Federations Visit to Bristol, Bath, Wells, Glastonbury and the Mendips

Sunday 27th April – Thursday 1^st May 2025

 

 

 

The happy band left Naas on a fine sunny morning to pick up the remainder of our fellow travellers at Heuston station and then on to the ferry terminal at Dublin Port. Our trip this year was to the Bristol-Bath area in the South of England and it was with great anticipation that we boarded the ferry

We had representatives from twelve counties namely, Dublin, Armagh, Down, Derry, Antrim, Waterford, Meath, Tipperary, Cork, Galway, Kildare and Roscommon. There were members from twenty – four historical societies together with two individual members.

The onward journey from Holyhead was quite long so we made a comfort stop on the way before arriving safely at our hotel in Bristol. The Holiday Inn at Filton proved to be an excellent choice with friendly staff, excellent food, top class facilities and set in a most picturesque location.

MONDAY      BATH

We set off after breakfast again on a beautiful sun-drenched morning travelling along the Avon Valley to Bath, one of the most interesting and historical towns in England. The Spa town we found resplendent in the morning sunlight.

 

After meeting our second guide, Andrew, who joined us near the Royal Crescent we enjoyed a guided walking tour taking in some of the city’s many highlights.

 

It was an added bonus to see the city’s unique honey coloured architecture illuminated in such glorious sunshine.    Our guide, Ian, said we would never get a better day to see Bath at its best. The famous Roman Baths awaited us and we were not disappointed. It was a unique opportunity to experience what life was like for these early Romans,

The huge complex was beautifully preserved with the baths still intact and so many ancient artefacts on view to the visitor. We could not however leave without “taking of the Spa waters” and we duly obliged. After lunch we had free time to explore other delights of Bath, including the Jane Austen Centre, Bath Abbey, Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein to name a few.

 

It was a delight to mosey around the lots of independent shops, tea rooms, courts and the many little alleyways that were in abundance.

After a wonderful day it was time to return to the Filton Hotel and enjoy our evening repast. After dinner we were delighted to welcome, through an introduction from our own Doreen Mc Bride, Ele and Jezz Palmer from the History Press Publications who gave us a most interesting and entertaining presentation on history publishing especially self-publishing. Doreen has been working with them over the years on the many books she has written herself. Time again to relax and enjoy a little libation.

TUESDAY               We started the day with a coach tour of Bristol, accompanied by some enthralling commentary from Ian and managed a stop to get a look at Brunel’s famous Clifton Suspension Bridge.

 

After parking our coach, we walked down to the centre via St Nicholas and the Market. Accompanied by Ian we then took a walking tour through the Old Market City. It was here that we were reminded how the city made a lot of money on the back of the slave trade.

A bit of free time and then it was time to meet our boat, the Flower of Bristol for a cruise of Bristol Harbour.

 

The cruise was enchanting and enhanced by the lovely afternoon weather and the excellent commentary by the boat captain.

 

Our cruise finished as we disembarked at the jetty where Brunel’s SS Great Britain lay awaiting for us. The ship was a most impressive sight sitting majestically in dry dock in the afternoon sunshine.

A self-guided tour took us above and below deck, it was a pleasure to see the wonderful restoration work that had been done, including cabins, ships quarters and a most impressive ballroom. The accompanying adjacent Museum was well worth a visit and another added attraction to the visitor.

Just when we thought the day was over, we were wrong, as Ian had another of his many “Hidden Gems” up his sleeve. Taking a little detour through some suburban cityscapes we landed in Blaise Hamlet. A magical place with a lush village green and some of the most extraordinary and beautiful thatched cottages we had ever seen. Built in 1809 to house pensioners on the Blaise Estate, the Hamlet was really something special to see. The end of another memorable day.

 

 

 

 

 

WEDNESDAY

Today our journey took us into the beautiful county of Somerset a glorious landscape filled with fascinating geology, topography as well as a wealth of myths and legends. Our first port of call was the unique little city of Wells, one of the smallest cities in England but one of the most interesting and full of history. It boasts a magnificent Medieval Cathedral including the Bishop’s Palace, some stunning gardens and of course its famous Swans. A lovely city with its High Street and independent shops, unique cafes and local cuisine. We found it difficult to tear ourselves away from this beautiful and most interesting city but leave we must and so we were off to the mysterious Glastonbury.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glastonbury, once the cradle of England’s Christianity was   a revelation.  The ruined Abbey was majestic against the skyline and much larger than we expected. The site was filled with many unique sights including the Abbot’s Kitchen, the Monk’s Lavatory, Crypt and Well, Great Chapel,

Museum, Medieval Herb Garden and of course the impressive Abbey Ruins. In the grounds was the site of King Arthur’s Tomb and the Holy Thor, famous for its connection with Joseph of Arimathea. Sadly, At we had to leave this magical place behind with a vow to return again

 

. We then travelled into the picturesque and impressive Mendip Hills passing through the unique Cheddar Gorge a spectacular sight to see. Ian not to be outdone had another Hidden Gem for us.

We stopped at a place where there was a cleft in the rock reputed to have inspired the famous Hymn, “Rock of Ages”, a great opportunity for a photo shot. A wonderful day in Somerset.

That evening after dinner we made some presentations in appreciation to a few people. One was to our fabulous driver, Garvan Boyce, who had propelled us safely along all the highways and byways we encountered. The presentation was made by Bridie Bradley from FULS, I myself made a presentation to the catering staff for their wonderful care, attention and service which was outstanding all week.

Our Chairperson, Mairead Byrne, made a number of presentations to our Guide and

Great friend, Ian Jeff for the superb job he had done in making this a trip truly to remember.

 

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THURSDAY

All good things must come to an end, so it was great sadness that we left the Filton Hotel which had been our home for the week. We travelled after breakfast to the ferry at Holyhead making a comfort stop at the Wedgwood Centre in Stoke -on-Trent. At Dublin Port it was just left to say our farewells and wish each other a safe journey home.

The trip will be remembered for a lot of things, not least of all the many interesting places we visited and of course the fabulous weather we were lucky to have.

 

 

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