The Route
Our Great Drive takes us from a village within a city via a Victorian favourite, culminating in a Phoenix on the coast!
Surely the most desired postcode within Bristol would be within Clifton Village, a charming yet sophisticated suburb with its grand merchant houses, quaint coffee shops and wine bars.
A wonderful place to visit for an early morning coffee, before a stroll around the shops followed by a walk across the Downs, past Brunel’s famous Suspension Bridge that is arguably Bristol’s signature architectural structure.
We start our drive by passing over the Bridge and into Leigh Woods, another affluent area of Bristol, briefly joining the A369 towards Portishead and then turning left onto the B3129 to Failand.
At the traffic lights with the B3128 turn right in the direction of the wonderful National Trust property of Tyntesfield. These B-roads are wide and sweeping; a refreshing contrast to the congested streets of Clifton.
Just past Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm turn right with signposts for Clapton-in-Gordano, passing over the motorway and down into the Gordano Valley and the B3124 below, now heading towards Clevedon.
Cruise through the hamlets of Weston-in- Gordano and Walton-in-Gordano, again lovely flowing roads and superb lush scenery.
Once in the town of Clevedon, head towards the beautifully-preserved Victorian seafront for a walk along the restored pier with an ice-cream or tea at the end. The kids thought this was a real treat.
I can also recommend a ride on the new miniature steam train!
Back on the road, join the B3133 heading for Kenn, then Yatton and to the A370 for our lunch stop at the Ship and Castle Mezzé Pub in Congresbury.
On the site of a 15th century brewery and ale house, the locally sourced, not only Greek, menu always offers great variety.
On a sunny day the freshly renovated garden is to be recommended. Refreshed, turn left to stay on the B3133 through the village, towards Langford and the A38.
Turn right on the A38 to the traffic lights at Churchill to pick up the A368, with signposts for the villages of Sandford and Banwell.
Negotiate the narrow High Street of Banwell, joining the A371 to pass over the motorway, then turning left to Hutton, passing the site of Bristol Aerojet, which built aircraft here between 1941 and 1959 and is now the village of Elborough.
Pass the floral displays within Hutton to join the A370 at Uphill, turning right in the direction of Weston-super-Mare seafront.
A stroll along the prom at Weston has never been more enjoyable thanks to the new promenade and sea defences, topped off by the new Grand Pier, packed with amusements and rides. Glistening in the summer sunshine, this majestic 21st century take on a Victoria pier was born out of the devastating fire that took place five years ago this month.n
For those petrol heads, if you are hunting for a motoring themed finale to your Great Drive, why not pay a visit to the world famous Lambretta Museum which is packed with all sorts of scooter memorabilia, including models from the 1940’s as well as three wheeled examples.
