Bore is the rather curious name given to a unique tidal phenomenon. An exceptionally high tide produces a wave so large that it travels upstream within the banks of the nearest river, sometimes for several miles. Favourable conditions for a really big Bore, such as a strong following wind, can produce a wave on the Severn river over two metres high, moving at an average speed of 16 kilometres per hour. The waves attract hundreds of spectators and more excitingly, the daring and intrepid Bore Riders.
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Daily
Each year on Whit Sunday the small village of St Briavels, in the Wye Valley, plays host to the Bread and Cheese Dole. Anticipate a scrum as villagers jostle for their share of a curious bounty...
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May 2013 (annual)
Chepstow Racecourse annually hosts the Welsh National, the biggest and richest race meeting of the year. The track is popular with racegoers especially for this Christmas season racing calendar highlight.
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Dec 2013 (annual)
Badminton Horse Trials are among the more testing competitions in the equestrian calendar. The famous cross-country course is long, gruelling, but always well built and most competitors get round, if they don't fall in the water!
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May 2013 (annual)
The Cistercian abbey of Tintern is one of the greatest monastic ruins in Wales, originally founded in 1131 by Walter de Clare and added to and updated in every century until its dissolution in 1536. Thankfully for its preservation, its history was relatively uneventful and it suffered little in the Welsh uprisings of the medieval period.
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Daily
Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury, contains one of the finest collections of trees and shrubs in the world. With 18,000 trees set in 600 acres of landscaped grounds, it merits a visit any time of year.
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Daily
Paris, Milan, London and now Bristol can lay claim to their own fashion week. Held at Cribbs Causeway Mall, catwalk shows display the coming season's newest trends, while stylists, colourists and beauticians are on hand to give shoppers fashion advice.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
Fine textiles, paintings and pretty items of blue-and-white delftware reside at Gloucestershire's majestic Dyrham Park. Built between 1692 and 1704, the house and its contents reflect the taste of the time for Dutch fashions.
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Feb - Oct 2013; not Wed or Thu (various dates)
Situated in the beautiful parkland of the Blaise Estate, the Blaise Castle House Museum was an 18th century house and now holds most of the Museums Service's social history collection. It was immortalised by Jane Austen, who described it as "the finest place in England" in Northanger Abbey.
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Daily; not Thu or Fri
The annual Gatcombe Horse Trials are held in the spectacular setting of Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, home to the Princess Royal and her family. Leading riders take part from around the world, ensuring an exciting and extremely competitive event.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
The Friends Life T20 begins with a group format in June, before quarter finals in July and Finals Day at Southampton's Rose Bowl in August. Gloucestershire Gladiators play their home games at the County Ground in Bristol.
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Jun - Aug 2013 (annual)
A long-established, award-winning Bristol favourite, Bell's Diner in Montpelier serves European food with a modern twist, such as beef carpaccio with a beetroot sorbet. The understated décor in cool colours with pristine white tablecoths belies the buzzy atmosphere. It is ideal for those with an adventurous palate. Reservations are a must.
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Daily; not Sun
The Croft on Stokes Croft showcases local, national and international DJs and live bands. The laid-back Front Bar regularly hosts DJs and acoustic bands and the Back Room has live acts most nights of the week.
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Daily
Rajpoot Restaurant is housed in a grand, split-level Georgian house that overlooks Bristol's Clifton Downs. The extensive menu draws influence from throughout India, with an impressive number of fish dishes. For dessert, try Mughal sweets like iced Rasgulla cooked in syrup with green cardamom or hot fried Jalabies with vanilla ice cream.
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Daily; not Sun
Platform 1 in Clifton attracts a crowd who enjoy dancing to a range of good music. The excellent sound system plays an eclectic mix of house, disco, funk and soul in this cosy underground venue with its retro décor.
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Daily
Big-name UK and international DJs appear regularly at The Syndicate, a superclub in the city centre. The main arena pumps out dance music from a sophisticated sound system and room two offers alternative music, including punk and rock.
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Daily
Zerodegrees is a city centre microbrewery serving black, wheat, pale and pilsner ales as well as thirst-quenching fruit beers. Pizzas from a wood-burning stove complement the beers and the open terrace has views across the city's rooftops.
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Daily
Bristol Blue Glass has been made locally for hundreds of years, although production virtually stopped in the 20th century. The factory in Arnos Vale has revived original techniques, creating and selling vases, glasses and jugs in the distinctive dark blue glass.
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Daily
The Big Chill Bristol brings the laid-back vibes and atmosphere of the Big Chill Festival to the South West. Expect comfy spaces, cool design and a relaxing blend of drinks, music and food. DJs spin tunes in the bar.
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Daily
The Dot to Dot Festival is a unique opportunity to sample a broad range of established and up-and-coming global music acts. Various venues across Bristol play host to this year's festival, which also visits Nottingham and Manchester.
