harbour, add 15 minutes if you want to walk across from there at low tide. 17th Century, younger than Gorey Castle but still interesting.

 

Bristol - even if you're on a very small cruise ship, should your captain try to sail up the River Avon to Bristol you'd all very quickly get stuck 😃. You'll berth in Avonmouth or Portbury, about 8 - 10 miles from Bristol, 20 - 30 minutes by road. Train service from Avonmouth, not from Portbury.

Bristol's major attraction is SS Great Britain (google it), about a mile down-river from the city centre so visit it on the way to or from Bristol

 

Lived in the UK most of my life - never visited any of the other places.

 

JB 🙂

,  

Thank you !