Family weekend in North Somerset

Day 1
 
Excitement, Adventure, Memories. These are the take-aways from a great family weekend that gives renewed energy for the week ahead.
 
What better place to start than at the award-winning Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm near Wraxhall. This is a family-owned working farm and has an exciting, large animal collection of over one hundred species which includes African elephants, giraffe, lions, rhinos and spectacled bears. Visitors enjoy close encounters with some amazing animals.
 
You could spend a whole day here but if you are thinking of moving on then do take advantage of the great catering that uses local produce before you do, it will be a lunch to remember!
 
Alternatively try the nearby Failand Inn which has a wide choice on the menu or The Old Farmhouse at Nailsea which is a family-friendly Grade II listed former farmhouse that offers homemade food, childrens’ menu and a newly refurbished outside play area 
 
Nearby Tyntesfield offers an interesting contrast for the afternoon. Tyntesfield is owned by the National Trust and is a Victorian country house and estate, which serves as a backdrop to the remarkable story of four generations of the Gibbs family. This Victorian Gothic masterpiece and the collection of over 50,000 objects, whilst outside there are three play areas, a woodland adventure play and sculpture trail, and seasonal family trails around the estate.
 
As we work towards day two of your family weekend, we are going to take you to the coast for your overnight stay at the Best Western Walton Park Hotel at Clevedon. This sits on the cliffs with wonderful views and a choice of dining options. 
 
For the evening you might be able to catch a film at the unique Clevedon Curzon. This historic cinema is over 100 years old and is one of the most atmospheric venues you could hope to visit. The film choice is modern though and a great way to immerse yourself in something other than the sea! www.curzon.org.uk
 
Day 2
 
Waking up in Clevedon invigorates you for a day on the coast and a great place for the family to start is at Clevedon Pier . This is a famous film location, not least for the band One Direction who filmed their hit ‘You and I’ on this historic landmark. The Glass Box restaurant on the pier is another unique place to eat and drink with unforgettable views.
 
Clevedon is a great place to spend some family time with a miniature railway  and mini-golf centre and independent shops and cafes. 
 
A drive north to Portishead offers the chance of a traditional picnic with great views at Portishead Lake Grounds. The long esplanade and lake area offers the chance to run around and get some sea air. An open air pool at the northern end can give some summer fun 
 
Portishead Marina offers an interesting contrast for a stroll around, with modern cosmopolitan apartments overlooking an array of boats and yachts, their pennants fluttering in the breeze.
 
SeaRock is an exciting place to stop for lunch in the Marina area.  It really is a seaside experience, all that you would expect with a family-friendly menu. 
 
Alternatively Aqua at the other end of the Marina offers a cosmopolitan feel with contemporary wide-ranging menus including stone-baked pizzas and exciting options for children.
 
For the afternoon, we take a trip back in time at Oakham Treasures.  This is a Homespun museum of retail & farming history, with vintage tractors & sweet shop & grocery displays. This extraordinary collection of nostalgia appeals to all ages that stimulates lots of conversations, memories and stories.
 
The collection was the idea of a farmer, Keith Sherrell and it is still a family business that has grown and grown with so many artefacts to enjoy and admire.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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