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Jun 2013 (various dates)
The Bristol Shakespeare Festival is a celebration of open-air performance that welcomes theatre companies from all over the country. Much-loved productions by the Bard are staged at indoor and outdoor spaces across the city, including Ashton Court and Bristol Zoo.
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Jul - Aug 2013 (annual)
Mayfest is Bristol's annual celebration of outstanding new theatre from the South West, the UK and beyond. Performances take place at venues around the city and feature a mixture of productions from new and innovative to esteemed and established.
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May 2013 (annual)
Runners make their way across the car-free roads of Bristol on the day of the Bristol 10k Run. Passing the Avon Gorge and the harbourside, the dedicated runners sweat it out for this charity run.
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May 2013 (annual)
Do your bit for climate change by taking part in Bristol's Biggest Bike Ride, an annual event that promotes two wheels over four. Run by the council, the event gives keen cyclists a choice of traffic-free routes.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
The Bristol Half Marathon is one of the UK's leading road races. More than 15,000 runners follow a course that takes in Bristol's old city, the harbourside and the stunning Avon Gorge.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
Bristol Doors Open Day provides the chance to see the inside of some of the city's most fascinating and important buildings. Many are not normally open to the general public, and entry is free.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
Located in the old Corn Exchange in the city centre, St Nicholas Market has a wide selection of stalls and tiny shops selling one-off products not seen in high street shops, including clothes, jewellery and bric-a-brac.
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Daily; not Sun
Bristol Zoo Gardens, located in large award-winning gardens in Clifton, carries out conservation projects and breeds endangered species. The Seal & Penguin zone is particularly popular, allowing visitors to see creatures beneath the water's surface, through transparent tunnels.
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Daily
Anywhere with reindeer has a headstart on festive celebrations, so Bristol Zoo Gardens is just the place to spend a Fantabulous Christmas! For two days, entertainers, bands, storytellers and Santa himself are on hand to ensure everyone feels some Christmas cheer.
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Dec 2013 (annual)
Get less bang for your buck at Bristol Zoo Gardens this Guy Fawkes Night! As its animals are distressed by the conventional clamour of fireworks displays, the zoo holds a special, but silent, fireworks spectacular to celebrate this usually cacophonous night.
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Nov 2013 (annual)
Bristol's first art gallery, the Royal West of England Academy in Clifton was founded in 1849. Housed in a magnificent grade II-listed building, the gallery contains many fine works bequeathed by the academy's main benefactor, Ellen Sharples, plus new additions.
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Daily
The Royal West of England Academy presents its most popular exhibition of the year. The Autumn Exhibition features over 500 watercolour, oil, paint, print, sculpture, photography and drawing works chosen from 1500 pieces submitted by well-known and little-known artists.
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Oct - Dec 2013 (annual)
Boston Tea Party in Park Street serves delicious, affordable meals with ingredients mainly sourced from the West Country. The menu covers light snacks to more substantial meals such as sweet potato and feta wraps. Diners can choose from eating upstairs in the terraced garden or snacking on a panini on one of the comfy sofas.
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Daily
The Bristol Guild on Park Street, a labyrinthine building covering three floors, is a landmark shop selling hand-crafted and designer gifts. You'll also find unusual toys, gourmet foods, jewellery, furniture, crafts and kitchenware.
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Daily; not Sun
The generous portions, good value and excellent service at the Beijing Bistro on Park Street ensures a loyal following. The minimalist, modern décor in this split-level venue does not detract from the delicious wok-fried noodle dishes served piping hot. The large windows overlooking Park Street make it a great place for people watching.
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Daily
Bristol's Red Lodge is a magnificent 16th-century house, furnished in both Elizabethan and Georgian styles. It houses one of the city's greatest treasures: the Great Oak Room, considered to be one of the finest Elizabethan rooms in the West Country.
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Daily; not Thu or Fri
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery in Clifton houses permanent displays of local, national and international interest and excellent temporary exhibitions, usually with a local theme. The top-floor galleries include Old Masters and a collection of British and modern art.
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Daily
The natural world is brought into fresh focus with the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery. Travel the globe through the eye of a lens, from the cold Arctic to the deepest tropical rainforests.
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Nov 2012 - Mar 2013 (annual)
Bristol's Old Vic has a beautiful, Georgian auditorium and is the oldest continuously working theatre in the country (since about 1766). Renowned for an excellent repertory programme, it plays host to some of the best local and national theatre companies throughout the year.
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Daily
Local producers from within a 40-mile radius sell a massive range of food at this award-winning market on Bristol's Corn Street. All the produce is grown, reared, caught, brewed, pickled, baked or smoked by the stallholders.
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Wed only
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